The Illinois Fighting Illini are not too bitter about being jilted by candidates for the basketball head coaching position, even after Shaka Smart of VCU elected not to join the program and Brad Stevens denied having contact with the university.
But a new name has emerged as a legitimate candidate for vacant position that would replace Bruce Weber, according to a report by Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com.
Ohio University head coach John Groce, who led his team to the Sweet 16 this season and has two NCAA Tournament appearances in his four seasons as the head of Ohio, is being eyed by the Illinois athletic department. Groce is best-known for his reputation on the recruiting trail as an assistant coach for Thad Matta at Ohio State, when he landed Greg Oden and Mike Conley several years ago.
Illinois is strongly considering Ohio University coach John Groce, sources told CBSSports.com -- cbssports.com/collegebasketb…
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) March 25, 2012
Read more about the Illini coaching search at our story stream here.