John Groce lands Charlotte transfer Thorne for Illini basketball
April 18, 2015
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For the first time in a couple of months, the Illinois basketball program received some good news on Saturday morning. According to a CBS Sports report, Charlotte fifth-year transfer Mike Thorne has committed to Illinois and head coach John Groce. The 6-foot-11, 270-pound big man will be eligible to...
Sophomore Colbert to transfer away from Illinois basketball
April 15, 2015
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Illinois head basketball coach John Groce announced Wednesday that sophomore forward Austin Colbert has decided to transfer. “After meeting with Austin, he and I agree that it is in his best interest to pursue a fresh start and continue his education and basketball career at another institution,” Gr...
Alabama rolls Illinois basketball in opening round of NIT
March 18, 2015
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We’ve seen it before with this Illinois basketball team. This season, it has become a common theme. Opponents hit them in the mouth, go on a run, the Illini fold and the game is essentially over. It just happened sooner than ever Tuesday night in an opening round NIT game against Alabama at the Cole...
Illini basketball suffers season-ending blowout to Alabama in NIT
March 18, 2015
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The Illinois men’s basketball team didn’t come to play on Tuesday night. Third-seeded Illinois (19-13, 9-9 Big Ten) was outplayed by sixth-seeded Alabama (18-14, 8-10 SEC) in all facets of the game in the first round of the NIT in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide embarrassed the Illini from the s...
Illinois basketball travels to Alabama for the NIT
By Sean Neumann
March 17, 2015
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A crushing 18-point loss to Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten tournament on Thursday set Illinois up for deja vu, sealing the team’s second-straight trip to the National Invitational Tournament. As a consolation, the Illini will travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to play Alabama on Tuesday night. â€...
Illini basketball headed back to NIT, opens against Alabama
March 16, 2015
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The Illinois men’s basketball team didn’t expect to be here. Heading into this season, Illinois was projected to be in contention for an NCAA tournament berth. The team faced injuries, suspensions and other obstacles throughout the season that, in the end, proved detrimental to its postseason cha...
Michigan blasts Illinois in Big Ten tournament
March 12, 2015
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When I left the United Center in December following Oregon’s 77-70 defeat of Illinois, I thought that Illini fans couldn’t possibly leave that building feeling any worse than they did that night. I was wrong. Michigan crushed Illinois, 73-55, in an 8-seed vs. 9-seed matchup at the Big Ten tourn...
Illinois basketball eliminated early from Big Ten tournament
By Sean Neumann
March 12, 2015
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CHICAGO — The spark wouldn’t stay lit for the Illini and their Big Ten tournament run ended as quickly as it began Thursday. Their NCAA tournament hopes likely died along with it.  Illinois was eliminated in the second round of the conference tournament, falling to Michigan 73-55 at the United...
Illinois basketball still clinging to NCAA tournament hopes
By Sean Neumann
March 3, 2015
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The Illini men’s basketball team has just two games left to make a final push to the NCAA tournament. Trying to avoid back-to-back trips to the NIT, Illinois looks to close out the season with back-to-back wins against Nebraska and Purdue this week. The Illini lost to Nebraska in mid-January in one ...
Big Ten basketball power rankings: Week of March 3
March 3, 2015
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Editor’s note: Every week, The Daily Illini basketball staff ranks the basketball teams in the Big Ten 1-14 and compiles the lists into its own Big Ten power rankings. 1. MARYLAND (Last week: 3) The No. 14 Terrapins are led by freshman phenom Melo Trimble, who has averaged 16.2 points per game on the season, while lea...
Orange Krush embarked on its annual road trip, taking in a loss at Iowa
February 27, 2015
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Much like Illinois’ 2014-15 basketball season, Wednesday’s Orange Krush road trip to watch the Illini take on Iowa in Iowa City didn’t exactly go according to plan. And I’m not just referring to the 68-60 defeat Illinois (17-11, 7-5 Big Ten) suffered at the hands of the Hawkeyes (18-10, 9-6)....
Izzo, Groce: Big Ten deserves respect
By Sean Neumann
February 24, 2015
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Tom Izzo looked out of breath when he arrived to talk with reporters following Michigan State’s 60-53 win over Illinois on Sunday. The Spartans’ head coach sat down, shook his head and gave a laugh of disbelief: “That was the hardest, most physical game we’ve been involved in.” For the legend...
