Expectations For 2011-2012

[thebeast]

I will indulge you jeff cuz i am absolutely pumped to get this season started as well. I was talking to a friend of Cronins the other day and he was telling me how mick was saying how impressive cheik has been saying that it even surprised him. He talked about his strength and solid mid range game. With that being said i expect the starting line up to be one of the top 5 in the beast on the offensive end. I also expect to see them being a top rebounding team in the big east and in the nation. With jj, chiek, yancy, gaines and the good rebounding guards in dixon and kilpatrick.
The big question that will be the difference between a second round exit or a final four banner is who will take place of the leadership and defense lost from the seniors from last year? I fully expect dixon to improve his defense and become a top tier defender based on his strength. I also expect gates, chiek and especially jackson to be really good defenders.
I think they can make it to the elite 8 this year. With about 7 losses.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Nice! Don't forget Parker this season. At 6'4" 215 lbs he will add to the perimeter rebounding. Starting to see that others are saying what we stated here weeks ago. Parker will benefit from moving to the wing and with his strength he will help defensively.

 

[nparker1]

i have been one of the biggest critics regarding parker on this site...i really love hearing that the kid hit the gym hard this off season and is busting his ass to get better...it really sounds like this team has not settled on the success last year...i am really excited for the season to start!
Go Bearcats!

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Maybe im the minority, but I have always felt that Parker should have gotten more minutes. His size and strength on the perimeter are hard to overlook. Hopefully he has worked hard on his shooting.

This team is sooo deep in the guard position. I see no reason why effort will be an issue. I also believe that this team should press and run all game.

 

[Not Guilty]

Until I read an article today, I had forgotten how good of a rebounder Parker was from the wing his freshman year.

I know you hear postive stories at the beginning of every season. Parker certainly has a lot to prove (much like Dion did last year), and I'm excited to see him and the rest of the team Friday, but he could really provide a spark this year.

 

[ready2go]

After reaching the NCAA last year, this is a huge season to bring back the atmosphere that UC fans are used to seeing. It shouldnt matter if they are playing Tink Tok Tech, the Shoe should sell out! Get the student section rockin!!

Lets hope they can build off of where they left and if a guy isnt doing his job, next one in. No excuses

 

[bearcat jeff]

GoodmanCBSJeff Goodman
Spent this afternoon at Ohio State. Just got into Cincinnati. Will see Bearcats practice in the a.m. and then Xavier in the afternoon.

I will be interested in reading his article.

 

[dp3113]

GoodmanCBSJeff Goodman
Spent this afternoon at Ohio State. Just got into Cincinnati. Will see Bearcats practice in the a.m. and then Xavier in the afternoon.

I will be interested in reading his article.

i wont. its going to be all xu and stupid inside jokes that he thinks are funny to kiss up to chris mack.

 

[bearcat jeff]

i wont. its going to be all xu and stupid inside jokes that he thinks are funny to kiss up to chris mack.

Part of my curiousity is how X biased he will be. I am truly searching in every part of me to figure out why people think X is a final four team. They will be a good team but not. A final four team. I also think Chris Mack took a shot at UC when he said Xavier wouldn't be 15-0 with their schedule. He's right, they're going to lose to UC at home.

 

[bearcat jeff]

After reading his comments following Jeff Goodman's practice visits I'm absolutely convinced he has a serious man crush on Chris Mack. Unreal.

 

[TheLongHaul]

After reading his comments following Jeff Goodman's practice visits I'm absolutely convinced he has a serious man crush on Chris Mack. Unreal.

They are good friends...seriously. Being so clearly biased is going to hurt Goodman in the long run. Lots of writers are friends with coaches but most can try to ignore that when making these types of predictions, etc...not Goodman.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I think I'd reserve judgement of a Monmouth transfer till I see him play against some real D1 competition not simply in practice against a size challenged Xavier team. Again, I think X will be good. They are not a final four team unless they hit a string of luck like Butler did last season. I guess it's not entirely impossible but not likely. My prediction is they go out in round 2.

 

[Not Guilty]

Travis Taylor put up a 97 O-Rating at Monmouth based on Ken Pomeroy's stats. 100 is Divison 1 average. And that was against absolutely awful competition. Maybe he will be more efficient in a smaller role at Xavier (and obviously players can improve) but its also entirely conceivable he won't be all that good.

What I know for sure is that trusting anything from Goodman regarding X would be a terrible idea.

 

[ralph1950]

All you have to do to realize X is overrated is watch a replay of the X Marquette NCAA 1st round game from last season. X would be about the 12th place team in the Big East at best.

 

[anbuc88]

All you have to do to realize X is overrated is watch a replay of the X Marquette NCAA 1st round game from last season. X would be about the 12th place team in the Big East at best.

Who cares about last years XU-MU game. This is a new year with returning players who have improved and freshman/transfers who may help. That goes for XU and UC. Try and add something that makes sense.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Anbuc I'm starting to wonder if you're an X fan. What the Marquette game and the UC game showed was there is a way to stop or limit Holloway. If you do that X becomes an average team. They will be good but they are not a great team.

UC is a solid top 25 team but they also have questions on defense. Offensively they will be fine. I look for the newbies to play alot in blow outs and the main rotation to be 8 solidly and 9 with spot minutes.

 

[anbuc88]

Anbuc I'm starting to wonder if you're an X fan. What the Marquette game and the UC game showed was there is a way to stop or limit Holloway. If you do that X becomes an average team. They will be good but they are not a great team.

UC is a solid top 25 team but they also have questions on defense. Offensively they will be fine. I look for the newbies to play alot in blow outs and the main rotation to be 8 solidly and 9 with spot minutes.

Haha. Nothing would make me happier than PukeU losing every game. However, they are ranked in every poll and apparently have more depth and options this year. Using last years MU game as a measure of this years success is akin to using last years SJU home game as a measure of UC's success. UC will still blugdeon XU at Cintas this year, and in the end we will assume our rightful place as the pre-eminent program in the city.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Haha. Nothing would make me happier than PukeU losing every game. However, they are ranked in every poll and apparently have more depth and options this year. Using last years MU game as a measure of this years success is akin to using last years SJU home game as a measure of UC's success. UC will still blugdeon XU at Cintas this year, and in the end we will assume our rightful place as the pre-eminent program in the city.

There you go!! I like it!!!!!!