"You're trying to keep up with the Joneses," Groce said. "If we have aspirations of our program being among the best in the country consistently, then we have to shore up some areas, and one of those is facilities. It helps with everything. It helps with recruiting."

Michigan's arena looks nothing like the drab Crisler Arena of yesteryear. Purdue reworked Mackey Arena. Iowa and Wisconsin added practice facilities to their arenas the last two years. Even Nebraska is moving into a brand-new arena next season.

"We have to take care of Step 1, and that's the Assembly Hall," Groce said. "That's been the priority since we got here, and we just want to take care of that."

Marcus Jackson