Cincy vs N.C. State Cats -7

[Cats Fan in TN]

There is a lot to like about this team early in the season.

1. SK, Titus, JJ, they all look like improved players and more importantly leaders. They all bring a passion the court that can truly fuel the younger guys.

2. Defense, Defense, Defense, as always this Cincinnati is a Defense first type team. They are going to play in your face all game and pressure you into mistakes and bad shots.

3. Sanders, for as much as this kid is bashed on these boards I've loved the start to his season. Nice shot, great D, good rebounder, and he is rarely out of position. Reminds me of a less athletic Rashad Bishop.

4. GG he has played better than I think most people probably thought he would. He can get into the lane and does have the strength to finish, and has a decent shot. What you have to love about the kid is his bulldog mentality on the court, he is going to be in your face for 40 minutes a game. That's only going to make ball handlers uncomfortable, and force them into stupid mistakes. Personally I think he's earned the starting role. Sit back and let TC learn and grow into his role.

5. The Freshman while not flashy have all been solid early on. The thing you notice about these guys is that they know the game of basketball, and have a high IQ. Give Lawrence time, remember the kid has been out of basketball for a few years with injuries. He's long, athletic, and was a highly touted recruit for a reason. Give it time.

Should be a fun year, this team is only going to get better as the year goes on, can't wait to watch them grow. Go Cats.

 

[Scheids21]

No one respond to this troll

+1

 

[L-T]

UC needs a real coach, Mick is not a good coach at all, there are more people on the team than SK, no disrespect to SK because he is a nice player but UC will only make it as fare as their Athleticisms takes them, because Mick Cornin can not coach and don't have the ability to coach a team to the promise land, or develop basketball players, that's why some of them look like they do. I feel bad for the 2014 class, if they have signed already, they should go somewhere else, where the knowledge of basketball is thick, and play for a coach who can develop kids and coach! Mick is not that guy.

Sorry But the truth.

Mick has certainly proven to be a good coach, so you're way off base with that comment. I would love to see him coach a top notch group of players, get some occasional McD all-americans, or at least a fair share of 4-star players. Shockingly, my disappointment is with his recruiting, which is shocking because he came here with the rep of being amazing in that area.

He gets as much out of his team as just about anyone in the country. I don't know what axe you have to grind, but your first two posts were pretty inflammatory. You're certainly entitled to your opinion. Time will tell if he is the coach to get us to the promised land. Next year's recruits look a bit more promising, so I think he is building some solid momentum. I expect this to be a very good season and we'll add some more good players and see where it all leads.

 

[New people]

Mick has certainly proven to be a good coach, so you're way off base with that comment. I would love to see him coach a top notch group of players, get some occasional McD all-americans, or at least a fair share of 4-star players. Shockingly, my disappointment is with his recruiting, which is shocking because he came here with the rep of being amazing in that area.

He gets as much out of his team as just about anyone in the country. I don't know what axe you have to grind, but your first two posts were pretty inflammatory. You're certainly entitled to your opinion. Time will tell if he is the coach to get us to the promised land. Next year's recruits look a bit more promising, so I think he is building some solid momentum. I expect this to be a very good season and we'll add some more good players and see where it all leads.

 

[CaptDale]

No one respond to this troll

So, do we think we might have an any idea who this is?

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Not sure what else to add here that hasn't been said. I'm hoping the 5:00 tip-off is what kept the fans away. Logic would tell you it would, but I expected a better crowd for sure. The students brought the intensity as usual for a big game. Someone said it earlier about it being a fun game to watch. I agree. Also agree with the poster who said it was nice to see us pull away at the end and finish strong as opposed to previous years. With three seniors being your main players, this is what you hope for. That is the main thing that really impressed me last night was how we executed down the stretch. JJ really impressed me as well. After a bad game one and a dumb foul to have to sit out the last 10 minutes of the first half, it was nice to see him come out so focused and determined in the second half. JJ was in beast mode.

I was worried with all the foul trouble in the first half that we would let the game get away a little bit. I was more than happy to go into the half with a tie considering. The bench did a good job and I thought Mick did a good job at subbing guys in and out to patch-work five men to play with our best three riding the pine to keep the game in check. The team as a whole did a good job of not fouling in the second half. NC State didn't hit the bonus until only a few minutes left and at that point we had already begun to pull away.

These new rules suck, but honestly I think it helps us more than it will hurt us. We always got our fair share of hand-checks, but we always struggled to put the ball on the floor and drive. These new rules haven't really seen an increase in our fouling as much as it has seen an increase in our ability to drive and score. Our offense has really opened up. Especially when JJ is in there and can be effective down low and with Titus not playing on the perimeter. The defense not being able to hold those guys or push us off the drive is refreshing.

I thought Lawrence played really good considering he was matched up against a guy twice his size. Unfortunately we just don't have anyone with size that can bang with a guy like that. Putting JJ on him might have got him in more foul trouble. Kudos to Lawrence for holding his own and grabbing eight boards. You don't have to light up the scoreboard to help your team win. It reminded me of when Jaquan used to have to guard the four position.

My last note will be about Caupain. We knew he was supposed to be a good ft shooter, but that kid has ice in his veins. Second game of his freshman year and he goes to the line late in the game and calmly swooshes two in. I like that. Hopefully in the future, ft shooting will be an asset for this team and not a liability, especially with all the fouls being called.

Also, was Guyn hampered by something last night? I noticed a few minutes into the game he went to the locker room with a trainer. He came back shorlty later, but didn't play a lot of minutes despite not being in foul trouble.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Guyn got tied up with #12 on NCS and looked like he rolled his ankle. He went into the locker room a few minutes later.

 

[ucswais]

I thought the bench struggled pretty much across the board, but they still somehow survived each time we took out Rubles, SK, JJ, etc.

As others have suggested, Johnson looked the most lost out there and Lawrence isn't ready at all. It will be interesting to see what the rotation really looks like when there is less foul trouble.

The starting unit looked awesome. Rubles old-man game is amazingly efficient. SK is consistently productive and JJ looks improved on offense. Shaq gave them fits on the glass keeping things alive.

The defense from the starting unit was noticably better than the subs as well.

 

[L-T]

I thought the bench struggled pretty much across the board, but they still somehow survived each time we took out Rubles, SK, JJ, etc.

As others have suggested, Johnson looked the most lost out there and Lawrence isn't ready at all. It will be interesting to see what the rotation really looks like when there is less foul trouble.

The starting unit looked awesome. Rubles old-man game is amazingly efficient. SK is consistently productive and JJ looks improved on offense. Shaq gave them fits on the glass keeping things alive.

The defense from the starting unit was noticably better than the subs as well.

Over the last 7-8 years, we've seen plenty of players who weren't ready at all. Lawrence does not come close to embodying that description. The fact that Mick has him in the game early and often is the testement to his readiness. I didn't see the first game, but I've been happy with what I've seen from him in games 2-4 considering he's a freshman. He's green, but he'll improve quickly. I like the skills I've seen.

 

[Bcatfollower]

Over the last 7-8 years, we've seen plenty of players who weren't ready at all. Lawrence does not come close to embodying that description. The fact that Mick has him in the game early and often is the testement to his readiness. I didn't see the first game, but I've been happy with what I've seen from him in games 2-4 considering he's a freshman. He's green, but he'll improve quickly. I like the skills I've seen.

I completely agree. I think he shows flashe of good things to come. I like his moves to the basket even if he did lose the ball a couple times, he is going to need a little time to adjust. Even the best freshmen need to adjust, while im not comparing his production to uk's freshmen did anyones else see how many turnovers their highly touted frosh commited in the msu game? alot. I think youll see jl minutes and production increase drastically throughout the year.

 

[L-T]

I completely agree. I think he shows flashe of good things to come. I like his moves to the basket even if he did lose the ball a couple times, he is going to need a little time to adjust. Even the best freshmen need to adjust, while im not comparing his production to uk's freshmen did anyones else see how many turnovers their highly touted frosh commited in the msu game? alot. I think youll see jl minutes and production increase drastically throughout the year.

Agreed! The level of bashing JL has received on this site is pretty funny to me. He'll be fine. Actually, he is fine! When he comes in the game, I don't cringe one bit. I couldn't say that about some of the past players Mick has run out there through the years. I guess that is progress when guys like Lawrence can get bashed....or is it?

 

[ucswais]

Agreed! The level of bashing JL has received on this site is pretty funny to me. He'll be fine. Actually, he is fine! When he comes in the game, I don't cringe one bit. I couldn't say that about some of the past players Mick has run out there through the years. I guess that is progress when guys like Lawrence can get bashed....or is it?

Bashed? The post you replied to said he wasn't ready. That's hardly bashing a guy. I just think he looks very hesitant and unsure of what he is doing out there. I would say he is thinking too much on the court and just needs time to feel comfortable.

I think he will be more useful by conference season, but right now all of the freshmen look like liabilities out there. I mostly agree with you that he has potential and is just raw.

 

[mdchick]

I don't think it is they are raw as much as they are nervous, playing in front of a big crowd like they did against NC state takes some getting used too, a lot of freshman go through that phase, they will become used to the pressure under playing in front of a large crowd soon enough. All 3 of the freshman that are playing will contribute in every game and I have no problem with that.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Guyn got tied up with #12 on NCS and looked like he rolled his ankle. He went into the locker room a few minutes later.

Thanks, the one bad thing about being at a game is you don't get the info about stuff like this.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

^^ sign up for twitter... ull get all the updates you need.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

^^ sign up for twitter... ull get all the updates you need.

Sad to admit, but I don't have internet on the phone or a smart phone for that matter. I'm old school...

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Sad to admit, but I don't have internet on the phone or a smart phone for that matter. I'm old school...

That exists?

 

[waterhead]

I thought the bench struggled pretty much across the board, but they still somehow survived each time we took out Rubles, SK, JJ, etc.

As others have suggested, Johnson looked the most lost out there and Lawrence isn't ready at all. It will be interesting to see what the rotation really looks like when there is less foul trouble.

The starting unit looked awesome. Rubles old-man game is amazingly efficient. SK is consistently productive and JJ looks improved on offense. Shaq gave them fits on the glass keeping things alive.

The defense from the starting unit was noticably better than the subs as well.

I gotta tell ya I might have been wrong about our veterans. Before the season started I was thinking if we saw a starting 5 of GG, SK, JS, TR, and JJ we would be in for an average year. So far ALL of them have exceeded my expectations. I think Thomas will come around but it's hard telling if Cronin is going to get JDIII involved. DN will get his spot minutes.

I am not sure I agree about the frosh...I think they are well ahead of the typical adjustment time for frosh. Do we need to see more improvement? Of course...but we are ONLY two games in. Lot's of teaching moments for the first 3rd of the season will help them. They will get more comfortable out there and be very useful as the season progresses.

TC has showed composure, a decent ability to get in the lane, a nice FT touch. He could stand to get quicker on D. JL didn't play much in HS his last couple of years because of injury...yet his skills are undeniable. No telling how much 10 games of action will do for this kid. KJ has struggled to make shots but has excelled on D, ball handling, effort related categories, passing, etc. If/when his shooting jitters subside...he will be just fine IMO.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

That exists?

Who do I look like, Zach Morris? My phone's not quite that old, but I have used the same Nokia phone for almost 8 years. I will probably have to upgrade soon enough, but I'm still holding out. It does get old getting made fun of by strangers everytime I pull out my old phone.

 

[waterhead]

Some stats that stand out through two games...


SK at 21.5 pt's per game is clearly the man as expected...next best 13.5 TR.

JJ is clearly a block stud at 3.5/game...with next best TR at 1.

I am also happy about the following stats...

SK at .941 FT% (16 of 17) is outstanding with TC at .875 (7/8) also outstanding. We also have two guys at .800 with 4 of 5 shooting in GG and JS. Team at 74%. If we can keep this up...we will win some games.