Big Ten Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

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Mar 6, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce looks on from the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Illinois Fighting Illini

There has not been another team in the Big Ten more affected by injuries than Illinois.

The Fighting Illini currently have three players out for the season and second leading scorer, junior Kendrick Nunn (15.6 ppg.) has missed six games, freshman forward Michael Finke (7.3 ppg) one game and senior guard Khalid Lewis two games. In all, just three players have appeared in all 31 games this season. The result has been a disappointing, disjointed and inconsistent season under head man John Groce.

The Fighting Illini are as healthy as they are going to be heading into their first round match-up against Minnesota. I do not anticipate the Illinois struggling with the reeling Gophers and that means a second-round match-up against Iowa.

Could Illinois do real damage to the Hawkeyes’ NCAA seeding with an upset on Friday?

The answer is probably: no way. In the only meeting this season in Champaign, IL, the Illini were controlled by the senior-savvy Hawkeyes 77-65 in a game that was not even that close. The Illini couldn’t defend, rebound or make outside shots at an efficient-level. Similar deficiencies have plagued Illinois throughout the season.

Illinois will enter the off-season with many questions. 2016-17 will be a big year for John Groce’s program. Questions of Groce’s future have become louder and louder throughout the season. A spirited run in the conference tourney could quell some of those questions, but that is a remote possibility.

Next: 10. Penn State Nittany Lions

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