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I have a thought. I'm sure it's likely to be many of the top programs. That's only logical, based on the history of corrupt behavior in college athletics as a result of money, and pleasing donors. So, lets put the hammer to all of these schools, and let the rest of us who love COLLEGE athletics start enjoying the competition again on a more level playing field.

This is just a thread to discuss the team, the past, the current season as we lead up to the game at PCCC. I have some construction going on at my house, so as I wait for them to leave (and not wanting to to turn on the TV and face all the bad news) I turned to my favorite topic The Zips. This whole Groce/Dambrot thing is dividing us all a bit on here. Looking back at the Dambrot years, they were really exciting. I loved all those trips to Cleveland, but FOR ME I hated the tourney losses more. I went to Detroit for the VCU game. That was just a horrible draw for the Zips and the coaching staff knew it immediately. Having no point guard was bad enough but then two guys got the flu. What was a coach to do? Remind us a bit of what's happening now? While I keep VCU in perspective, there were many more losses at big moments that just left me really sad as a fan. (Ok, just there I sounded like a Bobcat Attack dweller). Dambrot Exits Stage Right: For reasons only known to the parties in the room at the time, Dambrot left for Duquense. He got a big raise and a chance to play in a better conference where good teams are forced to play on his home floor. It's a multi-bid conference where he can rack of quality wins without leaving the conference to get them. It looks like he's doing well. When he left, some players went with him and three guards transferred for various reasons. Maybe some were already planning on leaving. We also lost Big Dog and Kwan. Although, Big Dog was the really big loss and the hardest to replace. The only tall guy left at that point was Eman and the unproven (redshirt) freshman Sayles. The good news was that Ivey and Utomi stayed. So on Dambrot's departure (and to me it doesn't matter whether he poached players or not) there were two solid guys and a back up center who was a foul machine much like a certain other guy we have playing now. Groce Enters Stage Left: John Groce. The Kitten hero and the bane of our existence along with his star guard DJ Cooper. He helped make this vicious rivalry versus Ohio. God, he was annoying. Frenchy called him "a clown." He took Ohio to the second round of the NCAA with a big upset over Georgetown. The next year, with the same team, he lost early in the MAC. That year we had probably the best game I can ever remember attending: MAC championship with over Kent. However, the next year, Ohio, Groce, and Cooper were back and took us out in the finals and then swept into the Sweet 16 with the help of a good draw and then almost took out NC. Many wonder...what if Brian Walsh made that basket? What would have happened to Groce? Well, i assume they might have made an NIT run and would be back the following year with the same team. And who knows what would have happened. Did Groce catch lightning in the bottle? I didn't follow his career at Illinois, but it obviously wasn't good enough to keep him around. They wanted him out and were willing to pay him millions to leave. But it's tough at least for me to compare Big Ten coaching situations to the MAC. So he's fired. And we hire him. We get a good deal. We save some $$ for a few years. What is the goal? What were Williams, Wilson, and Van Horn thinking when they hired Groce? What did they want for the program? Did they want the same regular season success of Dambrot? Or did they want more of the Ohio U model? Or did they want to start over and bring a guy in who could truly bring us to dominance so that we absolutely outclass the BGs and directional schools every season. I have no idea, but I guess my hope is the third option. Maybe some of you think they weighted Groce's prior success too much. I wasn't there. I don't know. This Season: Yes, there were those of us, myself included, who were/are absolutely pro-Groce. Of course, that is subject to change. However, at least for me I want to be optimistic. I liked what I saw with the team he and his staff cobbled together. I like the style of play, and, hell, we were winning. However, a trip to Hawaii, an ugly loss at home to Buffalo, a effortless loss to EMU away, and injuries to our two big men left us wondering what the hell has happened to our team. We certainly aren't used to this. I'm certainly noticing a few more empty seats. Maybe those who will always re-up their tickets don't make it to every game now. But anecdotally the folks I talk to at the game who have been there for years are still positive about the team and the coach. Perspective: As noted above, those tourney losses were hard on me as a fan. I also began to realize last year that these 20+ win seasons were a mirage and not worth much to me as a fan and didn't mean anything at all if we collapsed in the final game. While that record looked good and the company we kept was good, if you knew who we played well it didn't mean that much. We had that home winning streak. Second longest in the nation. But someone on here said that wasn't too hard because we only had to get up for a few games a year at home. (Wow, to only have that problem this year.) So for me, when I heard Dambrot was leaving I was basically indifferent, and I am enjoying a new team, new coaches, and a new start even with the losses. I really want to get a game in Cleveland, but like the rest of you that seems so unlikely. I don't blame Groce for that. Next year I might. But not this year considering the big picture. The Players: On this topic, as to who will stay and who will go I would defer to all of you. If Groce and his group are going with the third option mentioned above of building a dominant program then they may cut a few loose that may surprise us.

5 point lead and the ball with about 4 minutes to go. Stupid turnover and a quick 3 turned the tide. Another poor finish. Both halves.

Skip is right, I wish it would happen, but I will not hold my breath, as the NCAA itself is a corrupt organization, IMHO. If you get a chance read "The Cartel" about how the NCAA came into existence and stays in power...they just wish this never was discovered, that's all.

I'm thinking the Big Ten needs a second team from Ohio! Who is with me?! No need to rehash on my account.

Not that I'm counting.. ok maybe I am.... 31 and a wakeup

We went down there the last time we played there about 10 years ago. Lexington is a great, great town. The tailgating environment is mammoth, and the home fans are all so polite and friendly to their visitors. It feels like the entire state converged on Lexington for the weekend for a big party. And if you're not careful, you'll find yourself singing "My Old Kentucky Home" with the rest of the crowd before kickoff. I HIGHLY recommend this trip. It's only about 5 hrs. away (depending on how fast you drive).

I love the gold blazer on Groce today, by the way.

After that end of the 1st half against ksu, still think it's just inconsistency?

31 to 32 Kent at the half Del la Rosa with a cheap shot on Parrish after the clock ran out.

Oh no, I went to it all! I brought up Saturday just to highlight the successes. I hope you're right. I just think, if we're being honest, that most successful coaches, including Groce, won't want to stay here. It'd have to be someone with ties here, as KD had. I've been around long enough not to get any hopes up for a new arena.

But they could easily bandwagon with the big schools that are in their state or region, like many of the people around here.

I can't see them firing him being 1 year removed from making the NCAAT.

Happened upon these video highlights of a younger Joao Moutinho...

Yep, that's the guy I know. He's lucky he has a big, hooked nose or he would be called, Ken "the Ego" Harrelson or Ken "the Drama Queen" Harrelson. Thank you for sharing that, I was born in 1969 so just a bit before my time.

The "MAC basketball officials suck" logic is so flawed. You guys are dreaming up false reasons for losing. Do officials make mistakes.....yup....every game. Are the MAC officials worse than B10 officials...not possible. The two big basketball official organization in the eastern part of the country make the game assignments, grade their employees accuracy and proficiency, fitness for the profession, etc. The leagues provide grading and training suggestions but the official's organizations do the work. On the east coast the D1 basketball officials work for the MEN'S BASKETBALL OFFICIATING ALLIANCE. The alliance started with coverage of BigEast, ACC , A10 and Colonial conferences. In 2017 the alliance began providing officials for the Big South, Ivy, Northeast and Patriot conferences. In the Midwest the basketball officials work for the MEN'S BASKETBALL OFFICIATING CONSORTIUM. This group has been providing officials to the Big10 and MAC for several years. in 2017 the consortium began providing officials to the Horizon, Metro Atlantic, Summit and Norther Sun conferences. .

Good god, did KD hit your car in the parking lot or something?