UI men's basketball notebook: Groce likes depth

CHAMPAIGN — Don’t expect John Groce to determine a permanent lineup — or tighten his rotation — until Leron Black finishes the remaining three games of his suspension and Kipper Nichols gains eligibility next month. Both could change how Illinois basketball lines up.

For now, Groce doesn’t mind going deep on his bench. In fact, there’s a chance it could become a more permanent part of the Illini’s style.

“I do like the fact we’ve been able to play with some depth,” Groce said. “It’s helped our speed. It’s helped our intensity. It’s helped our rebounding effort. We want to continue to do that. As long as players earn that, we’d like to be a really deep team and keep playing that way. I think…