Akron Zips basketball’s culture set by coach John Groce has UA in good spot again | Ulrich

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Roughly midway through the University of Akron men’s basketball season, Zips fans should be looking at each other and saying, “In John Groce we trust.”

After Tuesday night’s 85-78 comeback win over Mid-American Conference foe Toledo, the Zips are 11-5, including 4-0 in the MAC. By successfully defending Rhodes Arena from the Rockets, the Zips are also 8-0 at home and riding a four-game winning streak with formidable Ohio (10-6, 4-0) set to visit at 6 p.m. Friday.

In Groce’s eighth season as UA’s head coach, he has been forced to adjust more than usual in a college sports landscape dominated by the transfer portal and name, image and likeness deals. As usual, he’s doing a good job.

Akron basketball’s win over Toledo: Zips men rally for MAC victory with a huge second half

Akron won the MAC Tournament and advanced to March Madness last year. Its 2023-24 season ended with a 77-60 first-round loss to Creighton and a record of 24-11.

A special six-player senior class headlined by Indiana Pacers rookie forward Enrique Freeman graduated, leaving Groce to lead the charge into a new era of Zips hoops. Reloading isn’t unusual for MAC programs. It’s the new norm. Still, UA has gone from possessing a tight-knit, veteran-laden roster to having nine new players this season, including five transfers. Seven players returned from last season’s team.

The Zips, new and old, have bought into what their coach is selling. Part of the pitch is “all gas, no brakes.” Eleven UA players are averaging at least 10 minutes a game. One of them, junior wing Josiah Harris, is sidelined with an injury. Ten players received double-figure minutes against four-time defending MAC regular-season champion Toledo (9-7, 3-1). Half of those 10 are newcomers at UA.

University of Akron head coach John Groce talks with Seth Wilson during the game against Toledo on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Akron, Ohio, at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Groce explained he has never played 10 guys this much in his coaching career. Depth and…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/akron-zips-basketballs-culture-set-110637401.html

Author : Akron Beacon Journal

Publish date : 2025-01-15 11:06:00

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