Haha that was hilarious. It sounds like Jackson is good to go, but the coaches don't want to take any chances by practicing. You could tell Mick told him to keep his mouth shut before talking to the media.
Cincinnati @ Louisville
- Thread starter bearcat jeff
- Start date
Help Support BearcatTalk:
Haha that was hilarious. It sounds like Jackson is good to go, but the coaches don't want to take any chances by practicing. You could tell Mick told him to keep his mouth shut before talking to the media.
JackBauer151
Well-known member
I agree with a lot of this. The cards are hot right now. They seem to have found what we did two years ago by going smaller with hancock at the 4. Several things concern me. 1) We are on the road. Cant do anything about that. 2) Louisville is an attacking team on offense which leads to a higher propensity for foul trouble. Absolutely can not let this happen. I feel no matter the defensive strategy Big Dave will be exploited if he has to play significant minutes. 3) Uncertainty about Justin. Looks like he will play. Will he be 100%? Is it even worth it at this point? He is the engine of this team. For us to beat an elite type of team he has to be the player he has been throughout the American schedule. My confidence is not high that he will do that Thursday. (Hope I'm wrong). 4) Louisville needs another big win for their resume'. I think they match their crowds intensity and takeover in the last 10 minutes.
I hate being pessimistic about a game. Hate it. Makes me uncomfortable for some reason because I always think the cats can find a way with Mick at the helm. Just feel the ride is due for a speed bump when I look at the match up. The great thing is about this game is that there is much to gain and not a lot to lose. Win in prime time on ESPN against a top 15 team and take a two game lead in the conference. Lose, still tied for 1st and wont drop much in the rankings. Get right back on the horse. Love this team at full strength and I think they can and will get even better by the time March gets here. Lawrence back, JJ healthy, Troy and Kevin having expanded roles in the offense, Shaq consistently getting in double figures, and SK taking his game to an elite level for one final run. A lot of exciting basketball ahead. Hope the Cats steal one on Thursday!
Cards- 67
Cats- 60
Bearcat_NTS
Well-known member
Relax guys, it's just one game and we get them again at home. UC's goal should be to go 9-0 at home, split with UConn and Louisville, sweep Memphis and SMU. Do that and they'll win the conference, drop another game or two and they'll be in the mix.
Not Guilty
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2010
- Messages
- 628
Assuming JJ plays, I'm not too worried about their size. Harrell is their dominant big and he is about the same size as JJ. He may be a little longer, but Justin's elite leaping ability should neutralize that.
Their other bigs (Mathiang 6-10, 200 and Van Treese 6-9, 245) are very low usage guys, especially Van Treese. They do offensive rebound well and defensive rebounding is our biggest weakness on that end, so we will have to be ready for that. But overall, size isn't a worry for me.
Their quickness is though. We have a very athletic team, but we don't have guards who are blessed with elite quickness like Russ Smith. Keeping their guards in front and not turning the ball over on offense will be two huge keys in the game. If we start getting beat off the dribble, open 3's will available and UL has been making tons of those recently and if we turn it over and let them run out we will have almost no chance.
Last edited:
bearcat jeff
Hoops Moderator
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 7,502
Dont see this so called size advantage. As mentioned above that is negligible. I think you're going to see lots of zone to limit guard penetration and ft opportunities for UL. You're right that Louisville has shot lights out and Louisville has some good shooters but not on the level they've been shooting at. I believe the UC defense will bring it back to earth. My concern is defensive rebounding and turnovers.
I would agree the zone might be our best chance
bearcat jeff
Hoops Moderator
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 7,502
The other thing is to realize UL WILL make runs at home. You have to limit them to 6-8 points by scoring or getting to the ft line. KJ and Troy haven't played in an environment like they're about to experience. They have to be smart and strong with the ball. GG has to give UC something offensively. If I'm Mick I have the Bearcats attacking the rim. Take the game to the Cardinals and dont let them dictate what you do. I thought Russ Smith almost sounded smug in talking about the game.
UCBearcats
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2011
- Messages
- 1,723
You make some valid points and I don't disagree this game will be tough.
I see posts like this all the time on this board when UC has a tough game coming up but then people wonder why the fan support isn't tremendous for this team. Let me be very clear that I'm not saying you're the reason why fans don't support the team. What I'm pointing out is that there are many people out there who don't have confidence or believe that UC is very good. Even I still have some doubt in the back of my mind as to how good this team really is.
If the die hard fans aren't totally bought in then how can we expect the casual fans to be bought in? At what point can we look at ourselves as being a legit threat to compete against the big boys?
Once we get to the point where people aren't afraid to play a Louisville but actually excited and confident about the opportunity to beat them I think that's when we'll see the buy back from community.
WAITE HOYT 2
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2012
- Messages
- 8,404
We are playing a team ranked above us at their place. The defending National Champions. One of our key reserves is out and our best post player is injured and may not play. If the fan base is a bit skeptical for this game I can understand it. That said, I am very excited for this game. Thursday can't come fast enough. The fan base is returning look at the numbers. Is it happening at break neck speed, NO but they are returning. Go Cats!!!!
#BearcatNation
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2012
- Messages
- 2,120
It's not about buying in. I think most of us have bought in that we can really compete this year. That said, most of us try to act as if we are not UC fans when we make our predictions. That's the whole point. Nobody wants to see someone make their pick because they're a homer. I want to know what people THINK will be the outcome, not HOPE. We all hope UC wins, and I think we all know that can happen as well. Nobody has said we don't have a chance. Statistically, it's just more likely UL wins.
JackBauer151
Well-known member
Lets hit the gas pedal a little bit. I cant speak for everyone but I predicted a loss Thursday night. However that does not mean I do not think they can win or play with Louisville. Im also not going to have blind faith. I feel I watch enough basketball to be able to look at a match up and give an educated opinion on how that game will play out. On the road against, essentially, top 10 team with our health in question it doesnt seem to be that far of a stretch to make a prediction that is unfavorable. That doesnt mean I wont be going nuts Thursday night rooting on the cats. Single games are not litmus tests. Body of work is what defines your season. Not believing they will win every big game is not indicitive of why or why not fan support is or isnt good.
UCBearcats
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2011
- Messages
- 1,723
I predicted a loss too so I get it. Maybe I'm off base.
Really? I think it could be a disaster. Open shooters and Harrell dominating the offensive glass. Also, I don't think we are quite as active (less deflections) in the zone.
JasonS
Football Moderator
Just because you play zone doesn't mean you are giving up open looks. Look at Syracuse. They rarely give up open looks. Part of that is their length and part is their familiarity of playing zone. The reason to play zone is to protect our bigs from foul trouble. If JJ is not playing, expect to see a lot of zone. If JJ is playing, expect to see UC start in man to man and then adjust based on effectiveness and foul trouble.
Jackson not practicing again today per Mike Decourcy at sporting news
@tsnmike
Cincinnati star Justin Jackson will be game-day decision at Lousville..
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-ba...ckson-will-be-game-day-decision-at-louisville
I still feel he will play and think this is more preacaution.
Cpaw
@tsnmike
Cincinnati star Justin Jackson will be game-day decision at Lousville..
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-ba...ckson-will-be-game-day-decision-at-louisville
I still feel he will play and think this is more preacaution.
Cpaw
UCalum08
Well-known member
Thank you. I have gone to 80% of the home games for the past 4 years so its not about not buying in. Of course I want UC to win but I still have a realistic approach to each game. I do think we can win but a lot of things will have to go right tomorrow for that to happen. I think if we were at full strength it would be different.
I don't see us being able to press and over play on defense. They are still skilled offensively to gamble. My guess is we play zone and don't press that much. I stay pretty firm on my idea that we struggle to score. A week of UL prepping for us and our struggles against zone's could be rough. Regardless I am excited as h*ll for the game. Anything can happen, that is for sure.
A big key is from whatever defense the Cats play is they need to rebound and avoid giving up second chance points. On offense, don't settle for shots early in the shot clock that you can get anytime.
Last edited:
bearcat jeff
Hoops Moderator
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 7,502
I will be surprised if he don't play. Mick said that he may not decide till shoot around on Thursday. It's not like he don't know the plays. Personally I just think they're giving him a couple days off the ankle.
If we played zone defense like Syracuse then I'd agree, but it's not even close to that level. I have no problem playing zone against a team like USF, but not on the road against a team that has 6 guys that can hit from deep, as well as a couple of guys that are very good offensive rebounders. Again, my biggest concern about the zone is our lack of deflections. We are not an active enough zone.
I'm not opposed to Mick keeping Pitino guessing until the last minute on this one.