Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: John Groce
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bobcatsquared
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Posted: 2/7/2017 11:59 AM
doubledribble wrote:expand_more
bobcatsquared, I agree that we can always use help at the 5, especially if it can allow us to move JC to 4. If you like JC, you are going to love Vander Plas. He is bigger, stronger, driver to the rim who can slam it down like we are seeing Jason do. He also can "pick and pop" and shoot the 3. This kid comes from a very athletic family and is going to look great in Bobcat gear. I felt very good after seeing JC play a couple of basketball games his senior year, and I feel even better after watching tape of Vander Plas. You heard it here.
Great to hear. My only concern is his listed 6-6 height. But then I remember Carter being listed at 6-6 last year but is now 6-8. (A legit 6-8?)
OU_Country
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Posted: 2/7/2017 2:16 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
bobcatsquared, I agree that we can always use help at the 5, especially if it can allow us to move JC to 4. If you like JC, you are going to love Vander Plas. He is bigger, stronger, driver to the rim who can slam it down like we are seeing Jason do. He also can "pick and pop" and shoot the 3. This kid comes from a very athletic family and is going to look great in Bobcat gear. I felt very good after seeing JC play a couple of basketball games his senior year, and I feel even better after watching tape of Vander Plas. You heard it here.
Great to hear. My only concern is his listed 6-6 height. But then I remember Carter being listed at 6-6 last year but is now 6-8. (A legit 6-8?)
Not that the 1-inch in height matters, because the game talked about here is what really matters, but most of what I can find list him at 6'7", 220lbs. Gareri is listed 6'9" 205-210 according to some sites I've seen.
cc-cat
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Posted: 2/11/2017 11:31 PM
Dust.
Bobcat1998
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Posted: 2/12/2017 12:18 PM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
All Saul is really missing is the one "surprise" recruit who we didn't think we would get or had a shot at getting.
I think all he's missing is a roster full of his own players. We are almost there.
That's true. We really are down 2 schollies used on guys who have played fewer games than they've sat out due to injury and illness. I hope Wadley can grad transfer somewhere like FIU or Florida Atlantic and go back home. I hope Khari is granted a medical waiver like DJ Wingfield was and then we don't lose the scholly. Would love to see an athletic 6-7 to 6-9 guy like a Cheatham. And don't forget we get Gollon back next year and he played as a frosh.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 2/19/2017 9:56 AM
Getting closer. Some fans analyzing the situation. Some would agree with the next to last line in the last quote.

dweebs19;1278139 wrote:expand_more
why was Groce fighting back tears?
mycitymytime;1278140 wrote:expand_more
These are emotional times for the coach and the players. They see what they are capable of today and at the same time the season has slipped away. I am sure it is draining. There is no question that coach has worked his tail off over the last five years. Just unfortunate that it hasn't worked out. Some terrible luck, unfortunate recruiting misses and some poor decision making.
IlliniMed;1278142 wrote:expand_more
Because he's actually a good guy and knows hes probably done after this season. He cares for the guys and wants them to succeed... unfortunately there are some deficiencies at the head of the snake that he NEVER addressed with a competent assistant coach. Its sad beacause Groce is one of those coaches you can legitimately build a brand around if he just had the help. Oh well.... on to the next one
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 2/19/2017 2:08 PM
I'm still remembering my nightmare of a few weeks ago. Groce goes to Miami next year. Say it can't be so, borna!
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 2/19/2017 3:21 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
I'm still remembering my nightmare of a few weeks ago. Groce goes to Miami next year. Say it can't be so, borna!
I might be in the minority, but I would love to see Groce go to Miami (highly doubt it will happen). Miami being a contender again can only be good for the MAC and for Ohio.
El Gato Roberto
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Posted: 2/21/2017 10:07 PM
Don't look now, guys...but Groce and the Illini just knocked off Northwestern for the second time this season. He might just hang on in Champaign/Urbana with a little B1G Tourney run.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 2/21/2017 10:15 PM
that would be a big stretch. Not impossible but a big stretch.
El Gato Roberto
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Posted: 2/21/2017 10:45 PM
bornacatfan wrote:expand_more
that would be a big stretch. Not impossible but a big stretch.
I think its the only thing that could save his job...it might be fun to watch, if he can advance a couple of rounds.
perimeterpost
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Posted: 2/21/2017 10:51 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
I'm still remembering my nightmare of a few weeks ago. Groce goes to Miami next year. Say it can't be so, borna!
I might be in the minority, but I would love to see Groce go to Miami (highly doubt it will happen). Miami being a contender again can only be good for the MAC and for Ohio.
it would be amazing for the rivalry. Like Coach Coles said " if the MAC is going to be good, Miami and Ohio have to be real good too.".
RSBobcat
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Posted: 2/21/2017 10:51 PM
El Gato Roberto wrote:expand_more
that would be a big stretch. Not impossible but a big stretch.
I think its the only thing that could save his job...it might be fun to watch, if he can advance a couple of rounds.
JG to BC.....
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 2/22/2017 12:23 PM
RSBobcat wrote:expand_more
that would be a big stretch. Not impossible but a big stretch.
I think its the only thing that could save his job...it might be fun to watch, if he can advance a couple of rounds.
JG to BC.....
What a perverse thought. ;-)
OU_Country
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Posted: 2/22/2017 12:54 PM
El Gato Roberto wrote:expand_more
that would be a big stretch. Not impossible but a big stretch.
I think its the only thing that could save his job...it might be fun to watch, if he can advance a couple of rounds.

Their schedule is pretty favorable to get to 9-9 in the B1G. Win the first B1G Tourney game and they might have a shot.
cbus cat fan
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Posted: 2/28/2017 7:45 PM
Yikes--Sports Illustrated says there is a 100% chance Coach Groce gets fired. In this article it seems SI is channeling Nate Silver, and while they do give percentages on several other coaches--even those outside the so called Power 6, the MAC is not included. Well at least Coach Groce isn't the only coach with a 100% probability, there's a couple others as well.
http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2017/02/23/nc-state-...
Last Edited: 2/28/2017 7:48:00 PM by cbus cat fan
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 2/28/2017 11:14 PM
I'm becoming more worried about the possibility of JG to Miami. Oxford is very close to his native Indiana, and I suspect he'd feel very comfortable there. Miami, according to virtually all sources, is going to be looking for a new coach at the conclusion of the season. I certainly hope this nightmare doesn't turn out prophetic, but I'm beginning to wonder if that's the way the cards will be falling.

However, we must remember Miami does suck and they might not be smart enough to make this kind of a move. Or, maybe, JG would be too smart to take it. But, it looms out there as a possible Jason Grunkenmeyer Part II.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 2/28/2017 11:51 PM
I do not think it will happen...even though while he was a frosh coach at Jay Co HS Sendeck gave him his big break as a volunteer down there. His time as Miami led to Sendeck bringing him to NC St. Maybe he and Thad will team up again somewhere out of the BIG
OU_Country
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Posted: 3/1/2017 12:34 AM
A win tomorrow night further helps his chances of staying in Champaign-Urbana.
mcconnelsville
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Posted: 3/1/2017 8:10 AM
I enjoyed Groce's teams and his time here. I do wonder though, if Groce is such a great coach and recruiter, why isn't Illinois winning more games?

Saul is doing very well and no reason not to expect him to continue. After Tony went down did anyone think this team would be doing any better? This team is fun to watch play and its fun watch their growth.

Groce will find another team. Lets continue to see what Saul brings to the floor. He's not perfect but no one is; well, except for Monroe Slavin.
allen
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Posted: 3/1/2017 8:16 AM
Illinois has a young team, they went to the tournament his first year. He has great contacts in Indiane, he was the lead recruiter that got Oden and Conley to Ohio State. Hopefully, he does not come back to the MAC.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 3/1/2017 9:43 AM
Again, I disagree. I wouldn't mind Groce returning to the MAC, even Miami. It would be good for the MAC and what's good for the MAC is good for Ohio.

Again, I don't see him returning to the MAC.
OUVan
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Posted: 3/1/2017 9:52 AM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
Again, I disagree. I wouldn't mind Groce returning to the MAC, even Miami. It would be good for the MAC and what's good for the MAC is good for Ohio.

Again, I don't see him returning to the MAC.
I'd agree. Someone pointed out that the Akron-Kent season ending game has been on ESPN2 for several years in a row. We need Miami to get better so the rivalry has meaning. Miami stinking is really bad for the MAC.
Buckeye to Bobcat
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Posted: 3/1/2017 9:29 PM
Groce's team is surprisingly playing with grit. At this point, he may survive another season.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 3/1/2017 10:06 PM
Buckeye to Bobcat wrote:expand_more
Groce's team is surprisingly playing with grit. At this point, he may survive another season.
Sure hope so. On my visits with him in Champaign, I was very impressed with what he was trying to accomplish. Chicago is the wild card in this whole discussion.
Buckeye to Bobcat
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Posted: 3/1/2017 10:32 PM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Groce's team is surprisingly playing with grit. At this point, he may survive another season.
Sure hope so. On my visits with him in Champaign, I was very impressed with what he was trying to accomplish. Chicago is the wild card in this whole discussion.
The problem is is Chicago and the boosters. Everyone seems to think that coaches that go there are horrible. That athletic department I would argue is probably the worst ran in the country outside of Baylor for obvious reasons. Business wise, Illinois is by far the worst. So with Groce, that's just the boosters there thinking Champaign is little Chicago and they can boss people around.
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