Former Illinois Coach John Groce Leads Akron Zips to 3rd Straight NCAA Tournament

Groce's Akron team dominates the MAC, earning another Big Dance berth despite regular season loss to undefeated Miami (Ohio)

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:05am

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John Groce, the former head coach of the University of Illinois basketball team, has once again led his current team, the Akron Zips, to the NCAA Tournament. This marks the fourth time in five years that Groce has taken the Zips to the Big Dance, a remarkable accomplishment for a mid-major program.

Why it matters

Groce's ability to consistently field competitive teams and win conference tournaments at Akron demonstrates his coaching prowess, even after his tenure at a high-major program like Illinois did not go as planned. His success at the mid-major level suggests he may be better suited for that environment, where he can focus on player development and team-building rather than the heightened expectations at a Power 5 school.

The details

The Zips claimed their third straight Mid-American Conference Tournament title on Saturday night in thrilling fashion. While Akron has yet to win an NCAA Tournament game under Groce, the fact that they have made it to the Big Dance four times in five years is a testament to the coach's ability to get the most out of his players and program.

  • The Zips won the MAC Tournament title on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • This marks the fourth time in five years that Groce has taken Akron to the NCAA Tournament.

The players

John Groce

The head coach of the Akron Zips basketball team, who previously served as the head coach of the University of Illinois basketball team.

Miami (Ohio) Redhawks

The undefeated Mid-American Conference team that defeated Groce's Akron Zips during the regular season, despite Akron being considered the better team.

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What’s next

The Zips will now await their NCAA Tournament seeding and opponent, which will be announced during the Selection Sunday show on March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

John Groce's ability to consistently lead the Akron Zips to the NCAA Tournament, despite a previous unsuccessful stint as the head coach of a high-major program in Illinois, demonstrates his talent for player development and team-building at the mid-major level. His success with the Zips suggests he may be better suited for that environment, where he can focus on maximizing the potential of his roster rather than dealing with the heightened expectations of a Power 5 school.