2017-2018 Season

[waterhead]

The problem with 3's last year is who was shooting them. Caupain at 32.5 % & KJ at 30.9%(while firing up 162 of them) was not good.

If Jacob can hit over 41%, like he did last year, he can shoot them all night long as far as I'm concerned. I hope Cumberland can up his % a bit. My hope is that Broome driving the basket will open up clear 3's for others who will then shoot at a higher clip...defenders will have to be wary of both Broome & Cumberland driving & kick-outs might be more open. Inside out games only work when there is a threat inside & last year there wasn't often enough from the guards.

Yah...we played pretty fast and loose at home and on the road slow and tight. It's hard to consistently get the wide open looks when you let the D get set up every time down. If we start attacking right away we can catch them off guard and get some easier buckets. Even our 3's will then be a little more open with kick outs. That doesn't mean we don't want to slow it down on occasion but letting the D get set and passing around the perimeter is just not a dynamic offense.

We gotta have someone breaking the D down here or there to create some different looks. We have to make the defense make decisions because eventually they will make the wrong one and we will get an easy bucket. Just a few more easy buckets could be worth 6 or 7 points which would go a long way. I think our % will go up if we can get some penetration to keep the D honest and moving around a lot.

 

[kskenyon4]

Yah...we played pretty fast and loose at home and on the road slow and tight. It's hard to consistently get the wide open looks when you let the D get set up every time down. If we start attacking right away we can catch them off guard and get some easier buckets. Even our 3's will then be a little more open with kick outs. That doesn't mean we don't want to slow it down on occasion but letting the D get set and passing around the perimeter is just not a dynamic offense.

We gotta have someone breaking the D down here or there to create some different looks. We have to make the defense make decisions because eventually they will make the wrong one and we will get an easy bucket. Just a few more easy buckets could be worth 6 or 7 points which would go a long way. I think our % will go up if we can get some penetration to keep the D honest and moving around a lot.

A part of the slow and tight on the road probably has something to do with a quote from Mick over the summer that he follows more of a Bill Belichick coaching method of "game by game". He had some bit about how some teams always play cover 2, or always press man to man etc, no matter who they're playing, but Belichick will radically change his defense game to game given the opponent, and that he prescribes to that theory more.

It's an interesting little tid bit, and certainly can play a part in why Mick may be way more lenient for open flow type games at home with a crowd than on the road. I wouldn't expect that to totally flip this year just based off Cane and a couple other personnel changes. Though he did say Cane is a type of PG that can break down a defense no matter how well they are prepped or set up, he's the type of player that frustrates opponents coaches.

 

[waterhead]

A part of the slow and tight on the road probably has something to do with a quote from Mick over the summer that he follows more of a Bill Belichick coaching method of "game by game". He had some bit about how some teams always play cover 2, or always press man to man etc, no matter who they're playing, but Belichick will radically change his defense game to game given the opponent, and that he prescribes to that theory more.

It's an interesting little tid bit, and certainly can play a part in why Mick may be way more lenient for open flow type games at home with a crowd than on the road. I wouldn't expect that to totally flip this year just based off Cane and a couple other personnel changes. Though he did say Cane is a type of PG that can break down a defense no matter how well they are prepped or set up, he's the type of player that frustrates opponents coaches.

I get playing to your strengths etc. Last year we had a slowish, methodical PG who was allergic to turnovers. He was not a dynamic guard and perhaps we were best served slowing the pace down for him and just playing great D to maximize our chances. I think we kind of let 1 player dictate how the rest of the team had to play.

This year I don't think that is going to be our strong point. If we play the same type of ball it could back fire. Slowing down Cane or Justin will not be using their strengths as PG's and I think we have some pretty good players in transition. So I agree you have to plan with your roster in mind. This year's roster screams fast and aggressive in my mind. We are not going to sacrifice playing great D...we all know this. If we need to use the bench...we need to use the bench.

If we try to play UCF slow and let Tacko affect every shot...we could lose. We have to get him tired and beat him down the court. Last year we scored 49 points in their arena (a season low) and 60 at home (also a season low I think).

 

[justinhub2003]

I get playing to your strengths etc. Last year we had a slowish, methodical PG who was allergic to turnovers. He was not a dynamic guard and perhaps we were best served slowing the pace down for him and just playing great D to maximize our chances. I think we kind of let 1 player dictate how the rest of the team had to play.

This year I don't think that is going to be our strong point. If we play the same type of ball it could back fire. Slowing down Cane or Justin will not be using their strengths as PG's and I think we have some pretty good players in transition. So I agree you have to plan with your roster in mind. This year's roster screams fast and aggressive in my mind. We are not going to sacrifice playing great D...we all know this. If we need to use the bench...we need to use the bench.

If we try to play UCF slow and let Tacko affect every shot...we could lose. We have to get him tired and beat him down the court. Last year we scored 49 points in their arena (a season low) and 60 at home (also a season low I think).

Watching Cane play at SH, he was pretty damn effective against half court defenses. Against a half court defense, you need guys that are quick and can attack to pull defenders away from their spots and Cane will give us that.

So regardless of how we fast or slow we play on the road, I think Cane's quickness in the half court and willingess to attack, should help us be a lot more effective.

 

[waterhead]

Watching Cane play at SH, he was pretty damn effective against half court defenses. Against a half court defense, you need guys that are quick and can attack to pull defenders away from their spots and Cane will give us that.

So regardless of how we fast or slow we play on the road, I think Cane's quickness in the half court and willingess to attack, should help us be a lot more effective.

I agree...Cane is going to keep the defense moving and hopefully switching a lot more than we have been used to.

Then you look at replacing KJ. I think we all believe Cumberland will be a lot more effective at both driving and shooting. But what about a guy like Williams? KJ was not a guy who was breaking down guys off the dribble and getting in the lane and to add insult to injury he wasn't a very good 3 point shooter. He shot 31% or so his last two years from 3. KJ was a good defender but we hear Williams may be as well and he almost has to be a better guy to get in the lane and I can't imagine him shooting a lot worse than 31% from 3.

I would imagine it might take a year or two for Williams to get familiar enough with the defense to give us the same quality that KJ did...but Williams might not be too far behind on D and his offense should be at least game to match what KJ was doing (or not doing). It is entirely possible our freshman sub will give us more in the plus minus column than our 4th year senior from last year. Which would mean ALL of KJ's minutes could be an improvement this year. The 10 or so that Cumberland will get will be an improvement. The 15 or so that Williams might get could also be an improvement...or at least a wash.

We need to get in the lane more on the road and many of the replacements to the guys who are gone will be able to do that. Cane and Justin...Cumberland and Williams.

 

[ThomasMac]

Not sure if this was posted anywhere (sorry if re-post) but NCAA.com has us on their "6 Darkhorse Final Four Contenders" list.

 

[justinhub2003]

I agree...Cane is going to keep the defense moving and hopefully switching a lot more than we have been used to.

Then you look at replacing KJ. I think we all believe Cumberland will be a lot more effective at both driving and shooting. But what about a guy like Williams? KJ was not a guy who was breaking down guys off the dribble and getting in the lane and to add insult to injury he wasn't a very good 3 point shooter. He shot 31% or so his last two years from 3. KJ was a good defender but we hear Williams may be as well and he almost has to be a better guy to get in the lane and I can't imagine him shooting a lot worse than 31% from 3.

I would imagine it might take a year or two for Williams to get familiar enough with the defense to give us the same quality that KJ did...but Williams might not be too far behind on D and his offense should be at least game to match what KJ was doing (or not doing). It is entirely possible our freshman sub will give us more in the plus minus column than our 4th year senior from last year. Which would mean ALL of KJ's minutes could be an improvement this year. The 10 or so that Cumberland will get will be an improvement. The 15 or so that Williams might get could also be an improvement...or at least a wash.

We need to get in the lane more on the road and many of the replacements to the guys who are gone will be able to do that. Cane and Justin...Cumberland and Williams.

I’m almost willing to bet jarron has more steals than kJ. kJ’s defense is the kind that doesn’t show up in stat sheets. Jarron on the other hand will be a worse defender but actually force more TO imo

 

[waterhead]

I’m almost willing to bet jarron has more steals than kJ. kJ’s defense is the kind that doesn’t show up in stat sheets. Jarron on the other hand will be a worse defender but actually force more TO imo

Cumberland already averaged more steals per 40 minutes last year. I agree...it's going to happen. Jarron led the team per 40 minutes in steals. I just hope Williams can come in and lock down "on ball" on KJ level when he gets in the game. Cumberland's D is not about lateral quickness but more about instinct. Williams will be more of an "on ball" defender.

 

[waterhead]

Only one more week until full on practice game updates red and black. Then exhibition of course after that. I can't wait anymore!! I wish UC basketball was a 24-7 topic NOW...but off season is hard to wait.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I’m almost willing to bet jarron has more steals than kJ. kJ’s defense is the kind that doesn’t show up in stat sheets. Jarron on the other hand will be a worse defender but actually force more TO imo

I wouldn't be surprised about that at all. I feel like Johnson was a little more active in making plays as a defender his SR year. But in general, I agree.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

On the topic of Broome in the halfcourt, I agree with what you guys have been saying about him still being very effective in that setting.

Getting him on the move will be huge. High ball screens will give him a lot of room to get by his defender and get into the lane. And if it's a pick and pop type big, he can put the defense in a tough spot when it comes to switching/going over or under the screens. His instincts and quickness can be an advantage no matter what the defense tries to do there. And with a rim roller big like Brooks, you're only going to be able to switch if you have a 5 who can guard respectably out to the 3 pt line to at least show, and a PG who has the frame to at least get in the way to slow down a freight train like Brooks...and not a lot of college teams have that. Broome's quickness is a huge asset. And even more so when we have spot up shooters, and a guy like Cumberland who can use the pump fake so effectively. I foresee a lot of defensive breakdowns for our opponents this year. Our versatility, especially in our starting 5, creates a lot of "damned if you do, damned if you don't" type situations. And our success a lot of the time will come down to making free throws and open shots. We have 4 good passers (all willing passers too), and 5 guys who can hit from out to 22 feet. Dangerous stuff.

For Broome, it's all about patience. Let the plays come. There is no need to force things with this group.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

On the topic of Broome in the halfcourt, I agree with what you guys have been saying about him still being very effective in that setting.

Getting him on the move will be huge. High ball screens will give him a lot of room to get by his defender and get into the lane. And if it's a pick and pop type big, he can put the defense in a tough spot when it comes to switching/going over or under the screens. His instincts and quickness can be an advantage no matter what the defense tries to do there. And with a rim roller big like Brooks, you're only going to be able to switch if you have a 5 who can guard respectably out to the 3 pt line to at least show, and a PG who has the frame to at least get in the way to slow down a freight train like Brooks...and not a lot of college teams have that. Broome's quickness is a huge asset. And even more so when we have spot up shooters, and a guy like Cumberland who can use the pump fake so effectively. I foresee a lot of defensive breakdowns for our opponents this year. Our versatility, especially in our starting 5, creates a lot of "damned if you do, damned if you don't" type situations. And our success a lot of the time will come down to making free throws and open shots. We have 4 good passers (all willing passers too), and 5 guys who can hit from out to 22 feet. Dangerous stuff.

For Broome, it's all about patience. Let the plays come. There is no need to force things with this group.

Broome can also be very effective in dribble hand off situations if we use Clark as a point forward, operating at the top of the key. Kind of like how Draymond Green was used at Michigan State. Just another way to get Broome the ball on the move...where he will be deadly.

 

[justinhub2003]

ESPN's Jonathan Givony (former of Draft express) just ranked the top 10 JR NBA prospects.

Jacob Evans was #8

8. Jacob Evans
Cincinnati
Age: 20.3
SF

Height: 6-foot-6 | Wingspan: N/A

Evans broke out as a sophomore, making 42 percent of his 3-pointers and showing intriguing sparks of versatility defensively and as a passer that hint at good things to come down the road. He has good physical attributes for the wing and seems to have plenty of room to continue to develop, as he was an extremely late bloomer in high school.

Evans has a ways to go as a ball handler, and his ability to develop into a better shot creator could seriously improving his NBA prospects. There's a market for wing players in his mold, and Evans is closer to a sophomore in age, giving him a little extra upside, considering his late growth spurt and unique trajectory.

 

[waterhead]

ESPN's Jonathan Givony (former of Draft express) just ranked the top 10 JR NBA prospects.

Jacob Evans was #8

8. Jacob Evans
Cincinnati
Age: 20.3
SF

Height: 6-foot-6 | Wingspan: N/A

Evans broke out as a sophomore, making 42 percent of his 3-pointers and showing intriguing sparks of versatility defensively and as a passer that hint at good things to come down the road. He has good physical attributes for the wing and seems to have plenty of room to continue to develop, as he was an extremely late bloomer in high school.

Evans has a ways to go as a ball handler, and his ability to develop into a better shot creator could seriously improving his NBA prospects. There's a market for wing players in his mold, and Evans is closer to a sophomore in age, giving him a little extra upside, considering his late growth spurt and unique trajectory.

Seems to me that one little "go to" move could really shoot Jacob up the board. I actually don't think his ball handling is that bad. I just think he needs a little help at picking his spots to get moving towards the hoop. He just dribbles too much sometimes and isn't decisive enough. When Cumberland wants to go towards the hoop he goes and it's not fancy. Caupain could also get to the hoop when he wanted because he just put his head down and went. Those guys are not breaking any ankles with their ball handling.

Jacob is a VERY good player...but for his draft stock...he sure could use that little straight forward bull rush move. 1 or 2 dribbles and put the shoulder down. You don't always have to get to the rack...sometimes you can pull up for a J or kick it back out.

 

[cincyguy13]

Seems to me that one little "go to" move could really shoot Jacob up the board. I actually don't think his ball handling is that bad. I just think he needs a little help at picking his spots to get moving towards the hoop. He just dribbles too much sometimes and isn't decisive enough. When Cumberland wants to go towards the hoop he goes and it's not fancy. Caupain could also get to the hoop when he wanted because he just put his head down and went. Those guys are not breaking any ankles with their ball handling.

Jacob is a VERY good player...but for his draft stock...he sure could use that little straight forward bull rush move. 1 or 2 dribbles and put the shoulder down. You don't always have to get to the rack...sometimes you can pull up for a J or kick it back out.

i agree. i think his ball handling is really good. It's his indecisiveness. Even when he doesn't dribble and comes off a screen, you rarely see him catch off a screen and shoot or drive immediately.

 

[cincyguy13]

Jacob reminds me a little of yancy, in that you look at them and don't understand why they aren't 1st round talents. He is 6'6, can dribble, shoot, jump out of the gym, and is a great defender. Doesn't mean he isn't a great college player.

 

[justinhub2003]

I think Cronin has showed Jarron some SK tape of being ready to attack on the catch. And if Evans first step is too calculated and isn't beating his man, then he needs to do the same. Just be ready to attack the moment you catch the ball to keep the defender off you.

Evans is an absolute team player though. The dude seems as nice and unselfish as they come and he still plays a bit like a PG. For his sake I want him to be more selfish, but for the teams sake, I like having extremely talented players who don't to shoot ever shot to be happy

 

[cincyguy13]

I think you can be a team player and aggressive. SK was both. Kenyon was. Sometimes the best thing for the team is to be aggressive

 

[TheShoeFits]

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/10/24/college-basketballs-best-frontcourts/

8. CINCINNATI: Gary Clark, Kyle Washington, Tre Scott, Nysier Brooks, Mamadou Diarra

It always seems like Cincinnati gets left out of too many national conversations but this group is definitely worth discussing. Clark is one of the nation’s better frontcourt defenders, a former AAC Defensive Player of the Year who can also be productive on offense. If Clark’s perimeter shooting becomes a bit more consistent then he could be up for a monster senior season.

The addition of Washington last season brought the Bearcats to a whole new level. At 6-foot-9 and with the ability to protect the rim and space the floor with jumpers, Washington was Cincinnati’s second-leading scorer and rebounder last season as he helps immensely on both ends of the floor.

Reserves Tre Scott and Nysier Brooks are both big bodies who earned some run last season while the late signing of Diarra, a former Washington commit, could also prove beneficial for the Bearcat frontcourt rotation.

Wichita St came in at 10 for what its worth.

 

[waterhead]

i agree. i think his ball handling is really good. It's his indecisiveness. Even when he doesn't dribble and comes off a screen, you rarely see him catch off a screen and shoot or drive immediately.

There wasn't a lot to work on in the off season for Evans since he is so good at almost everything already. It wouldn't make a lot of sense to not be working on the one thing that can help your draft stock the most. Surely it's been mentioned to him.

Or maybe Cronin wants to keep him around 1 more year (hahaha) and let him take on that role next year when we lose Clark and Washington. We will need more scoring from him next year if he stays with us...and that could help his draft stock as well.