John Groce gear still says Ohio on it.

Its just that the word State is missing from behind it.

Groce, who spent the past four years at Ohio State as an assistant and then associate head tutor to Thad Matta, out on his own this offseason, tolerant the job at Ohio. Its his first head-preparation job after 12 as a Division I assistant, the past under Matta.

Here seeing the 17U AAU National Tournament, he said it has been a hasty since he was as the 16th teacher in Bobcats chronicle on June 27.

I dockt spent a lot of time in Athens (site of Ohio U) at this time, Groce said. At the creation I to really get to know our players. Weve spent a lot of time doing that and I ruminate weve accomplished that. Then during course of the last two 10-day weve dogged on (coaches have been allowed out during most of July). But were trying not to lose the mindset that the most prominent event we can do is extend associations with the guys that are on the team. Those are the guys who are gonna be lacing it up for us.

Groce, 36, is a top-notch . In 2006 he was named Rivals.coms recruiter of the year for his part in the haul that moneyed the Buckeyes Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook, all three of whom were first-round picks after their freshman . Realistically he isnt going to lure that kind of capacity to play for the Bobcats, but its fair to be certain of hell raise the bar in recruiting in the Mid-American Conference.

Ive been lucky because its a job that I was able to get in an area of the wilderness where I feel very comfortable and have some contact and some networking, Groce said. And I have a cane thats terrific and they also postulate that same gadget.

In terms of knowing players (around the Midwest) I hate to even say levels. The one factor I talk a lot more or less with kids is fit, not levels. Is it a estate where they see being cheery and successful? I try not to get into low major, mid-major, high-major levels. The main affair for us is to try to find guys who fit our curriculum and what were trying to do.

Groce a setting that is on trustworthy ground. The Bobcats won 19 systematic-season meet last season and made the foundational College Basketball Invitational, and they were in the NCAA competition in 2005. Tim OShea had two years remaining on his contract, but he for Bryant College in Rhode Island to be to his family. He also got a sure-fire eight-year contract, a rare reassurance complete in the drilling work.

Ohio loses two seniors, including leading scorer and All-MAC onward Leon Williams. But Groce has rising above cheeky Jerome Tillman (13.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg) around whom to size, as well as two other returning starters and a host of counter .

I dont want to elaborate any rigid notions almost our because I dont really know how fair that is to them, Groce said. I really want to start with a sterile slate with all of them. I have an awareness of some of them because I saw them on the imprints over the years and have seen them on television some but place of safetyt had a chance to really sentinel film and analyze and interruption down and figure out what guys can and cant do. I ponder thats gonna take some time.

Expect Groce and the Bobcats to have things more or less figured out come November.

NEW MEMPHIS ASSISTANT SETTLES IN

Former Pittsburgh assistant Orlando Antigua said hes to his new environment in Memphis.

Its important. I sanctuaryt been there long, just a cup of aquatic, but the city has been very alert, Antigua said. The personnel is extreme, and its a excessive opportunity to work with Coach Cal (Tigers trainer John Calipari). It has been outstanding so far.

Antigua had spent the past five years on Jamie Dixons rod with the Panthers. Hes a esteemed who is part of a pole conversion for Calipari, who saw Derek Kellogg take the head job at UMass and Chuck Martin land the top spot at Marist. Also joining the Tigers human resources is Josh Pastner, who spent the past seven season at Arizona.

Im interested in finding out what the difference is, Antigua said. Im looking uninhibited to figuring out the new system and learning. Its gonna be rousing.

We refuget even started touching any tape. I got in and focusing on recruiting and hit the road.

Antigua already is frequent with many of the nation-states top prospects, so that helps.

The difference is we have some different requests and that looking at some different kids, Antigua said.

TIP-INS

UAB coach Mike Davis kept a close eye on DeMarcus Cousins during the 17U national contest. Rumors continue to circulate that the Rivals five-star hope may be looking elsewhere despite his commitment to the Blazers. Both Cousins and his high set instructor Otis Hughley say he carcass staunchly in the UAB camp.

Tennessee teacher Bruce Pearl and Georgia Tech trainer Paul Hewitt spent part of Monday organized as each watched 2009 commitments play for the Georgia Stars. Pearl was looking 6-9 four-star brazen Kenny Hall, and Hewitt took in the play of four-star firing lookout Glen Rice Jr. and -star forward Kammeron Holsey. All are members of the Rivals150.

The New York Gauchos drew a slew of head coaches on Monday, including Louisvilles Rick Pitino and Pittsburghs Jamie Dixon.

Other head coaches stippled in Orlando this week included: North Carolinas Roy Williams, Floridas Billy Donovan, Georgias Dennis Felton, Arkansas John Pelphrey, Kentuckys Billy Gillispie, Marylands Gary Williams, Georgetowns John Thompson III and Providences Keno Davis.

Posted on August 2nd, 2008 by admin
Filed under: College basketball news