He was then involved in an off-court incident that resulted in him pleading guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge. The team penalty was a six-game suspension – both exhibition games and four regular-season games.

Black didn’t make his debut this season until the Winthrop game on Nov. 21 and his 10 points and four rebounds went mostly unnoticed because Illinois lost in overtime.

But since then, Black has emerged as a player who can be counted on. Illinois is clearly a better basketball team when he’s on the floor – better offensively, defensively and on the glass. That was evident Tuesday when he scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Illinois’ 85-77 victory over IUPUI.

“Leron played that way in France,” Groce said, remembering that overseas trip when Black flashed his potential. “He was unbelievable there. Then he went through that injury period and no one got to see that.

“He had a great summer, a great fall and a great pre-season. The Lord has blessed us with that. He plays every possession like someone is holding his head under water. He’ll make mistakes, but not because of attitude or energy or effort. You love coaching guys like that.

“He’s wound up every day and that makes it a lot of fun to coach him.”