Groce was fired by the Illini on Saturday, after posting a 95-75 record in five seasons as head coach. He was 37-53 in Big Ten play.

The former Ohio State assistant coach guided Illinois to the NCAA Tournament in 2013, his first season in Champaign. But the Illini have not been back since. They looked to be in a position to steal a late bid this year, but lost to Rutgers in their regular season finale and then to Michigan in their Big Ten Tournament opener on Thursday.

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