Groce, who says he grew up about 100 miles away from Champaign, said it certainly still feels like a prime-time gig to him. Now he’s charged with turning around a program that has plenty of history (not recently, however) and he’ll have to deal with a situation where folks in the area are eager for Illinois to regain recruiting ground in Chicago.

John Groce joined ESPN Chicago with Carmen, Jurko and Harry to discuss not being Illinois’ top candidate at the beginning of the search, why it was a no-brainer for him to take the offer, the importance of recruiting Chicago, maintaining his Midwestern roots, style of play and the magnitude of the Illinois job at this point.

Does it bother you that other candidates publicly spurned the job and you didn’t seem to be the top choice?:

“No, not at all. This whole thing for me was about fit. I don’t get caught up in things I can’t control. For me and my family, we thought it was a really special opportunity and a tremendous fit.”

Was it a no-brainer decision?:

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and my family in terms of, I grew up about 100+ miles from here. Yes. Like I said at the press conference, the only thing that was difficult was leaving, obviously, those kids behind. We had our whole team coming back. They’re a big reason why an opportunity like this presents itself and I love those kids back in Athens. That was the hardest part.”

There has been a lot of angst over Illinois not getting recruits out of Chicago. How important is Chicago to you?:

“I think it’s important to develop a link to Chicago, obviously, because it’s a major city in our state. When you’re talking about branding Illinois basketball, it starts inside the state borders. That part’s important; there’s no doubt about it. … We understand how good the basketball is there and I think there’s great opportunities there for us for sure.”

How important was it to you that the job is in the Midwest, where you seem comfortable?:

“I feel comfortable and that was one of the things that I brought up when I talked about fit. For me, in terms of areas of the country, I’ve basically lived and coached 15 of my 19 years that I’ve been in the business in the Midwest. I feel very comfortable, know my way around and have really built some great relationships over the years with people that I feel very fortunate to have. I’m excited about having an opportunity to recruit and live in the Midwest.”

Your Ohio team went all out, took a lot of 3s and seemed to do whatever it took to win for one another. Is that what you’ll preach at Illinois?:

“I think for sure the part about being that together. That team was really special, those guys were really together, really tough, really gritty. Obviously in that last game, we shot a few more 3s than we do typically because of their size. We felt like we were going to have to make jump shots in order to have an opportunity to beat North Carolina and we were right there. … We like to have a blend, for sure, playing both inside and out. I think a lot of the 3s that you get that are good ones are because you attack the paint via penetration or by feeding the post.”

There were arguments leading up to your hiring over whether Illinois was still a prime-time job. Your thoughts on that?:

“I think for sure. I don’t know where it ranks. Somebody asked me that. … But I do think it’s certainly one of the best jobs in the country. You can debate where it’s ranked. I think it has the potential to get better and improve. Those are always the situations that I look for, to be honest with you. I enjoy challenges. I enjoy starting at Spot A and trying to get to B and then C and then D and climb. That, to me, is fun, to be able to compete like that and try to find ways to get better.”

Listen to John Groce on ESPN Chicago here (Interview begins at 1:01:00)

Thank God they did, because Izzo kind of laid into the refs from the 2005 National Championship Game, which Illinois lost to North Carolina (paging Dr. Leitch … your anxiety is calling …). He also mentioned that they saw some weaknesses in the Cardinals’ zone Sunday when he was on briefly, before downplaying how awesome it is to play in basically your home town.

On just one day to prepare for Louisville:
“…Very athletic team, but in their zone we just saw some gaps in the middle of it … they made some adjustments … but it just left the wings open …once we got that lead, I don’t know if we were inspired and they were depressed but it just kind of grew.”

On the home court advantage in Detroit (and not putting anything into it):
“Well, I don’t know how much it will bring us, Bruce and I were both in that Final Four in 2005 and there was a ton of Illini fans there and, uh, who actually cheered for us too in our opener, but I think what they needed was a couple more officials in that championship game and they’d be our national champs themselves, no insult to the striped guys, but that was a tough game there. And now that’s even changed more … I’m sure we’ll get some tickets … but, uh, I don’t know how much the home court does for you … it won’t be like it was on Sunday [against Louisville] …”

Listen to Tom Izzo (bonus … Bruce Weber!) on ESPN Radio Chicago with Waddle and Silvy (Izzo joins call at 9 minutes into podcast)

Reason why #1 seed doesn’t make it to the Final Four:   If Ty Lawson isn’t close to a 100%, North Carolina is very beatable.  Roy Williams should rest him for at least the first game against Radford. 

Best bet in the first round:   Butler + 2 1/2 over LSU

Player I’m most looking forward to playing in the NBA:  Johnny Flynn.  I’m biased as a Syracuse grad, but I think he’s the best point guard in the country.  Deceptively strong with a better jumper than most point guards.  I hope he stays another year, but I doubt it.

Prediction for this bracket:  North Carolina, they’re just too deep.  However, if Lawson is still hobbled, I’ll go with Syracuse.  Sleeper pick would be Gonzaga.

Listen to North Carolina (#1) Head Coach Roy Williams on The Dan Patrick Show

Listen to Oklahoma (#2) Head Coach Jeff Capel on ESPN Radio with Tirico & Van Pelt

Listen to Syracuse (#3) Head Coach Jim Boeheim on KLAC with Chris Myers and Steve Hartman

Listen to Gonzaga (#4) Head Coach Mark Few on KTAR in Phoenix with Gambo & Ash

Listen to Illinois (#5) Head Coach Bruce Webber on WSCR in Chicago

Listen to Arizona State (#6) Head Coach Herb Sendek on KTAR in Phoenix with Doug & Wolf

Listen to Butler (#9) Head Coach Brad Stevens on 1070 the Fan in Indy with Bob Kravitz and Eddie White

Listen to Michigan (#10) Head Coach John Beilein on WTKA in Ann Arbor

Listen to Temple (#11) Head Coach Fran Dunphy on WIP in Philadelphia with Howard Eskin

Listen here to Western Kentucky (#12) Head Coach Ken McDonald on KTAR in Phoenix with Gambo & Ash

Listen here to Akron (#13 South) Head Coach Keith Dambrot on ESPN Radio Cleveland

Listen here to Stephen F. Austin (#14) Head Coach Danny Kaspar on ESPN Radio Syracuse

Listen to Morgan State (#15) Head Coach Todd Bozeman on WNST in Baltimore with Drew Forrester

Listen here to Radford (#16) head coach Brad Greenberg on KJR in Seattle