Mick Cronin needs some help

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I think we are overachieving based on the talent I see with my eyes. It will be very hard to accomplish what I feel Mick needs to accomplish to make a difference with the fans who don't presently attend games. And, unlike Ralph, I completely disagree with the statement that we can't win back fans who have left. While it will be hard to accomplish the things I said above, that is still what he needs to do. Annual 3rd/4th/5th place finishes in the league, just making the NCAA with a medium to low seed, and exiting in the first or second round, impresses nobody anymore. Maybe in year 4 or 5 or 6 that was ok. But, at some point you need to get the program past that or face the music. 8 years is a pretty good sample, and plenty of time to get the program back on firm ground. We should be seeing the next step now....and maybe this is the year.

I can agree to an extent. But attendence is improving and I can't help but think the economy has some effect. I agree fans will return. Lots of obstacles in the way for a complete turn around in attendence at this time. Ranking is good, success is good but even more then that is venue and Scheduling.

 

[L-T]

Mo Egger was discussing this very subject last week on his radio show....as to what Mick has to do to start winning back the fans. His number one item.....upgrade the schedule! He said that is a must!. I've advocated that on here many times. I know many fans who have left because they refuse to pay these ridiculously high prices to go watch half or more of the games against teams with names that are hyphenated, or end in Upstate or Downriver. I really believe a lot of the way he is viewed in this town has to do with these hideous teams he brings in here to play. I know....I'm a huge fan and it's all I can do to drag my own butt off the couch to drive 20 miles to watch some of these teams he brings in. There's not one thing appealing about those teams at all. I don't need the lecture on our budget at this point either...so save it.

 

[CaptDale]

I think we are overachieving based on the talent I see with my eyes. It will be very hard to accomplish what I feel Mick needs to accomplish to make a difference with the fans who don't presently attend games. And, unlike Ralph, I completely disagree with the statement that we can't win back fans who have left. While it will be hard to accomplish the things I said above, that is still what he needs to do. Annual 3rd/4th/5th place finishes in the league, just making the NCAA with a medium to low seed, and exiting in the first or second round, impresses nobody anymore. Maybe in year 4 or 5 or 6 that was ok. But, at some point you need to get the program past that or face the music. 8 years is a pretty good sample, and plenty of time to get the program back on firm ground. We should be seeing the next step now....and maybe this is the year.

Agree we are overachieving. We are woefully undersized with lack of depth at the 4 and 5. JL , who has not proven himself yet, would be nice to have healthy. We really need him off the bench. That NM game still leaves a bad taste. I attribute that to early season play. The tea just wasn't mature nor were they playing cohesively. We've basically squeaked by some average-slightly above average teams, none of which had outstanding PG's. Fortunately we caught Pitt early on. Soon we will be tested by UL both at PG and their Bigs. Our win margin does not reflect our play necessarily. Fortunately our D has masked our offensive play. We ARE a good team, but UL will define whether or not we have been overachieving (win or lose). Should be about a 7 point spread at the end (either way) - max. Anything other than that lets us know where we'll finish come March.
Go Cats!

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Mo Egger was discussing this very subject last week on his radio show....as to what Mick has to do to start winning back the fans. His number one item.....upgrade the schedule! He said that is a must!. I've advocated that on here many times. I know many fans who have left because they refuse to pay these ridiculously high prices to go watch half or more of the games against teams with names that are hyphenated, or end in Upstate or Downriver. I really believe a lot of the way he is viewed in this town has to do with these hideous teams he brings in here to play. I know....I'm a huge fan and it's all I can do to drag my own butt off the couch to drive 20 miles to watch some of these teams he brings in. There's not one thing appealing about those teams at all. I don't need the lecture on our budget at this point either...so save it.

I agree. Personally I go to see a good game against a quaility opponent. Other games I watch from the couch in HD. No lecture but it is a contributing factor. I also don't like to sit in the raftors on a bench. Something BB fans better get used to for awhile is we are second fiddle to the football team. I remember when the BB team was used as a tool to get people to sign up for football tickets.

 

[#BearcatNation]

I agree. Personally I go to see a good game against a quaility opponent. Other games I watch from the couch in HD. No lecture but it is a contributing factor. I also don't like to sit in the raftors on a bench. Something BB fans better get used to for awhile is we are second fiddle to the football team. I remember when the BB team was used as a tool to get people to sign up for football tickets.

Maybe in some aspects, but Nippert needed a renovation far more than FTA needed one, and its not even close. FTA holding 13k is actually pretty respectable. Nippert holding 35k in an outdated dump was a laughing stock in the college football world. It created a solid home field advantage, but from an outsider's view, it's embarrassing.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Agree we are overachieving. We are woefully undersized with lack of depth at the 4 and 5. JL , who has not proven himself yet, would be nice to have healthy. We really need him off the bench. That NM game still leaves a bad taste. I attribute that to early season play. The tea just wasn't mature nor were they playing cohesively. We've basically squeaked by some average-slightly above average teams, none of which had outstanding PG's. Fortunately we caught Pitt early on. Soon we will be tested by UL both at PG and their Bigs. Our win margin does not reflect our play necessarily. Fortunately our D has masked our offensive play. We ARE a good team, but UL will define whether or not we have been overachieving (win or lose). Should be about a 7 point spread at the end (either way) - max. Anything other than that lets us know where we'll finish come March.
Go Cats!

CaptDale, we are home and away with UCONN and UofL. We have one more home game with memphis and a away contest with SMU. if we finish 3-3 in those 6 games that will certainly help define the season not how bad we win or lose at Louisville. a 14-4 league record will put us in my opinion either 1 or 2 in league prior to league tourney. That would be a very good start year for this team heading into post season

 

[L-T]

The bigs next year will provide depth, unproven depth, but it's hard not to be excited. Clark looks like a steal that could compete for minutes right away. Moore coupled with JL have skills, touch and range most big men don't. DeBerry and Strickland seem to be the traditional low post players that are coveted like gold in the recruiting world.

Not to be a downer on Clark, but we once recruited the North Carolina player of the year, who had very similar stats to Clark, who averaged over 30 points a game in high school, and came in here and averaged about 1-2 points a game as a freshman, and looked horrible doing it. His name was Eric Hicks. He obviously blossomed to become one of our most beloved players, but counting on any freshman to come in and make a huge impact often leads to big disappointment. Troy Caupain is an exception. These recruits are not exceptionally highly rated, so there is more liklihood that they will not have a huge impact next year. We have to hope that the players returning from this year make huge strides over the rest of this year and thru the summer, and allow next year's recruits to find their place on the team at their own pace. I never expect an impact freshman, therefore I am sometimes pleasantly surprised....as I am with Caupain.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Maybe in some aspects, but Nippert needed a renovation far more than FTA needed one, and its not even close. FTA holding 13k is actually pretty respectable. Nippert holding 35k in an outdated dump was a laughing stock in the college football world. It created a solid home field advantage, but from an outsider's view, it's embarrassing.

what i meant was most of the athletic budget is being utilized to upgrade the football team and get us in a better conference. That is a fact. Bb fans don't like to hear this but Football is driving the train. Without a good football program we ain't getting into a good conference.

 

[L-T]

I agree. Personally I go to see a good game against a quaility opponent. Other games I watch from the couch in HD. No lecture but it is a contributing factor. I also don't like to sit in the raftors on a bench. Something BB fans better get used to for awhile is we are second fiddle to the football team. I remember when the BB team was used as a tool to get people to sign up for football tickets.

Lol.....good memory. They forced me to buy football tickets for about 15 years in order to get my BB tix. That sucked, but I did get to see a lot of good FB games. Maybe we should start making FB fans buy basketball tix to get FB. We seem to be selling out or getting close in that sport. Turn-around would be fair play.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Not to be a downer on Clark, but we once recruited the North Carolina player of the year, who had very similar stats to Clark, who averaged over 30 points a game in high school, and came in here and averaged about 1-2 points a game as a freshman, and looked horrible doing it. His name was Eric Hicks. He obviously blossomed to become one of our most beloved players, but counting on any freshman to come in and make a huge impact often leads to big disappointment. Troy Caupain is an exception. These recruits are not exceptionally highly rated, so there is more liklihood that they will not have a huge impact next year. We have to hope that the players returning from this year make huge strides over the rest of this year and thru the summer, and allow next year's recruits to find their place on the team at their own pace. I never expect an impact freshman, therefore I am sometimes pleasantly surprised....as I am with Caupain.

I cerrtainly can relate to that. Wiggins and Kansas haven't been world beaters early on. They are improving now. KY has the no'1 class but they are struggling playing all freshmen. Duke is also not the Duke of old. Teams with lots of good upper classmen are dong well. Having good developing players who stay more then one year is not a bad thng. Quite frankly as a fan I enjoy watching those teams more. I think that is why MC teams have some success.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Guys enjoyed the converstion. It is time to shovel the snow.

 

[CaptDale]

CaptDale, we are home and away with UCONN and UofL. We have one more home game with memphis and a away contest with SMU. if we finish 3-3 in those 6 games that will certainly help define the season not how bad we win or lose at Louisville. a 14-4 league record will put us in my opinion either 1 or 2 in league prior to league tourney. That would be a very good start year for this team heading into post season

Sorry, Waite, I guess I should have said it will be our FIRST test............

 

[Bearcat22]

Not to be a downer on Clark, but we once recruited the North Carolina player of the year, who had very similar stats to Clark, who averaged over 30 points a game in high school, and came in here and averaged about 1-2 points a game as a freshman, and looked horrible doing it. His name was Eric Hicks. He obviously blossomed to become one of our most beloved players, but counting on any freshman to come in and make a huge impact often leads to big disappointment. Troy Caupain is an exception. These recruits are not exceptionally highly rated, so there is more liklihood that they will not have a huge impact next year. We have to hope that the players returning from this year make huge strides over the rest of this year and thru the summer, and allow next year's recruits to find their place on the team at their own pace. I never expect an impact freshman, therefore I am sometimes pleasantly surprised....as I am with Caupain.

That's a fair assessment. I think the reason I'm more bullish on Clark and Moore is because they seem to be part of the upswing in bringing in players with more skill and polish. When JL was healthy he was giving good minutes. I think they could provide a similar impact. It was mentioned in the Gary Clark recruiting thread that his ranking will probably go up, Moore could get a bump too. Most importantly, they'll fill a need and seem like good fits to the program.

 

[#BearcatNation]

That's a fair assessment. I think the reason I'm more bullish on Clark and Moore is because they seem to be part of the upswing in bringing in players with more skill and polish. When JL was healthy he was giving good minutes. I think they could provide a similar impact. It was mentioned in the Gary Clark recruiting thread that his ranking will probably go up, Moore could get a bump too. Most importantly, they'll fill a need and seem like good fits to the program.

I think Clark might get a small bump, but nothing crazy, only because he's alreay committed here and signed his LOI. If he were still undecided and playing like he is, his ranking would be skyrocketing on the likes of Rivals, Scout, etc.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Next year Cincinnati will have a pretty nice OOC. They will play road games against Nebraska and NC State, also they play 2 games down in Florida against Middle Tennessee State and Creighton/Ole Miss. Home games with Eastern Illinois and NC Central are also already scheduled. Hopefully San Diego State series will play us in Cincinnati. Xavier is either going to be at home or at US Bank. Throw in a neutral site game in NYC. They badly need to get another home-and-home with a P5 school. I'd think Pittsburgh would be more than willing. I also wouldn't mind extended the series with New Mexico.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Another thing about the home schedule. It sets up nicely down the stretch. Cincinnati still has 7pm Thursday games against Connecticut and Memphis along with a Nooner against Louisville. Starting January 30th against Louisville, Cincinnati will play 6 of it's last 10 games against NCAA caliber teams. That will feel like the old BE again!!

 

[JasonS]

Completely agree about a knock down shooter. They need to scout Iowa, Nebraska or whatever for just such a specialist...lol

One could argue that Jermaine Sanders has become that this year, or at least over the last 10 games or so. If you look at his numbers over that span, I think you would be surprised to see what he is shooting from three. Yes, his shot seems slow but he shoots it with a high arc and it doesn't get blocked. He is quietly becoming extremely important to this team, especially against the zone.

 

[bearcat jeff]

One could argue that Jermaine Sanders has become that this year, or at least over the last 10 games or so. If you look at his numbers over that span, I think you would be surprised to see what he is shooting from three. Yes, his shot seems slow but he shoots it with a high arc and it doesn't get blocked. He is quietly becoming extremely important to this team, especially against the zone.

Sanders is 23 of 52 for the year nevermind the season. 44% is something just about anyone would take.

 

[JasonS]

Next year Cincinnati will have a pretty nice OOC. They will play road games against Nebraska and NC State, also they play 2 games down in Florida against Middle Tennessee State and Creighton/Ole Miss. Home games with Eastern Illinois and NC Central are also already scheduled. Hopefully San Diego State series will play us in Cincinnati. Xavier is either going to be at home or at US Bank. Throw in a neutral site game in NYC. They badly need to get another home-and-home with a P5 school. I'd think Pittsburgh would be more than willing. I also wouldn't mind extended the series with New Mexico.

They are working on the schedule. Indiana almost happened for this year. Michigan will be a home and home starting in 2015 or 2016 I believe. I would hope that UC and UL could get a yearly series going soon. Pitt would be interesting but I am not sure either program wants to play a grind it out type of "Old School Big East" game every year, especially since both programs got crushed for a game in the 40s. I could see a series with Marquette as a possibility too. I believe Mick and Buzz get along pretty well. Not sure about the ADs.

As this team continues to be ranked, and if they can win the conference this year and get a good seed in the NCAA Tourney, they will become a more favorable opponent.

 

[JasonS]

Sanders is 23 of 52 for the year nevermind the season. 44% is something just about anyone would take.

Well, there you go. I would like to have more knock down shooters for sure and I think it is important Mick gets one in the 2015 class at worst.