Basketball in Ohio is different. It’s not just about the Cavs or the Buckeyes. It’s about those cold Tuesday nights in the MAC where every possession feels like a heavyweight fight. If you’ve followed the scene lately, you know two names are basically synonymous with this grind: Travis Steele and John Groce.
But here’s the thing most casual fans miss. This isn't just a matchup between two high-level tacticians. It’s a family dinner that moved to the hardwood.
They’re brothers. Seriously.
John Groce, the older brother by about a decade, is currently the king of the hill at the University of Akron. Travis Steele, the younger brother who "shadowed" John during his early coaching days, is the man tasked with reviving Miami University (the one in Ohio, obviously). Seeing them go at it on the sidelines is one of the coolest, most underrated storylines in college hoops right now.
The Bloodline of the Bench
Growing up in Danville, Indiana, Travis didn't just watch John; he lived the coaching life through him. When John was an assistant at NC State back in the late 90s, Travis would spend his summers there, soaking up every drill and recruiting call. Honestly, it’s kinda poetic. Travis literally worked as a graduate manager for John at Ohio State under Thad Matta.
You can see the influence in how they coach. Both are obsessive about "culture"—a word that gets thrown around way too much in sports, but for these two, it’s real. They don't just want the best athletes; they want the "right" guys.
John Groce has been around the block. He took Ohio University to a Sweet Sixteen in 2012, had a bumpy but respectable run at Illinois, and has now turned Akron into a perennial powerhouse. He’s won the MAC Tournament multiple times and has the Zips consistently knocking on the door of the Round of 32.
Travis Steele’s path was a bit more of a rocket ship followed by a hard reset. He became the head man at Xavier at just 36 years old. That’s a massive job. He won 70 games there, but the Musketeers are a "tournament or bust" program. When things stalled, he didn't disappear. He took the job at Miami (OH) in 2022, a program that had been wandering in the desert for years.
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Why the Travis Steele and John Groce Dynamic Matters in 2026
It’s 2026, and the MAC is arguably more competitive than it’s been in a decade. A big reason why? These two.
Akron is currently the gold standard. Under John Groce, they’ve developed a "winning is the only option" mentality. Just last year, in 2025, Groce led the Zips to a school-record 28 wins and another NCAA Tournament appearance. The guy just signed an extension that runs through 2035. He’s not going anywhere.
Meanwhile, Travis is finally seeing the fruits of his labor in Oxford. After a tough first couple of years, Miami just put up 25 wins in the 2024-25 season. They reached the MAC Championship game for the first time since 2007. Who did they play? You guessed it.
The Travis Steele and John Groce head-to-head is becoming the "Iron Bowl" of Ohio mid-major basketball.
The Tale of the Tape: Comparing the Resume
If you look at the raw numbers, John has the edge in experience and hardware. He’s a two-time MAC Coach of the Year (2020 and 2025) and has more than 360 career wins. He’s the veteran who knows how to navigate the portal and keep a mid-major roster from getting poached by the Big Ten.
Travis is the builder. He’s younger, hyper-aggressive on the recruiting trail, and has proven he can turn a bottom-feeder into a contender. His 2024-25 Miami squad led the conference in three-point percentage and scoring defense. They play a fast, modern style that’s a bit of a contrast to John’s more deliberate, physical approach at Akron.
- John Groce (Akron): Focuses on "experienced toughness." Usually has one of the oldest rosters in the country.
- Travis Steele (Miami): Heavy emphasis on player development and floor spacing. He’s been a wizard at finding gems in the portal that other schools overlooked.
What Really Happened at Xavier?
A lot of people think Travis Steele "failed" at Xavier. That’s a bit of a stretch. He finished with a winning record every year. He won an NIT Championship. But in the Big East, if you aren't making the Big Dance, the seat gets hot fast.
The move to Miami was a chance to build something from the ground up without the shadow of Sean Miller or Chris Mack. And it's working. He’s got the RedHawks playing with a chip on their shoulder.
John, on the other hand, had his own "rebuilding" phase after Illinois. He’s talked openly about how he changed his recruiting philosophy after his time in the Big Ten. He takes fewer risks on "talent-only" guys and prioritizes character. It’s why Akron has a team GPA over 3.0 and zero off-court drama.
Tactical Chess: How They Play Each Other
When Akron plays Miami, it’s not just another game on the schedule. It’s personal, but in a respectful way.
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John’s Zips usually try to muck the game up. They want to hold you to 60 points and beat you on the glass. Travis wants his RedHawks to run. He wants 80 points on the board.
In their most recent meetings, the games have been decided by single digits. There’s no "big brother" advantage anymore. Travis has figured out how to counter John’s defensive rotations, and John has become a master at taking away Miami’s primary scoring options.
Honestly, it’s some of the best coaching you’ll see at any level.
The Recruitment War
The real battle happens in the living rooms of high schoolers in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Both coaches have deep roots in the state.
John Groce has the "proven winner" pitch. He can show a recruit his rings and his track record of getting guys to the pros or overseas. Travis Steele has the "new era" pitch. He’s building something fresh at a historic program (Miami is the "Cradle of Coaches," after all).
The fact that they are brothers actually helps the MAC. They’ve raised the floor of the entire conference. If you want to beat Akron or Miami, you better have your X’s and O’s tight.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
People assume there’s a lot of friction because they’re competing for the same recruits and the same titles. In reality, they are each other’s biggest fans—except for two or three nights a year.
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They talk constantly. They share advice on NIL strategies (which is a nightmare for everyone in 2026) and how to handle the transfer portal. But when the ball is tipped, the pleasantries stop.
The common misconception is that Travis is "just" John’s little brother. If you watch a Miami game today, you see a coach who has completely established his own identity. He’s not a "Groce disciple" anymore; he’s Travis Steele, one of the best coaches in the region.
The Next Steps for Both Programs
So, where do they go from here?
John Groce is likely an Akron lifer at this point. With his new contract and the way he’s embraced the community, he’s building a Mark Few-style legacy at the mid-major level. He’s become the face of the university.
Travis Steele is the wildcard. If he keeps winning 20+ games at Miami, the high-major schools are going to come calling again. But he seems genuinely happy in Oxford. He’s mentioned before that he loves the Midwest and the stability of the MAC.
Actionable Insights for Following the MAC This Season:
- Watch the Home-and-Home: Don't just check the scores. Watch the Akron vs. Miami games. Look at the adjustments they make between the first and second half. It’s a masterclass.
- Monitor the Portal: See who these two are targeting. They usually identify talent early. If a guy is being recruited by both Groce and Steele, he’s probably going to be a star in the MAC.
- Check the Betting Lines: Interestingly, these games often go "Under" because both coaches know each other's plays so well that the offenses struggle to find rhythm.
- Support the Local Scene: Ohio basketball is at its best when the "Battle of the Bricks" and the Zips-RedHawks games are packed. The atmosphere in Millett Hall or the JAR is electric right now.
The Travis Steele and John Groce story is a reminder that sports are about more than just wins and losses. It's about family, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in a state that lives and breathes basketball. Whether you’re a Zips fan or a RedHawks fan, you have to admit: having both of these guys in the same conference is a win for everyone.