BearcatAlum1
Well-known member
Doesnt bother me. Mick is too honest and speaks his mind. He believes everything he says.
It really doesnt bother me at all.
I really think it only bothers X fans.
I second that.......
Can I have some of what Mick is smoking?!?!
- Thread starter DontMissHim
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I second that.......
BearcatAlum1
Well-known member
Not suprising comment coming from you.
Bearcat_NTS
Well-known member
He was one player that the defense had to respect, he was the closest thing to clutch UC had. He was the one guy that you could live with taking bad shots because he made up for it by doing something fantasitc. I really doubt anyone on the current roster is
capable of doing those things. Maybe the offense was a stagnat with Lance in the game but don't forget it was even worse without him. No true leader means it will be a long year (here's to hoping Parker or SK can do this)
JasonS
Football Moderator
Cash would be the leader of this team before Parker. This is Cash's third year in the program. He will step up and be very good this year.
Bearcat_NTS
Well-known member
Still absolutely disagree with the second part, of the top of my head the only team I can think of that didn't return to the NCAA tourney was UCONN. What distinguishes good teams from good programs is good programs have guys step in and play well. I have no reason to believe a teams like Pitt, Syracuse, and Marquette won't have new guys step in and make a tourney, hell Wisconsin somehow makes the tourney every year.
Bearcat_NTS
Well-known member
Year in the program really doesn't matter, even Mick said that the guys were pushed to work hard because of Lance who was a frosh. Deonta Vaughn was a senior last year was defientely not he leader of the team. I saw that quiet confidence swagger in Park and Ive heard that Sk has that charasteristc, personally didn't see it in cash, no disrepesct meant to him it's not for everyone.
Edit: Thomas could too, like his passion.
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JasonS
Football Moderator
Years in the program always matter. JuCo's and transfers are rarely the leaders. Freshmen are rarely leaders. Lance was a good player but he was not a vocal leader. He didn't get in anyone's face and demand the best out of them. No one did that on the team last year and that was the problem. Deonta didn't have that in his personality. Not a fault, just a fact. I don't know if it is in Cash's personality or not, but as a point guard and a third year guy in the system, he could be the leader of this team.
david aka the TYZ
Well-known member
I think Mick made these comments for two reasons. One, he wanted these message boards busy again and two, he wanted to get BearcatTalk divided amongst itself and see who is in the anti-Mick crowd.
Seriously though, I think this team will be better next year because of addition by subtraction which has been Mick's point all offseason. We lost Vaughn and Stephenson. Vaughn was a one-man show that only showed up every fifth game, he couldn't play defense and the offense when he was in there ran around him or someone else taking a three. He couldn't pass and he couldn't dribble out of pressure. I loved what he contributed in his four years and I hate to bash him, but the truth must be told. Lance at least had a passion to win and a desire we wish all the team shared. But he took way too many jump shots, committed too many turnovers and while he could create his own shot, this isn't the NBA where they play one-on-one and honestly he only tried it maybe three times a game so its not like the team really tried to utilize it. The reason this team struggled last year is because they relied on those two to carry the load and neither did.
The offense clearly ran best late in the year with Cash and Parker in there. This team shouldn't have egos next year (other than maybe Gates) and will play uptempo finally. Cash I think will be really good next year with Parker and Kilpatrick and Thomas complimenting him. Wilks is the X-factor. In an uptempo offense and three years under his belt he could really flourish next year. Bishop, Gates, Dixon, Jackson and possibly Greer Wright are the unknowns. I put Bishop in the unknowns because technically we don't know if he'll even be here next year. My honest opinion is we'll see good things out of Bishop and not so much Dixon or Gates. Hope I'm wrong about the latter, but I don't see Gates ever gaining a desire to hustle and Dixon I think will get lost behind everybody. Jackson is a true freshman and honestly I think we'll see typical freshman production out of him. Lots of mistakes and flashes of brilliance. I don't expect much out of Davis or Biggie. I think this is a recipe for success, especially if Gates shows up to play. This team doesn't have a lot of new faces this year and finally should be able to go into the season without question marks as to what role everyone will play.
Seriously though, I think this team will be better next year because of addition by subtraction which has been Mick's point all offseason. We lost Vaughn and Stephenson. Vaughn was a one-man show that only showed up every fifth game, he couldn't play defense and the offense when he was in there ran around him or someone else taking a three. He couldn't pass and he couldn't dribble out of pressure. I loved what he contributed in his four years and I hate to bash him, but the truth must be told. Lance at least had a passion to win and a desire we wish all the team shared. But he took way too many jump shots, committed too many turnovers and while he could create his own shot, this isn't the NBA where they play one-on-one and honestly he only tried it maybe three times a game so its not like the team really tried to utilize it. The reason this team struggled last year is because they relied on those two to carry the load and neither did.
The offense clearly ran best late in the year with Cash and Parker in there. This team shouldn't have egos next year (other than maybe Gates) and will play uptempo finally. Cash I think will be really good next year with Parker and Kilpatrick and Thomas complimenting him. Wilks is the X-factor. In an uptempo offense and three years under his belt he could really flourish next year. Bishop, Gates, Dixon, Jackson and possibly Greer Wright are the unknowns. I put Bishop in the unknowns because technically we don't know if he'll even be here next year. My honest opinion is we'll see good things out of Bishop and not so much Dixon or Gates. Hope I'm wrong about the latter, but I don't see Gates ever gaining a desire to hustle and Dixon I think will get lost behind everybody. Jackson is a true freshman and honestly I think we'll see typical freshman production out of him. Lots of mistakes and flashes of brilliance. I don't expect much out of Davis or Biggie. I think this is a recipe for success, especially if Gates shows up to play. This team doesn't have a lot of new faces this year and finally should be able to go into the season without question marks as to what role everyone will play.
JasonS
Football Moderator
I agree with a lot of what you wrote but Gates will be a big part of this team. If you don't see him on the floor a lot it will be because of foul trouble.
Hey, I'm not talking about getting rid of Mick or anything...he will be here at least 2 more years (and hopefully more) so I learned that lesson long ago.
But, it disturbs me that he cannot say something was his fault. He seems to find many other ways around it.
I like his plan for the future about team cohesiveness and developing from within and hope he can get it done with the talent he has. These kids need to step up for Mick. But it really bugs me that he comes across (to me at least) as someone that seems to think things are out of his control, when in reality he is the only one with control.
Not surprising to see a personal attack instead from you in this thread. Is it not ok to talk about a Mick Cronin quote?
This is a good point. JuCo's can lead a team but generally not till their Senior year. And save a few exceptions, freshman don't have the ability to lead...mostly because they haven't DONE it yet so how do you get people to buy-in.
That is one reason I am so disappointed in Bishop...next year was his year to lead.
Our worst years in the recent past have come when there has been a lack of leadership (obviously not even counting the years where our talent gap was so significant). Lenny Stokes - great kid, good player, not the leader that team needed him to be as a Senior. Loved him, but only if you had a leader on the floor. Deonte was the same. We need a little chubby PG from Cleveland or an athletic freak with an unstoppable will to win and motor to help us out again.
JasonS
Football Moderator
You hit it on the head. The best seasons in recent memory were led by Steve Logan and Kenyon Martin. Here's to hoping that Cash, Parker or SK become that kind of leader. You never know though.
JasonS
Football Moderator
I don't think Mick is above blame at all. I wish publicly he would take a little more sometimes. On the other hand, I think Mick is the kind of guy who likes to look ahead and always thinks optimistically. It can get him in some heat but I think it is a big reason he has been a good recruiter as well. I will never have an issue with a guy pumping his players up in the media.
Holy hell! He really said this?
Are we sure this isn't made up? I can't believe he would be this stupid/defensive.
I honestly can't imagine that someone hasn't told him to shut up yet. The guy makes a joke of himself every time he talks. He needs to learn from Coach Jones.
Are we sure this isn't made up? I can't believe he would be this stupid/defensive.
I honestly can't imagine that someone hasn't told him to shut up yet. The guy makes a joke of himself every time he talks. He needs to learn from Coach Jones.
bearcat jeff
Hoops Moderator
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Ask Tom Crean how long. Ask the folks at Baylor how long. Typically 5 years. You first have to lay a foundation. That means recruiting program guys. You secondly have to rebuild a reputation, that means being selective in the players you bring in. Lastly, you rebuild the brand. That means adding superior talent to what was recruited in the beginning.
Mick has done a good job overall, but it is NOW time to take the next step. In my opinion he missed that opportunity this past season, but I believe he has learned some lessons and we'll see a much more focused, disciplined team this season.
I look for a team with a better bb iq this coming season. You lose points with Vaughn, but you also lose his inconsistency and out of control play. Wright will be much improved after the year lay off and now understands first hand what he needs to do to succeed. Parker as well has a year under his belt. Killa will give the team some scoring punch and is very comparable to Lance in terms of ball skills and has practiced live against the first team defense for a season. Personally I think the Thomas/Gates frontcourt is going to be good.
In my opinion we caught a glimpse in the BEast Tournament of what we will see all season this fall. A team that plays hard and together.
westsidecat
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I agree that overall Mick has done a great job. But when the coach tells the fans that the rebuilding is over, I don't think us fans should say we're still rebuilding. I would also think that many, if not all, would say that Drew Scott has done a better job then Mick. I also agree that he missed an opportunity last year and it's cost him in recruiting this year.
I am also with you about the front court of Gates and Thomas. I really like what Thomas brings and belive he will have a very solid season. Gates, well that's one of many questions that will be answer this season.
As far as what we will see this fall, I don't know. After watching last year, there's just to many question marks for me. No doubt, we'll rebound and play D with anyone, but scoring, I just don't know.
I do know that last season and recruiting this year has left a bad taste in my mouth, and his comment about last season team didn't help.
I stated before here how much I loved the ideal of Mick as the coach. I love everything about him and his roots in the city and program. It's not like I am just coming on here to bash Mick and what he has been doing. I'm just one unhappy UC fan at this time.
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Kingsley Court
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I want to set thing straight, I'm not trying to bash MC with what I said. I just think that he needs to understand the situation he is in a little more.
I think the reason that fans in UC think he hasn't done a great job, or wouldn't get an offer if he won a few more games, is because we have seen the over all season. People outside the program look at the overall record and think, not bad. Having watched the whole season though, we know that the team should not have "collapsed" as some put it in the end, we know that we had they could have been better. Does that make sense?
I think the reason that fans in UC think he hasn't done a great job, or wouldn't get an offer if he won a few more games, is because we have seen the over all season. People outside the program look at the overall record and think, not bad. Having watched the whole season though, we know that the team should not have "collapsed" as some put it in the end, we know that we had they could have been better. Does that make sense?
david aka the TYZ
Well-known member
I hope you're right. I just will believe it when I see it with Gates. I thought after the ND home game last year we were going to see a new Gates. He came out and played a full game of tough-nosed basketball, his comments afterwards led me to believe he was working hard to be a better player. He quickly disappeared again. He went a two game stretch without a defensive rebound at one point. This team could be phenominal if Gates played to his potential. He potentially could be as good as Kenyon was. I'd be happy if he were as good as Hicks. I just don't see that happening. Like I said I hope I'm wrong. I honestly think Mick's patience with him is growing as thin as mine. I think last year Gates got more minutes than Mick wanted to give him because no one else could fill his spot. The same could happen this year. If our uptempo approach is successful (which I think it will be) Mick can get away with running Wilks or even an unexperienced Jackson at the 4 more. Obviously if Gates shows up to play that won't be an issue. We'll see what happens. Its all up to Gates at this point.
I think it is vice versa. I believe he always speaks of the future for 2 reasons. 1) To keep Bearcat Nation interested in the program. Give them something to look forward to in the future. Ex: When no big name recruit was signed for this coming season he mentioned Killa as being a big part of this team next year. Even tho he has never played a College minute.
And 2) A lot of supporters have been expecting results by now. By harping on the future he is keeping unhappy supporters and negativity off his shoulders. Ex: Losing close games he always came up with the excuse; Well this team is young, they will learn how to win these games in the future. Personally after 4 years it is getting tiring to hear.
This team finished 11th in the Big East last season and lost its top 2 scorers and no big scorers were added out of recruiting. You are damn right someone had better step up or Mick will have to step down.