menu
Logo
dark_mode
Logo
dark_mode
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: GROCE TO AKRON
Page: 2 of 5
SBH
General User
SBH
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,752
SBH
mail
SBH
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 9:45 AM
Gonna be interesting to watch Akron's announcer, Steve French, and his sidekick, Joe Dunn, walk back their multiple criticisms of Groce. French has referred to JG as a "clown" in years past.
Recovering Journalist
General User
RJ
Member Since: 8/17/2010
Location: Cleveland, OH
Post Count: 1,864
RJ
mail
Recovering Journalist
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 9:48 AM
Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
This hire will make things even more interesting and add some needed zest to the Ohio/Akron games. I'm just as curious to see how this affects the Akron-KSU rivalry; I have to imagine the KSU fans will rip into Groce pretty good too. This will be fun. Good times!

I do find curious the comments on Groce's MAC regular season record. I'm now more in line with FlashGary's (is that the correct BA poster?) opinion that the only thing that matters for MAC basketball teams is the MAC tournament, not the regular season. OK, so Groce's regular season record at Ohio was middling at best. So what? His record in the Big Dance was 3-2 and those 3 wins are the only MAC wins in the tournament the last 14 years. The guy took the then ranked #1 team in the country to OT and came within a hair of making the Elite 8. Think any of us were thinking of Groce's regular season record when we were watching Ohio reach the Sweet 16 after watching 2 wonderful games in St. Louis?

On the other hand, Dambrot had a spotless regular season record. What did that get him? 13 years of frustration and the desire to leave the MAC.
His regular season record matters. First off, many people actually value watching wins and don't think the regular season is utterly meaningless. Second, we all act like the Tournament runs were inevitable. They were anything but given our seeding. Ohio barely scraped in both times -- 2010 had two overtime games and 2012 had a three-point squeaker and a one-point tossup.

Did Groce get his teams peaking at the right time? Absolutely. Was our team constantly underachieving in the regular season? Absolutely. Crashing out in the second round as a five seed in 2011 is a good example of the consequences.

The reality is that MAC teams will be double-digit seeds for the foreseeable future. The notion that NCAA wins are expected from ANY fan base in this league is almost insane. Groce did it and we all have fond memories, but it was not because he was a miracle worker. Put another way, past returns are not indicative of future results.
OUVan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Bethesda, MD
Post Count: 5,580
mail
OUVan
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 9:50 AM
A lot of revisionist history and cherry picking going on in this thread. John Groce was and is a very good college basketball coach. It takes time to build a program and that’s what he was doing. We finished 3rd in 2012 but make no mistake we were the best team in the conference all season long. We had two bad losses in February which cost us the #1 seed (Akron and Buffalo had their bad losses OOC) but every other metric showed we were the best team. We had a 5-1 record against the two teams ahead of us in the conference standings. It wasn’t a fluke. We were the best team. 2010 also wasn’t a fluke. It’s just there was so much turmoil (Bassett and DeVaughn suspensions, Coleman and Kinney leaving the team, working 3 freshman into the rotation) surrounding the team that year that we didn’t gel until March. But make no mistake, Groce’s teams always got better as the year went along and he was building a program.

I’ll admit that I was happy to hear that Dambrot was leaving but this is a bad trade for us. I’d rather have Mr. February coaching Akron than Mr. March.
Ohio69
General User
O69
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,134
O69
mail
Ohio69
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 9:55 AM
SBH wrote:expand_more
Gonna be interesting to watch Akron's announcer, Steve French, and his sidekick, Joe Dunn, walk back their multiple criticisms of Groce. French has referred to JG as a "clown" in years past.
Man, that is too fun.

It will be very interesting to see if Groce returns to the 3rd-4th place MAC finishes or if he can keep Akron's dominance up there.

He had two great runs with Ohio. But, the dude ain't perfect.

His coaching staff (and their families) can probably win over a lot of folks around the university up there.

Game on...

GO OHIO !
Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....
OU_Country
General User
Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,401
mail
OU_Country
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 9:58 AM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
The ghost of Groce who has been overlooking Saul's shoulder just got real. The Honeymoon is over and the head coaching chair here at OHIO just became hot...real HOT!! Let the games, both recruiting and on the court, now begin!!
Fair or not....this is a true statement^^^^.
It's true for about a dozen people on this board who think Ohio is an attitude adjustment away from being the Gonzaga of the MAC. Saul wins a lot, has two years left on his contract and isn't even through one recruiting cycle. Hot seat? What a joke.
If Groce wins a MAC Tournament Championship before Saul, you don't think Saul will be feeling the heat??? Please.
The original post says that the seat just became real hot, not that it might someday under a hypothetical scenario become hot.
Exactly. The seat most certainly isn't hot for the vast majority of Bobcat fans, and most importantly, not in the eyes of the AD. Could it be in a couple years? Maybe. The other side of this to consider is that maybe Ohio goes Dancin' before Akron does in the next couple years. Then the seat gets a little more comfortable. Or maybe, the seat becomes available because he left? Time will tell.
Buckeye to Bobcat
General User
BB
Member Since: 9/10/2013
Post Count: 1,884
BB
mail
Buckeye to Bobcat
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 10:04 AM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
The ghost of Groce who has been overlooking Saul's shoulder just got real. The Honeymoon is over and the head coaching chair here at OHIO just became hot...real HOT!! Let the games, both recruiting and on the court, now begin!!
Fair or not....this is a true statement^^^^.
It's true for about a dozen people on this board who think Ohio is an attitude adjustment away from being the Gonzaga of the MAC. Saul wins a lot, has two years left on his contract and isn't even through one recruiting cycle. Hot seat? What a joke.
If Groce wins a MAC Tournament Championship before Saul, you don't think Saul will be feeling the heat??? Please.
The original post says that the seat just became real hot, not that it might someday under a hypothetical scenario become hot.
Exactly. The seat most certainly isn't hot for the vast majority of Bobcat fans, and most importantly, not in the eyes of the AD. Could it be in a couple years? Maybe. The other side of this to consider is that maybe Ohio goes Dancin' before Akron does in the next couple years. Then the seat gets a little more comfortable. Or maybe, the seat becomes available because he left? Time will tell.
Agree with OU_Country here, if Saul has the success I anticipate, the only thing I'm watching shake out is Greg Gard at Wisconsin. Now that Bo Ryan recruits will be clearing the system soon, we're gonna find out how good he is and from what I've heard up there is that Alvarez is still ticked off at Bo Ryan for how this went down. So wait and see my friends if Saul has success and Gard stinks, that could accelerate the timeline there.
Eagle66
General User
E66
Member Since: 3/13/2005
Post Count: 1,329
E66
mail
Eagle66
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 10:57 AM
Looks like Groce got a 6 year deal at Akron.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/849631863027015680
Last Edited: 4/5/2017 10:58:20 AM by Eagle66
OU_Country
General User
Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,401
mail
OU_Country
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:06 AM
Eagle66 wrote:expand_more
Looks like Groce got a 6 year deal at Akron.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/849631863027015680
If you want to run a poll at how many years into that contract he goes, I'll take 3yrs or less.
C Money
General User
Member Since: 8/28/2010
Post Count: 3,420
mail
C Money
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:08 AM
I no longer wish him well in his future endeavors.
bornacatfan
General User
Member Since: 8/3/2006
Post Count: 5,752
mail
bornacatfan
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:17 AM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
If you want to run a poll at how many years into that contract he goes, I'll take 3yrs or less.
Get TRMD and McBin and issue a new napkin challenge hahaahahahaha McBin or Mike can probably remember the first one we had on Groce
never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game
GoCats105
General User
GC105
Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 7,861
GC105
mail
GoCats105
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:23 AM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Looks like Groce got a 6 year deal at Akron.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/849631863027015680
If you want to run a poll at how many years into that contract he goes, I'll take 3yrs or less.
It all depends on who he recruits to Akron, which is a way tougher sell than Athens IMO based on facilities, atmosphere, quality of education, etc. We could be looking down the barrell of Year 3 or 4 before we see his true potential up there. It's not guaranteed he's gonna catch the lightning in a bottle that he found here.
Ohio69
General User
O69
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,134
O69
mail
Ohio69
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:30 AM
C Money wrote:expand_more
I no longer wish him well in his future endeavors.
Can't believe you beat Jeff McKinney to this... LOL.


OU_Country wrote:expand_more
If you want to run a poll at how many years into that contract he goes, I'll take 3yrs or less.
I'll take the over on that. I think three years is too soon. And, the guy "failed" at Illinois. I figure 5-6 years before he can think about moving up and on as a head coach.

But, with the mercenary nature of NCAA sports, you just never know.
Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....
Last Edited: 4/5/2017 11:33:37 AM by Ohio69
Steve
General User
S
Member Since: 12/1/2005
Post Count: 713
S
mail
Steve
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:30 AM
So Saul didn't replace Groce and isn't coaching any of Groce's players, but we'll rip Saul if Groce wins the MAC Tournament before Saul does?
The Optimist
General User
Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,615
mail
The Optimist
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:33 AM
C Money wrote:expand_more
I no longer wish him well in his future endeavors.
I've seen crazier things happen.
Jeff McKinney
Moderator
JM
Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,171
JM
mail
Jeff McKinney
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 11:50 AM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Looks like Groce got a 6 year deal at Akron.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/849631863027015680
If you want to run a poll at how many years into that contract he goes, I'll take 3yrs or less.
It all depends on who he recruits to Akron, which is a way tougher sell than Athens IMO based on facilities, atmosphere, quality of education, etc. We could be looking down the barrell of Year 3 or 4 before we see his true potential up there. It's not guaranteed he's gonna catch the lightning in a bottle that he found here.
I'm usually with you, GoCats, bUt not on this. I think Akron would be a good place for recruiting. They haven't had trouble recruiting there for a long, long time. And now there's the King James angle. Will be interesting to see how Coach Groce and staff try to cultivate a relationship w King James.
OU_Country
General User
Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,401
mail
OU_Country
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 12:17 PM
bornacatfan wrote:expand_more
If you want to run a poll at how many years into that contract he goes, I'll take 3yrs or less.
Get TRMD and McBin and issue a new napkin challenge hahaahahahaha McBin or Mike can probably remember the first one we had on Groce
I'll have to ask them about that this evening!
allen
General User
A
Member Since: 1/24/2006
Post Count: 4,638
A
mail
allen
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 12:18 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Looks like Groce got a 6 year deal at Akron.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/849631863027015680
If you want to run a poll at how many years into that contract he goes, I'll take 3yrs or less.
It all depends on who he recruits to Akron, which is a way tougher sell than Athens IMO based on facilities, atmosphere, quality of education, etc. We could be looking down the barrell of Year 3 or 4 before we see his true potential up there. It's not guaranteed he's gonna catch the lightning in a bottle that he found here.
I agree that Akron is a tougher sell. Akron is a dreadful city, excluding Lebron and the University of Akron gets lost in in mid city atmosphere. Ohio is in a college town. Ohio makes Athens and Athens loves Ohio back. Lebron is the ex factor, if Groce were to hire a Romeo Travis as an assistant and get Lebron to go to a few games, that changes things. We will have to step our game up recruiting wise because Buffalo and Akron will probably step their's up, heck Buffalo has. We are in year 4 of Saul's system, he has some schollies available to get his type of players to come in. Dartis and Carter will be here for a while and they are pretty good. The question is can Saul develop them? We definitely have a leg up on Akron right now. Buffalo has more pieces, but they play undisciplined at times.
Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes
ShoreCat
General User
SC
Member Since: 3/10/2011
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Post Count: 232
SC
mail
ShoreCat
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 12:46 PM
I'm sorry but I don't get the hate for the city of Akron. It is still an urban area 45 minutes from Cleveland. That is going to appeal to some kids more than small town Athens. The quality of the JAR is the "ick" factor to me.

Gonna be interesting to see what Groce does. I'm somewhat surprised he didn't take a year off but he obviously saw a strong appeal to this job.
The Optimist
General User
Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,615
mail
The Optimist
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 1:19 PM
BayCat wrote:expand_more
I'm sorry but I don't get the hate for the city of Akron. It is still an urban area 45 minutes from Cleveland. That is going to appeal to some kids more than small town Athens. The quality of the JAR is the "ick" factor to me.

Gonna be interesting to see what Groce does. I'm somewhat surprised he didn't take a year off but he obviously saw a strong appeal to this job.
The distaste for the city of Akron on this board is unrealistic.

I love Ohio's campus. I think Athens is EASILY one of the best "college towns" in the country and for many kids, that is a HUGE draw in our recruiting. On the flip-side, you cannot deny a reasonable % of kids like the idea of going to a more urban campus, and Akron has come a long way in the last decade to make their campus more desirable in that demographic. The JAR on the other-hand, is 100% trash. If anything is going to limit Groce at Akron, it is that arena.

Ultimately, Groce is a good recruiter. He won't sign them all but I think he'll be able to assemble a good team at Akron. How much you want to bet Groce is already on the phone recruiting?
Ohio really does have a huge head start over Groce. Saul is a much better recruiter than some on this board have given him credit for. The two bigs in this year's class (one hailing from Akron) are huge signings for us. Prior to Dambrot leaving and the transfers out, Akron was already losing a lot from their team this year. We return 4 of 5 starters including possibly the best player in the league in Jaaron Simmons. I think we'll eat them alive next year.
I've seen crazier things happen.
Recovering Journalist
General User
RJ
Member Since: 8/17/2010
Location: Cleveland, OH
Post Count: 1,864
RJ
mail
Recovering Journalist
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 1:43 PM
The Optimist wrote:expand_more
I'm sorry but I don't get the hate for the city of Akron. It is still an urban area 45 minutes from Cleveland. That is going to appeal to some kids more than small town Athens. The quality of the JAR is the "ick" factor to me.

Gonna be interesting to see what Groce does. I'm somewhat surprised he didn't take a year off but he obviously saw a strong appeal to this job.
The distaste for the city of Akron on this board is unrealistic.

I love Ohio's campus. I think Athens is EASILY one of the best "college towns" in the country and for many kids, that is a HUGE draw in our recruiting. On the flip-side, you cannot deny a reasonable % of kids like the idea of going to a more urban campus, and Akron has come a long way in the last decade to make their campus more desirable in that demographic. The JAR on the other-hand, is 100% trash. If anything is going to limit Groce at Akron, it is that arena.

Ultimately, Groce is a good recruiter. He won't sign them all but I think he'll be able to assemble a good team at Akron. How much you want to bet Groce is already on the phone recruiting?
Ohio really does have a huge head start over Groce. Saul is a much better recruiter than some on this board have given him credit for. The two bigs in this year's class (one hailing from Akron) are huge signings for us. Prior to Dambrot leaving and the transfers out, Akron was already losing a lot from their team this year. We return 4 of 5 starters including possibly the best player in the league in Jaaron Simmons. I think we'll eat them alive next year.
You're both right. Akron is economically depressed, but what MAC school isn't in a region that's suffered job and population loss? Different schools, coaches and places will inevitably attract different kinds of kids. The biggest strike against Akron is the JAR, but Dambrot overcame that and there's no reason to think Groce can't too. They'll probably be down for a year or two but back in the mix soon.
MedinaCat
General User
MC
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Lakewood, OH
Post Count: 750
MC
mail
MedinaCat
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 2:02 PM
Groce’s problem is that he has to do something he has never really had to do before. That is defend his record. He has to look a recruit in the eye (or Dad, Mom, guardian) and explain how he will win at Akron when he couldn't at Illinois. Some would call him a retread.
Last Edited: 4/5/2017 2:03:10 PM by MedinaCat
UpSan Bobcat
General User
Member Since: 8/30/2005
Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
Post Count: 3,820
mail
UpSan Bobcat
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 2:19 PM
I'm sure most of us relate to this opinion:
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/john-gro...
allen
General User
A
Member Since: 1/24/2006
Post Count: 4,638
A
mail
allen
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 2:30 PM
UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more
I'm sure most of us relate to this opinion:
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/john-gro...
That is a great article.
Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes
100%Cat
General User
Member Since: 1/17/2013
Post Count: 2,763
mail
100%Cat
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 2:44 PM
UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more
I'm sure most of us relate to this opinion:
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/john-gro...
The content is good, but goodness...proofread stuff before it goes live on the web. It's riddled with errors.
giacomo
General User
G
Member Since: 11/20/2007
Post Count: 2,801
G
mail
giacomo
mail
Posted: 4/5/2017 3:32 PM
I wish him well. It's not a zero sum game.
Showing Messages: 26 - 50 of 107
View Other Ohio Basketball Topics
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
chevron_backward
chevron_forward
MAC News Links
chevron_left
Saturday, October 17, 2026
chevron_right
Who's Online

There are 106 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

105 Guests
1 Registered User:
71 BOBCAT