With the last decade not proving much in the world of college basketball, the University of Illinois’ Fighting Illini may be showing a change for the better.

In 2011 the Illini hired new head coach John Groce after seeing Bruce Webber head to Kansas State. The new path was ready for the Illini. With two march madness bids in the last two years, the Illini are in the right direction.

This season, the Illini are already ranked no. 24 as they headed into Sunday’s contest on Dec. 7 against American.

The game was played with different pace than usual. The Illini went into the game as the 10th scoring team averaging 86 points. American was able to hold them under their average. But the Illini proved they are a force to be reckoned with this season as the final score was 70-55.

The Illini will begin conference play in the Big Ten in the next few weeks.