Amanda Muschlitz / Picture Editor / am120306@ohiou.edu

Forward Adetunji Adedipe fights for a loose ball during Ohio’s 79-52 exhibition win over Mercyhurst on Sunday. The Bobcats open their season Sunday against William and Mary at The Convo.

John Groce stood at center court intently watching Ohio run an offensive set in practice on Wednesday.

Wearing a green Ohio T-shirt, black gym shorts and a customary coach’s whistle, Groce looked at the team he had shaped over the last four weeks.

After working with a number of accomplished coaches in his career, Groce finally has a team of his own, which will debut Sunday against William and Mary.

“I think I’m doing the same thing I’ve done for the last 15 years — in particular the last eight,” Groce said. “I’ve had a very good teacher. I’m just trying to get us prepared for Sunday.”

Groce, who served as Ohio State coach Thad Matta’s top assistant for five years, has worked in college basketball since 1993.

Ohio is the fifth D-1 program for which Groce has worked.

At 37, he is one of the youngest coaches in college basketball.

Point guard Michael Allen said more programs are going with younger coaches as an attempt to better relate with players.

“It’s a way to get more involved and demonstrate things instead of giving directions,” Allen said.

Groce said he does not spend as much time filling out lineup cards and watching warm-ups before games — duties he did as an assistant coach.

He realized his new role before his team’s exhibition game against Wooster.

“It’s funny because I had everything done with 25 minutes to go before Wooster, and I’m like ‘Geez what do I do now?’” Groce joked.

Although some aspects of his job have changed, the way he approaches his team has not.

At practice, Groce has a hands-on approach with his players, unlike some coaches who defer to their assistants while watching from the sidelines.

Center Kenneth van Kempen said he prefers Groce’s energetic coaching style.

“He’s definitely a players’ coach,” van Kempen said. “You know what he wants every day.”

Groce said he can relate to each of his assistants, because he was in their shoes for many years.

“I think they’ve done a good job teaching and picking things up quickly,” Groce said. “The learning curve is taking place right before our eyes. I like how much our staff has bought in to what we’re doing.”

Groce developed a routine before Ohio’s first two exhibition games.

He said he does not plan on veering from it against William and Mary.

“I’m not too much in to nerves,” Groce said. “I get more focused in once the ball gets tipped on between the lines.”