Cincinnati Bearcats Vs. Savannah State Tigers

[david aka the TYZ]

I disagree. Bishop was playing hard last night and IS the teams best defensive player. This team will have to rely on their defense to win games, as the offense will come and go. You have to have guys who can shut the other teams best player down, and Bishop gives UC the best chance to do that. Against Dayton, he will have the responsibilty of guarding Wright. If he makes sure Wright doesn't get off, then the Cats have a great chance of pulling out a win.

I agree that you have to have guys that can shut the other teams top scorer down and Bishop is our best option for that, but lets be honest, when was the last time he or any UC player shut a top scorer down? I think they'll do a better job this year of that than in years past because we have better players and experience, but based on history we can't seem to keep three point specialists from getting numerous open looks or keep the athletic players from doing their thing. Defense is a team game. If you have a weak link a good offense will find it, regardless if you have a defensive specialist out there.

I'm not trying to be critical of Bishop, but I think what he brings to the table defensively over offensively doesn't outweigh what Kilpatrick (assuming he progresses into what we want him to) will bring you offensively over defensively. Our team defense is solid, but our offense definately leaves something to be desired. Kilpatrick has that sexiness and can score in many different ways. We need to jump out early on opponents and not struggle to score. Bishop can hit an open three, but I think our offense takes too many threes as it is. I watched one play last night where Bishop stood in the same spot for 15 seconds on offense. Our offense is so stagnant when players do that and he seems to be the worst at it. And I'm not suggesting hiding him at the end of the bench. He averages what, 25 minutes a game? You can still play him 20 minutes plus coming off the bench. Use him first off the bench in place of Dixon or Kilpatrick (once he's ready to start). I want to see Cash and Kilpatrick and Gates on the floor as much as possible. That will be our best option to put up points. Thomas is starting to show us we can't trust him to finish, Dixon still plays too tight. Bishop can be non-existent on offense and Parker hasn't shown he can be a go-to guy. I hate watching our offense struggle. Our defense is good enough to win us games if we can score 70 points or more. It's time to put our best offensive foot forward.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Cronin said he intentionally left the starters in for 8-9 minutes straight to start the second half to test their limits and see how they'd respond when pushed like that. So yes, there was a good reason that he did what he did.

I didn't hear the press conference so thanks for the heads-up. I just mentioned it because I for one was baffled when Wilks, Davis, Parker and Biggie were on the floor all at once and for such an extended period. A team that is struggling to score that just makes no sense. But once I thought about it that was my reasoning and I guess it was cronin's as well. I'm sure he wouldn't have done it without a 17-20 point lead and vs. a nobody. I think it was a good strategy. The starting unit needs to play together.

And while we're on the subject I know its been mentioned to death on here, but I got to say it. How does Cronin justify any minutes for Davis or Wilks? Wilks seems so lost out there. He runs around with his hands up expecting them to pass him the ball. They do at least give you 100% out there, but their 100% isn't very good. They are seniors, they are what they are at this point and that is not very productive. Kilpatrick and Parker need to get in and get experience. Wilks and Davis should be played only sparingly to spell guys and never at the same time or in mop up duty.

 

[psax889906]

And while we're on the subject I know its been mentioned to death on here, but I got to say it. How does Cronin justify any minutes for Davis or Wilks? Wilks seems so lost out there. He runs around with his hands up expecting them to pass him the ball. They do at least give you 100% out there, but their 100% isn't very good. They are seniors, they are what they are at this point and that is not very productive. Kilpatrick and Parker need to get in and get experience. Wilks and Davis should be played only sparingly to spell guys and never at the same time or in mop up duty.

I'd like to see Wilks get between 5-10 minutes a game while Larry gets 5 minutes tops a game. Hopefully the rotation gets shortened as we enter more competitive games.