Fifth Third Arena Renovation

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I haven't seen a basketball game at The Gardens since the Royals played there. LOL!! As a kid growing up in Norwood a bunch of us used to clean up after the events as employees of the Cincinnati Sports service. Time fly's. Would love to see the Gardens used for some events but for the cats playing in US Bank is probably going to be the best option when all the negotiating and posturing is done I think that is where they end up. I go to many Reds games and love walking around to the different spots. Don't know if I'll enjoy it quite as much in the wintertime. To get the renovations done I guess I can put up with anything for a year. I love going to the games but picking between 5th/3rd and my recliner with big HD TV is getting harder and harder. From the drawings getting me out of the chair won't be that difficult.

 

[#BearcatNation]

It is funny how people tell themselves that things are the same as back then...as if lottery picks, conference titles, conference tournament titles, and top 5 NCAA seeds are meaningless when it comes to having a great program.

Ah, so I state that the '90s and present times are not light years apart, so that means I think things are basically the same...got it.

 

[#BearcatNation]

I don't fit none of those. Any more great theory? Maybe a few are just plain fed up with poor results after 11 years of your great coach who has done nothing.

Maybe your 80% are just blind fools who don't understand what good basketball and a good basketball program are suppose to look like.

Yep, he's my coach. I hired him. I'm the only one that likes him.

People seem to think just because you like a coach, that means you LOOOOOVE him and think everything is perfect. Newsflash: nobody thinks that. We've fallen short the last few years and it's been a little frustrating. Just because things haven't been perfect doesn't mean you hate the coach, can him, and move on. College programs are built on stability. I'm all for the Bengals firing Marvin Lewis, because the players won't dart. You realize Cumberland will likely leave if we let Mick go? Making the tourney 6 straight years is a sign that things have the potential to get better. It's not all about what we've currently accomplished. It's about where this program can go. You don't accidentally make the tourney 6 straight years and form a nice stability. Everyone that wants Mick gone would cry a river when we go 15-16 next season. I completely regret getting involved in this topic, so this is likely my last post on it.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Ah, so I state that the '90s and present times are not light years apart, so that means I think things are basically the same...got it.

I'm not going to get in an argument over something this stupid, but your post that I referred to originally is comical.

 

[#BearcatNation]

I'm not going to get in an argument over something this stupid, but your post that I referred to originally is comical.

Like yours wasn't? Talk about putting words into people's mouths.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Like yours wasn't? Talk about putting words into people's mouths.

Yeah yeah. Moving on...

 

[ME80]

It's a shame that we actually have some good news about the arena and it gets derailed with the same old discussion. I get it that a few of you do not like Cronin and that's your right. But arguing these same points here time and time again in thread after thread will not remove him as coach. All it does it piss off many of the readers that come on here for info on the Cats

 

[mdchick]

What's up with all the adds on this site?

 

[HoosierCat]

It's a shame that we actually have some good news about the arena and it gets derailed with the same old discussion. I get it that a few of you do not like Cronin and that's your right. But arguing these same points here time and time again in thread after thread will not remove him as coach. All it does it piss off many of the readers that come on here for info on the Cats

Amen, could not agree more with this

 

[#BearcatNation]

It's a shame that we actually have some good news about the arena and it gets derailed with the same old discussion. I get it that a few of you do not like Cronin and that's your right. But arguing these same points here time and time again in thread after thread will not remove him as coach. All it does it piss off many of the readers that come on here for info on the Cats

This. I regret biting on the original bait and making it worse, but I was tired of it as well. I'm amped for this new arena. It will so be worth playing off-campus for a year. If we get hot, I could see us selling out another entire season at the Shoe like in 1999-00. It will take a great team and some serious dedication, though. Will probably also require entry into the Big 12. We shall see.

 

[westsidecat]

It is funny how people tell themselves that things are the same as back then...as if lottery picks, conference titles, conference tournament titles, and top 5 NCAA seeds are meaningless when it comes to having a great program.

Yep, glad someone gets it. It has nothing to do with a coach. In fact the only time Huggs name is brought up is by the blind Cronin faithful.

Look at the things you mention. In ten years Cronin has 0 lottery picks, 1 shared conference titles, 0 conference tourney titles, and 1 top 5 seed.

Is this the benchmark of a program that was once consider a top 10-15 program all time?

Most programs that would be consider in that top 10-15 range would say no and the fan base and school prez and A.D. would demand more. Here in this day of age of UC basketball it's worth 2.3 million.

And fans still think Zimpher destoryed the program. The new heads are juhst as bad because they settle and reward this performance.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Yep, glad someone gets it. It has nothing to do with a coach. In fact the only time Huggs name is brought up is by the blind Cronin faithful.

Look at the things you mention. In ten years Cronin has 0 lottery picks, 1 shared conference titles, 0 conference tourney titles, and 1 top 5 seed.

Is this the benchmark of a program that was once consider a top 10-15 program all time?

Most programs that would be consider in that top 10-15 range would say no and the fan base and school prez and A.D. would demand more. Here in this day of age of UC basketball it's worth 2.3 million.

And fans still think Zimpher destoryed the program. The new heads are juhst as bad because they settle and reward this performance.

Ding ding ding. Ono and Bohn love to reward mediocrity with the way they treated Mick like he was John Wooden during the UNLV saga. It's sad to watch.

 

[JasonS]

I'm just going to ask 1 question. Who would you rather have than Mick? I want a realistic coach. The landscape of sports has changed in the last 20 years thanks to ESPN and the Power 5 conferences. It is what it is. I'm tired of listening to people complain about a coach without being able to tell me who they would rather have. The grass isn't always greener.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I'm just going to ask 1 question. Who would you rather have than Mick? I want a realistic coach. The landscape of sports has changed in the last 20 years thanks to ESPN and the Power 5 conferences. It is what it is. I'm tired of listening to people complain about a coach without being able to tell me who they would rather have. The grass isn't always greener.

I personally just think it's funny that the people who complain about mediocre results are basically labeled as bad fans who are just stubborn, old, and grumpy people. Lol. Maybe some are just too young to remember and understand the difference between then and now? And if 80% are satisfied, we must not be factoring in the large number of people who have stopped supporting the program altogether. I don't want a new coach right now. And I'm pretty indifferent about the one we have. It just cracks me up how some act like they can't fathom why anyone in their right mind would ask for more. I guess maybe it goes back to the inferiority complex in our fan base. I dunno.

 

[JasonS]

I personally just think it's funny that the people who complain about mediocre results are basically labeled as bad fans who are just stubborn, old, and grumpy people. Lol. Maybe some are just too young to remember and understand the difference between then and now? And if 80% are satisfied, we must not be factoring in the large number of people who have stopped supporting the program altogether. I don't want a new coach right now. And I'm pretty indifferent about the one we have. It just cracks me up how some act like they can't fathom why anyone in their right mind would ask for more. I guess maybe it goes back to the inferiority complex in our fan base. I dunno.

I think your comments are fair. I don't think it is bad to expect more from the program. I get frustrated by people complaining without offering a potential solution. I'm willing to listen but I personally don't think there are better options out there right now that could do any better. Until the arena is finished and some of the recruiting disadvantages are addressed (yes, I'm going there), I think this is a top 25-30 program and not a top 10-15 program. There's not a coach available out there that could change that.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I think your comments are fair. I don't think it is bad to expect more from the program. I get frustrated by people complaining without offering a potential solution. I'm willing to listen but I personally don't think there are better options out there right now that could do any better. Until the arena is finished and some of the recruiting disadvantages are addressed (yes, I'm going there), I think this is a top 25-30 program and not a top 10-15 program. There's not a coach available out there that could change that.

The recruiting disadvantages depend on how you look at it. Compared to a P5 program, we're not in the best position possible. But I consider the apples to apples version to be comparing it with our fellow conference mates. And in that regard, there is no disadvantage...which makes not winning the AAC and AAC Tournament that much more frustrating. In the general landscape of college basketball, or talking about us being Top 10-15 or 25-30 in the country, I understand. And cannot disagree. But imo that's neither here nor there when you break down the majority of our yearly schedule.

 

[UCalum08]

The recruiting disadvantages depend on how you look at it. Compared to a P5 program, we're not in the best position possible. But I consider the apples to apples version to be comparing it with our fellow conference mates. And in that regard, there is no disadvantage...which makes not winning the AAC and AAC Tournament that much more frustrating. In the general landscape of college basketball, or talking about us being Top 10-15 or 25-30 in the country, I understand. And cannot disagree. But imo that's neither here nor there when you break down the majority of our yearly schedule.

Too add to this topic... I like Cronin. I am happy he is our coach. But, I am still wanting/needing more.

Most importantly, I am really frustrated and fed up with all our coaches recruiting.

They simply aren't getting it done. I don't want to debate guys coming in, or Gary Clark or Jacob Evans. As a collective whole, our coaches aren't getting the Jon done. They could be and should doing better. We are constantly getting looked over by kids. We are constantly losing to non blue chip schools. Kids don't want to come to UC which is sad. We are in a conference that is set up to succeed. We have history, and pretty passionate fan base. Something stems back to the way our coaches have created this stigma/reputation about UC. (It's not for the best)

Something has to change. Our coaches need to look into the mirrors and changed their philosophy. They just seem so out of tune to what kids want. It just sounds like they take a hard nose old school approach. Its not working. Most of our players don't even past the eye test for high major college bball. Compare them to other teams similar to UC. Our guys generally look smaller, lack fundamentals etc. It's not worth debating factors and reasons why our recruiting is lacking. It simply is and has been.

 

[L-T]

Ah, so I state that the '90s and present times are not light years apart, so that means I think things are basically the same...got it.

Here's a news flash, since you don't seem to be able to understand. UC Basketball today is absolutely light years apart from what it was in the 90's and early 2000s in almost every single aspect. The NCAA performance is the only thing that is remotely close, but Huggs was still way better there too. Cronin has made the tournament 6 straight times with no elite 8s, no final 4s and only one sweet 16. He has been bounced three times or 50% of his appearances in the very first round losing to an ivy league team, a Missouri Valley Conf. team and a an A-10 team in the process. Huggs went to the tourney 14 straight years and was only bounced twice in the 1st round or 14% of the time. He made the final 4 once, the elite 8 3 times and the sweet 16 4 times. That comparison ins't even remotely close, and it's the only thing that anyone even argues when comparing Cronin to Huggs. Cronin has been here 10 freaking years and still can't get 10,000 fans into our arena. Huggs was lambasting our fan base when we only drew 11,800 fans to a game. He had sellout years. Cronin has trouble getting one sellout game in a season.

This new arena won't make much of a difference without a coaching change. That's just the facts.

 

[L-T]

I think your comments are fair. I don't think it is bad to expect more from the program. I get frustrated by people complaining without offering a potential solution. I'm willing to listen but I personally don't think there are better options out there right now that could do any better. Until the arena is finished and some of the recruiting disadvantages are addressed (yes, I'm going there), I think this is a top 25-30 program and not a top 10-15 program. There's not a coach available out there that could change that.

Shaka Smart changed it for VCU. Brad Stevens changed it for Butler. Archie Miller changed it for Dayton. Mark Few changed it for Gonzaga. Every new coach seems to change it for Xavier. Bob Huggins changed it for Cincinnati. As you see, none of these coaches were even known before they made a difference. There are plenty of better options out there. You just have to find them.

 

[L-T]

Ding ding ding. Ono and Bohn love to reward mediocrity with the way they treated Mick like he was John Wooden during the UNLV saga. It's sad to watch.

But, look what a "LEGENDARY" Bearcattalk thread that event started thanks to you NTS. Still have to give you props for that one!