2013–14 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

The 2013–14 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by second year head coach John Groce, the Illini played their home games at State Farm Center and were members of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 20–15, 7–11 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for eighth place. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament where they lost to Michigan. They were invited to the National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Boston University in the first round before losing in the second round to Clemson.

2013–14 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
NIT Second round vs. Clemson, L 49–50
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
2013–14 record20–15 (7–11 Big Ten)
Head coachJohn Groce
Assistant coaches
Home arenaState Farm Center
2013–14 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 7 Michigan153 .833  289  .757
No. 12 Wisconsin126 .667  308  .789
No.  11 Michigan State126 .667  299  .763
Nebraska117 .611  1913  .594
No. 22 Ohio State108 .556  2510  .714
Iowa99 .500  2013  .606
Minnesota810 .444  2513  .658
Illinois711 .389  2015  .571
Indiana711 .389  1715  .531
Penn State612 .333  1618  .471
Northwestern612 .333  1419  .424
Purdue513 .278  1517  .469
† 2014 Big Ten Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll
"2013-14 Fighting Illini men's basketball team"

Pre-season

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Sam McLaurin0F6'8"230GS SeniorHavana, FLGraduated/pro for Korihait (Finland)
D. J. Richardson1G6'3"195SeniorPeoria, ILGraduated/pro for Güssing Knights (Austria)
Brandon Paul3G6'4"200SeniorGurnee, ILGraduated/pro for BC Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
Mike Shaw15F6'8"230SophomoreChicago, ILTransfer to Bradley
Myke Henry20G/F6'6"230SophomoreChicago, ILTransfer to DePaul
Devin Langford21G/F6'7"200RS FreshmanHuntsville, ALTransfer to Kentucky Wesleyan
Ibby Djimde23F/C6'8"250SophomoreBamako, MaliTransfer to Southern Illinois
Kevin Berardini32G6'0"175RS JuniorLake Forest, ILGraduated/transfer to Pace University
Tyler Griffey42F6'8"235SeniorWildwood, MOGraduated/pro for Swans Gmunden (Austria)

2013 additions

Incoming freshmen

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Austin Colbert
PF
Gladstone, NJ Gill St. Bernard's School 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Nov 12, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 80
Malcolm Hill
SG
Belleville, IL Belleville East High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Sep 12, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 86
Maverick Morgan
C
Springboro, OH Springboro High School 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jun 13, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 78
Kendrick Nunn
SG
Chicago, IL Simeon Career Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sep 15, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 86
Jaylon Tate
SG
Chicago, IL Simeon Career Academy 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Oct 4, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 73
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 20   Rivals: 18  247Sports: 20  ESPN: 15
  • 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 2013 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
  • "2013 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.
  • "2013 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.

Incoming transfer students

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Aaron Cosby[1]
PG
Louisville, KY Northfield-Mt. Hermon / Seton Hall 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Apr 13, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 90
Jon Ekey[2]
SF
Independence, MO William Chrisman HS / Illinois State 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Apr 16, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 82
Darius Paul[3]
PF
Gurnee, IL Warren Township HS / Western Michigan 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) May 4, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Ahmad Starks[4]
PG
Chicago, IL Whitney Young HS / Oregon State 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) May 28, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 88
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:

    • Jon Ekey was immediately eligible to play during the 13-14 season due to the graduate student transfer exception rules of the NCAA.

    Roster

    2013–14 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G 1 Jaylon Tate 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)160 lb (73 kg) FrSimeon High School Chicago, IL
    G 2 Joseph Bertrand (C) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)200 lb (91 kg) RS SrSterling High School Sterling, IL
    G 3 Ahmad Starks  5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)170 lb (77 kg) RS SrWhitney Young High School Chicago, IL
    G 10 Mike LaTulip (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)165 lb (75 kg) SoProspect High School Arlington Heights, IL
    G 11 Aaron Cosby  6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg) RS JrNorthfield Mount Hermon School/Seton Hall Louisville, KY
    G 13 Tracy Abrams (C) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrMount Carmel High School Chicago, IL
    G 21 Malcolm Hill 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg) FrBelleville High School-East Belleville, IL
    C 22 Maverick Morgan 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)250 lb (113 kg) FrSpringboro High School Springboro, OH
    G 24 Rayvonte Rice 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg) RS JrCentennial High School/Drake Champaign, IL
    G 25 Kendrick Nunn 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)180 lb (82 kg) FrSimeon High School Chicago, IL
    F 31 Austin Colbert 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg) FrGill St. Bernard's High School Chesapeake, VA
    F/C 32 Nnanna Egwu (C) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)250 lb (113 kg) JrSt. Ignatius High School Chicago, IL
    F 33 Jon Ekey (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg) GSChrisman High School/Illinois State Independence, MO
    F 35 Darius Paul (I)  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS SoWarren Township High School/Western Michigan Gurnee, IL
    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 24*
    7:00 pm
    McKendree W 101–66 
     16  Abrams  8  Bertrand  3  Abrams, Tate  State Farm Center (13,006)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 3*
    5:00 pm
    Northwood W 83–67 
     14  LaTulip  9  Ekey  4  Rice  State Farm Center (12,988)
    Champaign, IL
    Non-conference season
    Nov 8*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3
    Alabama State W 80–63  1–0
     22  Rice  10  Egwu  3  Abrams  State Farm Center (15,271)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 10*
    5:00 pm, ESPN3
    Jacksonville State W 86–62  2–0
     20  Bertrand  10  Bertrand  8  Tate  State Farm Center (13,506)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 13*
    6:30 pm, BTN
    Valparaiso W 64–52  3–0
     18  Rice  15  Ekey  4  Abrams  State Farm Center (13,504)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 17*
    5:00 pm
    Bradley W 81–55  4–0
     19  Ekey  8  Abrams  6  Tate  State Farm Center (15,849)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 22*
    8:00 pm, BTN
    Chicago State W 77–53  5–0
     19  Ekey  9  Egwu  5  Abrams  State Farm Center (15,488)
    Champaign, IL
    Nov 26*
    9:45 pm, CBSSN
    at UNLV W 61–59  6–0
     25  Rice  10  Rice  5  Tate  Thomas & Mack Center (13,747)
    Paradise, NV
    Nov 29*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3
    IPFW W 57–55  7–0
     17  Rice  6  Rice  3  Tate  State Farm Center (15,638)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec 3*
    7:00 pm, ESPN2
    at Georgia Tech
    ACC–Big Ten Challenge
    L 64–67  7–1
     24  Rice  9  Ekey  5  Tate  McCamish Pavilion (6,516)
    Atlanta, GA
    Dec 8*
    2:00 pm, FSN
    vs. Auburn W 81–62  8–1
     22  Rice  7  Abrams  5  Abrams  Philips Arena (2,259)
    Atlanta, GA
    Dec 10*
    7:00 pm
    Dartmouth W 72–65  9–1
     13  Rice  5  Rice  4  Abrams  State Farm Center (14,651)
    Champaign, IL
    Dec 14*
    8:00 pm, ESPN2
    vs. No. 15 Oregon L 64–71  9–2
     16  Abrams, Rice  8  Ekey  5  Abrams  Moda Center (10,043)
    Portland, OR
    Dec 21*
    4:30 pm, ESPN2
    vs. No. 23 Missouri
    Braggin' Rights
    W 65–64  10–2
     22  Abrams  6  Abrams, Bertrand  2  Bertrand  Scottrade Center (21,987)
    St. Louis, MO
    Dec 28*
    1:00 pm, BTN
    vs. UIC W 74–60  11–2
     28  Rice  7  Egwu, Rice  4  Abrams  United Center (13,017)
    Chicago, IL
    Big Ten regular season
    Dec 31
    2:00 pm, ESPN2
    Indiana
    Rivalry
    W 83–80 OT 12–2 (1–0)
     29  Rice  8  Rice  3  Abrams  State Farm Center (16,618)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 4
    1:15 pm, BTN
    Penn State W 75–55  13–2 (2–0)
     15  Rice  8  Ekey, Rice  5  Abrams  State Farm Center (15,390)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 8
    8:00 pm, BTN
    No. 23 at No. 4 Wisconsin L 70–95  13–3 (2–1)
     19  Rice  10  Egwu  2  Tate  Kohl Center (17,003)
    Madison, WI
    Jan 12
    8:00 pm, BTN
    No. 23 at Northwestern L 43–49  13–4 (2–2)
     13  Abrams  9  Ekey  5  Abrams  Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117)
    Evanston, IL
    Jan 15
    8:00 pm, BTN
    Purdue L 58–66  13–5 (2–3)
     13  Abrams  7  Rice  5  Abrams  State Farm Center (15,007)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 18
    7:00 pm, BTN
    No. 4 Michigan State L 62–78  13–6 (2–4)
     15  Abrams  5  Rice  3  Abrams  State Farm Center (16,618)
    Champaign, IL
    Jan 23
    6:00 pm, ESPN
    at No. 17 Ohio State L 55–62  13–7 (2–5)
     19  Bertrand  9  Egwu  4  Tate  Value City Arena (16,774)
    Columbus, OH
    Jan 26
    2:00 pm, BTN
    at Indiana
    Rivalry
    L 46–56  13–8 (2–6)
     20  Rice  5  Bertrand, Egwu  5  Tate  Assembly Hall (17,472)
    Bloomington, IN
    Feb 1
    6:30 pm, BTN
    No. 15 Iowa
    Rivalry
    L 74–81  13–9 (2–7)
     20  Bertrand  9  Rice  4  Nunn  State Farm Center (16,618)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 4
    6:30 pm, BTN
    Wisconsin L 63–75  13–10 (2–8)
     24  Rice  9  Rice  2  Abrams, Rice  State Farm Center (16,618)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 9
    3:15 pm, BTN
    at Penn State W 60–55  14–10 (3–8)
     19  Nunn  7  Rice  5  Abrams  Bryce Jordan Center (7,573)
    University Park, PA
    Feb 12
    8:00 pm, BTN
    at Nebraska L 58–67  14–11 (3–9)
     23  Rice  12  Egwu  3  Abrams  Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,404)
    Lincoln, NE
    Feb 15
    7:00 pm, BTN
    No. 22 Ohio State L 39–48  14–12 (3–10)
     13  Abrams  14  Egwu  3  Nunn  State Farm Center (16,618)
    Champaign, IL
    Feb 19
    8:00 pm, BTN
    at Minnesota W 62–49  15–12 (4–10)
     19  Nunn  11  Egwu  6  Abrams  Williams Arena (12,221)
    Minneapolis, MN
    Feb 26
    8:00 pm, BTN
    Nebraska W 60-49  16–12 (5–10)
     13  Nunn  9  Rice  5  Abrams  State Farm Center (13,206)
    Champaign, IL
    Mar 1
    1:00 pm, ESPN2
    at No. 18 Michigan State W 53-46  17–12 (6–10)
     12  Abrams  6  Nunn  4  Abrams, Nunn  Breslin Center (14,797)
    East Lansing, MI
    Mar 4
    6:00 pm, ESPN
    No. 12 Michigan L 53-84  17–13 (6–11)
     16  Rice  9  Rice  3  Rice  State Farm Center (16,618)
    Champaign, IL
    Mar 8
    7:30 pm, BTN
    at No. 24 Iowa
    Rivalry
    W 66-63  18–13 (7–11)
     15  Rice  6  Egwu, Ekey  4  Nunn  Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400)
    Iowa City, IA
    Big Ten Tournament
    Mar 13
    11:00 am, BTN
    vs. Indiana
    First round
    W 64–54  19–13
     25  Abrams  7  Abrams, Egwu  2  Abrams, Bertrand,
    Nunn, Rice
     
    Bankers Life Fieldhouse (18,596)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Mar 14
    11:00 am, ESPN
    vs. No. 8 Michigan
    Quarterfinals
    L 63–64  19–14
     11  Abrams, Rice  9  Egwu  5  Abrams  Bankers Life Fieldhouse (18,596)
    Indianapolis, IN
    NIT
    March 19*
    6:00 pm, ESPN2
    (2) at (7) Boston University
    First round
    W 66–62  20–14
     28  Rice  8  Hill, Rice  3  Abrams  Agganis Arena (1,327)
    Boston, MA
    March 23*
    10:00 am, ESPN
    (2) at (3) Clemson
    Second round
    L 49–50  20–15
     15  Rice  6  Egwu  3  Abrams  Littlejohn Coliseum (10,000)
    Clemson, SC
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Central Time.

    Rankings

    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Receiving votes
    PollPreWk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6Wk 7Wk 8Wk 9Wk 10Wk 11Wk 12Wk 13Wk 14Wk 15Wk 16Wk 17Wk 18Wk 19Wk 20Final
    AP[5] NR NR NR RV RV NR NR RV RV 23 RV NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR N/A
    Coaches[6] RV RV NR NR NR NR NR RV RV RV NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

    See also

    References

    1. Powers, Scott (April 13, 2013). "Aaron Cosby to transfer to Illinois". ESPNChicago.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
    2. Powers, Scott (April 16, 2013). "Jon Ekey transferring to Illinois". ESPNChicago.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
    3. Powers, Scott (May 4, 2013). "Darius Paul headed to Illinois". ESPNChicago.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
    4. Powers, Scott (May 28, 2013). "Ahmad Starks heads to Illini". ESPNChicago.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
    5. "AP Top 25". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2013-11-11.
    6. "USA Today/ESPN". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2013-11-11.
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