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WATCH: University of Akron F Enrique Freeman on his rise to tournament MVP

University of Akron forward Enrique Freeman was named Mid-American Conference Tournament MVP.

George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal

About 300 people gathered at Rhodes Arena, a stark contrast to the large, energetic crowd that attended the NCAA "Selection Show" watch party in 2013.

That was the last time the University of Akron went to the NCAA Tournament. UA had reached the big dance for the third time in five years. Many supporters of the mens basketball program were devoted tocoach Keith Dambrot, who compiled a 413-209 record in 19 seasons before leaving for Duquesne in 2017.

Many still are.

But Sunday opened a new chapter in UA basketball. The Zips have officially turned the page to the coach John Groce era.

Those who follow them or used to follow them should as well.

With 13th-seeded UA (24-9) taking on fourth-seeded UCLA (25-7) at 9:50 p.m. Thursday in the East Regional in Portland, Oregon, Groce has proved in his five seasons that he is capable of carrying on the Zips winning tradition. That history also includes now-West Virginia University coach Bob Huggins 1984-89 stint and an NCAA trip in 1986.

Groce will lead his third different team to the NCAA Tournament. In four seasons at Ohio University, the Bobcats went twice, in 2010 and 2012, when they reached the Sweet 16. In five seasons at Illinois, the Fighting Illini appeared once, in his first year in 2013. Groce has a 4-3 record in the NCAAs, with victories over third-seeded Georgetown (2010), fourth-seeded Michigan (2012), No. 12 South Florida (2012), and No. 10 Colorado (2013).

Coaches are defined by the NCAA Tournament, and Groce is building a strong resume.

Back in the big dance: Akron men's basketball headed to NCAA Tournament's East Region to play UCLA in Portland

Groce also spent four seasons at Ohio State from 2005-08 under coach Thad Matta, now associate athletic director for basketball administration at Indiana University. During their time together, the Buckeyes reached the second round of the tournament in 2006 and played in the NCAA championship game the next season.

Thad hit me last night after the game, Groce said, referring to the Zips 75-55 victory over Kent State Saturday in the Mid-American Conference tournament championship. He said, You just keep doing what you do, win conference tournaments.

I had a pretty good mentor in Thad.

In the past few days, Groce has frequently mentioned Dambrot and the standard he set at UA, even as Groce twice beat Dambrots Zips in the MAC Tournament title game.

His banners up there. Hes been really good to me, especially after I left Ohio, a couple people I ended up hiring at Illinois were based strictly on his recommendation, Groce said. I had so much respect for him and his teams and how he coaches the game and still do.

"Part of the reason when it opened, I was so excited about the job was because of all the winning they have done and a lot of it was with him. He deserves a lot of credit for that. They had a lot of great players.

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Among the former Zips who watched UA capture the MAC title Saturday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse were Romeo Travis,Dru Joyce III,and Jimmal Ball, along with players from the 1970s.

In the hours after earning the conferences automatic bid, Groce said he had not heard from Dambrot.

Not yet. Im actually going to reach out and call him, Groce said.

In March 2021, Groce received a contract extension through 2026 that raised his salary to $600,000 per year. He heads to Portland with a 94-58 record at UA, including a 24-7 record and a MAC regular-season title in 2019-20, when the conference tournament was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hes the ultimate ball coach, UA Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie said. The culture on his team is phenomenal. Ive had a chance to be around practice, go to the locker room wins and losses and he just stays even-keeled. Hes consistent and he preps very well. If you have a knockout game, you want him on your sideline.

"Im glad hes here at the University of Akron because hes a big-game coach.

Concentrating on logistics and preparation for the task at hand, along with his daughter Cate's seventh birthday, the thought of UA basketball turning the page on the past hadnt crossed Groces mind.

I dont know if I really look at it that way. I want to coach the best team or teams that have played at Akron, Groce said. I dont have any interest in another coach. I have great respect for the people that have coached here;[Huggins] and I have a good relationship.

Its an interesting question, turning the page, Ive never thought about that.

There is no need to pass the torch. Not even the circumstances of Dambrots departure can diminish his success and his impact on UA. But Guthrie, who took over on July 1, understands that some of the programs staunch followers havent embraced his successor.

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Change is hard on a lot of folks. Theyre wait and see. When you pour your heart and soul into one individual or one program, when change happens you have to get used to it and embrace it, Guthrie said. I think the 2019-20 team probably would have won a couple games in the NCAA Tournament. I dont think this is coach Huggins, coach Dambrot versus John. I think weve been very fortunate at the University of Akron to have great basketball over the last 20 years.

When you look at college athletics, every era has a special coach, and I think were in a special era with coach John here now. Coach Dambrot had a special era, coach Huggins had a special era. Were fortunate at the University of Akron to have legendary coaches come through.Each era takes on its own life. Were embracing this new era and were going to enjoy it.

Perhaps at the next NCAA watch party, more of the UA faithful will embrace it with him.

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

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University of Akron basketball turns the page to the John Groce era as Zips head to NCAAs - Akron Beacon Journal