Chris asks: Where does Rayvonte Rice fit upon his return?

If you told me before the season that the Illini would lose Rayvonte Rice midway through the season, I would slap you across the face out of frustration. After slapping you, I would ask how you knew this information. 

“Are you from the future?” I would ask. 

“Do I actually start working out in the future, like I said I would for my New Year’s resolution?” 

After this person explains to me that it was merely a hypothetical question and that they aren’t actually from the future, I would apologize for the slap and tell him that I actually have been working out, despite what my previous question implies.

Illinois was 0-2 in Big Ten play after losing in overtime at Michigan and getting beaten down at Ohio State. Things weren’t looking all that great for John Groce and his staff early on in Big Ten play. Rice, on the other hand, was having a strong season. Rice was averaging 17.2 points, almost seven rebounds and two assists. Rice played like we had come to expect him to after a strong first season in Champaign.

The day before Illinois was set to host the red-hot Maryland Terrapins, the team announced Rice had broken his hand in practice. I was already down on Illinois basketball, but when I heard this news, I just about made up my mind about the team’s chances to make the NCAA tournament. The Illini had trouble scoring in the first place, so losing their leading scorer certainly wasn’t going to help.

In the first six games without Rice, Illinois kept its head above water, going 3-3. This was largely due to the emergence of Malcolm Hill. The sophomore had shown flashes of talent in his short time in Champaign, but in Rice’s absence, Hill showed why he appears to be an absolute stud. Fellow sophomore Kendrick Nunn also proved to be a solid scorer.

About an hour before Illinois was going to take on Penn State, a press release came out. This was not a fun press release about bobbleheads or fireworks. This press release stated Rice and fellow guard Aaron Cosby were suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. They had recovered from their injuries, but would not return anytime soon. Illinois beat Penn State that day, and Groce stayed true to his announcement, repeating that his players would be suspended indefinitely.

College basketball is wacky, especially in the Big Ten. To make a long story short, Illinois is 3-0 since the suspension. It beat Penn State and Rutgers at home, and traveled to East Lansing to take down Michigan State.

Wacky.

At the time of writing this mailbag, nothing has been announced about whether Rice and Cosby will return from their suspensions Thursday night against Michigan. Groce sat them against Penn State and Rutgers, which wasn’t surprising. But sitting them for a tough road matchup against the Spartans sent the loudest message.

When Rice returns, I would use him off the bench. Don’t panic, Rice is still a lethal scorer and an important piece for this team. I think it might be risky to break up a starting five that has been effective. Nunn, Hill, Jaylon Tate, Leron Black and Nnanna Egwu have built strong chemistry. They have been fun to watch and brought the team back from the dead in terms of NCAA tournament discussion. Now imagine, the first man off the bench: the train, the bull, the beast that is Rice.

He will still play plenty of minutes. His presence will let primary scorers Hill and Nunn not have to play the entire game, which, believe me, is a good thing.

Sit back, relax and watch the Illini win the NCAA tournament with Rayvonte Rice coming off the bench. 

Alan asks: Will Northwestern ever make it to the big dance?

There are two ways I could answer this question. I could tell you about my hatred for Northwestern athletics. Every Northwestern student that I met has a superiority complex (OK, most students I have met). Yes, you go to an outstanding school, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that your basketball program is historically awful. You are the only Big Ten team to have never made the NCAA tournament (even Rutgers has been there).

The other way I can answer this question is using an unbiased, journalistic approach. I could tell you that head coach Chris Collins is beginning to bring in some solid recruits and that the tide is turning in Evanston.

I will attempt the objective approach for as long as I can.

Ok, so Northwestern went 9-4 in nonconference play with their supposedly improved roster. That’s uh, not great. Well, maybe the Wildcats put it all together for conference play?

I’m just going to glance at their schedule for a second, let’s see … they beat Rutgers in their first conference game. Hey! That’s something. Sure, Rutgers is the worst team in the Big Ten, but a win’s a win, right? 

After that Rutgers game, they lost nine games in a row, leading us up to today. The Wildcats have actually played some tough games and lost multiple heartbreakers this season. I’ll give credit where credit is due, and they appear to be playing a tougher style of basketball than they ever have.

Why has Northwestern lost so many heartbreakers this season? Why have they not been able to get over the hump that is the NCAA tournament?

Simple. Because they are Northwestern, and Northwestern will never make the NCAA tournament.

The final question I have is for myself: 

Sam asks: Sam, oh mighty mailbag author, what was the greatest Twitter battle to ever occur in the history of time?

Well, Sam, this is pretty simple. The greatest Twitter battle to ever occur in history was when Champaign Mayor Don Gerard battled it out with ESPN commentator Dan Dakich over a controversial call in the Illinois vs. Michigan State game. Seriously, props to Mayor Gerard for not only providing excellent entertainment on a Saturday afternoon, but also for donating to Dakich’s charity to show it was all in good fun.

Sam is a senior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @Sam_Sherman5.