Staying Close to the Vest - Coach Groce-related News and Views

[Zippy87]

 

Leiendecker was determined to hire someone he knew, someone from Butler. And he hired his former teammate. Look at the search. The other finalist was one of Matta's Butler assistants in 2001, John Groce, a mid-major coach with solid results and a large NIL fund, which means he’s competing with more resources than most of the MAC.

[kreed5120]

21 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

Leiendecker was determined to hire someone he knew, someone from Butler. And he hired his former teammate. Look at the search. The other finalist was one of Matta's Butler assistants in 2001, John Groce, a mid-major coach with solid results and a large NIL fund, which means he’s competing with more resources than most of the MAC.

 

That last bit doesn't seem to do Groce justice IMO. Akron finished #54 in NET and currently sits at #69 in Kenpom. There are 85 schools in the P4 + Big East. I imagine it's fair to say all of them had more NIL than Akron. Probably 3x-10x as much. Add in many teams from the A10, MWC, MVC, AAC, WCC, and some one offs like High Point/Liberty that outspent Akron and Akron might have had ~130-150 highest payroll in college basketball. Fielding a top 75 team while spending around the median amount in college hoops is still excellent. Very few programs likely got a better bang for their buck.

Edited 2 hours ago by kreed5120

[Zippy87]

25 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

That last bit doesn't seem to do Groce justice IMO. Akron finished #54 in NET and currently sits at #69 in Kenpom. There are 85 schools in the P4 + Big East. I imagine it's fair to say all of them had more NIL than Akron. Probably 3x-10x as much. Add in many teams from the A10, MWC, MVC, AAC, WCC, and some one offs like High Point/Liberty that outspent Akron and Akron might have had ~130-150 highest payroll in college basketball. Fielding a top 75 team while spending around the median amount in college hoops is still excellent. Very few programs likely got a better bang for their buck.

 

I agree, but I do think it is the perception in other fan bases outside of the MAC. 

[dirtyolcrowe]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

I wonder how Bud Wentz factors into all of this. From afar, it seems he and Groce have become very close over the years. 

Money does wonders!!!

[kreed5120]

16 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

I agree, but I do think it is the perception in other fan bases outside of the MAC. 

If it keeps Groce in Akron I won't fight the narrative.

[ZippyRulz]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Leiendecker was determined to hire someone he knew, someone from Butler. And he hired his former teammate. Look at the search. The other finalist was one of Matta's Butler assistants in 2001, John Groce, a mid-major coach with solid results and a large NIL fund, which means he’s competing with more resources than most of the MAC.

 

I know Butler has had some success but are they truly a high major?

[UAZipster0305]

48 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

 

I know Butler has had some success but are they truly a high major?

Not since Brad Stevens left, and the days of high majors running to the Final Four or NCAA Championship are long gone and not coming back.

Edited 48 minutes ago by UAZipster0305

[kreed5120]

Thad Matta was getting paid $2.6 million/yr. They might appear poor compared to UConn, but they have a lot more resources at their disposal compared to a mid-major program like Akron or Kent. If a program like Nebraska/Iowa can make a run to the Elite 8 I wouldn't see why Butler couldn't.

 

They might not be able to keep their coach after doing it so it might not be sustainable year over year and certainly not the standard, but they can still get there.