2014–15 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

2014–15 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
NIT, First round
Conference Big Ten Conference
2014–15 record 19–14 (9–9 Big Ten)
Head coach John Groce
Assistant coach Dustin Ford
Assistant coach Paris Parham
Assistant coach Jamall Walker
Assistant coach Ryan Pedon
Home arena State Farm Center
2014–15 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 3 Wisconsin162 .889  364  .900
No. 12 Maryland144 .778  287  .800
No. 23 Michigan State126 .667  2712  .692
Iowa126 .667  2212  .647
Purdue126 .667  2113  .618
Ohio State117 .611  2411  .686
Indiana99 .500  2014  .588
Illinois99 .500  1914  .576
Michigan810 .444  1616  .500
Minnesota612 .333  1815  .545
Northwestern612 .333  1517  .469
Nebraska513 .278  1318  .419
Penn State414 .222  1816  .529
Rutgers216 .111  1022  .313
2015 Big Ten Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
"2014-15 Fighting Illini men's basketball team"

The 2014–15 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by third-year head coach John Groce, the Illini played their home games at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois as members of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 19–14, 9–9 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for seventh place. They lost in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament to Michigan. They received an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament where they lost in the first round to Alabama.

Previous season

The Illini finished the 2013–14 season 20–15, 7–11 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for eighth place. They received a bid to the NIT where they advanced to the second round before losing to Clemson.

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Joseph Bertrand2SG6'6"200RS SeniorSterling, ILGraduated/Pro for Larochette
Jon Ekey33F6'7"225GS SeniorIndependence, MOGraduated/Pro for Saitama Broncos

2015 recruiting class

Leron Black joined the Fighting Illini as the first recruit from the Memphis, Tennessee area since the 1997–98 season when Cory Bradford suited up for the Fighting Illini.[1] Black is the reigning Tennessee Mr. Basketball and is Illinois' highest rated recruit since Portland Trailblazers Forward-center Meyers Leonard.[2]

Michael Finke joins Rayvonte Rice as the second player on the Fighting Illini roster from Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois. Finke also follows the footsteps of his father, Jeff Finke, who lettered in basketball as a forward for the 1986–87 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team and then lettered in football as a tight end for the Fighting Illini from 1988-1990.[3][4]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Leron Black
PF
Memphis, TN White Station (TN) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Sep 1, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Michael Finke
PF
Champaign, IL Centennial (IL) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Dec 12, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2014 Illinois Basketball Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  • "2014 Illinois Basketball Commitment List". Scout.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  • "2014 Illinois Basketball Commitment List". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.

    Walk-ons

    US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
    Alex Austin
    G
    Chicago, IL Mount Carmel / Eastern Illinois 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jul 1, 2014 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:2/5 stars   ESPN grade: 85
    Cameron Liss
    F
    Northbrook, IL Glenbrook North 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jul 1, 2014 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Ryan Schmidt
    G
    Bloomington, IL Bloomington Central Catholic 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jan 23, 2015 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
    Overall recruiting rankings:
    • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
    • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

    Sources:

      2016 recruiting class

      On March 5, 2015 Illinois signee Jalen Coleman-Lands was named one of 26 high school seniors who will participate in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 17, 2015, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.[5] Coleman-Lands is the second Illini to be selected to play in the Jordan Classic, joining Dee Brown who played for the Red team in 2002.[6]

      US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
      Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
      Jalen Coleman-Lands
      PG/SG
      Indianapolis, IN La Lumiere (IN) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Sep 23, 2014 
      Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 87
      Aaron Jordan
      SG
      Plainfield, IL Plainfield East (IL) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jan 4, 2014 
      Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 85
      Darius Paul[7]
      PF
      Gurnee, IL Warren Township HS / Western Michigan /
      Lamar State College–Port Arthur
      6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Nov 12, 2014 
      Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
      D. J. Williams
      SF
      Chicago, IL Simeon (IL) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Nov 5, 2013 
      Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 88
      Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 11   Rivals: 12  247Sports: 8
      • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
      • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

      Sources:

      • "Illinois 2015 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
      • "2015 Illinois Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
      • "ESPN Recruiting Nation Basketball". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
      • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
      • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
      • "Illinois 2015 Basketball Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.

      Roster

      2014–15 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
      PlayersCoaches
      Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
      G 1 Jaylon Tate 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)170 lb (77 kg) SoSimeon High School Chicago, IL
      G 3 Ahmad Starks (C) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)170 lb (77 kg) RS SrWhitney Young High School Chicago, IL
      G 10 Mike LaTulip 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg) JrProspect High School Arlington Heights, IL
      G 11 Aaron Cosby (S) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)205 lb (93 kg) RS JrNorthfield Mount Hermon School/Seton Hall Louisville, KY
      F 12 Leron Black 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) FrWhite Station High School Memphis, TN
      G 13 Tracy Abrams  (C)  6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg) SrMount Carmel High School Chicago, IL
      G 14 Ryan Schmidt (W) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg) SrBloomington Central Catholic High School Bloomington, IL
      G 21 Malcolm Hill 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)230 lb (104 kg) SoBelleville High School-East Belleville, IL
      C 22 Maverick Morgan 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)250 lb (113 kg) SoSpringboro High School Springboro, OH
      G 24 Rayvonte Rice (C) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS SrCentennial High School/Drake Champaign, IL
      G 25 Kendrick Nunn 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoSimeon High School Chicago, IL
      F 31 Austin Colbert 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg) SoGill St. Bernard's School Chesapeake, VA
      F/C 32 Nnanna Egwu (C) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)250 lb (113 kg) SrSt. Ignatius High School Chicago, IL
      F 43 Michael Finke  6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS FrCentennial High School Champaign, IL
      G 44 Alex Austin (W)  6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg) RS JrMount Carmel High School Chicago, IL
      F 45 Cameron Liss (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)200 lb (91 kg) FrGlenbrook North High School Northbrook, IL
      Head coach
      Assistant coach(es)

      Legend
      • (C) Team captain
      • (S) Suspended
      • (I) Ineligible
      • (W) Walk-on

      Roster
      Last update: 2015-02-26

      Depth chart

      Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Bench 3
      F/C Nnanna Egwu Maverick Morgan
      F Malcolm Hill Leron Black Austin Colbert Cameron Liss
      G Rayvonte Rice
      G Kendrick Nunn Ryan Schmidt
      G Jaylon Tate Ahmad Starks Mike LaTulip

      [8]

      Regular season

      Injuries

      On September 11, it was announced that senior point guard Tracy Abrams suffered a torn ACL to his right knee during preseason workouts which will cause him to miss the entire 2014-15 season. The injury forced Abrams to use a medical redshirt so he can return for the 2015-16 season.[9] After an 0-2 start to Big Ten Conference play, it was announced on January 6 that redshirt senior guard Rayvonte Rice suffered a broken bone in his left hand during practice and would be sidelined indefinitely. At the time of his injury, Rice was Illinois' leader in scoring, rebounds, and steals.[10] Illinois suffered another injury that was announced prior to their game against Purdue at home on January 21. Redshirt junior guard Aaron Cosby suffered a retinal tear after being poked in the eye in his left eye during a home loss to Indiana. Cosby underwent laser surgery to repair the tear, which will sideline him up to two weeks.[11]

      Student-manager turned walk-on

      On January 23, 2014 head coach John Groce announced the addition of former student-manager Ryan Schmidt to the roster as a walk-on guard after a string of injuries at the position. Schmidt is a senior from Bloomington, Illinois and played high school basketball at Bloomington Central Catholic.[12]

      Aaron Cosby

      On February 20, 2015 coach Groce announced that he and redshirt junior guard Aaron Cosby have mutually decided to part ways. Cosby had not played in over a month since suffering an injury to his left eye against Indiana on January 18. While recovering from his injury, he and Rayvonte Rice were indefinitely suspended from play due to a violation of team rules on January 31. Rice returned from suspension in a home win against Michigan, however Cosby remained suspended. Despite no longer being on the roster, Cosby intends to remain enrolled at Illinois and then transfer to another school after graduating in May. Cosby previously played his first two years for Seton Hall and sat out during the 2013–14 season after transferring to Illinois.[13][14]

      2004-05 national runner-up anniversary

      On December 5, 2014, Illinois announced they would be releasing commemorative bobbleheads to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the 2004-05 Fighting Illini team.[15] The 2004-05 team finished the season as the 2005 National Runner-up with a 37-2 record, which tied the NCAA record for most wins in a season. During weeknight Big Ten Conference play at home, Illinois will release a bobblehead of the starting lineup of Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Luther Head, Roger Powell, Jr., and James Augustine.[16]

      Schedule and results

      Date
      time, TV
      Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
      city, state
      Exhibition
      Nov 7*
      7:00 pm
      Quincy W 91–62 
       20  Hill  13  Egwu  5  Tied  State Farm Center (14,422)
      Champaign, IL
      Non-conference regular season
      Nov 14*
      8:00 pm, ESPN3
      Georgia Southern W 80–71  1–0
       24  Rice  7  Hill  3  Tied  State Farm Center (15,626)
      Champaign, IL
      Nov 16*
      5:00 pm
      Coppin State W 114–56  2–0
       18  Tied  9  Hill  7  Tate  State Farm Center (12,272)
      Champaign, IL
      Nov 21*
      7:00 pm, ESPN3
      Austin Peay
      Las Vegas Invitational
      W 107–66  3–0
       16  Tied  6  Tied  5  Tate  State Farm Center (16,337)
      Champaign, IL
      Nov 24*
      7:00 pm, ESPN3
      Brown
      Las Vegas Invitational
      W 89–68  4–0
       17  Cosby  10  Rice  4  Tied  State Farm Center (11,422)
      Champaign, IL
      Nov 27*
      4:00 pm, FS1
      vs. Indiana State
      Las Vegas Invitational Semifinals
      W 88–62  5–0
       21  Rice  8  Tied  4  Cosby  Orleans Arena (N/A)
      Paradise, NV
      Nov 28*
      9:30 pm, FS1
      vs. Baylor
      Las Vegas Invitational Championship
      W 62–54  6–0
       17  Tied  8  Egwu  5  Starks  Orleans Arena (N/A)
      Paradise, NV
      Dec 2*
      8:00 pm, ESPN2
      No. 24 at No. 15 Miami (FL)
      ACC–Big Ten Challenge
      L 61–70  6–1
       22  Rice  12  Rice  3  Hill  BankUnited Center (6,086)
      Coral Gables, FL
      Dec 6*
      1:00 pm, ESPN3
      No. 24 American W 70–55  7–1
       13  Hill  7  Egwu  4  Tate  State Farm Center (13,924)
      Champaign, IL
      Dec 9*
      6:00 pm, ESPN
      vs. No. 7 Villanova
      Jimmy V Classic
      L 59–73  7–2
       20  Hill  9  Egwu  4  Starks  Madison Square Garden (11,617)
      New York City, NY
      Dec 13*
      6:00 pm, BTN
      vs. Oregon L 70–77  7–3
       29  Rice  7  Tied  4  Tied  United Center (13,759)
      Chicago, IL
      Dec 17*
      6:00 pm, ESPNU
      Hampton W 73–55  8–3
       16  Nunn  8  Black  3  Tied  State Farm Center (12,564)
      Champaign, IL
      Dec 20*
      1:00 pm, ESPN2
      vs. Missouri
      Braggin' Rights
      W 62–59  9–3
       19  Rice  7  Tied  3  Rice  Scottrade Center (20,079)
      St. Louis, MO
      Dec 27*
      8:00 pm, BTN
      Kennesaw State W 93–45  10–3
       21  Rice  9  Hill  7  Tate  State Farm Center (16,158)
      Champaign, IL
      Big Ten regular season
      Dec 30
      2:00 pm, ESPN2
      at Michigan L 65–73 OT 10–4
      (0–1)
       19  Hill  11  Rice  6  Rice  Crisler Center (12,707)
      Ann Arbor, MI
      Jan 3
      2:30 pm, ESPN2
      at No. 20 Ohio State L 61–77  10–5
      (0–2)
       20  Rice  7  Rice  4  Tied  Value City Arena (16,028)
      Columbus, OH
      Jan 7
      8:00 pm, BTN
      No. 11 Maryland W 64–58  11–5
      (1–2)
       28  Hill  9  Egwu  4  Tate  State Farm Center (12,896)
      Champaign, IL
      Jan 11
      7:30 pm, BTN
      at Nebraska L 43–53  11–6
      (1–3)
       12  Hill/Nunn  10  Egwu  2  Tied  Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,514)
      Lincoln, NE
      Jan 14
      8:00 pm, BTN
      at Northwestern W 72–67  12–6
      (2–3)
       25  Nunn  6  Hill  4  Starks  Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,652)
      Evanston, IL
      Jan 18
      12:00 pm, BTN
      Indiana
      Rivalry
      L 74–80  12–7
      (2–4)
       24  Nunn  9  Black  6  Starks  State Farm Center (17,085)
      Champaign, IL
      Jan 21
      8:00 pm, BTN
      Purdue W 66–57  13–7
      (3–4)
       18  Hill  13  Black  6  Tate  State Farm Center (12,965)
      Champaign, IL
      Jan 24
      1:15 pm, BTN
      at Minnesota L 71–79  13–8
      (3–5)
       18  Tied  9  Black  9  Tate  Williams Arena (13,421)
      Minneapolis, MN
      Jan 31
      12:00 pm, BTN
      Penn State W 60–58  14–8
      (4–5)
       27  Hill  7  Black  5  Tate  State Farm Center (14,597)
      Champaign, IL
      Feb 3
      8:30 pm, BTN
      Rutgers W 66–54  15–8
      (5–5)
       21  Nunn  6  Nunn  6  Tate  State Farm Center (12,838)
      Champaign, IL
      Feb 7
      11:00 am, ESPN
      at Michigan State W 59–54  16–8
      (6–5)
       19  Hill  9  Egwu  3  Nunn  Breslin Center (14,797)
      East Lansing, MI
      Feb 12
      8:00 pm, ESPN
      Michigan W 64–52 OT 17–8
      (7–5)
       21  Nunn  12  Egwu  4  Starks  State Farm Center (17,087)
      Champaign, IL
      Feb 15
      12:00 pm, CBS
      at No. 5 Wisconsin L 49–68  17–9
      (7–6)
       15  Hill  9  Egwu  2  Starks  Kohl Center (17,279)
      Madison, WI
      Feb 22
      6:30 pm, BTN
      Michigan State L 53–60  17–10
      (7–7)
       17  Hill  5  Rice  3  Rice  State Farm Center (16,108)
      Champaign, IL
      Feb 25
      8:00 pm, BTN
      at Iowa L 60–68  17–11
      (7–8)
       20  Rice  9  Rice  3  Nunn  Carver–Hawkeye Arena (14,831)
      Iowa City, IA
      Feb 28
      6:00 pm, BTN
      Northwestern W 86–60  18–11
      (8–8)
       19  Rice  8  Morgan  3  Tied  State Farm Center (15,471)
      Champaign, IL
      Mar 4
      9:00 pm, BTN
      Nebraska W 69–57  19–11
      (9–8)
       23  Rice  8  Egwu  2  Tied  State Farm Center (17,085)
      Champaign, IL
      Mar 7
      3:30 pm, BTN
      at Purdue L 58–63  19–12
      (9–9)
       25  Rice  9  Egwu  2  Hill  Mackey Arena (14,846)
      West Lafayette, IN
      Big Ten Tournament
      Mar 12
      11:00 am, BTN
      (8) vs. (9) Michigan
      second round
      L 55–73  19–13
       13  Hill  9  Rice  2  Tate  United Center (16,028)
      Chicago, IL
      NIT
      Mar 17*
      8:00 pm, ESPN
      (3) at (6) Alabama
      First round
      L 58–79  19–14
       22  Hill  8  Egwu  6  Hill  Coleman Coliseum (2,348)
      Tuscaloosa, AL
      *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
      All times are in Central Time.

      Honors and awards

      On March 9, 2015, The Big Ten Conference announced most of its conference awards.[17]

      Player Honor
      Rayvonte Rice All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
      Malcolm Hill All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
      Nnanna Egwu All-Defensive Team

      References

      1. Martin, John (September 1, 2013). "Recruiting Insider: White Station's Leron Black commits to Illinois". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
      2. "Class AAA Mr. Basketball Winner: LeRon Black from White Station High School". Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. March 15, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
      3. Tupper, Mark (December 13, 2012). "Centenniall's Finke commits to Illinois". Herald & Review. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
      4. "Jeff Finke". Sports Reference. 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
      5. Jackson, Marcus (2015-03-05). "Coleman-Lands selected for Jordan game". News-Gazette. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
      6. "All-Time Jordan Brand All-Americans". Jordan Brand Classic. 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
      7. "LSC-PA Seahawk Paul intends to play for Illini". The Beaumont Enterprise. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
      8. "Game 17 Notes IlliniHoops at Nebraska". Archived from the original on 2015-04-05. Retrieved 2015-01-10.
      9. Parrish, Gary (2014-09-11). "Illinois point guard Tracy Abrams to miss season with torn ACL". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
      10. Ryan, Shannon (2015-01-06). "Rayvonte Rice, Illini's leading scorer, out indefinitely". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
      11. Johnson, Raphielle (2015-01-21). "Eye injury to sideline Illinois junior guard up to two weeks". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
      12. "Ryan Schmidt". Illinois DIA. 2015-01-23. Archived from the original on 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
      13. "Illinois guard Aaron Cosby will transfer". Sports Illustrated. 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
      14. Jackson, Marcus (2015-02-20). "Groce on Cosby: 'I wish him nothing but the best'". News-Gazette. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
      15. Johnson, Raphielle (2014-12-05). "Illinois to honor starters on 2004-05 national runner-up squad with commemorative bobbleheads". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
      16. "2004-05 'Starting 5' bobblehead set commemorates 10-year anniversary of historic season". Illinois DIA. 2015-01-15. Archived from the original on 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
      17. "2014-15 All-Big Ten Men's Basketball Team" (PDF). CSTV.com. 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
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