Joe Lunardi's 2011 96-Team Bracket

[JasonS]

Eye Test does it all, there are 340 something D I teams and I bet not more than 40 look as dysfunction on the court.

And please tell me how he didn't lower the bar with Gates. When he came in Yancy was the best big man we've recruited in a while. After he struggled he is a "project"

Don't get me confused with like Billy Don or something, I'm simply puzzled by how a person can be optimistic about a team that finished the season with 16 losses and lost the two top scorers, while just bringing in marginal talent (although I think Jackson eventually will be good). I don't want you to feel so terrible if they don't make the tournament (assuming its 65) because this is an middle of the pack NIT team talent wise.

Don't forget that when Mick recruited Gates he needed something to get people excited so maybe he propped him up more than he normally would have. Without a decimated roster, Gates would have had another PF to look up to and learn from. Not everyone has the work ethic already built in. Some need to see what other players do day in and day out in order to learn what they have to do. That is just reality. And I believe Mick's comment was that Gates was the best big man to come out of Cincinnati (high schools) in a long time. Let's be honest, there haven't been a lot of big men coming out of the Cincy area recently so it is not like he was lying or anything.

I think we are all frustrated and concerned but it is important that the fans back the team and Mick and hope for the best the next couple years. Being negative or continuously making degrading comments about the team or coaches (not saying you are, just in general) does nothing to help the team or the future of the program.

 

[ready2go]

]Eye Test does it all, there are 340 something D I teams and I bet not more than 40 look as dysfunction on the court[/B].

And please tell me how he didn't lower the bar with Gates. When he came in Yancy was the best big man we've recruited in a while. After he struggled he is a "project"

Don't get me confused with like Billy Don or something, I'm simply puzzled by how a person can be optimistic about a team that finished the season with 16 losses and lost the two top scorers, while just bringing in marginal talent (although I think Jackson eventually will be good). I don't want you to feel so terrible if they don't make the tournament (assuming its 65) because this is an middle of the pack NIT team talent wise.

Could not agree more!

As for Yancy, everyone wants to put blame on him. Mick knew what he was getting and has failed to get the most out of him.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Let's debate this. Yancy Gates came into the University of Cincinnati with a reputation of being lazy and anybody that watched his high school career knew he took games off. This is where I disagree with some on here, and other boards. A player has a personal responsibility to improve. A coach and a coaching staff can only do so much. The player has to want it. You cannot put a heart in a players chest. There have been several centers at Cincinnati that were lazy who had potential that didn't pan out. BJ Grove and Robert Whaley instantly come to mind. Did Bob Huggins lower the bar? No those players failed in their personal responsibility to work hard and improve.

The condition of this program is a direct result of events this staff had no control over. It is climbing out of a near death experience. Again I ask people to look at Baylor and I.U. and see the difficulty at this level, in tough leagues, to rebuild programs. Too many confuse accountability with responsibility. As I've said before, Mick Cronin is accountable for this program. It doesn't mean he is responsible for everything that happens. That rests on the shoulders of each person involved. If you disagree than you must also admit that Bob Huggins was responsible for the trouble his kids got into. He wasn't. He was accountable for it.

One thing Butler showed the world was that one don't have to have a team of stars. You need a team that plays together for a common goal. Sean Kilpatrick is better than most on here know or believe and he plays with purpose and passion. Justin Jackson also plays with a high motor and will contribute. There are other kids this team is currently pursuing as well. If they play hard, play together, rebound, and play defense, it can carry them a long way. I want a team that plays for the name on the front of the jersey not the back. If we get that we'll be fine.

 

[ucdave]

Good post, Jeff. I agree with you completely.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

I want a team that plays for the name on the front of the jersey not the back. If we get that we'll be fine.

Those are my feelings exactly.

"Buy-in" or get out.

 

[Thegreatone]

Then we all agree to stop recruiting 1 and dones? Cause they dont care at all about the team IMO.

 

[Thegreatone]

Let's debate this. Yancy Gates came into the University of Cincinnati with a reputation of being lazy and anybody that watched his high school career knew he took games off. This is where I disagree with some on here, and other boards. A player has a personal responsibility to improve. A coach and a coaching staff can only do so much. The player has to want it. You cannot put a heart in a players chest. There have been several centers at Cincinnati that were lazy who had potential that didn't pan out. BJ Grove and Robert Whaley instantly come to mind. Did Bob Huggins lower the bar? No those players failed in their personal responsibility to work hard and improve.

The condition of this program is a direct result of events this staff had no control over. It is climbing out of a near death experience. Again I ask people to look at Baylor and I.U. and see the difficulty at this level, in tough leagues, to rebuild programs. Too many confuse accountability with responsibility. As I've said before, Mick Cronin is accountable for this program. It doesn't mean he is responsible for everything that happens. That rests on the shoulders of each person involved. If you disagree than you must also admit that Bob Huggins was responsible for the trouble his kids got into. He wasn't. He was accountable for it.

One thing Butler showed the world was that one don't have to have a team of stars. You need a team that plays together for a common goal. Sean Kilpatrick is better than most on here know or believe and he plays with purpose and passion. Justin Jackson also plays with a high motor and will contribute. There are other kids this team is currently pursuing as well. If they play hard, play together, rebound, and play defense, it can carry them a long way. I want a team that plays for the name on the front of the jersey not the back. If we get that we'll be fine.

Yancy was an underclassmen last year. My only hope for him is that starts to "get it" his junior and senior years.

 

[psax889906]

Then we all agree to stop recruiting 1 and dones? Cause they dont care at all about the team IMO.

Do you think Lance didn't care about the team while he was here?... He certainly had every intention of leaving, asap, for the NBA but I felt his ability to be a team player for all intensive purposes was light years ahead of what we had all heard prior to him coming here... I'm not saying he was Mr. Cincinnati, but I do believe he valued his time here and truly appreciated the opportunity... especially considering how so many other big time programs gave up on him, which coincidentally, allowed the staff to land him...

Now, are all one and done players of the same mold?... No. But are you going to tell me you don't want Marquis Teague to be a Bearcat in 2011?



IMO the only time recruiting one and done players becomes a problem is when you do it like Calipari is doing it right now, or how Matta did it for a run of years at OSU... you can't build a team based off of those players... you bring in that guy to get you over the hump...

 

[ready2go]

Let's debate this. Yancy Gates came into the University of Cincinnati with a reputation of being lazy and anybody that watched his high school career knew he took games off. This is where I disagree with some on here, and other boards. A player has a personal responsibility to improve. A coach and a coaching staff can only do so much. The player has to want it. You cannot put a heart in a players chest. There have been several centers at Cincinnati that were lazy who had potential that didn't pan out. BJ Grove and Robert Whaley instantly come to mind. Did Bob Huggins lower the bar? No those players failed in their personal responsibility to work hard and improve.

The condition of this program is a direct result of events this staff had no control over. It is climbing out of a near death experience. Again I ask people to look at Baylor and I.U. and see the difficulty at this level, in tough leagues, to rebuild programs. Too many confuse accountability with responsibility. As I've said before, Mick Cronin is accountable for this program. It doesn't mean he is responsible for everything that happens. That rests on the shoulders of each person involved. If you disagree than you must also admit that Bob Huggins was responsible for the trouble his kids got into. He wasn't. He was accountable for it.

One thing Butler showed the world was that one don't have to have a team of stars. You need a team that plays together for a common goal. Sean Kilpatrick is better than most on here know or believe and he plays with purpose and passion. Justin Jackson also plays with a high motor and will contribute. There are other kids this team is currently pursuing as well. If they play hard, play together, rebound, and play defense, it can carry them a long way. I want a team that plays for the name on the front of the jersey not the back. If we get that we'll be fine.

Yea and Whaley ended up at Walsh and BJ Grove??? Weed out the bad apples.

As for Sean, lets not get ahead of ourselves. Cashmere Wright average about 30ppg in highschool. Sean has yet to step foot on the college court for a game. I am not ready to anoint him the greatest. I have said he reminds me of Sam Young from Pitt, but beating up on Eddie Tyree in practice is hardly comparable to Big East Ball.

 

[ucgrad94]

Let's debate this. Yancy Gates came into the University of Cincinnati with a reputation of being lazy and anybody that watched his high school career knew he took games off. This is where I disagree with some on here, and other boards. A player has a personal responsibility to improve. A coach and a coaching staff can only do so much. The player has to want it. You cannot put a heart in a players chest. There have been several centers at Cincinnati that were lazy who had potential that didn't pan out. BJ Grove and Robert Whaley instantly come to mind. Did Bob Huggins lower the bar? No those players failed in their personal responsibility to work hard and improve.

The condition of this program is a direct result of events this staff had no control over. It is climbing out of a near death experience. Again I ask people to look at Baylor and I.U. and see the difficulty at this level, in tough leagues, to rebuild programs. Too many confuse accountability with responsibility. As I've said before, Mick Cronin is accountable for this program. It doesn't mean he is responsible for everything that happens. That rests on the shoulders of each person involved. If you disagree than you must also admit that Bob Huggins was responsible for the trouble his kids got into. He wasn't. He was accountable for it.

One thing Butler showed the world was that one don't have to have a team of stars. You need a team that plays together for a common goal. Sean Kilpatrick is better than most on here know or believe and he plays with purpose and passion. Justin Jackson also plays with a high motor and will contribute. There are other kids this team is currently pursuing as well. If they play hard, play together, rebound, and play defense, it can carry them a long way. I want a team that plays for the name on the front of the jersey not the back. If we get that we'll be fine.

Really, Baylor? He didn't rebuild Baylor, he BUILT Baylor himself. I hate when people say look at Baylor as an example, becuase they were nothing before Drew got there. I.U. is a good example but its only been 2 years, so the jury is still out. If they make the NCAA this upcoming year then they were rebuilt faster than us. So don't use comparisons that dont really make sense. Take UC at year 4, and lets see where IU is at year 4.

As for Huggins, if you were lazy, you weren't gonna play and you were running laps at practice, and not just a few laps, you ran all day. I have witnessed this myself. I believe if you are running for 2-3 hours, throwing up in front of your teammates you will get the message. If you still didn't get the message, then I hope you enjoy your playing time somewhere else.

 

[ready2go]

Really, Baylor? He didn't rebuild Baylor, he BUILT Baylor himself. I hate when people say look at Baylor as an example, becuase they were nothing before Drew got there. I.U. is a good example but its only been 2 years, so the jury is still out. If they make the NCAA this upcoming year then they were rebuilt faster than us. So don't use comparisons that dont really make sense. Take UC at year 4, and lets see where IU is at year 4.

As for Huggins, if you were lazy, you weren't gonna play and you were running laps at practice, and not just a few laps, you ran all day. I have witnessed this myself. I believe if you are running for 2-3 hours, throwing up in front of your teammates you will get the message. If you still didn't get the message, then I hope you enjoy your playing time somewhere else.

Kapow!

I think we need a new hoops moderator.

 

[bearcat jeff]

First of all I never said we don't recruit one and done players. My point is most people get caught up in stars by a players name. When a team plays together, teamwork can overcome talent. You can't write off next season based on Lance and Deonta being gone.

My referrence to Baylor is valid in terms of a rebuilding project, and yes IU is in year 2 but you can do a two year comparison between the two. Tom Crean himself stated that people should stop complaining about Mick, and start supporting him for the job he has done. It's not a wave your wand and poof! There it is! If those aren't valid give me examples of what is in your opinion.

Again, nobody said Sean Kilpatrick will be John Wall. But he has practiced for a full season against the first string. Cash did not have that luxury. He will be ahead of Cash when the season starts next year. What I did say is he more talented than many believe.

 

[ready2go]

First of all I never said we don't recruit one and done players. My point is most people get caught up in stars by a players name. When a team plays together, teamwork can overcome talent. You can't write off next season based on Lance and Deonta being gone.

My referrence to Baylor is valid in terms of a rebuilding project, and yes IU is in year 2 but you can do a two year comparison between the two. Tom Crean himself stated that people should stop complaining about Mick, and start supporting him for the job he has done. It's not a wave your wand and poof! There it is! If those aren't valid give me examples of what is in your opinion.

Again, nobody said Sean Kilpatrick will be John Wall. But he has practiced for a full season against the first string. Cash did not have that luxury. He will be ahead of Cash when the season starts next year. What I did say is he more talented than many believe.

The difference betwen Re-building and Built. Re-building you have a foundation already in place. The program is prominantly known throughout the country. Being Built, means your program has nothing going for it. No reputation. The only reason up until the past couple years anyone has known Baylor is because in 04' a player murdered another. Guess what? 4 years later, they overcame that scandal and made it to the Big Dance in 08'.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Could not agree more!

As for Yancy, everyone wants to put blame on him. Mick knew what he was getting and has failed to get the most out of him.

Who says he's failed to get the most out him? I think Mick is getting the most he can out of Gates and that is the problem. Guys that don't have the heart and desire aren't going to play hard. Plain and simple.

You can look at the maturation of Thomas this year and see that Mick can improve a player's inside game. Thomas knew nothing about playing inside before this season started and while he is still pretty raw and makes mistakes you can tell he is following what the coaches are wanting from him. He blocks out and shows desire and hustle. Three things you don't see out of Yancy.

Unless someone can provide proof that Mick and his assistants haven't approached a boxing out lesson for Gates or a posting-up lesson then you can't say Mick is the reason for Gates' failure. Desire is the one thing you can't coach. You can find different ways to motivate and I'm sure Mick has tried them all. At the end of the day Gates is lazy and doesn't want to put in the work. His body alone should be able to grab him close to 10 boards a game if he tried. He doesn't try. He gets offensive boards because he wants to score and is around the basket for a lot of missed shots. He doesn't get defensive rebounds (a PF #1 job) because he doesn't even begin to try to box a player out. When a shot is in the air he turns around and stares at the basket for a rebound like guys do playing 21.

 

[swg]

The basketball season is over. It's time to focus on recruiting, and FOOTBALL.

(and baseball for the diehard UC diamond fans)

 

[ready2go]

Who says he's failed to get the most out him? I think Mick is getting the most he can out of Gates and that is the problem. Guys that don't have the heart and desire aren't going to play hard. Plain and simple.

You can look at the maturation of Thomas this year and see that Mick can improve a player's inside game. Thomas knew nothing about playing inside before this season started and while he is still pretty raw and makes mistakes you can tell he is following what the coaches are wanting from him. He blocks out and shows desire and hustle. Three things you don't see out of Yancy.

Unless someone can provide proof that Mick and his assistants haven't approached a boxing out lesson for Gates or a posting-up lesson then you can't say Mick is the reason for Gates' failure. Desire is the one thing you can't coach. You can find different ways to motivate and I'm sure Mick has tried them all. At the end of the day Gates is lazy and doesn't want to put in the work. His body alone should be able to grab him close to 10 boards a game if he tried. He doesn't try. He gets offensive boards because he wants to score and is around the basket for a lot of missed shots. He doesn't get defensive rebounds (a PF #1 job) because he doesn't even begin to try to box a player out. When a shot is in the air he turns around and stares at the basket for a rebound like guys do playing 21.

Ok then why recruit him. He had to have seen him play at Withrow. Saw his lazy approach. If he were working him as hard as people say, Why is the man still 260??

If this continues, Mick needs to take action. Arron A's McGee, Rob Whaley, and BJ Grove were in similar situations. Whaley did some other things to aid his boot, but ultimatley if you are not getting the job done. Hit the road.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Ok then why recruit him. He had to have seen him play at Withrow. Saw his lazy approach. If he were working him as hard as people say, Why is the man still 260??

If this continues, Mick needs to take action. Arron A's McGee, Rob Whaley, and BJ Grove were in similar situations. Whaley did some other things to aid his boot, but ultimatley if you are not getting the job done. Hit the road.

I completely agree with that. I wouldn't mind at all if he were released from his scholarship. I was hoping Ratliffe would sign here and then Gates would be sent walking. I will say if he is back on this team he truly needs to be earning his playing time. Otherwise he rides the bench and only gets minutes to spell other guys. You can give an underclassman minutes to try to work through their problems, but not upperclassman. The problem is he was still our best option at PF last year and might be next year. Hopefully Jackson or the other guy coming in learn fast.

 

[JasonS]

I completely agree with that. I wouldn't mind at all if he were released from his scholarship. I was hoping Ratliffe would sign here and then Gates would be sent walking. I will say if he is back on this team he truly needs to be earning his playing time. Otherwise he rides the bench and only gets minutes to spell other guys. You can give an underclassman minutes to try to work through their problems, but not upperclassman. The problem is he was still our best option at PF last year and might be next year. Hopefully Jackson or the other guy coming in learn fast.

I don't think Mick is in a position to be able to release any scoring threat (no matter how inconsistent) from his scholarship. I think we will see a different Yancy this year if for no other reason than we don't have many other options.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I don't think Mick is in a position to be able to release any scoring threat (no matter how inconsistent) from his scholarship. I think we will see a different Yancy this year if for no other reason than we don't have many other options.

I disagree. I think Mick should get rid of anyone that doesn't help this team have a winning attitude and might be bad for the team. If you bring guys to a team that know how to play smart, fundamental basketball and are in shape then your team will find ways to score. I haven't seen Gates as much of a scoring threat. Plus, what points he might get are negated because he allows for a lot of second chance scoring for the opponent because he can not rebound properly on the defensive end. A scoring threat is someone who can score at will. Cronin hasn't been blessed with such talent yet. I think Lance could've gotten there and I think Cash and Killa show that promise as well. Gates should be that but I think we've seen what we're going to see from Gates.

A team is going to about 50 points a game just because you get enough shots. Throw in a bad defensive opponent and that might be 60 points. This team proved that last year. We were horrific on offense and averaged what 60-65 points? Everybody's worried we lost our top two scorers and who is going to score next year. For all the shots Vaughn and Stephenson took we will find someone to take those shots and make 35-40% of them. Wilks/Bishop/Thomas/Gates/Cash/Parker anyone can take a lot of shots and make a few (except maybe Davis). I want guys that play smarter and better that when they get a high number of shots they still make 50% of them.

I truly think Gates hurts this team more than he helps. I hope that he can come in his junior year and tear it up. He certainly has the ability if he wants to learn. I just don't see it happening.