Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[doowink]

He was also Mr. Nice guy that ran a really loose ship, it seems. His teams were undisciplined and players didn't really develop as well as they probably should

I would say you are being kind with the Loose Ship analogy

 

[sacraig]

Brad got Ayo and Kodi pre-NIL.

Kofi.

 

[alaskaillini]

Jokes funny, but Brad kept him. Besides, Groce was decent at identifying talent, he just couldn't close the deal on the trail.

Groce had finally gotten a point guard and a center (who might not have stayed anyway), but never got to coach them. Groce was learning but was too loyal to his assistants. Ultimately, I think he could have been more successful going forward (with JW pushing for better assistants), but he was a year (or more) too late in building a complete roster. Have to credit JW for not dithering and making a change when the safe play would have been keeping Groce for another year. I have to believe he was pretty certain he was getting the guy he really wanted. And the rest is history - and the fans are happy (or should be) as a result.

 

[Iamgroot]

I agree wholeheartedly about Brad’s ability to evaluate talent. But that might not be the best example. He was recruited by John Groce.

Oh no, are we saying we have to give Groce the benefit of the doubt now? Lol.

He was also recruited by Brad at Stephen Austin and kept him and Damon's committed after groce was fired

 

[jamarvelous31]

Brad got Ayo and Kodi pre-NIL.

I remember that show, wonder where they are now?

 

[PasadenaIllini]

Groce had finally gotten a point guard and a center (who might not have stayed anyway), but never got to coach them. Groce was learning but was too loyal to his assistants. Ultimately, I think he could have been more successful going forward (with JW pushing for better assistants), but he was a year (or more) too late in building a complete roster. Have to credit JW for not dithering and making a change when the safe play would have been keeping Groce for another year. I have to believe he was pretty certain he was getting the guy he really wanted. And the rest is history - and the fans are happy (or should be) as a result.

Just curious what this feeling is based upon. Groce presided over 4 straight NCAA tournament misses here. His last two seasons were losing seasons. Given the history of our program, that sort of record is beyond unacceptable, regardless of the reasons. If his assistants were the issue and he wasn't willing to adjust, I'm not sure what any pressure from Whitman would have done other than escalate tensions between the AD and our head men's basketball coach. A coach who isn't willing to adjust what's tanking his program...not a good sign under any circumstances.

I felt Whitman was too patient with him if anything, but perhaps that was because a perfect replacement like Brad wasn't available more so than he felt that Groce would eventually develop into his guy.

Has Groce been mid-major-level successful under a dimmer spotlight in Akron? Sure. But that doesn't mean that he's ever going to be cut out for Power 5 conference ball.

Look, I don't hold any ill will toward John Groce. Unlike Weber, who I feel is an obnoxious prick who wouldn't hesitate to throw others under the bus to cover his derriere, I feel Groce is essentially a nice guy who wasn't cut out for our program. I'm glad he's been Akron-level successful after he left, and I hope that he continues to be successful, but I'll be shocked if another high level Power 5 program gives him a shot.