After yesterday, full of hope that Groce changes his mind, there appears to be many apathetic OHIO fans on this board.

In no way, would Groce going to Illinois help OU. I understand the recruiting argument, but that is just simply trying to justify losing our basketball coach.

If Groce comes back, OHIO could be ranked in the preseason Top 25, favorite to win the MAC and likely to make the NCAA tournament. With the experience coming back and the coach - this could be the best season in Bobcat history.

Now, you can justify that one or two kids decide not to come here because of the uncertainly of Groce. But I would argue that those one or two kids weren't even considering OHIO until Groce was here, or better yet, maybe until OHIO went to the Sweet 16 this past season.

If Groce comes back, recruits players - at least there should be less worry that they decide to transfer (after Groce leaves) since they all know that he could be gone by the time they graduate. Now, with the tourney run - you tell recruits about the school and how successful the program will be due to the foundation he has put down.

I not worried at all about his recruiting pitch.

I am still worried about losing our coach.

Did notice this late last night, but didn't see it on the board

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/11567161-419/fans...

Like the quote:

A coaching source said this situation bears no similarity to last week, when Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart turned down Illinois.

‘‘I haven’t heard anything that tells me this is over,’’ the source said. ‘‘Shaka’s people said it was over, he’s not coming. I haven’t heard anything like that. It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s an announcement [today]. But at this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if it falls apart, either.’’

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/bostonglobe/article/ohio-trying-find-money-keep-groce

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — A spokesman for the University of Ohio says administrators there are trying to find money to give the school's basketball coach a raise and keep him in Ohio.

Coach John Groce (GROHS) is said to be the top target for Illinois' coaching job.

Ohio athletics spokesman Drew Wiseman said Wednesday that administrators there aren't sure yet where the money would come from but that they'd like to keep Groce.

Wiseman says the 40-year-old coach is being paid $355,000 in base salary and bonuses this year.

Groce led Ohio to the Mid-American Conference tournament championship and a spot in the NCAA's Sweet 16. The 13-seed Bobcats took North Carolina to overtime before losing to the top-seeded Tar Heels.

Illinois is looking to replace Bruce Weber, who was fired after nine seasons.

edit: University of Ohio?

Does this mean we can start calling them Illinois U?

Sounds like the Ohio administration is really putting on the full court press here. 

"Coach, we want you to stay here as long as you'd like. We just have to figure out how we're going to pay you. What do you say?" 

Meanwhile, I envision some guy at Illinois opening up the Scrooge McDuck vault door and telling Groce to cannonball. 

Hahaha....hate the subject matter for the most part.....but entertaining and funny as heck thread.

This may have mentioned before, but Groce must be doing something right since he beat Michigan while Illinois lost twice to them last year. I just wonder if that has sunk in with any of the Illinois fans.

Let's meet under the cherry trees at Tail Great Park and pass around the friggin hat.

Whatever it is, the money spent to meet it would be well spent if we want to get to the next level and stay at the next level, we know he can bring in talent, and we know he can coach that talent.

Radio sports talk line time....long time reader first time poster.

Don't try that. It really hurts.

They corrected it. Surprising that was from the AP

I imagine the army of OHIO alumni that work for the AP went crazy with the emails.

2 Portsmouth Clay grads gettin this ball rollin........I can write a check.....haha.