If Illinois is going to say historically they are a top 15 program, then shouldn't they be slotted behind a team like San Francisco which has at least won the thing a couple times?

College athletics has changed a lot since the 50s and even the 90s so toss out pretty much everything before the tournament has expanded to 64 and create your list of 15.

Illinois won't be on it.

Thanks for the valuable input.

Is March troll season?

  Truth be told!!!!

 

What the Illini Nation is saying is Historically we are a top 15 program. Obviously we are not a top 15 program right now. Our all time record against the schools you listed is 488-426, not to shabby huh? The way I see it we only have a losing record to 6 of the 21 teams you listed.

All time B10 record of 873-625 with a losing record to only Purdue. All time Sagarin ranking of 6th. most recent Sagarin decade ranking of 6th(2000-2009). 

While no one knows it better than us we are lacking in National titles(sigh), to say we are anything other than a top15-20 program historically is just being uninformed. 
 
Unlike many here in CU, I am ecstatic to be getting Groce. He will do very well here I am sure. Even with the Leonard departure we still have plenty of talent to not consider this a rebuilding project. After 9 years of some of the worst coaching ever it wont take Groce very long to win over the doubters here.

Been lurking here a few days now, but I wont be sticking around. Sure wish I could take some of you with me back to HQ though, a knowledgeable and civil fanbase you appear to be, a refreshing change from most of the idiots on my home board. 

Thank you Bobcat nation, we wish you well, and will root for your success in the near and distant future.

This time it is in the air.

You're right Van, it's like saying 2-3 years ago that Indiana was no longer a top flight job. Illinois just needed to find the right coach to bring them back to their potential. They lost their way.

Heck, if we can say Illinois is a Top 30-40 job... but you know what, where is Ohio on that list? But like someone said, Illinois has the money and we don't, and that's why it is a better job, they have the money and facilities to be very good on a consistent basis.

It is just silly, when Groce was hired we KNEW this day would come. Now that the day is here we are junkies that just want one more year. We just have to trust the guys that brought Groce here in the first place that they can find another guy that can continue the ride. That guy is out there, we just have to find him. Groce came here and built something that will help us get an even brighter younger head coach.

Then in 4-5 years we will be having this discussion again...

Reggie keely jr ‏ @BiG_ReG30

Dustin Ford for head coach please

I have to say that between that and Walt's tweet, my opinion has been lowered. Athens is a special place and these players are an oh-so-special group, but not as special as the almighty dollar.

Whatever.

Good luck to you, Coach Groce, you're going to need it with that fanbase and administration. Although I feel bitter about the way this went down, I honestly wish you nothing but the best because I truly appreciate what you did here. How about a home-and-home? Would be nice if you could do us that favor.

Home and home isn't going to happen, especially not this year. It wouldn't exactly look too good for Groce to have his former team full of highly motivated, battle tested jr's and sr's walk in and beat the Illini at home in his first year. It may happen down the road, but I don't think Groce would be dumb enough to do it now.

The argument could be made that it's much better for the long term future of the program that he leave now. Leaving after next year would risk leaving the cupboard bare for a new coach. By leaving now, Groce leaves a program with a stacked, experienced roster which is a very attractive situation for a coach looking to step in right away. There's a good chance we'll be a top 25 team next year and will play some high profile games, which will get the new coach national exposure which, when it comes to recruiting, can only be a good thing. 

All things considered, as sad as I am to see Groce go, I think the last couple of months have been nothing but good for our program and we're in much better shape on the day he steps out than we were the day he stepped in. 

Groce is responsible for the most exciting few weeks of my sports life.  I wish him nothing but the best.

I will be buying an orange and blue basketball shirt sometime soon.

Ugh.