Micks Philosophy needs to change.

[TheLivingLegend]

Mick is wrong. Defense doesn't win championships. Talk all you want about defense, but our offense is why we are not very good.

The idea of recruiting athletes over basketball players is not going to work and frankly its been on display with our bigs. Mick has poorly recruited big guys. Long and athletic doesnt equal points.

Our 4 and 5 cannot score the ball... Other teams bigs sit in the paint because they dont have to play defense. It creates zero lanes to drive the ball.

Our offensive scheme is what? Set a bunch of picks for SK? Stand around and hope SK does something?

Mick stated tonight this team needs to truly reflect on who they are going to be.... No coach, you need to truly reflect on why our offense is broke... Ill give you a hint. Your recruiting. Your scheme.

A team should be mixed with athletes and baskebtall players. This team has 1 basketball player... 2 potentially.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

A team should be mixed with athletes and baskebtall players. This team has 1 basketball player... 2 potentially.

I agree with this. A good team for how Mick wants to play must have a skilled back court, an "athlete" type at the 3 or 4 and 1 skilled post up player. You also need to have at least 1 knock down shooter/glue guy.

 

[Bearcat04]

Defense does win championships. In the last 10+ years there hasn't been a national champion with an AdjD lower than 21st overall. At the same time, there hasn't been a champion with an AdjO lower than 18th overall. In the last three years Mick's defense has been ranked 14th, 22nd, and 14th. They went into tonight's gamed ranked 14th overall once again. That part of the philosophy is just fine. You need athletes in order to play elite defense, especially with the way the game is being called now defensively. Maybe they need to look for more guys that are offensive-minded, but also show potential defensively based on their athleticism... instead of the other way around? The offense has to improve, no question, but I don't think we get closer to a championship level team by drastically changing philosophy to recruit like a Creighton, which was absurdly mentioned by many fans last year.

 

[dbieon12]

Defense does win championships. In the last 10+ years there hasn't been a national champion with an AdjD lower than 21st overall. At the same time, there hasn't been a champion with an AdjO lower than 18th overall. In the last three years Mick's defense has been ranked 14th, 22nd, and 14th. They went into tonight's gamed ranked 14th overall once again. That part of the philosophy is just fine. You need athletes in order to play elite defense, especially with the way the game is being called now defensively. Maybe they need to look for more guys that are offensive-minded, but also show potential defensively based on their athleticism... instead of the other way around? The offense has to improve, no question, but I don't think we get closer to a championship level team by drastically changing philosophy to recruit like a Creighton, which was absurdly mentioned by many fans last year.

Won't matter at the end of the day. I have yet to see the team do any high-low action or low-high action. I remember when they would pass it to Jackson at the free-throw line and then quickly pass it back for an open shot - or have a cutter to the basket with a sneaky bounce pass.

In general the plays that the team runs in the half-court are pathetic and usually result in a poor shot. Passing needs to improve in bunches quick.

I can't see Jackson and Rubles being an effective post combination down the stretch.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Won't matter at the end of the day. I have yet to see the team do any high-low action or low-high action. I remember when they would pass it to Jackson at the free-throw line and then quickly pass it back for an open shot - or have a cutter to the basket with a sneaky bounce pass.

In general the plays that the team runs in the half-court are pathetic and usually result in a poor shot. Passing needs to improve in bunches quick.

I can't see Jackson and Rubles being an effective post combination down the stretch.

Not one time did anyone bite on Rubles head fake tonight, nor did he come close to hitting a shot. Any team that does their homework will know how to keep him from scoring. Jackson can't be effective offensively against guys with size. He forces things and when he does that he travels or puts up an ugly shot. I know Strickland is a freshman but we are really hurting not even being able to see what he could've brought to the table. Lawrence is just too weak and inexperienced to be effective inside. We need to become an attacking team to draw fouls and get to the line and we need to hit our free throws. That is the only way our offense can be effective. Caupain, Johnson, Killa and Guyn are the only players that have shown they're capable of putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim. Maybe Sanders here or there because the defense sleeps on him. Thomas is too weak and pulls up from 10 to 15 feet. He needs to start hitting that or getting closer to the rim. Rubles can't buy a shot but at least he can put the ball on the floor and get to the line. Jackson can't get around a big player and really doesn't need to be putting the ball on the floor anyway.

 

[Amberlycolonel]

I agree with this. A good team for how Mick wants to play must have a skilled back court, an "athlete" type at the 3 or 4 and 1 skilled post up player. You also need to have at least 1 knock down shooter/glue guy.

Can someone explain to me what the difference is between an athlete and a basketball player? I see this reference so much on this site. If by the word "athlete" you mean someone who can run up and down the court faster than most, but suck at shooting and rebounding, we have a full team of those. Leave the "athletes" for the track team. Give me a roster full of ballers.

 

[Bcatfollower]

Can someone explain to me what the difference is between an athlete and a basketball player? I see this reference so much on this site. If by the word "athlete" you mean someone who can run up and down the court faster than most, but suck at shooting and rebounding, we have a full team of those. Leave the "athletes" for the track team. Give me a roster full of ballers.

Thats what we're talking about. When you hear someone say...he is raw but has all the tools and things like that but can't dribble shoot or understand how an offense is supposed to run. Athletes have to be developed into good players and even then there is no guarantee...some of best actual players were not/are not the best athletes, they just know how to play the game.

Right now we have a team full of projects with maybe 2 to 3 players who can play.

 

[UCalum08]

I am sick and tired of justifying Cronin's worth. He is a good person and a good defensive coach. But by god he can not develop players and coach offense. We will never win when we struggle to get 50 points. It will be the same sad story Tuesday against Pitt.

 

[UCBearcats]

Another game against a quality opponent, another game in which that opponent dictates to us how we're going to play on the offensive side of the ball. Oh well, this is just what UC hoops has become. We're mediocre and most are cool with it. I mean, we're just little old UC anyways. We shouldn't expect to be great, just be happy with what we've got because this is the best we can do. Sit back and watch us become the 2nd best basketball program in our own city. If you don't think that's true you're lying to yourself, look at the last 8 years and tell me who's better. Look at the future and the recruits that are lined up.

This is what our program has become and many of you couldn't be happier with it. Whatever, f**k it. I'll just get bashed for being negative or told that I'm being unreasonable.

I think my favorite part of last night was our head "coach" once again throwing our players under the bus in the postgame. What was yours??

 

[IDC]

It's ok to have athletes. The problem is Mick is missing on the guys who are not athletes. Mick's non athletes are also not basketball players: Big Dave, Sanders and JD3 gave nothing.

The positives that I am going to try and focus on are Caupain looks like a basketball player and KJ is an athlete who has shown good awareness in previous games. Lawrence is a top 20 guy and will come around.

 

[Bcatfollower]

Another game against a quality opponent, another game in which that opponent dictates to us how we're going to play on the offensive side of the ball. Oh well, this is just what UC hoops has become. We're mediocre and most are cool with it. I mean, we're just little old UC anyways. We shouldn't expect to be great, just be happy with what we've got because this is the best we can do. Sit back and watch us become the 2nd best basketball program in our own city. If you don't think that's true you're lying to yourself, look at the last 8 years and tell me who's better. Look at the future and the recruits that are lined up.

This is what our program has become and many of you couldn't be happier with it. Whatever, f**k it. I'll just get bashed for being negative or told that I'm being unreasonable.

I think my favorite part of last night was our head "coach" once again throwing our players under the bus in the postgame. What was yours??

We will be the third best program once NKU gets rolling.... been to their arena yet?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Another game against a quality opponent, another game in which that opponent dictates to us how we're going to play on the offensive side of the ball. Oh well, this is just what UC hoops has become. We're mediocre and most are cool with it. I mean, we're just little old UC anyways. We shouldn't expect to be great, just be happy with what we've got because this is the best we can do. Sit back and watch us become the 2nd best basketball program in our own city. If you don't think that's true you're lying to yourself, look at the last 8 years and tell me who's better. Look at the future and the recruits that are lined up.

This is what our program has become and many of you couldn't be happier with it. Whatever, f**k it. I'll just get bashed for being negative or told that I'm being unreasonable.

I think my favorite part of last night was our head "coach" once again throwing our players under the bus in the postgame. What was yours??

LMAO!!! I'm not going to bash you but I do have to ask you what criteria your using to grade our program. If your looking at the shellacking we took last night I certainly understand. While I'm very disappointed in the teams performance last night I refuse to judge program after one game.

The difficult task of rebuilding this program under the circumstances was incredible. The finances,facilities and now League have been tremendous obstacles. I find it humorous that many people want to post how inept MC is as a coach when they couldn't run a practice much less a program. The reality is MC was affordable and some one who wanted to be here and had success at Murray State and was a assistant under two HOF coaches. He was not a established big time coach who could recruit simply by showing up in a living room. He has succeeded in elevating our program to a competitive level and has a CHANCE to take it to the next step. That being National title contenders. It obviously won't happen this year and quite frankly I never expected it to. Anyone looking at the talent level of this team from the outset had to know that. The question I have, is MC capable of getting better players. I think as he continues to grow as a big time coach he will be able to take it to the next level. Without facillities,finances and league it will be difficult. The fan base has left the building. You can debate why all day long but until Butts are back in the seats we won't be scheduling big name opponents consistently. We also won't be getting much financial help from University until the Football program has been elevated. As unfortunate as it is football is driving the money train. Without money upgrading the facilities is probably going to be awhile. The bigger obstacle is until League affiliation is settled it will be difficult accomplish our goals.

Those wanting to replace MC or think solving the teams problems are as simple as teaching a better offensive style are in another world. MC needs better athletes. He is responsible for getting them. Hopefully his success continues and his stature grows allowing him to get the better players. Using the resources at his disposal and what he inherited in my opinion he has done a good job. Like you I want more but until we overcome the issues I mentioned above it will be a slow process. Frankly the University athletic department doesn't have the finances or facilities to hire a established coach with the name recognition to make it happen quickly. If you think they do name them. I would challenge anyone on here to find one person in the industry who doesn't think MC hasn't done a remarkable job under the circumstances.

All that said,as a frustrated fan with very little coaching experience I would like to see more of the freshmen going forward in hopes they will develope as the season progresses. I really hope we can make the tourney but with very little post presence I really think we are NIT bound. Hopefully next year will be better. Sometimes you need to take a step back to take two steps forward. I think this is one of those situations.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I don't see this team in the tournament...

Such a shame that a great player in sk is wasted with nothing around him.

Unfortunately the future doesn't look bright either. Maybe troys class will pan out but that'syears away.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I don't see this team in the tournament...

Such a shame that a great player in sk is wasted with nothing around him.

Unfortunately the future doesn't look bright either. Maybe troys class will pan out but that'syears away.

legend I don 't see them in tourney either. But as true fans we'll go to the games, cheer for the team and wait until next year.I feel for SK As well but he is very one dimensional and hopefully he has a quality degree from a good university. He'll probably make some nice coin in Europe.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Too early to say on the tourney. Two years ago after the brawl, I would've said no way we make the tourney. Last year, it looked like we had a really nice team that could possibly make it back to the Sweet 16 and the wheels fell of a bit. Still lots of time and lots of young players trying to find their roles.

 

[Scheids21]

They'll continue to improve so I can't say they won't make the tournament; the problem is they'll be worse next year. I have been behind Cronin from day one for rebuilding the program, and the last couple years I've been in "wait and see" mode to determine if he can take us to the next level. I'll say this: If he doesn't get an assistant to run the offense or somehow learn a new offense he is done. It has been awful and its not getting any better. If not, we will be a borderline bubble team for the rest of eternity. I've always liked Mick and been grateful to him, but without an offense we will never take the next step and its looking more and more like he refuses to fix the offense.

 

[UCalum08]

They'll continue to improve so I can't say they won't make the tournament; the problem is they'll be worse next year. I have been behind Cronin from day one for rebuilding the program, and the last couple years I've been in "wait and see" mode to determine if he can take us to the next level. I'll say this: If he doesn't get an assistant to run the offense or somehow learn a new offense he is done. It has been awful and its not getting any better. If not, we will be a borderline bubble team for the rest of eternity. I've always liked Mick and been grateful to him, but without an offense we will never take the next step and its looking more and more like he refuses to fix the offense.

Well said. I feel the same way. I am also concerned with the lack of player development. Its virtually non existent.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Cincinnati will be a bubble team this year, I said that before the season. I think they will be playing much better by the end of this season. Might be better if UC stops trying to post up and just go with an open offense, play Lawrence as a stretch 4 to let him attack bigger players off the bounce. Jackson is probably the only one who can do some sort of post moves, and he isn't very good.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Well said. I feel the same way. I am also concerned with the lack of player development. Its virtually non existent.

Interesting that you say this. I talked to Leonard Stokes for a few minutes when I saw him walking around downtown. He said that Mick wants nothing to do with Bob Huggins or his players, and he even refuses to run the same offense because he wants a different image (looks like the same bad offense, IMO). He said that he can honestly say that Mick hasn't improved any of the players in the program. He was especially critical of the staffs development of Yancy, which I semi-agree with.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Interesting that you say this. I talked to Leonard Stokes for a few minutes when I saw him walking around downtown. He said that Mick wants nothing to do with Bob Huggins or his players, and he even refuses to run the same offense because he wants a different image (looks like the same bad offense, IMO). He said that he can honestly say that Mick hasn't improved any of the players in the program. He was especially critical of the staffs development of Yancy, which I semi-agree with.

Don't buy the first part at all. Mick definitely keeps in contact with the Huggins players that he recruited. I agree that the only player who has really gotten better is Kilpatrick and I think a lot of that was on his own pure determination.

The open post motion offense Huggy ran is the best style for this type of personal.