I don't think he can do much more to impress a program. He's recruited a nine-deep roster that is the envy of the MAC next season.

If a program is waiting for Groce to wow them with his wipeboard skills they're going to be waiting awhile. I don't think anyone thinks he's a masterful in-game coach. Neither are Bill Self or Thad Matta. They recruit, they motivate. That's what you're getting with Groce.

Quick edit.  Must account for Green.

I also think Groce is a good in-game coach.  The adjustments made at halftime during the USF and UNC games were fantastic.

=>Didn't know Xavier job was open last year.  ;-)

I assume you mean when Miller left for Arizona 3 years ago and Mack, not Groce, was hired.

Groce was not hired by X.  But, if the X job opened up today, I would think Groce would have the job if he wanted it.  Why?  Because of the postseason runs.

Groce has stockpiled a lot of talent of OU and the team is very deep.  I have said that Groce's teams have underachieved in the MAC regular season.  But that regular season underachievement means nothing.  The postseason means everything to Groce's career advancement. 

I'm pretty sure you could use your fingers to count the number of truly great X and O coaches out there. That goes for both the collegiate and pro level.

But I think you're selling our scheme a little short here. Not everything has to be up to a Calipari level of detail, constantly calibrating and tinkering. Players win games and coaches lose them, as the old saying goes. Sometimes, the best thing to do is not overdo it. I think Groce knows that, and it's something that takes a lot of humility and mental maturity to recognize. Call it the Anti-La Russa system. But he can draw up a play when we need it; we were very good on inbound plays this year.

For the record, this philosophy is part of why we made that huge run down the stretch in 2005; TOS stopped overcoaching. Come the next season, he started overcoaching again. But he couldn't draw up good plays.

Frankly, what everybody does at the tournament is about all that counts-midmajor or not. Do you think the Michigan folks care a whole lot about their Big 10 co- championship? The Michigan and Georetown wins leaves a strong memory in people's minds. That's about the only way a mid-major gets attention.

This is true

there are stillfolks here waiting to emerge from under their rock to discuss how we can't shoot, can't rebound and have not won a MAC season championship instead riding 2 hot hands in 4 years. 

Groce, from day one has talked about "getting one percent better everyday" and  "playing our best ball in march" . I am not going to put words in his mouth but I think he would take a tourney performance over a regualr season domination a la Kron.

Same thing here in Muncie. No one can tell you who the North Central Conference Champs are but they all have stories of each and every tourney run..... that is pretty universal from top of basketball to the lowest level.....