It is hard for me to state this, Bearcat Mick was correct about the outcome. Although it looked in doubt at halftime. I never felt it was a "lock" until Cash drained the dagger 3 with 1 second on the shot clock with about 1 1/2 minutes to go in the game.
Crosstown Shootout
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TheLongHaul
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You obviously didn't understand what I was saying...
bearcat jeff
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Loved getting the win. Guess these are my thoughts:
I thought the Bearcats were trying too hard to knock X out. They seemed hurried all night and I thought Rubles and SK both made really poor decisions with their shot selection. Sean has the ability to score at the rim but needs to learn when to drive and pull up for a 5 footer before he gets too deep in traffic. He has the size and strength to score in the lane.
Rubles reminds me of Jackson the past 2 years. He goes 100 mph all the time. What I love is his energy and toughness. He rebounds and attacks the ball but on offense he has to learn to operate in the flow of the game. He has the ability to take 4s off the dribble and score or kick. I agree time and experience will really help him.
I don't think Nyarsuk, Mbodji, Rubles, and Jackson get enough credit for their post defense. They make it very difficult to score close to the basket and the rebounding has been excellent. They need to finish better underneath but give them their props defensively and on the boards.
I love Cashmere Wright. I can go back to last year and think of so many times he has hit a big shot at a key moment. SK gets the run but this team belongs to Cash. When/if he takes control of it, this team will absolutely go to another level. At the point he starts owning the floor, directs people to spots, gets on people for bad shots, and demands control of the ball, that's the point UC is a national title contender. Cash has to realize how good he is and the effect he has on everything on the floor. He is such a good player but I see another level in him mentally as a leader.
Mick needs to get Sanders, Thomas and Guyn on the floor a bit more. TRub definitely gives you D and rebounding, but I believe Sanders adds to your on court iq and Thomas has a chance to be dynamic in spots. Both give you a better offensive efficiency. I'd like to see the starters at 28-30 minutes a game. Guys have to get court time to improve and they have to be allowed to play when it matters.
The focus is shifting to offense and I am still very excited about the possibility of what this team can be.
I thought the Bearcats were trying too hard to knock X out. They seemed hurried all night and I thought Rubles and SK both made really poor decisions with their shot selection. Sean has the ability to score at the rim but needs to learn when to drive and pull up for a 5 footer before he gets too deep in traffic. He has the size and strength to score in the lane.
Rubles reminds me of Jackson the past 2 years. He goes 100 mph all the time. What I love is his energy and toughness. He rebounds and attacks the ball but on offense he has to learn to operate in the flow of the game. He has the ability to take 4s off the dribble and score or kick. I agree time and experience will really help him.
I don't think Nyarsuk, Mbodji, Rubles, and Jackson get enough credit for their post defense. They make it very difficult to score close to the basket and the rebounding has been excellent. They need to finish better underneath but give them their props defensively and on the boards.
I love Cashmere Wright. I can go back to last year and think of so many times he has hit a big shot at a key moment. SK gets the run but this team belongs to Cash. When/if he takes control of it, this team will absolutely go to another level. At the point he starts owning the floor, directs people to spots, gets on people for bad shots, and demands control of the ball, that's the point UC is a national title contender. Cash has to realize how good he is and the effect he has on everything on the floor. He is such a good player but I see another level in him mentally as a leader.
Mick needs to get Sanders, Thomas and Guyn on the floor a bit more. TRub definitely gives you D and rebounding, but I believe Sanders adds to your on court iq and Thomas has a chance to be dynamic in spots. Both give you a better offensive efficiency. I'd like to see the starters at 28-30 minutes a game. Guys have to get court time to improve and they have to be allowed to play when it matters.
The focus is shifting to offense and I am still very excited about the possibility of what this team can be.
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WAITE HOYT 2
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jeff, Rubles is light years ahead of Jackson in his first two years. Rubles skill set make him a guy who can carry this team eventually. He showd flashes against Oregon. Jackson will never be more than a complimentary piece. If Rubles gets his outside shot to start falling he can be a force. He already gets to the basket routinely and he boards and guards. If he can get even semi consistent from the outside Jackson will be coming off the bench. He has 2 months of D-1 basketball under his belt and his handle is already better than JJ's. Rubles has the upside to be a difference maker. Jackson will never have that ability. I'm not complaining about Jackson but I like his energy off the bench and I don't want him handling the ball. I especially don't want him on the floor if cash isn't out there.
bearcat jeff
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You missed the point. The point was solely in terms of how they don't slow the game down mentally not a player comparison.
WAITE HOYT 2
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I can see that. Both could certainly make better decisions. I think Rubles will get better as the season goes on. JJ does some nice things but his decision making needs improvement. As far as talent goes there is no comparison. Rubles has much more. I guess I focused on your statement of 2 years.
more cowbell
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Even at half, I didn't think X would win the game. UC was not going to keep missing as many shots. It should have been closer (cramps and free throw shooting), but UC has the better team this year. My main cause for concern with UC was Travis Taylor getting a double-double. You are going to face a lot better big men than Taylor in the Big East.
Also, I would love to have Jaquan Parker on my team. IMO, he is the most important player on the team.
Also, I would love to have Jaquan Parker on my team. IMO, he is the most important player on the team.
#BearcatNation
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Really just depends who you're rooting for. X fans will say "We missed all kinds of FTs and had a bunch of injuries, it should've been a close game", but UC fans will say "We played pathetic in the first half and should've won by 35". You can play the "what if" game all day.
JumpinJack5
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This UC team is lacking a big man that can score, yet they are still good; shows how good the guards are. We have to drive first, and shoot 3s as a consequence of good driving, not the other way around. I seriously think that next year, even if we lose Killa, Cash, and Parker, that we could actually be better. I think Strickland will make an immediate impact and that Caupain can be a good scorer. Still not a huge Guyn fan, but he has defintely improved. Sanders and Shaq are coming along. David will be bigger/stronger. JD111 will be healthy. I think that with Lawrence, Caupain, and Strickland, we wouldn't miss a beat and would be a perennial top 15 program for the next few years.
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bearcat jeff
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At this point Sean is not going to the NBA after this season. He has all the tools to be able too but imo he is still learning who he is as the go to guy. Sean has to get better going to the basket. He's too big too strong and too talented to not be an effective scorer in the paint. He needs to add a floater to his game where he gets close and pulls up over the smaller guys and before the bigs can slide to help. It'll also free up our bigs on the block. You can create low post offense.
They can be good next year, but that is a bold (to the point of being absurd) statement saying they would be better after losing our 3 best players.
#BearcatNation
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Bold is an understatement. Half the guys you mentioned are 17 and you've never even seen play in a Bearcat uniform. These recruits that have committed so far have potential but I certainly don't expect any to be All-American diaper dandies averaging 16 a game.
JumpinJack5
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More balance would really help this team. Remember, the majority of the reserves are young and still getting better. Strickland is a big man that can score and actually has post moves-he dropped 41 on the number 3 prep team in the country. We could still have solid guards and much improved big men-what does that mean? More balance and still great defense and rebounding. I think Strickland is really underrated from highlights and stat lines, and he has a work ethic, unlike Yancy. He dropped 30 pounds after 2 devastating injuries. As much as I love good guard play, there is nothing better in basketball than a dominant big man. Remember, David will also have another year under his belt also-he has great potential. And if we get Lawrence-best frontcourt Mick has ever had, hands down. Remember the guards we will still have-Sanders keeps improving and Shaq will finally be at healthy playing weight. It sounds crazy now, but I stand by it-If everything goes well, we could be better next year.
I agree. His game still has some evolving to do with an emphasis on going to the basket. His leadership as senior next year would also huge. I think he could have a great impact on the incoming freshman.
Gotcha23
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JumpinJack5
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Just trust me, UC's recruits keep getting better and better. I didn't say they will be better, I said they could be better. I can't think of a team the past few years that have won an NCAA championship without a solid big (besides Kemba Walker and UCONN) Anthony Davis last year, I.e. It is a bold prediction and a lot can change, but if Strickland is as good as I think he will be and our veteran reserves turned starters continue to progress, we will have a decent pg in Guyn, a good scorer in Caupain, and I think Shaq will start to show why he was a 4 star recruit if he can keep adding weight. Justin Jackson will be back and David could become a very good center. Add Lawrence, and that is a stacked team up and down the roster. Plus, remember, the "gurus" on this board are predicting a Kelvin Gaines breakout year next year. That would be a stacked line-up.
david aka the TYZ
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Haven't been able to get online all wekk, I hate to have missed all the shootout talk. My thoughts on the game:
Thought the refs called an excellent game. First off they called it fairly evenly, but mostly they let the two teams play aggressive without letting it get dirty (which I don't think either team at this point in time has dirty players on it). I was the first to say they would have a tight whistle and that would affect the outcome, so kudos to the refs for letting the players play and decide it on the court.
I hate to admit it, but I like the game being on a neutral court. One the atmosphere was electric even though the arena itself kind of sucks. Good to be able to try and outcheer and taunt your opponent's fans. Two I'll be able to get tickets every year instead of every other year.
Kilpatrick took a big step forward in this game in my opinion. He showed he can take control of the game when needed and did it without the hot hand from 3. He was as determined a player I've seen play for awhile. That's the kind of dertermination that wins in March.
I won't go into each players play as the game is four days old at this point, but will just say it's good to get the win. I hate Xavier and I even worse hate losing to Xavier. All is right in the world again.
Thought the refs called an excellent game. First off they called it fairly evenly, but mostly they let the two teams play aggressive without letting it get dirty (which I don't think either team at this point in time has dirty players on it). I was the first to say they would have a tight whistle and that would affect the outcome, so kudos to the refs for letting the players play and decide it on the court.
I hate to admit it, but I like the game being on a neutral court. One the atmosphere was electric even though the arena itself kind of sucks. Good to be able to try and outcheer and taunt your opponent's fans. Two I'll be able to get tickets every year instead of every other year.
Kilpatrick took a big step forward in this game in my opinion. He showed he can take control of the game when needed and did it without the hot hand from 3. He was as determined a player I've seen play for awhile. That's the kind of dertermination that wins in March.
I won't go into each players play as the game is four days old at this point, but will just say it's good to get the win. I hate Xavier and I even worse hate losing to Xavier. All is right in the world again.