Brendan Maloney–USA Today Sports
When John Groce was introduced as the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini, there was one question that was repeated over and over again: would Groce be able to recruit the gold mine of prep talent that is the city of Chicago? After one recruiting season, and a solid five-player class, it looks like Groce is more than up to the challenge.
Starters Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, Sam McLaurin, and key bench player Tyler Griffey were all lost to graduation. Just from those names, a big need arises–outside shooting. Griffey, Paul, and Richardson were the top three 3-point shooters for the 2012-13 Illini (of players with at least ten attempts).
Groce aggressively signed the shooters Illinois needed quickly — Kendrick Nunn and Malcolm Hill (both Illinois prep stars). Both of these players can contribute right away. Nunn is a lights-out shooter who starred alongside Jabari Parker at Simeon in Chicago, so he is already comfortable on a big stage. Groce tried to establish a strong Chicago pipeline of talent by also signing Simeon point guard Jaylon Tate. But Tate likely will not see the floor much his freshman year. Hill will, and it is not ridiculous to suggest that he and Nunn may start with Tracy Abrams to form a three-guard lineup. Hill’s size (6-6, 205 pounds) makes that lineup a possibility, and Groce would once again be able to spread the floor the way he would like.
Groce addressed the space McLaurin leaves behind in the frontcourt by signing solid if unspectacular big men Austin Colbert and Maverick Morgan. The star power Illinois desperately needs at the center position could come from the much-ballyhooed Class of 2014, if either Jahlil Okafor or Cliff Alexander choose to stay close to home and sign with the Illini.
Just as impressive as Groce’s initial recruiting class were the transfers he was able to convince to come to Illinois for the 2014-15 season. Seton Hall point guard Aaron Cosby and Drake standout and local product Rayvonte Rice will provide Illinois with even more perimeter threats. Cosby shot over 40 percent from behind the arc for the Pirates last season, and Rice was third in the Missouri Valley in scoring as a sophomore. Both players will have two seasons of eligibility with Illinois.
Groce should have silenced all doubters, and proven his ability to recruit within the nation’s toughest conference. Illinois’ future is very bright.
Brian Fox is a Big 10 Basketball Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @RealBrianFox
