Mick says UC should be ranked higher

[Not Guilty]

I have an honest question for everyone: Does anybody else get the impression that Koch isn't ever exactly doing Mick any favors? Or that he makes things worse, and that may be intentional?

I know sometimes I read things, and I wonder if perhaps, he poses a friendly question that Mick responds to, and then throws him under the bus by publishing it.

There was a specific article Koch did a few weeks back (Sorry I'm totally drawing a black on what it was exactly. Scheduling, probably) and literally said to myself, "Jesus, Koch really f'd Mick over by running with this." I remember thinking that the stance Koch took was a tad odd for a school's beat writer, and that you wouldn't see that around many other programs.

When i saw the comments today, I did wonder if any number of other reporters would have just run with the kids quotes and left Cronin's out, or just worded it differently rather than a direct quote.

Anybody ever wonder about Koch? Cuz if I were Mick, I get the feeling I'd be telling that guy to watch what he prints. And for those that don't like Mo Egger, you may what to turn your attention to this guy.

I have never had the feeling that Koch is on UC's side. I know a beat writer is supposed to be unbiased, but I feel like Koch crosses the line to anti-UC to instead of just remaining neutral.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I have an honest question for everyone: Does anybody else get the impression that Koch isn't ever exactly doing Mick any favors? Or that he makes things worse, and that may be intentional?

I know sometimes I read things, and I wonder if perhaps, he poses a friendly question that Mick responds to, and then throws him under the bus by publishing it.

There was a specific article Koch did a few weeks back (Sorry I'm totally drawing a black on what it was exactly. Scheduling, probably) and literally said to myself, "Jesus, Koch really f'd Mick over by running with this." I remember thinking that the stance Koch took was a tad odd for a school's beat writer, and that you wouldn't see that around many other programs.

When i saw the comments today, I did wonder if any number of other reporters would have just run with the kids quotes and left Cronin's out, or just worded it differently rather than a direct quote.

Anybody ever wonder about Koch? Cuz if I were Mick, I get the feeling I'd be telling that guy to watch what he prints. And for those that don't like Mo Egger, you may what to turn your attention to this guy.

I emailed Koch and told him as much. I asked why he always takes a negative slant when dealing with Cronin and this team.

 

[ervins84]

And for those that don't like Mo Egger, you may what to turn your attention to this guy.

mo's prob the best media/sports guy in the area right now

 

[Juliepitzer]

Yep, shoot the messenger. Always the smart thing to do lol.

 

[bearcat jeff]

mo's prob the best media/sports guy in the area right now

I think Mo does a good job of breaking things down but as far as a "personality" he is horrible. He comes across like he is constantly complaining and smug. I listen to him but if there was a viable option I wouldn't. Good message bad delivery.

 

[ralph1950]

Mick is correct, if Duke had played the exact same schedule as UC and won all 14 as UC did, Duke would be ranked the same # 1 as they are now, not # 25.

 

[Ryno99]

Koch has got to be one of if not the worst sports beat writer in the nation, he reports nothing useful or insightful. They really need a new Cats beat writer at the enquirer.

As for Mo, I feel he's about the best we got right now. He's definitely a homer and has passion for the teams he covers and sometimes he lets that get in the way of objectivity, but I like that at times.

 

[JasonS]

I like the typical coach speak of: "I don't care where we're ranked now, I care where we're ranked at the end of the season." or the simple "We'll just have to work harder and make more believers out of people."

I don't have a huge problem but this does come across as whiney. If Mick wants to use that angle with his kids, make sense, but why not keep it in house?

Sorry, I've never been a fan of diminishing other programs ("the teams ahead of us with 3 losses" or the shot on the A10 a few years ago) I just don't think there's anything to gain from it. If you're, I don't know, Bruce Weber, Tubby Smith, or even Pitino, you might have that comment relayed to you, basically Mick saying his team is better. Maybe not a issue at all, but why risk it?

Plus, it is kind of a shot on both the AP and/coaches that comprise the voters. Do you think you get any extra favors questioning them? I mean it can't help, right.

Whatever. No biggie, I just wish he would have a given a real simple "who cares, doesn't matter right now" type of answer.

I don't see it coming across as "whiny" or anything like that. Mick and this team have been playing the no respect card all season and it has worked for them. All Mick is saying is that UC still isn't getting the proper respect. It helps keep the players motivated and hungry. The minute Mick says, "I'm glad we're ranked" is the time where this team could feel comfortable and be primed for a let down. I have always been a big fan of the us against the world types of motivation. Whether it's the "no respect" or "they don't think you can play" or the "not getting air time on sportscenter" or any other one you can think of, having a collective chip on their shoulders is a very powerful weapon.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

Good coach talk from Cronin.

Us v. World.

No problem with it. Continue to tell the players that they're a top team in the country and they won't get any respect until they get there....which means winning games.

No respect. Fight. Claw. Punch. Scrap.

Us v. You.


Personally, I always perform best when people tell me: a) you can't do it; b) you're not good enough; c) there is someone better.

Please don't discount the psychological games that coaches must play.

 

[psax889906]

Alum,

You can't do it.

You're certainly not good enough.

There are dozens of people that are better.







... Just wanted to make sure we get the best possible posts and information from you possible.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I have no problem with Mick using this tactic, but it needed to stay out of the media.

 

[Kingsley Court]

Mick is correct, if Duke had played the exact same schedule as UC and won all 14 as UC did, Duke would be ranked the same # 1 as they are now, not # 25.

Are you really as ignorant as your posts? They would certainly be top 10, if not top 5, depends on what other teams have done. But, they also you know, are coming off a national championship season. Two completley different situations, of course a defending national champion would be ranked higher with this schedule and same results than a defending NIT team. You really can't even compare the two.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I have no problem with Mick using this tactic, but it needed to stay out of the media.

Just don't understand that philosophy. Why not publicly tell your team you think they are better than people think and that by not seeing it they are disrespecting you. It's telling the nation I believe in my guys and I'm not afraid to say it because I believe my team has my back. And so far the team has. 14-0 is all that matters. Part of the energy they've shown is they truly believe they're going to show everyone they are a good team. The last 8 wins by double digits with the closest of the 8 a 10 point win. He's telling the truth. He's saying I see the Tennessee's of the world have bad loss after bad loss and stay ranked for weeks because of the name on their jersey and they had a couple good wins. It's suppose to be the weekly top 25. The top 25 teams for that week. Not your opinion of who you think will be good by March.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Just don't understand that philosophy. Why not publicly tell your team you think they are better than people think and that by not seeing it they are disrespecting you. It's telling the nation I believe in my guys and I'm not afraid to say it because I believe my team has my back. And so far the team has. 14-0 is all that matters. Part of the energy they've shown is they truly believe they're going to show everyone they are a good team. The last 8 wins by double digits with the closest of the 8 a 10 point win. He's telling the truth. He's saying I see the Tennessee's of the world have bad loss after bad loss and stay ranked for weeks because of the name on their jersey and they had a couple good wins. It's suppose to be the weekly top 25. The top 25 teams for that week. Not your opinion of who you think will be good by March.

He comes off as whiny, no sense in insulting all coaches when you have proved nothing.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

Alum,

You can't do it.

You're certainly not good enough.

There are dozens of people that are better.







... Just wanted to make sure we get the best possible posts and information from you possible.

Well played. Well played...

 

[BearcatAlum1]

Just don't understand that philosophy. Why not publicly tell your team you think they are better than people think and that by not seeing it they are disrespecting you. It's telling the nation I believe in my guys and I'm not afraid to say it because I believe my team has my back. And so far the team has. 14-0 is all that matters. Part of the energy they've shown is they truly believe they're going to show everyone they are a good team. The last 8 wins by double digits with the closest of the 8 a 10 point win. He's telling the truth. He's saying I see the Tennessee's of the world have bad loss after bad loss and stay ranked for weeks because of the name on their jersey and they had a couple good wins. It's suppose to be the weekly top 25. The top 25 teams for that week. Not your opinion of who you think will be good by March.

Agreed.

Also, just because I have no problem with the comments, doesn't mean I would have said them.

Either way: US vs. THEM.

 

[JasonS]

He comes off as whiny, no sense in insulting all coaches when you have proved nothing.

He didn't insult any coaches. He didn't name any names last time I checked. I would rather have a coach that speaks his mind than one who sits there silently. If my memory serves me correctly Huggins was pretty vocal when he was here. So was Brian Kelly. People didn't complain about it then but because Mick said it they want to complain. Frankly, I agree with Mick. I think they should be ranked around 18th right now.

 

[anbuc88]

He didn't insult any coaches. He didn't name any names last time I checked. I would rather have a coach that speaks his mind than one who sits there silently. If my memory serves me correctly Huggins was pretty vocal when he was here. So was Brian Kelly. People didn't complain about it then but because Mick said it they want to complain. Frankly, I agree with Mick. I think they should be ranked around 18th right now.

His comments were made during his media access yesterday. If you listen to the entire interview, you can see that what he says makes sense. It wasn't said in a whining, woe is us, manner. He basically says that he will continue to use this to motivate the team. If you take it out of context, like Bill Koch did, it can appear to make Cronin sound this way. Does it really matter? The haters like to parse everything he says anyway, and put a negative spin on it. Put Huggins (who used us against the world psychology on many occasions) behind these exact comments and they would be saying how great it is that he is standing up his players.

 

[TheLongHaul]

He didn't insult any coaches. He didn't name any names last time I checked. I would rather have a coach that speaks his mind than one who sits there silently. If my memory serves me correctly Huggins was pretty vocal when he was here. So was Brian Kelly. People didn't complain about it then but because Mick said it they want to complain. Frankly, I agree with Mick. I think they should be ranked around 18th right now.

Why does Mick even care where they are ranked right now. He really shouldn't care if they are ranked 25th or 18th. He should be 100% focused on beating XU. Beat XU, beat Villanova and then you won't have to whine about not being ranked high.

 

[anbuc88]

Why does Mick even care where they are ranked right now. He really shouldn't care if they are ranked 25th or 18th. He should be 100% focused on beating XU. Beat XU, beat Villanova and then you won't have to whine about not being ranked high.

He was asked a question and answered it honestly. Go to GoBearcats.com and listen to the entire news conference. Do you really think he is spending a good amount of time looking at polls, rather than game planning for XU. Yeah, I wish he would care about beating XU and Villanova as much as some of the posters on here. LOL.