Cincinnati isn't Trustworthy... Yet

[Bearcat_NTS]

They moved up so much because they were beating good teams while other teams weren't playing though. I think you have a valid point, but I think we have to use the ratings on Selection Sunday.

Okay, I think I misunderstood what you were saying. I found an archived Massey Rating (which includes the KenPom) from 3/20/13.

Michigan was #11 (seeded at #13)
Syracuse was #13 (seeded at #16)
Wichita State was #33 (seeded at #35)

Georgetown was #12 (seeded at #7)
New Mexico was #17 (seeded at #9)
UNLV was #36 (seeded at #18)

I'll have to do some more digging later but (obviously since they don't play more games) it was a decent indicator of a potential upset...

 

[Levettation]

Isn't turning the ball over for easy baskets bad offense?

Surely, that's why I said it's part of it. Generally people think of bad offense as low FG% and low scoring total, but UC can shoot a low FG%, score in the 50s and win as long as they don't turn the ball over.

 

[IDC]

UC can win games by shooting a low percentage. Like others have said, the pick 6 turnovers they've been giving up does two things, it doesn't give our offense a shot at points, and it doesn't allow our great defense a chance at a stop.
Missing a shot, going back and playing great D for 35 seconds is one thing. Turning the ball over and having the opponent get an uncontested layup in 3 seconds has killed the Cats the past 2 games.

 

[IDC]

And where's the offensive rebounding been the past 2 games?

 

[Not Guilty]

And where's the offensive rebounding been the past 2 games?

It's been awesome, specifically because Titus has been an animal on the boards. That hasn't been the problem at all.

 

[Scheids21]

We lost to UConn because of points of turnovers. Not to mention, our (arguably) second best playing only being on the floor 20 minutes is never good either.

 

[TheRealUC]

I think this may have been touched on in another thread but it seems like TC forgot that he can get to the rim on almost anyone who guards him. It wasn't that long ago that Jay Bilas was praising this kid saying what a great player he's going to be....really need him to get back to those ways.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I think this may have been touched on in another thread but it seems like TC forgot that he can get to the rim on almost anyone who guards him. It wasn't that long ago that Jay Bilas was praising this kid saying what a great player he's going to be....really need him to get back to those ways.

Yeah, I talked about it and probably others. I agree 100%.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Yeah, I talked about it and probably others. I agree 100%.

Judging by what UCONN did to us and how effective they were in limiting our offense it is a sure thing others will try the same tactic. They Played a version of the box and one. Wherever SK was they had a player on him plus the defender on that side, They doubled hard on JJ when he touched the ball limiting his turn around drive to the hoop game and made the other guys shoot jumpers. This was certainly made easier when JJ got in foul trouble. We need to attack the middle of the defense either with dribble drive penetration or passing the ball in at the foul line and drawing the defense enabling us to kick out for open shots. Can't continue to force the ball to SK and waste the shot clock. Guys need to play there game and take there shots.

The reason Mick puts th ball in SK's hands early is to prevent the opposition from being able to deny him the ball. At the ends of games he wants them to have to foul him if we have the lead. The problem is SK needs to take better care of the ball. We also need to score some buckets in transition with ST but to do that JJ needs to be on the floor and we need to rebound better. Last two games he has sat the majority of first half and we have been way to small on the boards. Against Louisville, ST had 0 boards

 

[Scheids21]

Troy has been blocked several times going up for lay ups the last few games so I wonder if that has shaken his confidence attacking the rim. I hope he gets it going because he is our 2nd best free throw shooter as well.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

qoute from Coach cronin in todays paper:

When a reporter suggested Tuesday that turnovers were the University of Cincinnati’s overriding problem during its current two-game losing streak, coach Mick Cronin called that “the biggest understatement in the history of journalism.”

“We broke that down,” Cronin said. “In our three conference losses against SMU, UConn and Louisville, that’s the common denominator.”

Cronin didn’t have to break things down very far to reach that conclusion. All he had to do was check out the box scores and see 19 turnovers vs. SMU, 13 vs. Louisville and 20 last Saturday at UCo

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

here is link to whole article.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/...118/UC-s-turnover-problem-common-denominator-

 

[bearcat jeff]

Judging by what UCONN did to us and how effective they were in limiting our offense it is a sure thing others will try the same tactic. They Played a version of the box and one. Wherever SK was they had a player on him plus the defender on that side, They doubled hard on JJ when he touched the ball limiting his turn around drive to the hoop game and made the other guys shoot jumpers. This was certainly made easier when JJ got in foul trouble. We need to attack the middle of the defense either with dribble drive penetration or passing the ball in at the foul line and drawing the defense enabling us to kick out for open shots. Can't continue to force the ball to SK and waste the shot clock. Guys need to play there game and take there shots.

The reason Mick puts th ball in SK's hands early is to prevent the opposition from being able to deny him the ball. At the ends of games he wants them to have to foul him if we have the lead. The problem is SK needs to take better care of the ball. We also need to score some buckets in transition with ST but to do that JJ needs to be on the floor and we need to rebound better. Last two games he has sat the majority of first half and we have been way to small on the boards. Against Louisville, ST had 0 boards

The other thing that doesn't get mentioned is UC's shooting percentage in those losses. If UC hits even 38-39% they beat UL and UConn. So many missed wide open shots.

One thing I'd like to see is Cronin getting back to playing KJ 10-12 minutes a game. I also like the way TC pushes the ball off of rebounds. This team needs to look to score quickly off of missed shots and inbounds plays. If I have one criticism it is that the tempo has become extremely measured. Yes, good competition plays a part but this team NEEDS to force the action offensively and not allow defenses to get settled and force jump shots.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

The other thing that doesn't get mentioned is UC's shooting percentage in those losses. If UC hits even 38-39% they beat UL and UConn. So many missed wide open shots.

One thing I'd like to see is Cronin getting back to playing KJ 10-12 minutes a game. I also like the way TC pushes the ball off of rebounds. This team needs to look to score quickly off of missed shots and inbounds plays. If I have one criticism it is that the tempo has become extremely measured. Yes, good competition plays a part but this team NEEDS to force the action offensively and not allow defenses to get settled and force jump shots.

Hard to get Johnson minutes when he is behind SK and cannot really play the point in meaningful minutes. I would like to see him get a few minutes before media timeouts to give SK a rest. Unfortunately in the last two games UC has been trailing too often to give Johnson minutes.

Cincinnati is #320 in tempo, in the last two games they've been dismal in the fast break. I am okay with the tempo, that gives them the best chance to win.

 

[UCBearcats]

Tough to do when he's on the bench for nearly a half. JJ has t realize how important he is to this team and try to be more solid and less spectacular on defense.

I realize he's on the bench a lot but when he's on the floor I don't get having him come up to catch the ball beyond the 3 point line. We used to do this with Yancy all the time and it made me so angry. The fact that he's been in foul trouble doesn't explain why we've gone from utilizing Jackson in the post to having him stand out behind the 3 point line.

When JJ holds the ball for 5 to 10 seconds outside the 3 point line all it does it run the shot clock down and force the offense into a situation where we ultimately give the ball back to SK and rely on him to score. Every once in a while we might get a nice cut or a roll off a screen but I think the offense looks a lot better when JJ is down low trying to get position and catching the ball inside the paint.

It's an absolutely baffling strategy if you ask me and I hope we get away from it soon. We wasted nearly 4 years of Yancy Gates with this strategy and when we finally abandoned it at the end of his career he went into beast mode and carried us into the sweet 16.

 

[cincrulz11]

The other thing that doesn't get mentioned is UC's shooting percentage in those losses. If UC hits even 38-39% they beat UL and UConn.

They don't even need to shoot that high lol. 33% would win both. It's really sad to have a system where you can shoot 33% to win, and you can't manage to do it.

 

[cincrulz11]

I realize he's on the bench a lot but when he's on the floor I don't get having him come up to catch the ball beyond the 3 point line. We used to do this with Yancy all the time and it made me so angry. The fact that he's been in foul trouble doesn't explain why we've gone from utilizing Jackson in the post to having him stand out behind the 3 point line.

When JJ holds the ball for 5 to 10 seconds outside the 3 point line all it does it run the shot clock down and force the offense into a situation where we ultimately give the ball back to SK and rely on him to score. Every once in a while we might get a nice cut or a roll off a screen but I think the offense looks a lot better when JJ is down low trying to get position and catching the ball inside the paint.

It's an absolutely baffling strategy if you ask me and I hope we get away from it soon. We wasted nearly 4 years of Yancy Gates with this strategy and when we finally abandoned it at the end of his career he went into beast mode and carried us into the sweet 16.

it is a set they've used to start their offense all season. it doesn't prevent JJ from playing in the post and with his back to the basket.

the problem is when JJ comes in after sitting the entire first half he's been playing timid and passive.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I realize he's on the bench a lot but when he's on the floor I don't get having him come up to catch the ball beyond the 3 point line. We used to do this with Yancy all the time and it made me so angry. The fact that he's been in foul trouble doesn't explain why we've gone from utilizing Jackson in the post to having him stand out behind the 3 point line.

When JJ holds the ball for 5 to 10 seconds outside the 3 point line all it does it run the shot clock down and force the offense into a situation where we ultimately give the ball back to SK and rely on him to score. Every once in a while we might get a nice cut or a roll off a screen but I think the offense looks a lot better when JJ is down low trying to get position and catching the ball inside the paint.

It's an absolutely baffling strategy if you ask me and I hope we get away from it soon. We wasted nearly 4 years of Yancy Gates with this strategy and when we finally abandoned it at the end of his career he went into beast mode and carried us into the sweet 16.

The reason they are bringing him up to get the ball is the opposition is doubling him everytime he touches it down low.As the year went on it became obvious to the other teams they couldn't handle his quick turn to the hoop with a big. He is also a very good passer. He can also pick a lane from outside and follow the shot of another player making rebounding offensively a little easier for him. Lets not forget Rubles and JJ are both undersized for the roles they are asked to do at times. The best thing JJ has going for him is his athletism.

 

[UCBearcats]

it is a set they've used to start their offense all season. it doesn't prevent JJ from playing in the post and with his back to the basket.

the problem is when JJ comes in after sitting the entire first half he's been playing timid and passive.

I disagree. I've seen every game we've played this year and we didn't regularly start our offense in this set until recently. This is something we've adjusted to for some reason and I can't figure out what that reason is.

It absolutely does prevent JJ from playing in the post with his back to the basket. Really watch the offense next game, count how many times JJ winds up catching the ball in the post after he starts the offensive set beyond the 3 point line.

 

[UCBearcats]

The reason they are bringing him up to get the ball is the opposition is doubling him everytime he touches it down low.As the year went on it became obvious to the other teams they couldn't handle his quick turn to the hoop with a big. He is also a very good passer. He can also pick a lane from outside and follow the shot of another player making rebounding offensively a little easier for him. Lets not forget Rubles and JJ are both undersized for the roles they are asked to do at times. The best thing JJ has going for him is his athletism.

Waite, if they're doubling him every time he gets the ball down low then that means we're opening up our guards for shots from the perimeter. There's nothing wrong with playing the inside-out game and we were doing that earlier in the year. JJ is a good enough passer that he can burn the defense when they double him. Let him burn a team a couple of times during the game and then he won't get doubled. If they're doubling JJ then they can't double SK too!!!!

I'm not trying to say the sky is falling, just pointing out something I've noticed recently that is bothering me. Something I think contributes to our poor offense. We need to have a 2nd scoring option and JJ has proven he can be that guy. We're not giving him a chance when we're moving him outside of the paint.