Albany

[waterhead]

I think we'll continue to have a committee of big guys. They all offer something different. I'm not sure we'll ever see Mick remove KJ from the starting lineup, but having two high quality, well performing options like Jenifer and Cumberland off the bench is pretty exciting.

Agreed!

 

[jacobkdoyle]

It's such bs that there is literally nothing Kevin Johnson can do to not start. If he's truly a team guy, he'd accept that role for the betterment of the team.

 

[L-T]

I was there. We all were. Most of The critics were hoping for JJ to turn it over less, select better shots, and play better D.

Voila!! Look what happened... almost exactly that.

Lol...I wouldn't call what was posted in here about Jenifer last year bandwagon worthy, but I'll start pretending as if all of you were there with me and Bulldog last year.....if it makes you all feel better.

 

[#BearcatNation]

It's such bs that there is literally nothing Kevin Johnson can do to not start. If he's truly a team guy, he'd accept that role for the betterment of the team.

I am in fact on the "Jenifer and Cumberland should get more minutes than KJ" bandwagon, but can we at least let Kevin get healthy first? Apparently he's been sick as hell lately. Yeah, he hasn't played well, but geez, it's been two games. If he keeps playing at this level of performance, then he should absolutely be pulled from the lineup.

 

[L-T]

I loved watching Jenifer last night! Especially the series when he got a steal and gave it back only to take it upon himself to get it back again. That was fun to watch!! The pass off the backboard was a thing of beauty!

I also am starting to finally enjoy fast breaks again. We have players who know how to finish them. The alley oop is back in Cincinnati!! Cumberland is extremely good on the break too

We run the ball extremely well and I hope Mick is taking notice. I want to see less and less of Caupain walking up the court and going into our annoying weave and passing around the 3-pt line.

 

[JasonS]

I am in fact on the "Jenifer and Cumberland should get more minutes than KJ" bandwagon, but can we at least let Kevin get healthy first? Apparently he's been sick as hell lately. Yeah, he hasn't played well, but geez, it's been two games. If he keeps playing at this level of performance, then he should absolutely be pulled from the lineup.

I agree with this. Also, it is important to have guys that can score on the "second team" so to speak. If you don't have any fire power off the bench, you will run the risk of droughts when you pull your starters off the floor. I like that Cumberland and JJ can provide a spark off the bench. I don't know that KJ can do that.

I have been very critical of JJ's defense last year and in the first game this year. Last night, he was really good. He got lost early on a three where there was miscommunication and it was the only 3 given up in the first half. I admit that I thought, "here we go again." To JJ's credit (and Mick's) he was allowed to play through it and he made a difference with his quick hands and great hustle. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come.

 

[UCBearcats]

It's such bs that there is literally nothing Kevin Johnson can do to not start. If he's truly a team guy, he'd accept that role for the betterment of the team.

I'm sure he would accept that role, but that's Mick's decision to make not KJ's. Mick will NEVER value one player's ability to contribute on offense over another's ability to contribute on defense. If Mick could win a game 31-28 he'd be the happiest you've ever seen him in his life. Despite the fact that he professed to having an epiphany after we lost to UK in the tourney he's done nothing to show that he's even remotely changed his stance since then.

It is that thinking and coaching style that will always allow his teams to be very competitive but never compete for the highest honors. But hey, what do I know?? Mick's clearly the smartest coach in college basketball, as evidenced by all his accolades.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I am in fact on the "Jenifer and Cumberland should get more minutes than KJ" bandwagon, but can we at least let Kevin get healthy first? Apparently he's been sick as hell lately. Yeah, he hasn't played well, but geez, it's been two games. If he keeps playing at this level of performance, then he should absolutely be pulled from the lineup.

It's been his entire career.

 

[#BearcatNation]

It's been his entire career.

I know. It's not just about him, though. Jenifer and/or Cumberland will need to prove they're ready to take on a bigger role. They're off to a good start, but I can understand why a coach isn't ready to pull the plug yet on a senior. Not downplaying JJ and JC, but it's been two games vs subpar opponents. At least give it till December.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Coach Cronin has sent the PERFECT message to Jenifer. And Jenifer has bought in. Trusting him to run the show with 4 All-Conference caliber players around him sounds AMAZING. A recipe for A LOT of wins.

On the flip side, having Caupain as the main ball handler with Johnson on the wing is the exact opposite feeling. It feels like we're trying SO hard to make it work for Johnson. That's bogus. The real question is, how does he make it work for the team? He doesn't. He takes terrible shots at a low percentages and grinds the offense to a halt with every touch. He plays like he's aware of how many points he has and takes shots for himself, not the team. It's so fake to pretend he does a lot to help...bc he doesn't. Every single one of us watches him game after game and says "This guy is absolutely killing us". That's the truth. We can pretend all we want that isn't the case, but if we're being honest we all know it is.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I know. It's not just about him, though. Jenifer and/or Cumberland will need to prove they're ready to take on a bigger role. They're off to a good start, but I can understand why a coach isn't ready to pull the plug yet on a senior. Not downplaying JJ and JC, but it's been two games vs subpar opponents. At least give it till December.

We have some big games this week though. And the way those other guys are playing now gives us a better chance to win. Running Johnson out there vs Duke is suicide.

 

[2bearcatdad]

One of the BIG knocks on Mick is player development, so I doubt that he has suddenly become a miracle worker. This player could have helped us last year, but the coach stripped him of his confidence. As we saw with Ellis and Shaq, Jennifer had company last year. And the result was that one of our deepest, most experienced, most talented teams underachieved greatly. But to satisfy you, I'll give Mick the credit even though neither of us knows who deserves the credit.

What I will give Mick credit for is putting together this team that just might become his most talented. I still would love to see a pure shooter or two to show up on our roster some day.

I think Trevor Moore is supposed to be the guy you're asking for. Who knows how he'll actually be when he gets here, but he was definitely recruited as that knock down shooter that we've all been waiting for.

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

I think Trevor Moore is supposed to be the guy you're asking for. Who knows how he'll actually be when he gets here, but he was definitely recruited as that knock down shooter that we've all been waiting for.

I think we'll be in good hands with guards next year. Broome, Jenifer, Cumberland, Evans, Williams, Moore

 

[TNBearcat3]

KJ's biggest problem is that when her gets the ball on the offensive end it's almost like he's decided he has to score, and turns it over, travels, or forces a BAD shot. He needs to understand that he's on the floor with 4 guys who all can score it at a very good clip, he doesn't have to press and find a shot. We need him to do a few things and do them well, play solid on the ball defense ( his problems come off the ball), rebound from the guard position, and find good shots for those other 4. If he takes wide open 3's which he can make, and gets us some put backs, and extra possessions on O, that is all we need out of him. I don't think he understands his role at all, and that is something I think Mick needs to drive home with him. I don't have a ton of issue if he starts, I like the thought of having JJ and Cumberland come in as a Spark, but those two should take some of his minutes. Hope KJ figures is out, and contributes in the ways he can as a Senior, only time will tell. I think you could say the exact same thing about Quadri too.

 

[GoCats88]

I think we'll continue to have a committee of big guys. They all offer something different. I'm not sure we'll ever see Mick remove KJ from the starting lineup, but having two high quality, well performing options like Jenifer and Cumberland off the bench is pretty exciting.

I don't see Johnson making it to conference play as a starter.

 

[#BearcatNation]

We have some big games this week though. And the way those other guys are playing now gives us a better chance to win. Running Johnson out there vs Duke is suicide.

If Johnson isn't getting it done, Cumberland and Jenifer will see the floor more than him.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

If Johnson isn't getting it done, Cumberland and Jenifer will see the floor more than him.

God I hope so.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

If Johnson isn't getting it done, Cumberland and Jenifer will see the floor more than him.

bright future

 

[waterhead]

Lol...I wouldn't call what was posted in here about Jenifer last year bandwagon worthy, but I'll start pretending as if all of you were there with me and Bulldog last year.....if it makes you all feel better.

I'm not pretending I was with you on this subject. I was with those who thought he needed to pull in the reigns a little. Less turnovers, better D and better shot selection. Some fans thought it would cramp his style if he did that. However, the transformation is now earning him significant minutes.

Everyone saw the ball skills and passing ability. Not many, if any, questioned that.

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

KJ has been sick the past 2 games and will contribute more than he has shown so far. I'm still in favor of him coming off the bench though. With Jenifer's performance last game I would put him in the lineup and let Cumberland take it down the road if he can. With Jenifer in there we are a much better passing team and the offense flows better.

I don't have the total amount of points Kevin's man scored on him compared to Jenifer's man on him, but just looking at steals through 2 games KJ is at 2 and Jenifer is at 4. Cumberland should be the first off the bench for offensive purposes and KJ subbed in for defensive match ups. Then we have Moore, Tre Scott, Brooks based on the match up and what we need. Tre Scott is 10x the athlete Moore is, but Moore gives more of an offensive threat. Brooks gives us defense, rebounding and fouls if we need them on a big man that can't make free throws...