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Ohio State assistant John Groce, 34, could become the new men's basketball coach at Duquesne University if he wants the job, according to reports by local and national media outlets yesterday.

Athletic director Greg Amodio reportedly met with Groce a month ago, long before Danny Nee resigned as Duquesne's head coach.

Groce's name then surfaced as a potential candidate last week and rumors spread rapidly yesterday that Amodio has made him an offer. Amodio is in Cincinnati for the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament and was unavailable for comment.

Gregg Doyel, senior writer for CBS SportsLine.com, fueled the speculation when he wrote on his Web site yesterday: "Thad Matta's lead assistant John Groce will have his choice of jobs. The question is, does he jump at Duquesne or Wright State? Or does he wait for a potentially better opportunity next spring, after Ohio State's Greg Oden-led recruiting class wreaks havoc for one year on the Big Ten."

Groce is in his second year as an assistant under Matta at Ohio State. Groce was Matta's assistant the previous three years at Xavier University when Amodio worked there in the athletic department.

He was Matta's assistant for a year at Butler and an assistant for four years under Herb Sendek at North Carolina State.

Groce played basketball for three seasons at Taylor (Ind.) University, helping the Trojans compile an 86-18 record and make three trips to the NAIA national tournament.