Here's how that compares with other recent Illini teams:
2015: 69 (NIT 1st Round)
2014: 49 (NIT 2nd Round)
2013: 39 (NCAA Round of 32)
2012: 82 (No postseason)
2011: 19 (NCAA Round of 32)
2010: 56 (NIT Quarterfinals)
2009: 23 (NCAA Round of 64)
2008: 51 (No postseason)
2007: 39 (NCAA Round of 64)
Despite our expectations of an upgrade from 2013-2014, this season's team was just a bad team. We lost a lot of defense and didn't add much offense to compensate. In retrospect, our expectations for this team's defense were just too high as the loss of Tracy Abrams was a big deal. Darius Paul's suspension also hurt, but it's hard to know just how much.
Groce's path to the tournament will rely on substantial improvements in defensive efficiency and a more balanced roster with another strong recruiting class and the return of Abrams and Paul. We actually did well at winning the games we had a chance to win, but when too many guys had off nights we didn't have enough defense or other scoring options to compete.
Our average efficiency over those 9 years is 47.4, which is right on the NCAA bubble. So I'd expect to be on the bubble again next year but maybe we catch a few breaks, land a big recruit, and start turning this thing around. The alternative is irrelevance.
2015: 69 (NIT 1st Round)
2014: 49 (NIT 2nd Round)
2013: 39 (NCAA Round of 32)
2012: 82 (No postseason)
2011: 19 (NCAA Round of 32)
2010: 56 (NIT Quarterfinals)
2009: 23 (NCAA Round of 64)
2008: 51 (No postseason)
2007: 39 (NCAA Round of 64)
Despite our expectations of an upgrade from 2013-2014, this season's team was just a bad team. We lost a lot of defense and didn't add much offense to compensate. In retrospect, our expectations for this team's defense were just too high as the loss of Tracy Abrams was a big deal. Darius Paul's suspension also hurt, but it's hard to know just how much.
Groce's path to the tournament will rely on substantial improvements in defensive efficiency and a more balanced roster with another strong recruiting class and the return of Abrams and Paul. We actually did well at winning the games we had a chance to win, but when too many guys had off nights we didn't have enough defense or other scoring options to compete.
Our average efficiency over those 9 years is 47.4, which is right on the NCAA bubble. So I'd expect to be on the bubble again next year but maybe we catch a few breaks, land a big recruit, and start turning this thing around. The alternative is irrelevance.
