Oscar Interview

[Juliepitzer]

Is the jury still out on the Bearcats then?

A: It may be the best team they've had (under Mick Cronin), but I don't know how well they're going to do overall. They started out with teams where there was no way they'd lose to them. I'm sure the people of Cincinnati understand what's going on. You go 16-0 or 16-1, but who did you play? I used to watch (Louisville's) Denny Crum, and he'd start with tough teams. It helped his teams in the long run.

I agree. Some say the same thing in these forums and get ripped.

 

[Who Dey Time]

Is the jury still out on the Bearcats then?

A: It may be the best team they've had (under Mick Cronin), but I don't know how well they're going to do overall. They started out with teams where there was no way they'd lose to them. I'm sure the people of Cincinnati understand what's going on. You go 16-0 or 16-1, but who did you play? I used to watch (Louisville's) Denny Crum, and he'd start with tough teams. It helped his teams in the long run.

I agree. Some say the same thing in these forums and get ripped.

I don't agree that they get ripped. I believe most agree that the OOC sked wasn't that strong. I think what bothers some people is that some discredit the performance of the team in the OOC because of the opponents.

But, facts are that they dismantled virtually every opponent including XU by 20 and UD by 34....both teams who are now in the Top 60 in the RPI and have a chance to go to the NCAA.

And I think Oscar should or probably does realize the difference in scheduling philosophy in this era compared to the Crum era. Why go nuts in the OOC when you have 18 brutal BE games? In the CUSA, Great Midwest days you had to schedule big OOC because your conference schedule was not nearly as strong.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Ripped for what? We all know the non conf was weak. All the players can do is play the games. I think most simply say there are plenty of opportunities to get quality wins in conference. There is something to be said for conference prep by playing tougher teams early. Mick admitted that after the Syracuse game. He just said he thought Dayton and Xavier would be better and they were suppose to play Duke.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Btw, he also said this may n Mick's best team.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Btw, he also said this may n Mick's best team.

That's really not saying much. And for the record, I think last years team goes 13-0 with this ooc schedule. I also doubt that this years team does as well as last years in the ooc, especially Maui. This "team" may be better but they really don't bring it when it matters against the big boys under the bright lights

 

[Juliepitzer]

Btw, he also said this may n Mick's best team.

As I said, I agree with Oscar's view of this seasons team though a lot of people do not.

 

[Juliepitzer]

I don't agree that they get ripped. I believe most agree that the OOC sked wasn't that strong. I think what bothers some people is that some discredit the performance of the team in the OOC because of the opponents.

But, facts are that they dismantled virtually every opponent including XU by 20 and UD by 34....both teams who are now in the Top 60 in the RPI and have a chance to go to the NCAA.

And I think Oscar should or probably does realize the difference in scheduling philosophy in this era compared to the Crum era. Why go nuts in the OOC when you have 18 brutal BE games? In the CUSA, Great Midwest days you had to schedule big OOC because your conference schedule was not nearly as strong.

I am sorry. I meant a lot would disagree about this being Cronin's best team. A lot of posters seem to think we were stronger last season and I disagree with that. But I do think the OOC schedule was pathetic. Dayton, Xavier, and Oklahoma traditionally would have been strong games. The problem was the very low degree of talent in the others. Usually we play teams we probably will beat but will still give us a game. This season, the teams were extremely bad and that to me was disappointing.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Btw, he also said this may n Mick's best team.

Last years team had more talent...

 

[bearcat jeff]

Last years team had more talent...

Agreed but I think you'll agree with me on this. It's not the same thing.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I am sorry. I meant a lot would disagree about this being Cronin's best team. A lot of posters seem to think we were stronger last season and I disagree with that. But I do think the OOC schedule was pathetic. Dayton, Xavier, and Oklahoma traditionally would have been strong games. The problem was the very low degree of talent in the others. Usually we play teams we probably will beat but will still give us a game. This season, the teams were extremely bad and that to me was disappointing.

I thought last seasons team was much more talented at key positions. If last seasons team would have played together they could have been pretty good. If you want to schedule cupcakes it has to be rpi 100-200 teams. It can't be teams over 200. Sprinkle in a big game and a couple middle of the pack SEC, PAC 10, Big 10, etc. schools and presto you have a tough schedule.

Use the team across town that I will not name (jk) as an example. They did this very well this season.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Agreed but I think you'll agree with me on this. It's not the same thing.

Absolutely. makes you wonder what the difference is? Coaching? Effort? Team chemistry?

Idk, I just really thought UC should have been better last year. I understand the process, but they had some pretty solid talent.

Im not sure this team is over the hump yet, hopefully im wrong...

 

[rallie25]

I've been trying to figure this team out too! I wonder if the players are really not that good are the coach just can't get the best out of them! I know Mick teams when he had Toyloy, Cincy St kid they played hard! With this group mainly Gates they seem to not care! I wonder if any other coach can get Gates going are if thats who he is! I do see hope with Killa,JJ and the recruits! Your thoughts!

 

[bearcat jeff]

I've been trying to figure this team out too! I wonder if the players are really not that good are the coach just can't get the best out of them! I know Mick teams when he had Toyloy, Cincy St kid they played hard! With this group mainly Gates they seem to not care! I wonder if any other coach can get Gates going are if thats who he is! I do see hope with Killa,JJ and the recruits! Your thoughts!

That's an excellent illustration of how players need to take ownership of their effort. They played very hard and beat some people they shouldn't have because of it. When you don't have depth it's difficult because you can't pull people. Mick is accountable at the end of the day. It's his team. The truth is there's only so much you can do.

 

[psax889906]

That's an excellent illustration of how players need to take ownership of their effort. They played very hard and beat some people they shouldn't have because of it. When you don't have depth it's difficult because you can't pull people. Mick is accountable at the end of the day. It's his team. The truth is there's only so much you can do.

I honestly froth at the mouth thinking how much better this team would be if they simply had John Williamson on it. He really was a very productive guy for this program.

 

[ready2go]

I don't agree that they get ripped. I believe most agree that the OOC sked wasn't that strong. I think what bothers some people is that some discredit the performance of the team in the OOC because of the opponents.

But, facts are that they dismantled virtually every opponent including XU by 20 and UD by 34....both teams who are now in the Top 60 in the RPI and have a chance to go to the NCAA.

And I think Oscar should or probably does realize the difference in scheduling philosophy in this era compared to the Crum era. Why go nuts in the OOC when you have 18 brutal BE games? In the CUSA, Great Midwest days you had to schedule big OOC because your conference schedule was not nearly as strong.

I believe from the beginning I had my doubts about this team. And YES I was ripped to pieces.

I expressed concerns about the offense even when the team was putting up 70/80. I did not see much ball movement. I saw a lot of wide open 3 attemps that were falling.

My questions and concerns to the board were, how is this team going to respond when the 3's aren't falling? Cashmere, Bishop, Davis and Dixon were knocking down those wide open 3's regulary.

However I did not see much of an offense to get those shots. The smaller teams were so worried about Gates that they packed the paint. It was easy to sit outside the 3 point line and hit an open 3.

My concerns have now become reality

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I honestly froth at the mouth thinking how much better this team would be if they simply had John Williamson on it. He really was a very productive guy for this program.

John Williamson was awesome for this program. Him on this team would be very very nice.

 

[swg]

He provided some solid inside and intermediate scoring. Which this team lacks.