Latest news with #MACTournament
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Akron Zips men's basketball coach John Groce agrees to another contract extension
John Groce has parlayed his success as the University of Akron men's basketball coach into another contract extension. Groce agreed to a one-year extension to be added to a previously approved 10-year extension to be the Zips coach through the 2034-35 season, the school announced in a release Tuesday morning. The extension must be approved by the board of trustees. Advertisement Akron's announcement comes a week after the Beacon Journal submitted a public records request April 1 for any updates to Groce's contractual status. "Coach Groce has demonstrated remarkable leadership and an unwavering commitment to excellence throughout his tenure at The University of Akron," UA President R.J. Nemer said in the release. "His success on the court is matched by his dedication to developing student-athletes who excel academically and represent our university with integrity and pride. We are thrilled to continue this journey with Coach Groce as he leads our basketball program to new heights." Groce has compiled a record of 168-88, including 97-49 in the Mid-American Conference, since he was hired as Akron's coach on April 6, 2017. Groce is ranked fourth in program history for most wins, trailing only Akron native Keith Dambrot (305-139 from 2005-17), Russell Beichly (288-144 from 1941-59) and Tony Laterza (178-59 from 1960-68). "I want to thank the Board of Trustees, President R.J. Nemer and Interim Athletic Director Dr. Matt Juravich for the commitment they have shown our program," Groce said in the release. "The extension reflects the contributions of many. We are very grateful and blessed by the extraordinary efforts of our student-athletes, staff, support staff, athletic department, alumni/donors/fans and the Fear the Roo Collective. We are beyond excited to continue building on the tradition of excellence and to compete for championships. Go Zips!" Advertisement Akron set the single-season program record for wins in 2024-25, when the Zips finished 28-7. They also went 17-1 in the MAC, tying Kent State's 2001-02 team for the best single-season record in conference play during the modern era. The Zips have won two MAC regular-season championships (2020 and 2025) and three MAC Tournament titles (2022, 2024 and 2025) to advance to the NCAA Tournament three times under Groce. Akron lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament each time — 57-53 to fourth-seeded UCLA as a No. 13 seed in 2022, 77-60 to third-seeded Creighton as a 14 seed in 2024, and 93-65 to fourth-seeded Arizona as a 13 seed this year. "Coach Groce exemplifies Akron in every way," Juravich said in the release. "He has built an all encompassing championship culture and we look forward to continued growth and success in the program." Akron beat Kent State 75-55 in the 2022 MAC Tournament final and 62-61 in the 2024 MAC Tournament final, and topped Miami 76-74 in the 2025 MAC Tournament final. Akron Zips coach John Groce lifts the Mid-American Conference championship trophy after beating Miami, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Cleveland. John Groce's coaching record Groce, 53, has been a college head coach for 17 seasons, compiling up a career record of 348-219, including 4-6 in the NCAA Tournament. He was named the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year in 2025. Advertisement Before Akron, Groce coached Ohio (85-56 from 2008-12) and Illinois (95-75 from 2012-17). Groce led Ohio into March Madness twice and Illinois once. In 2012, Ohio advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 13 seed, defeating Michigan 65-60 and South Florida 62-56 before losing 73-65 to North Carolina. In 2022, Akron extended Groce's contract through the 2029-30 season. His base salary was $650,000. Akron Zips coach John Groce celebrates during the first half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland. Akron basketball has received numerous MAC awards under coach John Groce Groce was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2025. Three of his Akron standouts have been named MAC Player of the Year: Loren Cristian Jackson in 2020, Enrique Freeman in 2024 and Nate Johnson in 2025. Freeman was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Advertisement Freeman was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and Johnson earned the honor in 2025. Also this past season, Akron's Shammah Scott was the MAC Sixth Man of the Year and Sharron Young made the All-MAC freshmen team. Akron Zips coach John Groce reacts as his team struggles during the second half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. At Akron, Groce has coached one three-time All-MAC selection (Freeman), four two-time All-MAC honorees (Jackson, Daniel Utomi, Xavier Castaneda and Ali Ali) and seven one-time All-MAC players (Tyler Cheese, Xeyrius Williams, Bryan Trimble Jr., Greg Tribble Jr., Nate Johnson, Tavari Johnson and Isaiah Gray). Groce has coached six players to All-MAC first-team honors: Jackson and Freeman twice apiece, and Castaneda, Ali, Nate Johnson and Tavari Johnson once apiece. Advertisement Additionally under Groce, Akron has had four players earn All-MAC defensive team honors: Freeman four years in a row, Tribble twice and Channel Banks and Nate Johnson once each. Groce's oldest son, Conner, joined the Zips as a walk-on last season after graduating from Revere High School in 2024. Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips basketball coach John Groce agrees to contract extension
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang nabs MAC Player of the Year from transfer portal
Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang has added one of the top all-around guards in the transfer portal to the Wildcats' 2025-26 roster. Akron guard Nate Johnson, the Mid-American Conference player of the year and defensive player of the year, announced his decision just days after entering the portal on April 17, choosing K-State over interest from Kansas, Kentucky and Indiana, among others. Advertisement Johnson, a 6-foot-3 junior from Liberty Township, Ohio, had a breakout junior season in helping Akron to a 28-7 record that included both MAC regular season and tournament championships and a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He led the Zips in scoring with 14 points per game while averaging 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals. Johnson scored a career-high 31 points in the MAC Tournament semifinals against Toledo and added 22 points in the championship victory over Miami (Ohio). He scored 13 points in a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Arizona. Related: Kansas State basketball big men Ugonna Onyenso and Baye Fall enter transfer portal Related: Kansas State basketball transfer guard Brendan Hausen finds a new home in the Big Ten Former Akron guard Nate Johnson (34) celebrates during the Mid-American Conference Tournament 2025 championship game against Miami-Ohio at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Johnson has committed to Kansas State for the 2025-26 season. For the season, Johnson shot 43.9%, but just 30.1% from — a career low — 3-point range while knocking down 80.3% of his free throws. Advertisement Johnson is the third portal addition for the Wildcats, who earlier landed 6-9 forward Khamari McGriff from North Carolina-Wilmington and 6-7 guard Abdi Bashir from Monmouth. But Tang still has at least three roster spots to fill after losing starting forwards David N'Guessan and Coleman Hawkins to graduation and five players — starting guards Dug McDaniel and Brendan Hausen, forwards Macaleab Rich and Baye Fall, and center Ugonna Onyenso — to the portal. Last week, high school forward Ashton Magee withdrew his commitment, leaving point guard Exavier Wilson as the lone incoming freshman. The Wildcats still have four players left from last year's roster in guards David Castillo, CJ Johnson, Mobi Ikegwuruka, and forward Taj Manning. Memphis midyear transfer forward Tyreek Smith and starting guard Max Jones also could be back pending waiver decisions from the NCAA. The transfer portal closes Tuesday, though players who enter by then can sign with a new school after that. Kansas State basketball roster breakdown Outgoing transfers Macacleab Rich, sophomore forward Brendan Hausen, junior guard (Iowa) Dug McDaniel, junior guard Ugonna Onyenso, junior center Baye Fall, sophomore forward Advertisement Incoming transfers Abdi Bashir, sophomore guard (Monmouth) Khamari McGriff, junior forward (UNC-Wilmington) Nate Johnson, junior guard (Akron) Incoming freshmen Exavier Wilson, guard Returning players Taj Manning, sophomore forward CJ Jones, junior guard Mobi Ikegwuruka, sophomore guard David Castillo, freshman guard Max Jones, super-senior guard* Tyreek Smith, senior forward* *Pending NCAA eligibility waiver This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball lands top all-around guard from MAC champion
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nate Johnson in transfer portal? Akron Zips basketball star reportedly enters portal
After it appeared the Akron men's basketball team team would have its core players back for another run at the NCAA Tournament, the Zips could be poised to lose the league player of the year just days after another starter left through the transfer portal. Akron Zips star Nate Johnson is reportedly entering the transfer portal, according to multiple college basketball writers on Twitter, including Jeff Borzello of ESPN, Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 and John Fanta of Fox and NBC Sports. Advertisement Johnson has one year of eligibility remaining after leading Akron to Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships, and to the NCAA Tournament in 2025. Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34) dribbles the ball against Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 21, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. Johnson, a 6-foot-3 junior guard, was named MAC Player of the Year after he averaged 14.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists this past season. Johnson was a redshirt who did not play during Akron's run to a MAC Tournament title and an NCAA appearance in 2022. Johnson starred on Akron's 2024 and 2025 teams that won MAC Tournament championships and played in the NCAA Tournament. Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34) drives to the basket for a layup against Miami during the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. On April 13, Akron starting forward James Okonkwo announced he was transferring to Utah. Advertisement It's quite a reversal from the days after Akron's season ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 93-65 loss to No. 4 Arizona on March 21 in Seattle. At that point several key Zips players told the Beacon Journal they planned to return to UA next season. Within a few days, 11 players said they were coming back to Akron. Nate Ulrich contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron basketball's Nate Johnson reportedly enters NCAA transfer portal
CBS News
04-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Central Michigan fires basketball coach Tony Barbee after four seasons
Central Michigan fired basketball coach Tony Barbee on Thursday after the Chippewas failed to advance to the Mid-American Conference Tournament for the second time in three years. Athletic director Amy Folan announced that Barbee would not return for a fifth season, saying the program "needs to go in a different direction." Central Michigan went 14-17 overall and 7-11 in conference play to finish 10th in the 12-team standings. Barbee had a 49-75 record with the Chippewas, including 0-2 in MAC Tournament games. The 53-year-old previously had coaching stints at UTEP and Auburn. He spent eight years as an assistant at Kentucky before taking over at Central Michigan in 2021.
Fox Sports
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Central Michigan fires basketball coach Tony Barbee after fourth season with MAC team
Associated Press MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — Central Michigan fired basketball coach Tony Barbee on Thursday after the Chippewas failed to advance to the Mid-American Conference Tournament for the second time in three years. Athletic director Amy Folan announced that Barbee would not return for a fifth season, saying the program 'needs to go in a different direction.' Central Michigan went 14-17 overall and 7-11 in conference play to finish 10th in the 12-team standings. Barbee had a 49-75 record with the Chippewas, including 0-2 in MAC Tournament games. The 53-year-old previously had coaching stints at UTEP and Auburn. He spent eight years as an assistant at Kentucky before taking over at Central Michigan in 2021. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. recommended in this topic
