You think the NIU men’s basketball program is a joke?

Just take the 169.7-mile trip on I-39 South and I-74 East down to Champaign and you’ll discover the latest embarrassment of late in the Land of Lincoln: U of I.

Pegged by many as a “top-25 job in the county,” the Fighting Illini are having a tougher time selling its head coach position of its men’s basketball team than kids hustling a lemonade stand.

Shaka Smart? Nope, he snubbed Illinois, and instead, elected to stay down at VCU.

Plan B: Butler’s Brad Stevens. Not even a nibble. Stevens and Butler released two statements saying he wasn’t interested in jumping into arguably the best basketball conference in college hoops.

Now, Illinois’ search party for a coach has turned to one of MAC’s very own: Ohio’s John Groce.

If you watched this year’s tournament, you’re likely familiar with the Bobcats lively coach. His facial expressions and hand motions were quite the treat during Ohio’s 73-65 loss to North Carolina Friday night.

If Groce doesn’t sink his teeth into the Illinois’ sweet-pie of an offer of somewhere around $21 million for eight years, who will?

There might be something to read in between the lines here: coaches don’t see Illinois as the have go big to win big destination.

For Smart and Stevens, they don’t see what other see in the Illinois job: close proximity to the best high school talent in the nation, playing in a competitive conference and a handsome salary. When utilized correctly, Illinois has the chance to churn talent out like crazy. But for these “small-school” coaches, it’s a mirage.

Instead, they’re going to wait, sit comfortably with the job they currently hold and then make a move to a better landing spot.

If Groce doesn’t take the U of I job, he’s crazy. Right now, he’s the latest flavor that Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas is tasting.

As much as I’ve bashed Illinois, the job does have high potential. But until they find that perfect fit, let alone someone who is even interested, roll on snare drum.