Feb. 17--With his hand still heavily bandaged, Illinois guard Rayvonte Rice dived on the court, fought for rebounds, dunked (with the opposite hand) and played an average of 28.5 minutes the last two games.
"I didn't think he'd be able to play that many minutes in the last two games to be honest," Illinois coach John Groce said. "And he did. That part was pretty encouraging."
Rice scored four points against Michigan and 10 points against Wisconsin in his return from a nine-game absence because of a broken left hand and a suspension.
"The timing stuff, I thought he was a little bit better (against Wisconsin) than he was Thursday (against Michigan)," Groce said Monday during the Big Ten coaches conference call. "Thursday he took two or three balls right to the rim and missed layups. Sometimes that happens once. But usually with Ray he's not going to miss three in a game. Some of that is timing and figuring it out."
Said Rice: "I'm feeling good, just trying to get used to things. Physically, I feel great. We just have to execute better and try to get the win."
Rice declined to speak even in generalities about his suspension, which was described as a violation of team rules. Teammate Aaron Cosby remains indefinitely suspended.
"That's between me and Coach," Rice said.
Coming along Colbert: Sophomore Austin Colbert took another step in his continuing progression.
He played 10 minutes against the Badgers, scoring five points on 2-for-2 shooting with three rebounds.
"He keeps getting better," Groce said. "His attention to detail's been better probably from the fact that he's gained a little bit of confidence. He's more tuned in mentally. His concentration is better."
Bottle-necked Big Ten: Seven Big Ten teams sit five or fewer games behind first-place Wisconsin. Five of those teams have at least eight conference victories.
Illinois (17-9, 7-6) has a chance to improve its standing Sunday against Michigan State.
What does all of this mean for the Big Ten teams trying to fight their way in to the NCAA tournament?
Groce said he understands the committee looks at individual teams rather than a conference as a whole, so he said that's not where his concentration lies.
"I'm sure all of us in that middle pack can think of a game or two where you think, man, we could've had that one," he said. "Then there's probably a game or two where (a close game was won). Water finds its level."
sryan@tribpub.com
