2016–17 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

2016–17 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
NIT, Quarterfinals
Conference Big Ten Conference
2016–17 record 20–15 (8–10 Big Ten)
Head coach John Groce (5th season)
Assistant coach Dustin Ford
Assistant coach Paris Parham
Assistant coach Jamall Walker
Assistant coach Darren Hertz
Home arena State Farm Center
2016–17 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 15 Purdue14–4 .778  27–8  .771
No. 25 Wisconsin12–6 .667  27–10  .730
Maryland12–6 .667  24–9  .727
Minnesota11–7 .611  24–10  .706
No. 23 Michigan †10–8 .556  26–12  .684
Northwestern10–8 .556  24–12  .667
Michigan State10–8 .556  20–15  .571
Iowa10–8 .556  19–15  .559
Illinois8–10 .444  20–15  .571
Ohio State7–11 .389  17–15  .531
Indiana7–11 .389  18–16  .529
Penn State6–12 .333  15–18  .455
Nebraska6–12 .333  12–19  .387
Rutgers3–15 .167  15–18  .455
† 2017 Big Ten Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2016–17 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by fifth-year head coach John Groce, the Illini played their home games at State Farm Center as members of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 20–15, 8–10 in Big Ten play to finish in ninth 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 defeated Valparaiso and Boise State before losing in the Quarterfinals to UCF.

On March 11, 2017, Illinois fired head coach John Groce.[1][2] Shortly thereafter, the school announced that Assistant coach Jamall Walker will coach the team in the NIT.[3] On March 18, the school hired Brad Underwood as the new head coach.[4]

Previous season

The Fighting Illini finished the 2015–16 season with a record of 15–19, 5–13 in Big Ten play to finish in 12th place in conference. The Illini defeated Minnesota and Iowa to advance to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament where they lost to Purdue.

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Khalid Lewis3G6'3"185RS SeniorTrenton, NJGraduated
Mike LaTulip10G6'1"170SeniorArlington Heights, ILGraduated and transferred to Wright State
Kendrick Nunn25G6'3"190JuniorChicago, ILDismissed due to domestic battery guilty plea, transferred to Oakland[5]

2016 recruiting class

On September 16, 2015, Te'Jon Lucas of Milwaukee, Wisconsin verbally committed to attend Illinois in the fall of 2016 and signed his National Letter of Intent to finalize his recruitment on November 11, 2015. Lucas attended the NBA Top 100 camp in June 2015, had scholarship offers from California, Memphis, Purdue, and Wisconsin, and he strongly considered both USC and Old Dominion before committing to Illinois.[6][7] Lucas is only the third player from the State of Wisconsin to commit to Illinois, and is the first since 1926.[8]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Te'Jon Lucas
PG		 Milwaukee, WI Washington (WI) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Sep 16, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 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:

  • "Illinois 2016 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  • "2016 Illinois Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  • "ESPN Recruiting Nation Basketball". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  • "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  • "Illinois 2016 Basketball Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.

Incoming transfers

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Drew Cayce[9]
PG		 Libertyville, IL La Lumiere (IN) / Creighton 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Jul 21, 2016 
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:

    2017 recruiting class

    During Illinois' final home game against Minnesota on February 28, 2016, Da'Monte Williams verbally committed to attend Illinois in the fall of 2017. Williams is the son of former Illinois guard Frank Williams who led the Fighting Illini to three straight NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2001.[10] On November 9, 2016 Trent Frazier signed a national letter of intent after considering Memphis, Georgia, Kansas State and Seton Hall, among others.[11] On April 26, 2017, Mark Smith signed a national letter of intent committing to the University of Illinois.[12]

    US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
    Da'Monte Williams
    CG    		 Peoria, IL Manual (IL) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 29, 2016 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
    Trent Frazier
    PG    		 West Palm Beach, FL Wellington (FL) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Aug 20, 2016 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 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:

    • "Illinois 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
    • "2017 Illinois Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
    • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
    • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
    • "Illinois 2017 Basketball Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.

    On January 16, 2016, three-star shooting guard Javon Pickett of Belleville, Illinois verbally committed to attend Illinois in the fall of 2017.[13] After the firing of John Groce, Pickett asked for and received a release of his letter of intent to Illinois.[14] On November 17, 2016, five-star recruit Jeremiah Tilmon announced that he had signed his letter of intent with Illinois the previous day, after a week of press uncertainty.[15] However, after the coaching change at Illinois, Tilmon requested and received a release of his letter of intent with the school.[16]

    Roster

    2016–17 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G 0 D.J. Williams 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg) SoSimeon Academy Chicago, Illinois
    G 1 Jaylon Tate 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)170 lb (77 kg) SrSimeon Academy Chicago, Illinois
    F 2 Kipper Nichols 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg) FrSt. Edward High School (OH) Cleveland, Ohio
    G 3 Te'Jon Lucas 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg) FrWashington High School (WI) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    G 5 Jalen Coleman-Lands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoLa Lumiere School Indianapolis, Indiana
    G 10 Drew Cayce (W)  6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)165 lb (75 kg) SoLa Lumiere School Libertyville, Illinois
    F 12 Leron Black 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS SoWhite Station High School Memphis, Tennessee
    G 13 Tracy Abrams (C) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg) GSMount Carmel High School Chicago, Illinois
    G 21 Malcolm Hill (C) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg) SrBelleville High School-East Fairview Heights, Illinois
    C 22 Maverick Morgan 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg) SrSpringboro High School Springboro, Ohio
    G 23 Aaron Jordan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoPlainfield East High School Plainfield, Illinois
    C 33 Mike Thorne Jr. 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)280 lb (127 kg) GSTrinity Christian/UNC-Charlotte Fayetteville, North Carolina
    G 35 Samson Oladimeji (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrWilliam Fremd High School Rolling Meadows, Illinois
    G 41 Clayton Jones (W) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg) JrChampaign Central High School Champaign, Illinois
    F 43 Michael Finke 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS SoCentennial High School (IL) Champaign, Illinois
    G 44 Alex Austin (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)190 lb (86 kg) RS SrMount Carmel High School/Eastern Illinois Chicago, Illinois
    F 45 Cameron Liss (W)  6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS JrGlenbrook North High School Northbrook, Illinois
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster

    Schedule and results

    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    Oct 30, 2016*
    2:00 pm, BTN+    		 Washington U W 82–75 
    		 20 – Morgan  6 – Hill  5 – Tate  State Farm Center (10,359)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 4, 2016*
    7:00 pm, BTN+    		 Lewis W 95–51 
    		 16 – Coleman-Lands  9 – Finke  4 – Tate  State Farm Center (12,753)
    Champaign, IL
    Non-conference regular season
    Nov 11, 2016*
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 Southeast Missouri State W 81–62  1–0
    		  21 – Hill  8 – Hill  6 – Tate  State Farm Center (10,790)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 13, 2016*
    5:00 pm, BTN+    		 Northern Kentucky W 79–64  2–0
    		  40 – Hill  12 – Hill  3 – Tied  State Farm Center (10,888)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 15, 2016*
    7:00 pm, BTN    		 McKendree W 112–65  3–0
    		  18 – Tied  10 – Thorne, Jr.  8 – Tate  State Farm Center (10,135)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 18, 2016*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Detroit
    NIT Season Tip-Off    		 W 89–69  4–0
    		  25 – Hill  7 – Thorne, Jr.  6 – Tate  State Farm Center (10,396)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 21, 2016*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 Winthrop
    NIT Season Tip-Off    		 L 80–84 OT 4–1
    		  18 – Finke  9 – Hill  6 – Abrams  State Farm Center (9,502)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 24, 2016*
    2:00 pm, ESPNU    		 vs. No. 19 West Virginia
    NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals    		 L 57–89  4–2
    		  13 – Finke  9 – Black  4 – Tate  Barclays Center (2,451)
    Brooklyn, NY
    Nov 25, 2016*
    11:30 am, ESPNU    		 vs. No. 25 Florida State
    NIT Season Tip-Off 3rd place game    		 L 61–72  4–3
    		  18 – Hill  11 – Black  4 – Lucas  Barclays Center (3,713)
    Brooklyn, NY
    Nov 29, 2016*
    8:00 pm, ESPNU    		 NC State
    ACC–Big Ten Challenge    		 W 88–74  5–3
    		  22 – Hill  9 – Hill  4 – Hill  State Farm Center (13,481)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec 3, 2016*
    2:00 pm, CBSSN    		 vs. VCU
    Hoophall Miami Invitational    		 W 64–46  6–3
    		  18 – Black  8 – Black  5 – Hill  American Airlines Arena 
    Miami, FL
    Dec 6, 2016*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3    		 IUPUI W 85–77  7–3
    		  32 – Hill  9 – Black  6 – Abrams  State Farm Center (10,536)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec 10, 2016*
    2:00 pm, BTN+    		 Central Michigan W 92–73  8–3
    		  31 – Abrams  11 – Thorne, Jr.  5 – Tate  State Farm Center (13,045)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec 17, 2016*
    8:30 pm, BTN    		 vs. BYU
    State Farm Chicago Legends    		 W 75–73  9–3
    		  15 – Abrams  10 – Morgan  5 – Tate  United Center 
    Chicago, IL
    Dec 21, 2016*
    6:00 pm, ESPNU    		 vs. Missouri
    Braggin' Rights    		 W 75–66  10–3
    		  21 – Hill  11 – Morgan  6 – Tate  Scottrade Center (12,409)
    St. Louis, MO
    Big Ten regular season
    Dec 27, 2016
    4:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at Maryland L 59–84  10–4
    (0–1)    		  21 – Hill  7 – Hill  2 – Tied  Xfinity Center (17,950)
    College Park, MD
    Jan 1, 2017
    6:00 pm, BTN    		 Ohio State W 75–70  11–4
    (1–1)    		  20 – Hill  15 – Black  3 – Hill  State Farm Center (12,221)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 7, 2017
    4:00 pm, ESPNU    		 at No. 25 Indiana
    Rivalry    		 L 80–96  11–5
    (1–2)    		  21 – Tied  4 – Tied  4 – Lucas  Assembly Hall (16,506)
    Bloomington, IN
    Jan 11, 2017
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 Michigan W 85–69  12–5
    (2–2)    		  16 – Morgan  8 – Nichols  8 – Lucas  State Farm Center (11,404)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 14, 2017
    5:00 pm, ESPN2    		 Maryland L 56–62  12–6
    (2–3)    		  15 – Morgan  4 – Lucas  9 – Black  State Farm Center (14,002)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 17, 2017
    6:00 pm, BTN    		 at No. 21 Purdue L 68–91  12–7
    (2–4)    		  15 – Morgan  6 – Black  5 – Hill  Mackey Arena (13,920)
    West Lafayette, IN
    Jan 21, 2017
    1:15 pm, BTN    		 at Michigan L 57–66  12–8
    (2–5)    		  16 – Hill  5 – Hill  4 – Hill  Crisler Center (12,234)
    Ann Arbor, MI
    Jan 25, 2017
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 Iowa W 76–64  13–8
    (3–5)    		  17 – Finke  7 – Tied  6 – Lucas  State Farm Center (11,787)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 28, 2017
    3:30 pm, BTN    		 at Penn State L 67–71  13–9
    (3–6)    		  19 – Hill  7 – Tied  7 – Hill  Bryce Jordan Center (10,202)
    University Park, PA
    Jan 31, 2017
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 No. 10 Wisconsin L 43–57  13–10
    (3–7)    		  10 – Tied  4 – 4 Tied  2 – 3 Tied  State Farm Center (12,334)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 4, 2017
    3:30 pm, BTN    		 Minnesota L 59-68  13-11
    (3-8)    		  16 – Nichols  11 – Morgan  6 – Hill  State Farm Center (15,544)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 7, 2017
    7:00 pm, BTN    		 at Northwestern W 68–61  14–11
    (4–8)    		  14 – Hill  9 – Hill  6 – Lucas  Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,614)
    Evanston, IL
    Feb 11, 2017
    1:00 pm, BTN    		 Penn State L 70–83  14–12
    (4–9)    		  14 – Hill  5 – Finke  7 – Lucas  State Farm Center (13,010)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 18, 2017
    1:00 pm, BTN    		 at Iowa W 70–66  15–12
    (5–9)    		  21 – Hill  8 – Hill  5 – Finke  Carver–Hawkeye Arena (15,400)
    Iowa City, IA
    Feb 21, 2017
    7:00 pm, BTN    		 Northwestern W 66–50  16–12
    (6–9)    		  18 – Hill  10 – Morgan  5 – Hill  State Farm Center (11,206)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 26, 2017
    6:30 pm, BTN    		 at Nebraska W 73–57  17–12
    (7–9)    		  19 – Hill  5 – Black  6 – Abrams  Pinnacle Bank Arena (14,236)
    Lincoln, NE
    Mar 1, 2017
    8:00 pm, BTN    		 Michigan State W 73–70  18–12
    (8–9)    		  22 – Hill  7 – Black  4 – Hill  State Farm Center (15,544)
    Champaign, IL
    Mar 4, 2017
    11:00 am, ESPNU    		 at Rutgers L 59–62  18–13
    (8–10)    		  16 – Morgan  8 – Morgan  7 – Hill  Louis Brown Athletic Center (5,706)
    Piscataway, NJ
    Big Ten Tournament
    Mar 9, 2017
    12:00 pm, BTN    		 (9) vs. (8) Michigan
    Second round    		 L 55–75  18–14
    		  23 – Abrams  7 – Finke  3 – Lucas  Verizon Center (12,189)
    Washington, D.C.
    NIT
    Mar 14, 2017*
    6:15 pm, ESPN2    		 (2) (7) Valparaiso
    First round – Illinois State Bracket    		 W 82–57  19–14
    		  25 – Hill  12 – Black  6 – Lucas  State Farm Center (4,719)
    Champaign, IL
    Mar 20, 2017*
    8:00 pm, ESPN    		 (2) (6) Boise State
    Second round – Illinois State Bracket    		 W 71–56  20–14
    		  18 – Abrams  10 – Black  7 – Lucas  State Farm Center (5,713)
    Champaign, IL
    Mar 22, 2017*
    6:00 pm, ESPN2    		 (2) at (4) UCF
    Quarterfinals – Illinois State Bracket    		 L 58–68  20–15
    		  29 – Hill  7 – Black  6 – Lucas  CFE Arena (10,011)
    Orlando, FL
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Central Time.

    References

    1. ↑ Ryan, Shannon. "Illinois fires men's basketball coach John Groce after five seasons". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
    2. ↑ "Illinois fires John Groce after 37-53 Big Ten mark in five seasons". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
    3. ↑ Vainisi, Jim (2017-03-12). "Illinois receives 2 seed, will host Valparaiso in First Round". The Champaign Room. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
    4. ↑ Smith, Erick (March 18, 2017). "Illinois hires Oklahoma State's Brad Underwood as new coach". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    5. ↑ Paul, Tony (June 23, 2016). "Ex-Illinois star Nunn to join Golden Grizzlies". Detroit News. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
    6. ↑ Ryan, Shannon (2015-11-11). "Four-star point guard Te'Jon Lucas signs with Illinois". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
    7. ↑ Stewart, Mark (2015-09-16). "Washington basketball star Te'Jon Lucas commits to Illinois". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
    8. ↑ Jackson, Marcus (2015-09-16). "Te'Jon Lucas: 'We'll be celebrating'". News Gazette. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
    9. ↑ Vainisi, Jim (2016-07-21). "Creighton guard Drew Cayce is transferring to Illinois Basketball as a walk-on". SB Nation. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
    10. ↑ "Illinois lands DaMonte Williams, No. 8 shooting guard in 2017 class". ESPN. February 28, 2016. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    11. ↑ Wagner, Jodie; Lichtenstein, Adam (November 9, 2016). "Wellington basketball star Trent Frazier signs with Illinois". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    12. ↑ Ryan, Shannon (April 26, 2017). "Mark Smith, 2017's Mr. Basketball from Edwardsville, chooses Illinois". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
    13. ↑ Zuvanich, Adam (January 18, 2016). "Belleville East's Pickett pledges to the University of Illinois". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
    14. ↑ "Illini grant releases for Jeremiah Tilmon, Javon Pickett". The Champaign Room. 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
    15. ↑ Ryan, Shannon (November 17, 2016). "Illinois' signing of five-star Jeremiah Tilmon has major implications". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
    16. ↑ "Illinois basketball recruit Jeremiah Tilmon says Illini have granted him his release". Land of 10. 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
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