This is my thought as well. Last years team had a lot more hype than this years team and Groce had no problem compiling a top 50 (per KenPom) OOC schedule. In the past if we wanted games against P5 or top echelon mid-majors we could find them. Groce probably just wants a lighter OOC schedule as he wants to give the team time to gel since it's mostly a completely new roster.
This is why the roster was not released until today. He is a direct replacement for Shooky(maybe better). A gamechanger for the team. Big get for Embick.
Educators are valuable, but also need to know when to stay in their lane. My recollection is that there was pressure by the educators to hire Scarborough over Tressel as President due to lack of doctorate or whatever, and that may very well have been the worst hire in University history.