Mick's RECRUITING

[UCBearcats]

Mick's recruiting has been above average, not great, kind of like his overall results so far as our head coach. It's funny that a lot of the same guys who consistently call our players lazy or slow or lacking in bball IQ are the same one's who crawl out of the woodwork to defend the fact that Mick recruited them.

Mick has done a nice job of rebuilding our roster but if we really want to compete on a higher level we've got to mix in a few more talented recruits. It would be nice to get a few top 50 kids in the program. I'm not talking one a done kids here, just a few big splash guys to help up the talent level on our roster. Mick isn't getting those kids because he isn't a great recruiter, he's an above average recruiter who's best attribute in recruiting is his ability to evaluate talent to fit into his defensive scheme.

Last season and this season are as good as it gets for UC bball under Mick Cronin. I'd like to see better from this program but it could be a lot worse than it is right now. Welcome to the world of mediocrity, it is what UC hoops has become.

 

[Bearcat91]

Mick's recruiting has been above average, not great, kind of like his overall results so far as our head coach. It's funny that a lot of the same guys who consistently call our players lazy or slow or lacking in bball IQ are the same one's who crawl out of the woodwork to defend the fact that Mick recruited them.

Mick has done a nice job of rebuilding our roster but if we really want to compete on a higher level we've got to mix in a few more talented recruits. It would be nice to get a few top 50 kids in the program. I'm not talking one a done kids here, just a few big splash guys to help up the talent level on our roster. Mick isn't getting those kids because he isn't a great recruiter, he's an above average recruiter who's best attribute in recruiting is his ability to evaluate talent to fit into his defensive scheme.

Last season and this season are as good as it gets for UC bball under Mick Cronin. I'd like to see better from this program but it could be a lot worse than it is right now. Welcome to the world of mediocrity, it is what UC hoops has become.

Couldnt be further from the truth. UC basketball is only going to get better. As said before these kids that Mick is recruiting dont remember the Kenyon days and only remember Huggins leaving and UC in the dark days. Mick hasnt gotten "big time" recruits but it isnt his fault. Obekpa's handlers wanted him to go to St. Johns and thats where he ended up. Chris Perry's grandma is sick and he wanted to be near her and he also got things on his visit to USF that he didnt get here... But thats a different story. We'll see what happens with Lawrence but I still think the sky's the limit for UC under Cronin.

 

[UCBearcats]

Couldnt be further from the truth. UC basketball is only going to get better. As said before these kids that Mick is recruiting dont remember the Kenyon days and only remember Huggins leaving and UC in the dark days. Mick hasnt gotten "big time" recruits but it isnt his fault. Obekpa's handlers wanted him to go to St. Johns and thats where he ended up. Chris Perry's grandma is sick and he wanted to be near her and he also got things on his visit to USF that he didnt get here... But thats a different story. We'll see what happens with Lawrence but I still think the sky's the limit for UC under Cronin.

I'll believe it when I see it. I look at our current roster and I don't see a whole lot of talent beyond Cashmere and Killa. Parker is a very good scrap player but nothing more. I think Shaq has a lot of potential but is still very raw. The thing I worry about with Shaq is that Mick hasn't shown an ability to take a raw player like him and develop their offensive skills. Killa is a natural scorer but lacks the ball handling and passing skills to be an elite guy. He's ability to create for himself is lacking and that will hold him back from being an NBA prospect.

Next season we lose Cash and Parker and I think we'll see this team take a step backwards. The elite teams in college basketball can play defense and score on a consistent basis. UC has shown the inability to score consistently throughout Mick's time here and I don't see the recruiting trend in our current pipeline to address this issue. I also question Mick's ability to coach up his players on the offensive side of the ball. This is why I view what Mick has done as above average. He gets great effort out of his guys and they play great D which keeps them in a lot of games despite their lack of offensive ability. If you want to be consistently great you've got to get better talent and a better offensive mindset.

 

[cincycpaw]

Couldnt be further from the truth. UC basketball is only going to get better. As said before these kids that Mick is recruiting dont remember the Kenyon days and only remember Huggins leaving and UC in the dark days. Mick hasnt gotten "big time" recruits but it isnt his fault. Obekpa's handlers wanted him to go to St. Johns and thats where he ended up. Chris Perry's grandma is sick and he wanted to be near her and he also got things on his visit to USF that he didnt get here... But thats a different story. We'll see what happens with Lawrence but I still think the sky's the limit for UC under Cronin.

It's not his fault? He's the head coach, it is his responsibility. Sure there aren't enough BIGs to go around, but he hasn't gotten 1 since Yancy. That was a long time ago. Here's to hoping this trend changes and changes fast.

Also, I'm really tired about hearing of all these other schools that give kids these "benefits" as the excuse. Either prove it or shut up about it.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Mick's recruiting has been above average, not great, kind of like his overall results so far as our head coach. It's funny that a lot of the same guys who consistently call our players lazy or slow or lacking in bball IQ are the same one's who crawl out of the woodwork to defend the fact that Mick recruited them.

Mick has done a nice job of rebuilding our roster but if we really want to compete on a higher level we've got to mix in a few more talented recruits. It would be nice to get a few top 50 kids in the program. I'm not talking one a done kids here, just a few big splash guys to help up the talent level on our roster. Mick isn't getting those kids because he isn't a great recruiter, he's an above average recruiter who's best attribute in recruiting is his ability to evaluate talent to fit into his defensive scheme.

Last season and this season are as good as it gets for UC bball under Mick Cronin. I'd like to see better from this program but it could be a lot worse than it is right now. Welcome to the world of mediocrity, it is what UC hoops has become.

As Micks reputation grows (and it is) given the tremendous job he did resurrecting the program.He will get more talented players and won't have to recruit as hard by having to take some player projects. Mick is a excellent recruiter and evaluator of talent. Pitino or Huggins wouldn't have utilized his skills as liong as they did if he wasn't. Mick is growing as a coach and the program is heading in the same direction.

 

[Bearcat91]

It's not his fault? He's the head coach, it is his responsibility. Sure there aren't enough BIGs to go around, but he hasn't gotten 1 since Yancy. That was a long time ago. Here's to hoping this trend changes and changes fast.

Also, I'm really tired about hearing of all these other schools that give kids these "benefits" as the excuse. Either prove it or shut up about it.

Obekpa was part of a program that brought kids from overseas to play ball. The program has people watch over each player for their "best interest." It has been reported during his recruitment that his handlers wanted him to go to St. Johns or Oregon for more exposure. Obviously playing at MSG gives you more exposure than playing at 5/rd arena plus he was already familiar with teh area.

As far as Chris Perry if you really want to go into it he went to whatever school he could get some from the girls at the school. I know this because he continuously messaged my girlfriend on twitter asking her to meet up with him during his visit for the Pitt game. He kept asking for her to go back to his hotel room with him and all that. I followed him on twitter and you can obviously tell he got some on his visit to USF. He's a high school senior so I dont doubt for a second that had something to do with his final decision. Hes one of the players that I could tell that he felt entitled because he was a good ball player. Why else would you choose a perennial bubble team in USF over UC?

So its not the school that gave him benefits its other things that happened and I dont blame Mick for it at all.

 

[TheLongHaul]

^ are you really suggesting that Perry chose USF because he got more women on his visit there? wow, that's a first. and so we should blame your girl for him not coming to UC?

 

[Bearcat91]

^ are you really suggesting that Perry chose USF because he got more women on his visit there? wow, that's a first. and so we should blame your girl for him not coming to UC?

Exactly what Im suggesting. Every time he tweeted about him visiting a school he would always talk about what kind of girls were there. Not saying that was the deal breaker but from what he put on social media it seemed that it was a part of it. But like I said before thats a whole different story and not the point of this thread. And I every once in a while bring it up to her laughingly.

 

[UCBearcats]

As Micks reputation grows (and it is) given the tremendous job he did resurrecting the program.He will get more talented players and won't have to recruit as hard by having to take some player projects. Mick is a excellent recruiter and evaluator of talent. Pitino or Huggins wouldn't have utilized his skills as liong as they did if he wasn't. Mick is growing as a coach and the program is heading in the same direction.

I'm not totally slamming the guy, I did that in the past but I was wrong about it. Mick has done a good job but I think too many people on these boards act like Mick has done something heroic here as our coach. Mick has done a good job, we've had some success but I don't see greatness in his future here. I hope I'm wrong but I think what we're seeing now is what Mick will deliver on a long term basis. What we have now isn't terrible, it's actually pretty good but it still falls short of what I and many fans would like to see. Mick has far exceeded in year 7 what I thought he was capable of in year 3 and I was clearly wrong about many things I said about him in the past. We're going to win some big games this season and we're going to lose some stinkers. We're going to scrap and claw because that's what Mick's teams do. Personally to me it's a frustrating brand of basketball because every game is high stress and watching this offense has been giving me an ulcer for the last 7 years that I'll never get rid of.

I've been wrong before, could be wrong again but I don't see this team continuing to move forward next season. I think we step back and I think the talent Mick has brought in the last few classes has been lacking. I don't see it trending forward with our current pipeline and I think that's a valid concern.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I'm not totally slamming the guy, I did that in the past but I was wrong about it. Mick has done a good job but I think too many people on these boards act like Mick has done something heroic here as our coach. Mick has done a good job, we've had some success but I don't see greatness in his future here. I hope I'm wrong but I think what we're seeing now is what Mick will deliver on a long term basis. What we have now isn't terrible, it's actually pretty good but it still falls short of what I and many fans would like to see. Mick has far exceeded in year 7 what I thought he was capable of in year 3 and I was clearly wrong about many things I said about him in the past. We're going to win some big games this season and we're going to lose some stinkers. We're going to scrap and claw because that's what Mick's teams do. Personally to me it's a frustrating brand of basketball because every game is high stress and watching this offense has been giving me an ulcer for the last 7 years that I'll never get rid of.

I've been wrong before, could be wrong again but I don't see this team continuing to move forward next season. I think we step back and I think the talent Mick has brought in the last few classes has been lacking. I don't see it trending forward with our current pipeline and I think that's a valid concern.

You sound like a very good fan but let me point out a couple of things. Most games in our conference our scraping and clawing. There are no easy road wins in the BE. Micks teams have progressed every year. If he lands Lawrence this class will be his best. Mick can coach and recognize taent. As he continues to show this program is NCAA bound every year,players graduate and more play professionally it will continue to grow. I personnally love this bluecollar brand of basketball. This team is rarely out hustled or worked. Huggins showed up here with the same mentality and very little national recognition. Losing Cash and Parker will hurt this team next year unlesss one of the recruits steps up as a PG.Can't see SK leaving and as mentioned if we add Lawrence will be very good. The key will be a PG. Just like in lastnights game.

 

[Scheids21]

Wait, wait, wait...people are suggesting Cronin needs to get more talented recruits? This is new; I haven't heard anyone say that before.

 

[UCBearcats]

You sound like a very good fan but let me point out a couple of things. Most games in our conference our scraping and clawing. There are no easy road wins in the BE. Micks teams have progressed every year. If he lands Lawrence this class will be his best. Mick can coach and recognize taent. As he continues to show this program is NCAA bound every year,players graduate and more play professionally it will continue to grow. I personnally love this bluecollar brand of basketball. This team is rarely out hustled or worked. Huggins showed up here with the same mentality and very little national recognition. Losing Cash and Parker will hurt this team next year unlesss one of the recruits steps up as a PG.Can't see SK leaving and as mentioned if we add Lawrence will be very good. The key will be a PG. Just like in lastnights game.

I agree that most games are scrapping and clawing but to say that UC has been anything better than above average as a team in the Big East simply isn't true. To say that Mick ranks anywhere above the middle of the pack as coaches in this conference would be untrue as well. I also agree that there are no easy road wins in the BE which is why you have to take care of teams like St. John's at home when you have the chance. Mick's teams have had the tendency to lose games they're expected to win and pull off a few surprise victories along the way. This whole conference is getting blown up so most of these points will be invalid after next season anyways. There are programs that are considered elite in the country and I would like to be in that group. We're not there and frankly were not nearly as close as most of the people on these boards would have you believe. If Mick wants to get there, which he should and I'm sure he does, he needs to be a better recruiter and develop himself as a coach. I don't see it happening.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I agree that most games are scrapping and clawing but to say that UC has been anything better than above average as a team in the Big East simply isn't true. To say that Mick ranks anywhere above the middle of the pack as coaches in this conference would be untrue as well. I also agree that there are no easy road wins in the BE which is why you have to take care of teams like St. John's at home when you have the chance. Mick's teams have had the tendency to lose games they're expected to win and pull off a few surprise victories along the way. This whole conference is getting blown up so most of these points will be invalid after next season anyways. There are programs that are considered elite in the country and I would like to be in that group. We're not there and frankly were not nearly as close as most of the people on these boards would have you believe. If Mick wants to get there, which he should and I'm sure he does, he needs to be a better recruiter and develop himself as a coach. I don't see it happening.

We will have to agree to disagree. When I factor in the situation he inherited, the move to the BE, the facilities and budget we are very lucky to have him. Don't know what your looking for but here is a guy who has progressed every year, Graduates his players,makes the NCAA, is loyal and local and whether you believe this or not, if he were to make himself available for other coaching opportunities there would be along line waiting to interview him. I suggest you get on board with what we are, a very nice program that after a very bad mishandled situation is heading in the right direction. Also if your complaining about wins being hard fought I would have to ask would you rather we lost? How would youo like to be DePaul. Fabled program that is in the heart of basketball and still can't make the NCAA.

 

[Hicks' Guns]

Even though he's had more wins in each of his 7 years.

Even though they made the sweet 16 last year, not to mention beat Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown twice, ND, Marquette, Florida State, etcetera...

Even though it's been nothing but steady improvement since he got here.

Baby steps. Things were bleak when he took over and it's been a steady progression since then. I hear you on wanting to take the next step. I want 4 and 5 star recruits like everyone else but what Mick has done in 7 years is extremely admirable. We all want the program to make the next step but enjoy the ride man. Simply put, to me that next step is getting quality big men.

Would you prefer it that Mick get fed up with conference re-alignment and a fan base that doesn't appreciate him that much, and take off to another school where it's easier to get those big time recruits?

 

[ME80]

Even though he's had more wins in each of his 7 years.

Even though they made the sweet 16 last year, not to mention beat Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown twice, ND, Marquette, Florida State, etcetera...

Even though it's been nothing but steady improvement since he got here.

Baby steps. Things were bleak when he took over and it's been a steady progression since then. I hear you on wanting to take the next step. I want 4 and 5 star recruits like everyone else but what Mick has done in 7 years is extremely admirable. We all want the program to make the next step but enjoy the ride man. Simply put, to me that next step is getting quality big men.

Would you prefer it that Mick get fed up with conference re-alignment and a fan base that doesn't appreciate him that much, and take off to another school where it's easier to get those big time recruits?

In this day and age people don't like baby steps, they want instant results. I don't agree with that belief but I think the majority are that way today.

 

[Scheids21]

In this day and age people don't like baby steps, they want instant results. I don't agree with that belief but I think the majority are that way today.

Same people who wanted Mick gone after year 3 when the team went to the NIT...same people who think we should have amazing recruits now just because we went to the tournament back to back years.

 

[UCBearcats]

Even though he's had more wins in each of his 7 years.

Even though they made the sweet 16 last year, not to mention beat Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown twice, ND, Marquette, Florida State, etcetera...

Even though it's been nothing but steady improvement since he got here.

Baby steps. Things were bleak when he took over and it's been a steady progression since then. I hear you on wanting to take the next step. I want 4 and 5 star recruits like everyone else but what Mick has done in 7 years is extremely admirable. We all want the program to make the next step but enjoy the ride man. Simply put, to me that next step is getting quality big men.

Would you prefer it that Mick get fed up with conference re-alignment and a fan base that doesn't appreciate him that much, and take off to another school where it's easier to get those big time recruits?

Yes, I absolutely would, because I don't feel that Mick will ever make us elite. For some reason so many seem to think that Mick is the only guy that can do what he's doing here at UC, no one can do better and anyone else would only do worse. That's a ridiculous outlook to have. Don't fool yourself into thinking that there aren't good coaches out there that would jump at the chance to coach at UC.

Now realistically I realize that this isn't going to happen. Mick hasn't warranted being fired and he won't be. For me this is the worst possible scenario because Mick will continue to do enough to remain an above average program and we will remain a middle of the pack team in the Big East or ACC or wherever we wind up.

 

[Bearcat04]

Yes, I absolutely would, because I don't feel that Mick will ever make us elite. For some reason so many seem to think that Mick is the only guy that can do what he's doing here at UC, no one can do better and anyone else would only do worse. That's a ridiculous outlook to have. Don't fool yourself into thinking that there aren't good coaches out there that would jump at the chance to coach at UC.

Now realistically I realize that this isn't going to happen. Mick hasn't warranted being fired and he won't be. For me this is the worst possible scenario because Mick will continue to do enough to remain an above average program and we will remain a middle of the pack team in the Big East or ACC or wherever we wind up.

Any coach that could get better results than Mick would be gone in a heartbeat given the budget, facilities, and overall lack of fan support.

 

[Bearcat91]

Yes, I absolutely would, because I don't feel that Mick will ever make us elite. For some reason so many seem to think that Mick is the only guy that can do what he's doing here at UC, no one can do better and anyone else would only do worse. That's a ridiculous outlook to have. Don't fool yourself into thinking that there aren't good coaches out there that would jump at the chance to coach at UC.

Now realistically I realize that this isn't going to happen. Mick hasn't warranted being fired and he won't be. For me this is the worst possible scenario because Mick will continue to do enough to remain an above average program and we will remain a middle of the pack team in the Big East or ACC or wherever we wind up.

So going the the Big East championship game last year that honestly we should have won if we didnt play awful just means we are a middle of the pack team?

 

[UCBearcats]

Any coach that could get better results than Mick would be gone in a heartbeat given the budget, facilities, and overall lack of fan support.

Of course there would be risk if Mick were to leave. We run the chance of not making the right hire and getting someone in here who fails to reach the levels that Mick has reached. That's is a very possible outcome. To me, it's worth the risk to have a chance at being a top program.

Some of you guys need to quit being so butthurt that not everyone agrees Mick is the second coming of God. I said a lot of stupid things about the guy a while back and I was totally wrong but people who act like he walks on water are just as bad on the opposite end of the spectrum.

The truth is that Mick is somewhere in the middle, probably slightly above the middle of the pack, that's all I'm saying here. To me, in my opinion, that's not good enough to satisfy my craving for UC hoops. I still continue to go to all the games, I love our kids, I support our team, but I want us to be better and believe we can and should be.