Illini freshmen Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn have been the main reason Illinois has rebounded somewhat from a disastrous season and moved closer towards respectability with a strong finish. Obviously, the Senior Night train wreck versus Michigan kind of dilutes that. However, even when you include the horrific showing versus the Wolverines on Tuesday, the Illini are 4-3 since John Groce decided to start Kendrick Nunn and Malcolm Hill instead of bringing them off the bench.

Just like, ahem, one prominent Chicago sportswriter, cough cough, had been calling for since February 1st. Now that 4-3 mark with Hill and Nunn starting is certainly an improvement over the 2-8 league record Illinois was sporting before Groce made the switch.

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In 2013 the Illinois Fighting Illini found a go-to receiver in senior Ryan Lankford. He emerged as the team’s primary target, like A.J. Jenkins and Arrelious Benn before him. And just like those Illini wide receivers, he’ll probably get drafted into the NFL.

Lankford wasn’t on anyone’s radar for the draft at all heading into his pro day. He wasn’t even invited to the combine. However, look at what he did at the University of Illinois Pro Day.

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After Illini basketball won Saturday at #17 Michigan State, the first win in East Lansing since 2006, people in Illini Nation metaphorically began singing “Everything is Awesome,” the theme song from “The Lego Movie.” (a tune which ironically has the exact same refrain as Kelly Clarkson’s “Since you been gone.”)

However, nothing changed after the MSU upset, the only and I mean ONLY path to the NCAA Tournament was to run the table at the Big Ten Tournament. After Michigan did to Illini basketball what Godzilla does to Japanese cities Tuesday night, no one is talking about the Big Dance anymore; and rightfully so. Here’s the more realistic landing spots.

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It was thought that the Illini were out of fit for Jalen Brunson, a blue chip guard prospect out of Stevenson High School. Now it appears Illinois is back in the derby. They’re right up there with Michigan and Michigan State. John Groce went off the Brunson recruiting trail to land Quentin Snider from Louisville. Well, you know how that ended up on National Signing Day. With Snider pulling an Eric Gordon, Groce and Illini are back in on Jalen Brunson, and the mutual disinterest has now been replaced with mutual interest.

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Illini freshman wing Kendrick Nunn was a consensus national top 75 recruit. Kendrick Nunn has ascended since being promoted to the starting lineup. He led the Illini with 19 points in their win at Penn State, ending a horrendous eight game skid. Nunn led Illinois again in scoring last night, again with 19 as he shot the lights out from three. (5-7 3PT FGM-FGA). Illinois continued their dominance over the Gophers. Even in lean years, and this is as lean as it gets, Illinois OWNS Minnesota.

Since 1997, Illinois are 28-6 versus the Gophers, including 11-4 clip at Williams Arena. They’ve now won 11 out of the last 13 versus ‘Sota.

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Class of 2016 power forward Nick Rakocevic was in attendance for the Illinois Fighting Illini 48-39 loss to #20 Ohio State. Despite the “basketball” on display that night, Rakocevic is very high on the Illini. John Groce is suffering through the worst season Illinois has endured in a generations, but overall the program remains strong. At least in the eyes of this sophomore at St. Joseph in Westchester, IL.

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Can you imagine what covering this Illini basketball team is like for someone who lives in Chicago? Easily the worst season since 1999, and perhaps the worst team since the 70s, during the roughest winter weather wise in a generation. So yes, driving 5.5 hours round trip to cover a last place team that often struggles to even put up 47 points in a game.

Add in all the snow storms and you’re now spending 7 hours in your commute to see that, if the weather permits you to even go to Assembly Hall. That said, I’m done with 2013-14 Illini basketball and now covering 2014-15 Illini basketball. I know you think that’s crazy considering how they still have five regular season games and at least one Big Ten Tournament game remaining. However, I’m not the only journalist doing this.

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The 1998-99 Illini basketball team was exceedingly brutal to watch. The 2013-14 Illini basketball season is just as unsightly. If not more so. Both teams could defend their tail off. Let’s give them credit for that. Defense was strong in both. But offensively?

Well, watching Illini basketball run their half court offense is so painful that…How painful is it?

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