SPOKANE, Wash. — Illinois saw Gonzaga storm out to an 8-0 lead Saturday night, sinking shot after shot as the Illini appeared to be headed toward an inevitable squashing by a Sasquatch-like Bulldogs frontcourt.

But those opening minutes are what tell coach John Groce it is OK to feel a little optimistic about this squad.

"I thought we were capable of playing good basketball against anybody in the country [before the game]," he said. "The thing they showed me is — and I can't emphasize it enough — the beginning of the game when we got stung, they didn't flinch. They just kept playing. That's a sign of good things moving forward."