New season

[Alum2013]

Limited info is floating around on Twitter...read UC won 66-61. DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING from that. These scrimmages are just glorified practices.

"Hey guys, let's go out and lose this scrimmage!"...said no one ever. You really think these kids aren't trying to win?

 

[Cin City]

"Hey guys, let's go out and lose this scrimmage!"...said no one ever. You really think these kids aren't trying to win?

Never said that. However, having been around something like this before, I can tell you that a lot of "little" things are coached and picked apart and tinkered with.

Is that what happened Sunday? Don't know, but I'd take a guess at yes.

Is it competitive? Sure.
Is it dire? Not really.

Nothing to see here.

 

[waterhead]

We could hope for some major transformations out of a few players this year but those are more the exception than the rule. I have also not heard news of any one player who seems to have made that type of leap. But that doesn't mean small improvements in the right places couldn't help us in a big way.

A couple of minor things that wouldn't seem completely out of the question that we could sure use this year would be...

We get Brooks to slow his game down a bit and become moderately reliable at making that little low post baby hook and score 8-10 ppg. We need someone (anyone) to demand attention on the block if we can get it. Especially if and when 2 bigs are on the court.

Williams makes around 30% from 3. We have Cumberland and Broome who can score at all 3 levels. Williams just needs to get that 3 ball to drop to keep the defense honest for his driving game to work.

I don't think either of these would be asking too much. It would be much tougher for a guy like Moore to develop the ball skills to be a play maker than it would for Williams to make a few more 3 balls.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Very excited for the season to get underway. Will be interesting to see who takes that big step forward. Kyle, Gary and Jacob will not be easy to replace on many levels. We are not a one and done school so player development will be key as it is every year. Lots of guys who have the potential label. Who will step up? My guess is Broome and Scott have nice years and Logan Johnson gets better as the year goes on. If one of Moore, Brooks or Williams arrives it could be a very nice year. Cumberland is a given but he needs help. Finding some consistency from the rest of the roster will be huge.

 

[tonka]

Quick question. I know we are all crushed by the loss to Nevada but did that game really end the fandom for some on the board?

I was devastated and couldn't talk about it for months but I am really excited for this season. I am looking forward to seeing some new guys step up. That's the great thing about college basketball is you always have new guys coming in. I will really miss Gary and Evans but I am sure I will eventually love Logan or Trevor Moore or someone else for the memories they will create this season. I am hopeful for another tournament appearance and then who knows what can happen once you get there. I will always be a Bearcat diehard no matter what.

 

[cincycpaw]

Quick question. I know we are all crushed by the loss to Nevada but did that game really end the fandom for some on the board?

I was devastated and couldn't talk about it for months but I am really excited for this season. I am looking forward to seeing some new guys step up. That's the great thing about college basketball is you always have new guys coming in. I will really miss Gary and Evans but I am sure I will eventually love Logan or Trevor Moore or someone else for the memories they will create this season. I am hopeful for another tournament appearance and then who knows what can happen once you get there. I will always be a Bearcat diehard no matter what.

Didn’t end my fandom. Ending my pretending Cronin is more than a solid coach. I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[cincrulz11]

Quick question. I know we are all crushed by the loss to Nevada but did that game really end the fandom for some on the board?

I was devastated and couldn't talk about it for months but I am really excited for this season. I am looking forward to seeing some new guys step up. That's the great thing about college basketball is you always have new guys coming in. I will really miss Gary and Evans but I am sure I will eventually love Logan or Trevor Moore or someone else for the memories they will create this season. I am hopeful for another tournament appearance and then who knows what can happen once you get there. I will always be a Bearcat diehard no matter what.

it definitely capped the expectations going forward under the current staff. i used to have an unlimited cap for what i thought they could do, but now it seems tournament each year and sweet 16 once every 10 or so years is where its at.


No sweet 16's since Yancy was here makes most feel pretty sad I would imagine.



But its kinda like the Bengals, you can enjoy them for what they are, or you can move on and not pay attention.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Quick question. I know we are all crushed by the loss to Nevada but did that game really end the fandom for some on the board?

I was devastated and couldn't talk about it for months but I am really excited for this season. I am looking forward to seeing some new guys step up. That's the great thing about college basketball is you always have new guys coming in. I will really miss Gary and Evans but I am sure I will eventually love Logan or Trevor Moore or someone else for the memories they will create this season. I am hopeful for another tournament appearance and then who knows what can happen once you get there. I will always be a Bearcat diehard no matter what.

I dont think it ended fandom for anybody big enough a fan to actually come on these type of message boards to post. For me I'll admit I have a huge sour taste in my mouth after last year. And I really don't blame Cronin like most. I do think we're maxed out at what Cronin will bring us, but last year I truly ring up as a fluke loss/meltdown than any indication of we lost because of Cronin. But with the loss and losing three really good players I just haven't had much reason to talk until I see basketball again. Arguing about Cronin is pointless and discussing Cane Broome vs. Justin Jenifer is tiresome. Speculating on players I've never seen play isn't something I much care to do. So I just have a wait to see approach. Come tomorrow night and especially next Wednesday I'll be geeked as ever for some basketball. And having something to actually discuss will bring people back on here.

 

[cincrulz11]

I dont think it ended fandom for anybody big enough a fan to actually come on these type of message boards to post.

People are down. It will keep some away temporarily just like when the Bengals lost that playoff game to the Steelers. Some might stay away just because they've reevaluated how they want to spend their time and dont want to get so involved just to get their hearts ripped out. Being a city of cincinnati sports fan is a hard life.


But most will return as long as the team wins.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

People are down. It will keep some away temporarily just like when the Bengals lost that playoff game to the Steelers. Some might stay away just because they've reevaluated how they want to spend their time and dont want to get so involved just to get their hearts ripped out. Being a city of cincinnati sports fan is a hard life.


But most will return as long as the team wins.

Agreed. I'll say even further, it is the offseason. The only offseasons this board has been lively are when expectations were elevated and even more so a better outcome was expected than the prior year. It's easy to see last years team was a really good one and special and it was their year to do damage. An air of uncertainty has fans on hold. I think this year will be big on keeping fans. We have pretty much sold out the season before the season started. New money spenders for the program are on board, not necessarily new fans but new support with dollars. So keeping them is important. Most fans know it's a transition year and dont expect a final four, but what will be a successful year I'm sure differs for different fans. Making the tournament is a must imo to keep fans around, but long term (and I'm thinking 2-3 years) the new arena buzz will be done and the second round threshold will be tiresome for even more than it is now. We need a good run in March and need to keep getting exciting players like Clark, Evans and Cumberland. I'm hoping Logan Johnson and maybe one of the 2019 recruits keeps that trend but time will tell.

 

[tonka]

Agreed. I'll say even further, it is the offseason. The only offseasons this board has been lively are when expectations were elevated and even more so a better outcome was expected than the prior year. It's easy to see last years team was a really good one and special and it was their year to do damage. An air of uncertainty has fans on hold. I think this year will be big on keeping fans. We have pretty much sold out the season before the season started. New money spenders for the program are on board, not necessarily new fans but new support with dollars. So keeping them is important. Most fans know it's a transition year and dont expect a final four, but what will be a successful year I'm sure differs for different fans. Making the tournament is a must imo to keep fans around, but long term (and I'm thinking 2-3 years) the new arena buzz will be done and the second round threshold will be tiresome for even more than it is now. We need a good run in March and need to keep getting exciting players like Clark, Evans and Cumberland. I'm hoping Logan Johnson and maybe one of the 2019 recruits keeps that trend but time will tell.

Well said. One week from now we could be celebrating opening a new arena, a win over Ohio St and a commitment from Symir Torrence. That would be a great start to the season.

 

[cincrulz11]

We need a good run in March and need to keep getting exciting players like Clark, Evans and Cumberland. I'm hoping Logan Johnson and maybe one of the 2019 recruits keeps that trend but time will tell.

Ive said for a while at a program like ours you just need that 1 guy per class. We've been doing a great job of it. Caupain into Clark into Evans into Cumberland. Last years didn't have that guy but hopefully Johnson can fill that role for us this year. Kind of a double whammy this year with missing on a clear starter from last years class and Evans leaving early.

 

[Cin City]

Ive said for a while at a program like ours you just need that 1 guy per class. We've been doing a great job of it. Caupain into Clark into Evans into Cumberland. Last years didn't have that guy but hopefully Johnson can fill that role for us this year. Kind of a double whammy this year with missing on a clear starter from last years class and Evans leaving early.

Even though the stats don't support your insight, Keith Williams could very well be that guy from last years class. No, he didn't have an impact as a Freshman as the aforementioned players did, but if he makes a solid jump this season like most of us are expecting, the trend continues. Hell, Trevor Moore could be that guy as well. We will see.

I am excited to see what kind of contribution LJ brings. For a lot of us, if he pans out pretty well this season it will be a huge sigh of relief moving forward with him at the point for the next 3 seasons. I really like Samari Curtis in the '19 class. I hope JC has a great season but returns as a senior because I think that Curtis will benefit from a year backing him up and will be the gem in the '19 class.

As much as THE END of last season sucked. When you step back and look at the program and the roster, there is a lot to be excited about. We have guys that are willing to learn and accept their roles and sooner or later I really believe that will pay dividends in the tournament.

Waiting is tough, but on the chance that it will happen...I know it'll be worth it.

Just my opinion.

 

[cincycpaw]

Ive said for a while at a program like ours you just need that 1 guy per class. We've been doing a great job of it. Caupain into Clark into Evans into Cumberland. Last years didn't have that guy but hopefully Johnson can fill that role for us this year. Kind of a double whammy this year with missing on a clear starter from last years class and Evans leaving early.

I agree with the 1 guy per class thing, except it falls apart if you have a kid leave early.

 

[cincrulz11]

Even though the stats don't support your insight, Keith Williams could very well be that guy from last years class. No, he didn't have an impact as a Freshman as the aforementioned players did, but if he makes a solid jump this season like most of us are expecting, the trend continues. Hell, Trevor Moore could be that guy as well. We will see.

the whole point about the players i listed was there was no waiting to see if they could be that guy. you knew it the first game you saw them. KW and Moore would have to make enormous jumps to get close to where any of those other guys were as sophomores.


They can still be solid 4 year contributors.

 

[Cin City]

the whole point about the players i listed was there was no waiting to see if they could be that guy. you knew it the first game you saw them. KW and Moore would have to make enormous jumps to get close to where any of those other guys were as sophomores.


They can still be solid 4 year contributors.

I wasn't really arguing your point. With the talent of our starting 5 last season, with a 6th man like Broome, it was going to be tough to have another breakout freshman. Im not saying it wasn't possible, just tougher than it had been the previous 3 seasons.

My point was that if KW or TM have a really solid year...let's say KW for example...and he averages around 10 ppg 4 rpg or close to those numbers, then technically he's right where those other guys were when they were Sophomores.

But I understand your point about the contributions during the actual FRESHMAN season.

 

[dbieon12]

I think Evans is replaceable but not sure about KW and GC. Lots of minutes available. Tre Scott can only give you 40. Where's the other 25-30 F/C minutes coming from?

 

[mdchick]

I think Evans is replaceable but not sure about KW and GC. Lots of minutes available. Tre Scott can only give you 40. Where's the other 25-30 F/C minutes coming from?

If it’s not 25-30 from eliel I’d be surprised, I think brooks could be ok in a back up roll but if brooks is playing 20+ minutes a game we r in trouble, hope to see a lot of fredericks at the 4 he should get 20+ minutes a game

 

[cincrulz11]

If it’s not 25-30 from eliel I’d be surprised, I think brooks could be ok in a back up roll but if brooks is playing 20+ minutes a game we r in trouble, hope to see a lot of fredericks at the 4 he should get 20+ minutes a game

I would be shocked if Nsoseme gets anywhere near 25 minutes. And if he does, that is a bad bad sign for us. As hard as Nsoseme tries, and his effort is off the charts, he brings 0 to the team on one side of the court (well he can grab some offensive boards).


He's a great effort guy to bring in for short stretches, but if you're relying on a guy like him to be a major contributor, you're losing the battle.

 

[IDC]

Scott
Evans
Cumberland
Broome
Johnson


Oh wait...