'13 OH SG Kevin Johnson (Commit)

[JumpinJack5]

I am fairly certain I remember Mick told him he was being recruited for the 1 position. Your adjustment statement holds true for most freshmen and I never thought he'd come in and score 20 right away. I just think he has the tools to be a good player. I think Caupain is going to be good as well so we agree there. Can't say I know enough about Strickland to form an opinion at this point but things I've read lead me to believe he will be an adequate/reliable low post scorer at some point.

If Strickland has decent size and basketball iq greater than Gaines, then I already like him. Caupain has a knack for getting to the rim, but his jumper needs some work. I know you never said KJ would come in and score 20, but others make it sound like it. Lawrence should be good, did anyone else see that ESPN already dropped him to a 4-star after he committed, guess they are salty that their east coast bias didn't lure him to St. John's!

 

[TheLongHaul]

I am fairly certain I remember Mick told him he was being recruited for the 1 position. Your adjustment statement holds true for most freshmen and I never thought he'd come in and score 20 right away. I just think he has the tools to be a good player. I think Caupain is going to be good as well so we agree there. Can't say I know enough about Strickland to form an opinion at this point but things I've read lead me to believe he will be an adequate/reliable low post scorer at some point.

I was always under the impression that it was more along the lines of Johnson being a 2 and Caupin being the PG.

 

[mplebanon]

Just like any 3-star recruit, it will take time to adjust. Some people act as if he will come right in and score 20 ppg. He has quickness, but the jumper needs some work. Again, I don't think he will be bad, I just like Caupain more. I also think it shows how much I like this class, I think that Strickland, Caupain, and Lawrence will be very good, so Johnson is just kinda like icing on the cake for me. I also think that Johnson might have a rough time trying to figure out if he is a 1 or a 2. He has an interesting skill set, but he doesn't really fit one specific position. He is an in-betweener. Versatility wise, that could be good, but it also could make it hard for him to fit in.

Ah yes.........and therein lies the problem. You see him listed as a 3-star recruit and automatically downgrade him. There have been plenty of "under the radar" type players over the years that have gone on to be really good college and NBA players. A poor or middling rating can be the result of limited exposure.

I've seen 4-star players come to UC that weren't as good as many of the 3-star players.

Doesn't happen often, but I've even seen a few 5-star overhyped players in my time.

 

[mplebanon]

I was always under the impression that it was more along the lines of Johnson being a 2 and Caupin being the PG.

Mick likes combo guards. For an example of a SG only, see Field Williams. Zero ballhandling skills or penetration skills. Purely a 3 point set shooter.

Mick likes guards with ball skills. They don't necessarily have to have PG skills, but they have to have ball skills.

Nobody is expecting KJ to score 20 ppg right away, if ever. In fact, I see him as an unselfish player who makes things tick. Kind of a smaller Rubles, able to make things happen with penetration and a pass, but able to finish.

In fact, I think this kid might surprise the hell out of everybody eventually. Not his frosh season, but eventually.

 

[JasonS]

Mick likes combo guards. For an example of a SG only, see Field Williams. Zero ballhandling skills or penetration skills. Purely a 3 point set shooter.

Mick likes guards with ball skills. They don't necessarily have to have PG skills, but they have to have ball skills.

Nobody is expecting KJ to score 20 ppg right away, if ever. In fact, I see him as an unselfish player who makes things tick. Kind of a smaller Rubles, able to make things happen with penetration and a pass, but able to finish.

In fact, I think this kid might surprise the hell out of everybody eventually. Not his frosh season, but eventually.

You are shortchanging the SG position if you are defining a true SG by Field Williams. That guy was a specialist who happened to play SG. The shooting guard of the last 20 years is a guy who has extended range but also thrives shooting off the bounce and going to the rack. The term "combo guard" might as well be the same as the draft terms "length" or "upside" or "long arms." In today's game every position needs to be a threat to score to be a good, efficient offense.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Mick definitely has a plan. Considering he has not built the national reputation that some of his more high profile counterparts have. Mick can't just reload every year and stay competitive. He has to develope talent. Looking at this class and what is returning it is easy to see what he is planing.

Returing: SK? Guyn,JD3,Sanders,Thomas,Narsuk, Gaines,Jackson and Rubles.

In coming: Caupin,Morman,Lawrence,Johnson and Strictland

I won't speculate on which player will be moing on to make room for Lawrence.

Jackson,Rubles,Sk and Narsuk will be deparrting following the 2013 season.

Mick has created a gap between his recruits allowing for time to develope.Thomas(reshirt),Sanders,JD3,Guyn all will be in year 3 of the program. Expecting them to make a big jump is not unreasonable. Skills as well as physical capabillities should all be on par with other major college athletes. Practice time,weight room time and game experience should all have kicked in. Not all will be stars. Some will play roles if the newcomers advance quicker than anticpated. Everyone Mick has brought in has played. Of course some more than others. The New comers will get minutes to gain experince and provide depth. None will have to step in right away and carry the team including Lawrence. Cash and Parker will be missed. Cash more than anyone.

Guyn should beable to assume the PG role. With some combination of the newcomers (Cauoin or Johnson) backing him up.

Sanders and Thomas should beable to replace the production Parker gave them. You also have Lawrence and Morman who could push both of them off the court if they fail to work over the summer.

SK will improve on his handle and be our main scoring threat.

I expect Rubles to take a BIG step forward. He is physically gifted and will benefit from the one year experience.

Jackson will provide depth and be high energy guy off the bench.

Gaines and Narsuk will man the middle unless they are pushed by Strickland.

As the Cats continue to rebuild their reputation and Mick continues his rise Nationally more one and doners can be added to the roster. We are not there yet but we are growing into that type of program. Personally I llike the plan Mick employs. I like seeing the kids develope and graduate. It is more what college athletics are supposed to be then minor leagues for the NFL and NBA.

 

[cincycpaw]

It is more what college athletics are supposed to be then minor leagues for the NFL and NBA.

Old school thinking.

It's all about 1 thing.... Championships. At the very least competing for them at a high level with a legit shot every few years.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Old school thinking.

It's all about 1 thing.... Championships. At the very least competing for them at a high level with a legit shot every few years.

seems to me the last time we won a championship it was by a old school thinking coach named Jucker. Duke seems to graduate players and compete. I don't have a issue with one and doners but I have much more respect for programs that value kids as student athletes rather then professional players who don't get paid.

 

[Cronin crazy 5]

Uc will be fine next yr. If sk comes back then legit ncaa tournament team. As for rubles i think he will improve but dont see him averaging any more than this yr. His to's will go down and defense will go up. But lets face it the guys shot is horrific. If he stays off the 3 pt line he will be fine.cash is going to be tough t replace but so is parker. Parker is the piece that allows uc to run 4 guards. Morman caupain and johnson are all good rebounders so this will take some off the loss of parker. Guyn is a freak of nature physically. But him and jd are in combo guard roles. I think uc is in need of a set shooting guard and think morman or jd can be that type of player. Lawrence will be good as long as he is a quick learner defensively and strickland might be the best low post scorer cronin has got not named yancey or hernol hall. Even though hall was ineligiblle.i have argued about stars for a while. There are teams like baylor and ky who get 5 stars but are not as good as thought.more stars = more potential

 

[cincycpaw]

seems to me the last time we won a championship it was by a old school thinking coach named Jucker. Duke seems to graduate players and compete. I don't have a issue with one and doners but I have much more respect for programs that value kids as student athletes rather then professional players who don't get paid.

Pretty sure when Jucker was coaching his thinking wasn;t considered old school. You do know that was a very long time ago, right?

I get your point and I agree to a point. But it is what it is and it is currently exponentially more difficult to win a championship without players on your team that are 1 or 2 and done. It can happen, but not likely.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Ah yes.........and therein lies the problem. You see him listed as a 3-star recruit and automatically downgrade him. There have been plenty of "under the radar" type players over the years that have gone on to be really good college and NBA players. A poor or middling rating can be the result of limited exposure.

I've seen 4-star players come to UC that weren't as good as many of the 3-star players.

Doesn't happen often, but I've even seen a few 5-star overhyped players in my time.

No, I've seen him play live, 3 star is defintely right for him. Not bad, but room to improve...

 

[bearcat jeff]

3 star with upside.

 

[UCalum08]

I've seen him play twice this year and will see him at some point when the hs tourney starts. He is solid and def has plus side. I really can't make more out of him til he gets to UC and faces better competition.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Pretty sure when Jucker was coaching his thinking wasn;t considered old school. You do know that was a very long time ago, right?

I get your point and I agree to a point. But it is what it is and it is currently exponentially more difficult to win a championship without players on your team that are 1 or 2 and done. It can happen, but not likely.

cincy, back in those days freshman weren't even allowed to play varsity. They were given a year to adjust and adapt to college with the emphasis being growing up and handling the rigors of being a student athlete. Now because winning at all cost and the lure of big bucks in NBA is so tempting education has become a after thought. Sad really it has really lowered the bar and completely distorted the intent of athletics in our society. I'll be 60 years old this year and I love winning as much as anyone but if I accomplished that goal at the expense of diluting the student/athletic experience. I want no part of it. Studies,teamwork and high standards while winning a championship are what is important to me. Do you think there is any correlation between many athletes ending up in trouble with the law or financially ruined and the lack of emphasis on education and high standards? As stated I love winning as much as anyone but I can't compromise what should be the intent of every athletic department in the country. GRADUATE YOUR PLAYERS. If your debate is they should be allowed to leave early and pursue a professional career then shame on us for placing our entertainment experience ahead of much more important goals in our society. It's probably why we pay athletes millions and Doctors,educators,soldiers,policemen and many others peanuts compared to those who entertain us.

 

[JackBauer151]

Mike Dyer ‏@MikeDyer
Summit Country Day senior guard Kevin Johnson (UC signee) named District 16 Division III player of the year #UC #Bearcats

 

[bearcat jeff]

Congrats Kevin!

 

[JumpinJack5]

Congrats Kevin!

It will be fun when I see KJ take on Carlas Jackson from Roger Bacon, UC future vs. UC past. Carlas's dad, AD, played on the Bob Huggins Final Four team. Plus, I hopefully will see KJ play better than he did last year when I watched him, I think he just had a bad game, hope he plays well but see the Spartans prevail.

 

[cincycpaw]

cincy, back in those days freshman weren't even allowed to play varsity. They were given a year to adjust and adapt to college with the emphasis being growing up and handling the rigors of being a student athlete. Now because winning at all cost and the lure of big bucks in NBA is so tempting education has become a after thought. Sad really it has really lowered the bar and completely distorted the intent of athletics in our society. I'll be 60 years old this year and I love winning as much as anyone but if I accomplished that goal at the expense of diluting the student/athletic experience. I want no part of it. Studies,teamwork and high standards while winning a championship are what is important to me. Do you think there is any correlation between many athletes ending up in trouble with the law or financially ruined and the lack of emphasis on education and high standards? As stated I love winning as much as anyone but I can't compromise what should be the intent of every athletic department in the country. GRADUATE YOUR PLAYERS. If your debate is they should be allowed to leave early and pursue a professional career then shame on us for placing our entertainment experience ahead of much more important goals in our society. It's probably why we pay athletes millions and Doctors,educators,soldiers,policemen and many others peanuts compared to those who entertain us.

I bet you enjoyed that hike uphill both ways in the snow on the way to school and back too.

And we pay them more because there are less people that can do what they do. Shame on us for letting them leave early and get a job? Really? Graduating with a math degree and working at McDonald's is better then leaving early and playing professional basketball? Really? The whole point of college is to prepare for a profession.

Is it the fact that athletics provides opportunities for kids that colleges would normally ignore what bothers you?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I bet you enjoyed that hike uphill both ways in the snow on the way to school and back too.

And we pay them more because there are less people that can do what they do. Shame on us for letting them leave early and get a job? Really? Graduating with a math degree and working at McDonald's is better then leaving early and playing professional basketball? Really? The whole point of college is to prepare for a profession.

Is it the fact that athletics provides opportunities for kids that colleges would normally not being ignore what's being bothers you?

really that's what you're got out of my comment. Wow!!! Don't know how to answer you. You know how few student athletes go on to make a living playing professionally. Do you read the news and realize how many are left broke and unable to support themselves. I think it's wonderful that colleges allow them the opportunity to educate themselves. The point is Cincy they are not being prepared. You mean you can't see that.Do a little research on how many end up broke. I have 4 kids and sports has played a role in all 4 of their lives. When used properly they are great tools for developing skills needed to succeed in life. I would also have to ask if we have Kids graduating with Math degrees from UC working at McDonalds the issues are much larger then student athletes. So it's ok with you that a kid with a math degree is valued much less then a kid who barely went to class for a year and went on to play professional basketball. Look I'm all for anyone getting ahead. I also understand the hard work and dedication it takes to be a professional athlete. I just think rushing them out into the world of sharks that is professional sports with so little real life skills is a crime. Most of them don't have a chance. If my crime is valuing a education for all kids is my short coming in your eyes than I'm guilty as charged.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Cincypaw, enjoyed your walked both ways in the snow comment. Actually it was a 4 block walk to St. Matthews and for high school It was a bus ride to Purcell. Was there when Derrick Dickey played. Great player. I followed that up with a 20 year stint in the armed forces at which time I graduated from Rollins College. Alma mater of Ryan Hanigan. To say I am a Cincinnati sports fan is. Understatement. I enjoy your point of view and like you want UC to win a championship.