Last 3 Games/What's There To Complain About?

[bearcat jeff]

In the Bearcats final 3 games they have no rpi pitfalls. Marquette is the lowest rated opponent at 51. They play the best 2 teams in this stretch at home and if they can find a way to win both those games it will give them 6 wins over rpi top 25 teams (they currently hold 4 and only 5 teams nationally have more). The Bearcats problem is not their resume any longer. It's persception. Both from a segment of local fans and nationally. Nationally the past two weeks have largely changed the appearance of the UC program. Locally, if you listen to the talk shows, there is till a very vocal group of Hugginites that refuse to give this coach or team credit.

A win over UConn or Gtown will pretty much solidify their rpi standing and give them their 5th top 25 rpi win and another over a nationally ranked team. Their hands are firmly on the steering wheel in terms their NCAA fate. The team sits at 22-6 and 9-6 in the toughest conference in history with a better than average chance at a first round bye in the BEast tournament and a realistic shot at earning 2 byes. Mick Cronin is getting no buzz as Big East coach of the year, but after losing Vaughn and Stephenson, if he wins 10-12 games in league and with 23-25 wins he deserves to be in the conversation.

My question to the many out there that still refuse to embrace this team and coach is what is there to complain about? Why haven't you embraced this team and the head coach at this point? It certainly can't be the results. This coach and the team have have gotten results. they have the most Big East wins of any UC team, including your beloved Andy Kennedy (btw what has Kennedy accomplished in a weak SEC over the years?). The only answer is that the results have nothing to do with your displeasure and everything to do with your emotion. You're unwilling to move on, unwilling to give credit and unwilling to recognize what this coach and team have done. My question is why?

Why haven't you embraced this team and the job the coach has done. Please tell me, what is there to complain about?

 

[Ryno99]

Rep'd, great post Jeff. I'm with you on all points.

Well would have been rep'd says I have to spread it around before I rep you again, but I've rep'd many people, not sure how that works. Sorry.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

As far as the last three games, nothing.... Three wins when I expected 1, 2 at best.

 

[Juliepitzer]

For me, it has never been the team. I have cheered them on the past 5 seasons as I had done the prior 5. I also would not consider myself a Hugginite either. My issue has always been, and still is to an extent (but has faded a little every year), the way Cronin left the team. How he came back was not his fault in the least but I really believe that issue should have been addressed and put to rest back in '06. Time heals wounds so to say and I am sure that one will heal as well. Personally I think that vocal complainers probably feel the same as I do. You asked Bearcat lol. Now keep the season rolling and lets head into the Big East Tournament. Go Cats.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I don't get all the love for Andy Kennedy from people. He took a great senior-led team to an 8-8 record, maybe got snubbed for a tourney bid. All in all I was pleased with how he handled our first season in the Big East. What I didn't like was how he allowed two of his seniors to fail to go to class and thus cost us a chance at an NIT championship. While I wouldn't have been upset had we hired him, I wasn't exactly calling for him to be hired. His accomplishments at Ole Miss leave a lot to be desired. Granted Ole Miss is not a great program, but the SEC should be easy to improve in and look good in considering only three teams have had any amout of success there in the last five years. Yet Ole Miss has not improved nor do I recall them making the tourney during his tenure. And you still here talk about how Kennedy should've been hired. While I'm not one to whine about Huggins not still being here, I at least understand the sentiment. I was happy with the Cronin hire, I've been frustrated with the rebuilding process, but still believe Cronin has done a good job leading us through it. I'm looking forward to seeing next years class as sophomores and juniors. We could be really good. He's got a team with serious flaws playing good ball despite those flaws. I think we all wanted to see an uptempo game plan, but Cronin was smart enough to realize we have a better chance of beating these teams 56-55 than we do 86-85. Thus suffocating defense and find the hot hand.

Sorry for the rant, just had to get it off my chest. I'm ready for the UConn game tomorrow and ready to return to the Dance.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

For me, it has never been the team. I have cheered them on the past 5 seasons as I had done the prior 5. I also would not consider myself a Hugginite either. My issue has always been, and still is to an extent (but has faded a little every year), the way Cronin left the team. How he came back was not his fault in the least but I really believe that issue should have been addressed and put to rest back in '06. Time heals wounds so to say and I am sure that one will heal as well. Personally I think that vocal complainers probably feel the same as I do. You asked Bearcat lol. Now keep the season rolling and lets head into the Big East Tournament. Go Cats.

I too was surprised when he left, but we need to let the past be. He made a decision to better his career and I can't fault him for it. Pitino had history of sending assistants to head coaching jobs and Huggins didn't, plus Huggins never really coached offense and Pitino can. It worked out for him, he got promoted to a head coaching job and he showed his loyalty to us Bearcats by coming back in the worst possible scenario.

 

[anbuc88]

Great post, bearcat Jeff. I asked a similar question last year, when the team was not doing as well. If you have listened to Cronin talk in his pregame and postgame shows, you know that he understands basketball. He is a hometown guy, a graduate of the University, and as big a fan of UC as anyone on here. This is his dream job and he will not look for a better opportunity, as Huggins did on many occasions. The vitriol against him has been personal, and not basketball related. For the life of me I still have failed to understand why. Even after the last 3 games, the number of posts post game pales in comparison to those after losses. There are people on this board who even now would be happier if they would continue to lose, and Cronin ls eventually fired. I don't think there is hardly anyone one left who harbors ill will for his move to Louisville. And those that still do, they do not understand the landscape of college basketball and what it takes to be given an opportunity to become a head coach. There are a few of us on here that have never wavered in our support of Cronin, not because we knew for certain that he would be able to return UC to prominence. But because it was the fair and just thing to do.

 

[Juliepitzer]

I wont go further into it because I always end up getting yelled at lol. I do think Cronin is doing a decent job here, just wish it had been a smoother transaction than it was. I also wasnt a huge fan of Kennedy either but he did not deserve to be treated in the manner he was at seasons end. For the off season, would love to see Cronin work on his PR. I think it would go a long way in improving his image here. IMO of course. Remember also, we are the choir here. To bring back the membership, bridges need rebuilt.

Also, I havent seen anyone on here who is actually happy when we lose. We may vent, as fans will do, but no one is happy. I think everyone wants the team to succeed regardless of our feelings towards its coach. IMO.

 

[catsfan32]

I too was surprised when he left, but we need to let the past be. He made a decision to better his career and I can't fault him for it. Pitino had history of sending assistants to head coaching jobs and Huggins didn't, plus Huggins never really coached offense and Pitino can. It worked out for him, he got promoted to a head coaching job and he showed his loyalty to us Bearcats by coming back in the worst possible scenario.

I don't understand how anyone can hold a grudge against someone for bettering their career. Its absolutely amazing to me that people blame cronin on any level for taking a better job. I could care less where he went, it doesn't matter to me and it shouldn't to anyone who understands that improving your career and family is pretty much what everyone wants. He is a lifelong UC fan and diehard so what is the issue, he will be here as long as we will have him.

 

[psax889906]

I don't understand how anyone can hold a grudge against someone for bettering their career. Its absolutely amazing to me that people blame cronin on any level for taking a better job. I could care less where he went, it doesn't matter to me and it shouldn't to anyone who understands that improving your career and family is pretty much what everyone wants. He is a lifelong UC fan and diehard so what is the issue, he will be here as long as we will have him.

I won't ever hold a grudge against anyone for bettering their career- HOWEVER, I would like to point out that I will hold a grudge when a guy handles said career move extremely poorly. I think we all know who I'm talking about.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

For me, it has never been the team. I have cheered them on the past 5 seasons as I had done the prior 5. I also would not consider myself a Hugginite either. My issue has always been, and still is to an extent (but has faded a little every year), the way Cronin left the team. How he came back was not his fault in the least but I really believe that issue should have been addressed and put to rest back in '06. Time heals wounds so to say and I am sure that one will heal as well. Personally I think that vocal complainers probably feel the same as I do. You asked Bearcat lol. Now keep the season rolling and lets head into the Big East Tournament. Go Cats.

I just laughed out loud that there are still people that hold a grudge over a career move.

Would it have been better if he stayed here under Huggs and got fired, along with Huggs' staff? Hahaha.

Mick Cronin's resume': studied under Huggins; studied under Pitino; coached Murray State to 2 NCAA appearances in 3 seasons; and got his dream job at his alma mater.

Anyone that holds resentment for "the way he left" is foolish. In fact, that is probably the most petty complaint that anyone could have with MC.

 

[psax889906]

Anyone that holds resentment for "the way he left" is foolish. In fact, that is probably the most petty complaint that anyone could have with MC.

I dunno- I seem to recall an argument once about Cronin wearing a blue tie during a game rather than a red one. And I'm not joking. lol

 

[BearcatAlum1]

I don't get all the love for Andy Kennedy from people. He took a great senior-led team to an 8-8 record, maybe got snubbed for a tourney bid.

Agreed.

AK has not done $hit at Ole Miss, so what makes people think he could have done anything at UC in the BE?

I like AK (when he isn't going on racist rants against cab drivers), but he was not the man for this job.

Seriously. What has AK accomplished at Ole Miss? Do any of you actually watch his team play? Not much defense, and the offense is "give the ball to Chris Warren and get out of the way."

It was always understood that AK was interim coach for a year, hence why he didn't recruit while he was HC for that one year.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

I dunno- I seem to recall an argument once about Cronin wearing a blue tie during a game rather than a red one. And I'm not joking. lol

Yep. Morons.

The people that complain about this stuff are just not smart. It's understandable. We have a large fan base with plenty of unintelligent people. There are bound to be fools in the crowd, especially when they can hide behind a computer screen and keyboard.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I don't know, while I've never complained about what a coach wore (other than the night Kelly wore a blue tie to announce his decision to leave us for ND during our team dinner, just irked me even more) I do think a coach, especially on game days should always wear school colors. If I were the coach I would always wear red and black in public. Just helps promote the school. I guess in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter, but I'm a fashion-conscience person and knowing there are people -- potential money spending supporters of my program -- that would have an issue with it I would always wear school colors.

 

[Juliepitzer]

I don't know, while I've never complained about what a coach wore (other than the night Kelly wore a blue tie to announce his decision to leave us for ND during our team dinner, just irked me even more) I do think a coach, especially on game days should always wear school colors. If I were the coach I would always wear red and black in public. Just helps promote the school. I guess in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter, but I'm a fashion-conscience person and knowing there are people -- potential money spending supporters of my program -- that would have an issue with it I would always wear school colors.

There is nothing wrong with coaches wearing school colors. I really do not understand why some posters seem to think it is a joke to do so. Times have changed I guess. But if he chooses not to show school colors, that is his right. I do not care what he wears though.

 

[Juliepitzer]

I just laughed out loud that there are still people that hold a grudge over a career move.

Would it have been better if he stayed here under Huggs and got fired, along with Huggs' staff? Hahaha.

Mick Cronin's resume': studied under Huggins; studied under Pitino; coached Murray State to 2 NCAA appearances in 3 seasons; and got his dream job at his alma mater.

Anyone that holds resentment for "the way he left" is foolish. In fact, that is probably the most petty complaint that anyone could have with MC.

You can laugh aloud all you wish. A question was asked and answered. Personally, I think moving on to another program benefited Cronin and his ambitions. His pick of schools, however, was not going to win over the fans who bleed red and black. Had Pitino been coaching at UK, UMASS, or UBlow, this discussion would not be occurrig. And btw, those who are still angry did not see it as a career move as is so often mentioned in here but a change of sides in the Keg of Nails rivalry. Some of us oldtimers take that rivalry quite seriously. Being a lifelong resident of Cincinnati and alumni of the university, he should have known this, expected some backlash, and prepared himself for engaging the fan base in an attempt to mend fences. I think he handled it as well as can be expected but his fence mending efforts have not impressed anyone. My wife is a little more neutral on this than I. Eventually it will die down on its own.

One final thought. Every post on this site is a valid point and I am sure well thought out. Calling one's opinion foolish is not exactly showing the class I have seen in here as of late.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

There is nothing wrong with coaches wearing school colors. But if he chooses not to, that is his right. I do not care what he wears though.

I agree, but at the same time you're representing a school that sells itself with logos and team colors. You ask fans to wear certain colors and sell your gear in certain colors. Your players wear uniforms, the coach should look the part. While I think basketball coaches would look silly in uniforms, I love that baseball managers wear the same uniforms as players. At the end of the day I'm not going to complain about what Cronin or anybody wears. I just know myself in his shoes would always wear red and black. School colors are something that alums take pride in. My father graduated from Auburn and buys just about everything in blue or orange and won't buy stuff in crimson (Alabama's colors). When I bought an old car, it was red with black interior, my wife said do you like the colors and my immediate response was "Bearcat red and black? Heck yeah!" My everyday car is black, I wouldn't buy anything that my UC plates would clash with. Sounds silly probably but that's just me.

To be honest I've never taken notice of what Cronin wears, nor probably will. If he wears a blue tie to the shootout I won't lie and say I wouldn't wonder what he was thinking tough.

 

[Juliepitzer]

I hear you but as you can see from posters on here, you and I are from a different time. Some poster must have mentioned a red tie once and some of the "regulars" seem to not be able to let him or her live it down. Things are what they are. There are more importants things to worry about lol.

 

[anbuc88]

You can laugh aloud all you wish. A question was asked and answered. Personally, I think moving on to another program benefited Cronin and his ambitions. His pick of schools, however, was not going to win over the fans who bleed red and black. Had Pitino been coaching at UK, UMASS, or UBlow, this discussion would not be occurrig. And btw, those who are still angry did not see it as a career move as is so often mentioned in here but a change of sides in the Keg of Nails rivalry. Some of us oldtimers take that rivalry quite seriously. Being a lifelong resident of Cincinnati and alumni of the university, he should have known this, expected some backlash, and prepared himself for engaging the fan base in an attempt to mend fences. I think he handled it as well as can be expected but his fence mending efforts have not impressed anyone. My wife is a little more neutral on this than I. Eventually it will die down on its own.

One final thought. Every post on this site is a valid point and I am sure well thought out. Calling one's opinion foolish is not exactly showing the class I have seen in here as of late.

He didn't pick Louisville, he picked Pitino. Pitino just happened to be the coach at Louisville at the time. Pitino also had a long list of assistants that had ascended to HCing positions elsewhere, while the coach of UC at that time had essentially none. Was he supposed to say No because some narrow minded people would look at this move and not be able to differentiate the difference. I think he thought long and hard about the move and then made the same decision that ANYONE else in his position would have made. BTW, Huggins assistants were bailing the prorgam at the time and could see the handwriting on the wall. He also didn't foster loyalty from some of his assistants when he let John Loyer fall on the sword for the Charles Williams fiasco.