John Groce was hired by new athletic director Mike Thomas on March 28 , 2012 . In the 2012 – 13 season the Illini were the 2012 Maui Invitational Tournament Champions and later made the 2013 NCAA Men 's Division I Basketball Tournament , losing their second game . The Illini lost 63 – 59 to the 2013 ACC Men 's Basketball Tournament Champions Miami Hurricanes . The Illini spent 8 weeks nationally ranked in the 2012 – 13 NCAA Division I men 's basketball rankings , and for two weeks were ranked as high as 10th in the country
2013 ACC Men 's Basketball Tournament Champions
2013 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball