Houston

[L-T]

I found it funny in Cronin's media availability he said something like "Some people think if it wasn't for the guy coaching them, they'd all average 20 a game. And some are reporters in this circle." Maybe the media is starting to finally let the coach know that the fans this program does have left, are tired of seeing such a lame brand of basketball? Maybe he really does read our message board? Either way, can't be a bad thing. Maybe now he'll stop feeling so comfortable and start feeling some pressure. Time for Cronin to actually look at some stats, and coach for wins and losses!

I've always believed that Cronin reads and/or posts on this site. He has always been known to be computer and social media savvy. If not, we know that some of his buddies are definitely on here.

 

[L-T]

Who cares if you give up 70 points at home as long as you score 72?? I'd much rather watch us win a game 72-70 than 54-51.

Some people (including our head coach) think that if you hold a team under a certain number of points they automatically declare you the winner. The name of the game is score more points than the other team. Offense wins in basketball.

But, our identity is defense and toughness. We can't mess with our identity. If we do, we'll never get these high level athletes who can't shoot, pass, or dribble anymore. It's much easier to teach someone to shoot, pass, and dribble than it is to teach them lock-down defense....isn't it?

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I want UC to play with pace. i really really do.

But in the games where we tried to play fast and was more offensive focused, we sucked on Defense. Iowa state and Butler come to mind.

Where as in our wins over VCU, GW and Neb the pace was slowed and the defensive intensity was stepped up.

I never want to give up 70 points at home again. I want them to find a balance of a flowing offense but one that isn't mega fast paced and still limit possessions on Defense.

I think when we play fast, it just automatically makes the other team play fast and Our Defense doesn't work nearly as well when we can't dictate the other teams pace

At least Iowa State and Butler are good teams. And we actually have more losses at a slower pace (believe it or not the Temple game was 61 possessions). The fact that Cronin was happy after South Florida and even brought up Butler in the post game, scares me to death. After 9 years of slow basketball, we finally could boast about our "style of play". The best buzzword a program can have going for it. But it took all of 2 losses for Cronin to scrap it all and decide it doesn't work. Bc he doesn't really believe it. And he doesn't think it is real basketball. Kind of reminds me of how NTS talks about him missing out on a couple big recruits, so now he just stopped going after them. Our coach is incredibly stubborn and easily becomes scorned.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Who cares if you give up 70 points at home as long as you score 72?? I'd much rather watch us win a game 72-70 than 54-51.

Some people (including our head coach) think that if you hold a team under a certain number of points they automatically declare you the winner. The name of the game is score more points than the other team. Offense wins in basketball.

And holding the score down with low possessions doesn't automatically mean better defense. You can give up 70 and still play outstanding defense.

 

[GarradJ21]

No. Offense does not win in basketball. Defense and hard work does. Have you ever played? You out last and out tough a team you will win the game unless the other team is making crazy shots. Did you watch Kansas and West Virginia. You put a hand up in Kansas' face or hustle for rebounds you make Kansas look average. The way WVU looked last night is exactly how you need to play on defense and in the game. Full out tougher. Made Kansas look like a butch of you know whats. UC can do that too when they get it together. I don't care if scoring in the 70s can be more enjoyable there was nothing enjoyable about losing the ISU game. The win against Pitt a few years ago, I'll take that type of win in the 40's.

Cronin doesn't automatically think they will win if he hits a certain number but he likes his chances if they do because it's true, if they play hard defense then other team will not score so much.

Side note about the WVU game and I don't mean to make the Houston thread about WVU but litteraly they played exactly how I want UC to play and thought they would be playing all year. The announcer even said How Huggins tried to get away from that type of basketball he use to coach (just like Cronin coaches) and had two mediocre seasons. He's getting back to the toughness and defense.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

No. Offense does not win in basketball. Defense and hard work does. Have you ever played? You out last and out tough a team you will win the game unless the other team is making crazy shots. Did you watch Kansas and West Virginia. You put a hand up in Kansas' face or hustle for rebounds you make Kansas look average. The way WVU looked last night is exactly how you need to play on defense and in the game. Full out tougher. Made Kansas look like a butch of you know whats. UC can do that too when they get it together. I don't care if scoring in the 70s can be more enjoyable there was nothing enjoyable about losing the ISU game. The win against Pitt a few years ago, I'll take that type of win in the 40's.

Cronin doesn't automatically think they will win if he hits a certain number but he likes his chances if they do because it's true, if they play hard defense then other team will not score so much.

Side note about the WVU game and I don't mean to make the Houston thread about WVU but litteraly they played exactly how I want UC to play and thought they would be playing all year. The announcer even said How Huggins tried to get away from that type of basketball he use to coach (just like Cronin coaches) and had two mediocre seasons. He's getting back to the toughness and defense.

Last 2 years

When NEITHER team scores 70
20-12 (62.5 winning%)

When EITHER team scores 70
15-4 (78.9 winning%)

*Also KU had their 2nd road game in 4 days, West Va is #5 in KenPom, and the game was 76 possessions.

 

[rallie25]

Last year they played loose and not afraid to make a mistake! This year they playing hesitant. I hope he just let the guys play at least on offense. Play loose and hard!

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

No. Offense does not win in basketball. Defense and hard work does. Have you ever played? You out last and out tough a team you will win the game unless the other team is making crazy shots. Did you watch Kansas and West Virginia. You put a hand up in Kansas' face or hustle for rebounds you make Kansas look average. The way WVU looked last night is exactly how you need to play on defense and in the game. Full out tougher. Made Kansas look like a butch of you know whats. UC can do that too when they get it together. I don't care if scoring in the 70s can be more enjoyable there was nothing enjoyable about losing the ISU game. The win against Pitt a few years ago, I'll take that type of win in the 40's.

Cronin doesn't automatically think they will win if he hits a certain number but he likes his chances if they do because it's true, if they play hard defense then other team will not score so much.

Side note about the WVU game and I don't mean to make the Houston thread about WVU but litteraly they played exactly how I want UC to play and thought they would be playing all year. The announcer even said How Huggins tried to get away from that type of basketball he use to coach (just like Cronin coaches) and had two mediocre seasons. He's getting back to the toughness and defense.

Agree completely. I can't even watch West Virginia too much because it's depressing watching at the style we could have had...

 

[GarradJ21]

I don't think we are as far off as we think. It's coming. Stay positive, but yes watching them play like that I def was jealous.

 

[UCalum08]

Agree completely. I can't even watch West Virginia too much because it's depressing watching at the style we could have had...

So damn true. Thought the exact same thing.

 

[GarradJ21]

Last 2 years

When NEITHER team scores 70
20-12 (62.5 winning%)

When EITHER team scores 70
15-4 (78.9 winning%)

*Also KU had their 2nd road game in 4 days, West Va is #5 in KenPom, and the game was 76 possessions.

Ok I understand if KU schedule didn't play out the way they would like but that's life. WVU played tougher.

How many of the 70 point games were against quality opponents. We play tougher D and have the offense we are having which is in my mind better than we have these 10 years we lose maybe two games. It starts with defense.

And to go back to Houston we will win this game with our defense. The SMU loss sucked obviously, but I wasn't as mad as I was against Butler and Iowa State, because it was a hard fought game. we play that tough against those two teams we win those without a doubt.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

So damn true. Thought the exact same thing.

Apparently Mick didn't even really recruit Devin Williams who is from Cincinnati. He is averaging 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds in just 24.4 minutes a game. Then again he probably wouldn't be so productive here.

(I realize we chose Gary Clark over him)

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Ok I understand if KU schedule didn't play out the way they would like but that's life. WVU played tougher.

How many of the 70 point games were against quality opponents. We play tougher D and have the offense we are having which is in my mind better than we have these 10 years we lose maybe two games. It starts with defense.

And to go back to Houston we will win this game with our defense. The SMU loss sucked obviously, but I wasn't as mad as I was against Butler and Iowa State, because it was a hard fought game. we play that tough against those two teams we win those without a doubt.

Well, I can tell you that out of the 4 losses when either scored 70, 2 were to Temple, and neither game was over 61 possessions. And the other 2 were to ranked teams. While the losses the other way come from teams like ECU, Tulane, Nebraska...and 5 of the others are by double digits.

 

[UCalum08]

Apparently Mick didn't even really recruit Devin Williams who is from Cincinnati. He is averaging 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds in just 24.4 minutes a game. Then again he probably wouldn't be so productive here.

(I realize we chose Gary Clark over him)

I've thought that for years. Pretty sad. He was a solid recruit that was raw but a lot of upside. Like you said, he probably wouldn't have developed to what he is now at UC. That is just assuming from our track record with development. Something I truly think lacks with our coaching staff.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I've thought that for years. Pretty sad. He was a solid recruit that was raw but a lot of upside. Like you said, he probably wouldn't have developed to what he is now at UC. That is just assuming from our track record with development. Something I truly think lacks with our coaching staff.

Nevermind, he's was a top 50 recruit. Mick doesn't like recruiting those.


(Thank god for Cumberland though)

 

[cincrulz11]

What a crazy comment for Mick to make, is he sneaky throwing his players under the bus there?? Hey Mick, if your players don't have the talent to get it done on the offensive side of the ball recruit new ones.

I think what he said was taken out of context if this is your response. Wasn't he asked if it was a confidence issue for Clark not being a guy that can knock down jump shots and he said all the kids have confidence, but he has to develop the talent to hit the jumpers.


Which is something people on here have been wanting Clark to develop, and hopefully he gets there.

 

[cincrulz11]

Some people (including our head coach) think that if you hold a team under a certain number of points they automatically declare you the winner. The name of the game is score more points than the other team. Offense wins in basketball.

And some people think if you score a certain amount of points they automatically declare you the winner.



Neither one is true. The team needs to play efficiently on both ends of the court. As soon as the defense picked up, the offense efficiency went to crap. They are shooting under 40% from inside the arc in conference play. That's terrible.


There is no reason for this team to have one thing or the other. The talent is there to play well on both ends, Mick needs to make it happen.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I think what he said was taken out of context if this is your response. Wasn't he asked if it was a confidence issue for Clark not being a guy that can knock down jump shots and he said all the kids have confidence, but he has to develop the talent to hit the jumpers.


Which is something people on here have been wanting Clark to develop, and hopefully he gets there.

Mick has REALLY thin skin. You can tell when he's going to give you a defensive answer...

 

[cincrulz11]

Mick has REALLY thin skin. You can tell when he's going to give you a defensive answer...

No doubt about it. He can't wait to snap back at people, like when we lost games where we scored but refused to defend.


He really acts like a kid in those situations, or maybe it's the short man's syndrome. Either way, it's pretty sad.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

If it is a 60 possession game, I don't like our chances for efficient offense.

matters very little to me how many possessions we get. Still need to guard. Our defense has not been good for most of the year. Even against the cupcakes. If we speed things up offensively we still need to guard. I'm not confusing slow the offense down to limit possessions thus helping the defense. I'm saying guard every possession like its the last. We have played at times like we can just out score people and win. How's that working???