Bob Ryan on Ohio U

[BostonZip]

On one of the threads this week, the value of Ohio's first-round win over Georgetown to Akron and the MAC in general were being debated.

One of the benefits is columns like this one by Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe, a member of the College Basketball Writers Hall of Fame:

Ryan: So far, Ohio's long-range plan has been a hit

In addition to crediting John Groce for recruiting prowess, Ryan writes:

The MAC has always intrigued me, in both football and basketball. It’s a classic mid-major league, featuring Midwestern schools whose rosters are often stocked with fallen-between-the-cracks kids who love showing off when given a chance. Sometimes schools get lucky just hiring the right coach. Neither Bassett nor Cooper would be a Bobcat if Groce were not the coach.

Cooper spurned the likes of Baylor and Cal to play at Ohio.

“It was just the opportunity I had and knowing that Coach Groce is a good coach,’’ he said. “And I knew he put a lot of confidence in me and trust in me. I was going to be willing to make mistakes without getting yanked out of the game. Just mainly that.’’

Good pub for the entire conference.

[Dave in Green]

I hope to read a similar quote from Zeke someday under similar circumstances.

[Blue & Gold]

"It was just the opportunity I had and knowing that Coach Groce is a good coach,'' he said. "And I knew he put a lot of confidence in me and trust in me. I was going to be willing to make mistakes without getting yanked out of the game. Just mainly that.''

Hmm...