Dear Creighton

[bearcatrunner]

Our offense was one of the top offenses in the country (77 ppg) until two things happened. Cash got hurt and we hit the Big East. That was against the likes of New Mexico, Iowa state, Xavier, Alabama, Oregon. A pretty good group of non-conference games. I could argue that our out of conference schedule was better than your in conference scheduel.

We may not look good on paper but this team is battle tested. Creighton is not. Sorry but the difference in schedule really is not even close. We had a series of seven games that was just murders row. You didn't have seven games that matched these all year long. I can throw in another at least 8 games that were against really good teams.

**02-09 ** *Pittsburgh* *24-8*(12-7) 43
$**02-12 ** *Villanova* *19-13*(11-9) 52
**02-15 ** *Georgetown* *25-6*(15-5) 11
**02-21 **at *Connecticut* *20-10*(10-8) 49
**02-24 **at *Notre Dame* *25-9*(13-8) 35
$**03-02 ** *Connecticut* *20-10*(10-8) 49
**03-04 **at *Louisville* *29-5*(17-4) 3

Please don't try to even say the schedules are close. So using that shooting percentage and ppg crap is just a waste of time. Best wishes to you and your team. I'm sure it will be a fun and exciting game.

 

[OmahaJay]

Oooooh starting to get a little more heated as the game draws closer

Of course the Bearcats' schedule is tougher than ours. No doubt. It's hard to debate that. I think it's easier to play Bradley at home than it is Georgetown. Plus I'm sure that road games in your conference this season were brutal.

But, it's worth noting that every team in our conference hates us and wants to watch us burn in hell. Every road game we played was the other team's super bowl. I don't know what that's worth but we weren't playing in front of half full arenas exactly. This Creighton team is tested, too. It's the same squad that won at Viejas Arena last year, probably a top 5 toughest place to play.

 

[Cpaw]

Oooooh starting to get a little more heated as the game draws closer

Of course the Bearcats' schedule is tougher than ours. No doubt. It's hard to debate that. I think it's easier to play Bradley at home than it is Georgetown. Plus I'm sure that road games in your conference this season were brutal.

But, it's worth noting that every team in our conference hates us and wants to watch us burn in hell. Every road game we played was the other team's super bowl. I don't know what that's worth but we weren't playing in front of half full arenas exactly. This Creighton team is tested, too. It's the same squad that won at Viejas Arena last year, probably a top 5 toughest place to play.

Regardless of the schedule McD is an All American and your team can shoot the ball. The main question is can you handle the pressure that our defense can impose. If they can, we are in trouble. If our shots fall and someone else steps up to score, we should be okay. Schedules aside both these teams have veteran leadership and tourney experience, should be a great battle!

 

[ucswais]

Regardless of the schedule McD is an All American and your team can shoot the ball. The main question is can you handle the pressure that our defense can impose. If they can, we are in trouble. If our shots fall and someone else steps up to score, we should be okay. Schedules aside both these teams have veteran leadership and tourney experience, should be a great battle!

Completely agree with this post. Cronin said the key to the game will be not giving Doug free throws and layups. That's important, but I think the even bigger factor will be if their guards can handle the ball pressure well enough to run their normal offense. UC's "in your face" style of guarding the ball in the half court causes some teams who aren't used to it to either A. turn it over B. concentrate so much on not turning it over that they miss open guys within the offense. This is really the main way we dominated non-conference this year. Xavier, Iowa St, Oregon, and for most of the game New Mexico had trouble finding anyone. It's possible to exploit though for sure, as we saw by Notre Dame twice.

The other concern is it's been 3 months since those games I referenced. The steals have dried up with Cash's injury and the opposing guards seem to have more room to operate.

Anyway, part of me thinks the best way to contain Doug is to harass the guards so badly in their half-court offense that they struggle to even make the pass.

 

[OmahaJay]

I think for us to win we need to find a way to rebound and stay even on the boards. In our losses we don't seem to get any of the 50/50 balls and we allow offensive rebounds off of free throws, etc. But that was only in a couple games.

If we hit our regular FG% I think we win by 20. But I know that's not going to happen with the defense UC plays. We've won in many different ways this year: With Doug taking over and going Dirk on everyone, with Doug in foul trouble and other guys stepping up, rebounding and playing hard nosed, team effort, etc.

It's my belief that where Austin Chatman goes, we go. He doesn't necessarily have to be hitting shots for us to play well (MVC Final), but he does need to be confident out there. If he looks shaky then I don't like our chances.

 

[User Name:]

Completely agree with this post. Cronin said the key to the game will be not giving Doug free throws and layups. That's important, but I think the even bigger factor will be if their guards can handle the ball pressure well enough to run their normal offense. UC's "in your face" style of guarding the ball in the half court causes some teams who aren't used to it to either A. turn it over B. concentrate so much on not turning it over that they miss open guys within the offense. This is really the main way we dominated non-conference this year. Xavier, Iowa St, Oregon, and for most of the game New Mexico had trouble finding anyone. It's possible to exploit though for sure, as we saw by Notre Dame twice.

The other concern is it's been 3 months since those games I referenced. The steals have dried up with Cash's injury and the opposing guards seem to have more room to operate.

Anyway, part of me thinks the best way to contain Doug is to harass the guards so badly in their half-court offense that they struggle to even make the pass.

Completely agree with your agreement completely agreeing with his post.

McD(great nickname) does very well getting to the line and drawing fouls. Our guys have GOT to play smart guarding him or else they will rack of the fouls pretty fast.

 

[CaptDale]

I think for us to win we need to find a way to rebound and stay even on the boards. In our losses we don't seem to get any of the 50/50 balls and we allow offensive rebounds off of free throws, etc. But that was only in a couple games.

If we hit our regular FG% I think we win by 20. But I know that's not going to happen with the defense UC plays. We've won in many different ways this year: With Doug taking over and going Dirk on everyone, with Doug in foul trouble and other guys stepping up, rebounding and playing hard nosed, team effort, etc.

It's my belief that where Austin Chatman goes, we go. He doesn't necessarily have to be hitting shots for us to play well (MVC Final), but he does need to be confident out there. If he looks shaky then I don't like our chances.

And exactly how many games has Doug gotten in foul trouble? NONE. So we can throw that assumption out.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I think for us to win we need to find a way to rebound and stay even on the boards. In our losses we don't seem to get any of the 50/50 balls and we allow offensive rebounds off of free throws, etc. But that was only in a couple games.

If we hit our regular FG% I think we win by 20. But I know that's not going to happen with the defense UC plays. We've won in many different ways this year: With Doug taking over and going Dirk on everyone, with Doug in foul trouble and other guys stepping up, rebounding and playing hard nosed, team effort, etc.

It's my belief that where Austin Chatman goes, we go. He doesn't necessarily have to be hitting shots for us to play well (MVC Final), but he does need to be confident out there. If he looks shaky then I don't like our chances.

Assuming McD guards the 4, his ability to stay with Rubles off the dribble could be big.

 

[Creightonguy]

And exactly how many games has Doug gotten in foul trouble? NONE. So we can throw that assumption out.

Actually that's not entirely true. It's accurate to say that he rarely gets into foul trouble, but not never.

There's a couple of game logs you can look at where he was on the bench: vs. UAB, where he wound up with a season low five points, and the MVC Championship game, where not only did he get stuck on the bench in the first half with foul trouble, we were something like -10 scoring with him in the game and +13 with him out - which was completely atypical for us since when he's out we generally struggle like hell to get the ball in the hoop.

But those are the games to which he's referring.

 

[CaptDale]

Actually that's not entirely true. It's accurate to say that he rarely gets into foul trouble, but not never.

There's a couple of game logs you can look at where he was on the bench: vs. UAB, where he wound up with a season low five points, and the MVC Championship game, where not only did he get stuck on the bench in the first half with foul trouble, we were something like -10 scoring with him in the game and +13 with him out - which was completely atypical for us since when he's out we generally struggle like hell to get the ball in the hoop.

But those are the games to which he's referring.

Well, he won't pick up many fouls with whomever he guards because they get so few touches - he'll be standing around being bored.

 

[Creightonguy]

I think your team might surprise you on that front on Friday. If you don't bang it at him, especially early, it'd be a huge tactical mistake. His D, especially in the first half, largely consists of getting inbetween the post player with the ball and the hoop, and when the offensive player makes his move Doug just stands flat footed with his arms up, in order to not get called for a foul. Now when the game progresses and he's OK in the foul department he gets a little more aggressive but for the first 10+ minutes of the game if you don't attack him you're blowing a big opportunity.

 

[CaptDale]

I think your team might surprise you on that front on Friday. If you don't bang it at him, especially early, it'd be a huge tactical mistake. His D, especially in the first half, largely consists of getting inbetween the post player with the ball and the hoop, and when the offensive player makes his move Doug just stands flat footed with his arms up, in order to not get called for a foul. Now when the game progresses and he's OK in the foul department he gets a little more aggressive but for the first 10+ minutes of the game if you don't attack him you're blowing a big opportunity.

Unfortunately, we don't have anyone who can post up

 

[ucswais]

I think your team might surprise you on that front on Friday. If you don't bang it at him, especially early, it'd be a huge tactical mistake. His D, especially in the first half, largely consists of getting inbetween the post player with the ball and the hoop, and when the offensive player makes his move Doug just stands flat footed with his arms up, in order to not get called for a foul. Now when the game progresses and he's OK in the foul department he gets a little more aggressive but for the first 10+ minutes of the game if you don't attack him you're blowing a big opportunity.

Here is the disconnect though. Unless you guys move him to center, he'll spend virtually 0 time defending in the paint. That is a hard way to guard a ball handler. People want to call Rubles a forward because he gets rebounds and guards the 4, but on the offensive end of the floor, we're playing 4 guards. Sure, he could guard Rubles and sag way off to protect the lane, but at some point you've got to guard the drive to the basket.

ETA: sorry, I'm making an assumption here that we're talking m2m defense. If Creighton hides him in some sort of zone, I could be way off base.

 

[Creightonguy]

I didn't realize that's how your offense was structured, which changes things.

If you're going to run four guards we probably will play a zone, at least for some period of time. When we run our man, Echenique will guard the center in a man D, and Doug usually fights the 4, but if you don't have a 4 I can't see him checking a perimeter player.

Doug can't guard an athletic dribble drive guy. He can't. About all he can do is funnel guys to Echenique and let him deal with him, which is his whole goal.

 

[Creightonguy]

How can you have all that length and strength not have a guy who can post up? That doesn't make any sense.

 

[CaptDale]

I didn't realize that's how your offense was structured, which changes things.

If you're going to run four guards we probably will play a zone, at least for some period of time. When we run our man, Echenique will guard the center in a man D, and Doug usually fights the 4, but if you don't have a 4 I can't see him checking a perimeter player.

Doug can't guard an athletic dribble drive guy. He can't. About all he can do is funnel guys to Echenique and let him deal with him, which is his whole goal.

That's the problem with our offense: no paint threat and rarely will you see our guards drive and finish.

 

[ucswais]

How can you have all that length and strength not have a guy who can post up? That doesn't make any sense.

Great Question! If you find an answer, let us know lol
In all seriousness, I think our size is overstated. DN is freakishly tall, but sometimes never takes his warmup off. Jackson is the LONG player and he comes off the bench. Our guards are built and tough, but not especially tall. Rubles is tall for a perimeter player, but he's also starting at the 4 so that doesn't really make us tall.

Mbodj is really the only interior player on the floor most of the time. He is a shot blocker, rebounder, screener, and sometimes makes layups off dishes. He will never get a touch with the anticipation that he will create a basket. He can't anyway, and it's not how the offense is designed.

Sometimes we play Justin Jackson at the 4 to go big and he might get more run against Doug. He has some ability to score when he catches on the block. Personally though, I think they use the standard rotation with Guyn/Shaq rotating in to play small to make Creighton choose between Doug guarding the drive and zone. Our zone offense has a tendency to drive our fans crazy because it looks awful with lack of movement, but at the end of the day we're a team that lives on 3's and offensive boards. That's not a team you want to zone.

 

[PakMan]

Our guards try to drive all the time...in fact, our whole weave offense is based on driving and kicking. Unfortunately, they're slower than most big east guards, and can't get around them, so they end up kicking the ball out to each other on the perimeter. By then the shot clock is usually near 15, so they end up with a high ball screen by one of our offensively challenged big men. This is why we end up jacking up bad 3s and struggle to score. Against Creighton, I think Kilpatrick, Jaquon, and Cash will all be able to beat their man and get into the lane. Either Echenique will have to help, or the perimeter guys will have to collapse. Unlike in Big East games, we WILL get open shots this game. Whether we knock them down will decide how soon Creighton goes to zone, which is not something they want to do considering our ability to offensive rebound.

 

[CanadianBearcat]

How can you have all that length and strength not have a guy who can post up? That doesn't make any sense.

I think you just summed up everyone's frustration with this team this year...

I had never really thought much about the 4 matchup and how well McD can cover Rubles. Rubles cannot shoot a lick, its the ugliest shot you will ever see, you will prob laugh the first time you see him jack an airball. However, Rubles is quick and a good ball handler. He will drive and get to the line where he is fairly good (66%). If you go zone to protect McD from foul trouble ,which you may have to do, Ill be really interested to see how that effects your ability to box out, could be a big Rb advantage for Cincy if that happens, plus it seems like Cash has his shot back so he could heat up al la BEast tourny vs 'Cuse last year.

Really excited for this game, I just hope whoever wins beats Duke.

 

[Creightonguy]

Echinique is an ex-volleyball stud. His favorite aspect of the game is to smack shots. However it gets him into foul trouble a lot. Well, that and the flopping b****es of the overmatched Valley post players who can't deal with him, but that's a different story. I actually think it's more likely than not that he'll be out of the game due to foul trouble at some point or other.

And that would be a real conundrum for us.

I'm curious to know what we'd even do then because it sounds like the way you play we'll be exposed to some degree. Typically Wragge comes in and defends at the 5, while playing offense as a spot-up 3. That would work in a man D since your big can't score in a traditional sense but would open the door for all kinds of offensive rebounds, as well as leaving Doug to guard someone who's a lot quicker. On the other hand our bench post player (6'11" Artino) is surprisingly skilled in scoring and rebounding but can't guard anyone with any real skill. Putting him in would solve the other two problems but would basically leave Wragge without any PT, and him being 'on' is probably the single biggest X factor for us - and he can't be on when he's wearing warmups.

My supposition is that you might find points coming a lot easier than you have in the past. Assuming you're smart enough to take them instead of farting around and jacking up 22 foot contested jumpers.