Radio Show

[Chad Brendel]

The best fast break teams don't just dribble up the court with pure speed. They pass the ball up the floor quickly. You don't have to have raw speed to get the ball up the floor. We've all watched this team score more points and score them more efficiently when they play fast. Watch North Carolina play. One of the highest tempo teams year after year. I assure you Marcus Paige isn't running up and down the floor faster than the opposition. No, they pass the ball up the floor quickly and score points. It's not rocket science. We were told there would be a faster style. And we've seen it work. THEY PLAY BETTER THAT WAY. So why aren't we doing it all the time? Make them play faster. It's simple.

The best fast break teams can beat you up the court with the dribble and pass. It isn't rocket science to conclude being able to do both is better than only being able to do one.

This roster as constructed can only play fast consistently when creating live ball turnovers with regularity. Make whatever nonsensical argument you wish, but that is the reality. Mick wants to play at a faster tempo, and playing an aggressive version of the 25 defense is how he has decided to accomplish that goal. When they are passive, it doesn't work. When they are in the passing lanes and attacking it does. Go look at the turnovers forced in wins and loses. The story is right there to be told...

 

[jds513]

The best fast break teams can beat you up the court with the dribble and pass. It isn't rocket science to conclude being able to do both is better than only being able to do one.

This roster as constructed can only play fast consistently when creating live ball turnovers with regularity. Make whatever nonsensical argument you wish, but that is the reality. Mick wants to play at a faster tempo, and playing an aggressive version of the 25 defense is how he has decided to accomplish that goal. When they are passive, it doesn't work. When they are in the passing lanes and attacking it does. Go look at the turnovers forced in wins and loses. The story is right there to be told...

Sure, it's not rocket science. But for every single team in America that wants to fast break all game, they look to pass the ball up the court. Not dribble it up the court. Letting a fast point guard dribble into the front court as fast as he can isn't sustainable and it doesn't lead to easy baskets as much as you think. Watch every North Carolina team ever. Watch golden state. Their priority is to pass the ball up the court, not dribble it up the court. It's exponentially easier to stop a dribbler from going past you than stop a pass from going past you. That's why you hear "STOP BALL" by the defense whenever there is a run out.

I'm not disagreeing that forcing turnovers is the key for this team. It is the key. It's the key for any team that wants to run. But they should be able to run off of a make or missed shot too. Hit the outlet and go. The not enough time to implement the system excuse is a lame cop out by Mick. I don't buy that for a second. They have had enough time. They've played 25 games this year now and have had countless practices. If it's really the goal to be a (more) up-tempo team, then do it. Stop reverting back to slow, turtle ball.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Newsflash: Troy isn't fast. He isn't beating the defense end to end with speed. I've been saying for almost 3 years now for him to play "fast" it has to be by moving the ball quickly up the wing with passing. When it is there, this team is at its most efficient and when it isn't they play a slower tempo.

UL is a great example of this. When they had Siva and Russ Smith they relentlessly beat teams end to end with pure end to end speed. Now they have bigger guards and to run they do it by quickly advancing the ball up the wings with outlet passing.

This is a bigger team that isn't constructed to fly up and down the floor and beat you with speed. They can still play fast at times when the defense isn't sending 3 and 4 guys back to clog the lane, so it is done more by forcing live ball turnovers and attacking from there. When turnovers forced are up, they score in the 70s. When those numbers are down, the game slows considerably...

Chad, do you know what the offseason plan is for our guys in terms of weight training? I feel like it'd be beneficial for Caupain, Evans, and Clark to all stay at the same weight and focus on cardio, core strength, and footwork. Not sure where Tre Scott is at, but not sure he needs to be all that bulky either. Will we make any adjustments that go hand-in-hand with a quicker style?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Chad, do you know what the offseason plan is for our guys in terms of weight training? I feel like it'd be beneficial for Caupain, Evans, and Clark to all stay at the same weight and focus on cardio, core strength, and footwork. Not sure where Tre Scott is at, but not sure he needs to be all that bulky either. Will we make any adjustments that go hand-in-hand with a quicker style?

Training would be part of the issue but I really think its more personnel. At this point TC and others may become more efficient in their games generating improvement but they are what they are at this point. In order to transition to a new style it will require different recruits with different strengths and skills. I truly believe Mick is playing to the strengths of his players. Hopefully the changes being made to facilities will open up a few more doors. I cautiously say that because getting into a new P5 conferences is the big hurdle. The shame is this group is right on the edge. Turn 3 of our close losses into wins and we are ranked and playing for seeding. Mick and the fan base have to be frustrated.

 

[Doogle]

It occurs to me that the ability to play various styles, coupled with Mick's description of the team as a bunch of "nice guys" isn't the best combination. They essentially play whatever style the opposing team wants to play. If a team wants to play fast, the Bearcats will oblige. If a team wants to grind tempo, 'Cats will do that too. What I'm saying is that you rarely see this group bend another team to it's will and force them out of their comfort zone. Doesn't mean they can't beat any team using any given style, but it would be nice to see us make a team like Temple do things they don't want to do.

 

[justinhub2003]

I think Cronin brought up another good point too. That playing up tempo doesn't always work against teams who aren't trying to get offensive rebounds with 4 guys.

Some teams we play will send most of there team back to stop the fast break. And he mentioned that we want to play 5 on 2 not 2 on 5. If we try to play ultra faced paced against every D, the results will be just as frustrating because some teams prepare for.

Think all the teams who played faster paced and then went and played UC last year where our sole motive was to slow down the pace and junk up the game. Rarely did our defense ever lose the battle of dictating the pace. And Good defenses will dictate your pace.

I want us to Run when we can. And play slow when we have to. I actually think our half court offense needs more work than us trying to push the pace the entire time. I think Xavier does a really good job of attacking a defense with good passing and movement even when a team is in there half court set.

The real real real problem has nothing to do with pace and everything with not having a true slashing guard. A quick gaurd who can pass, breakdown the D and ALSO SCORE. Justin Jenifer may end up being that guy for us, but its obvious as to why we arent using him yet. I watched that point guard for Creighton just dismantle Xavier's 1-3-1 defense. And it showed me what we are missing. Xavier has 1 of there own with Sumner. We have troy who is a great well rounded PG and can penetrate when needed but its not his game.

 

[UCBearcats]

I think Cronin brought up another good point too. That playing up tempo doesn't always work against teams who aren't trying to get offensive rebounds with 4 guys.

Some teams we play will send most of there team back to stop the fast break. And he mentioned that we want to play 5 on 2 not 2 on 5. If we try to play ultra faced paced against every D, the results will be just as frustrating because some teams prepare for.

Think all the teams who played faster paced and then went and played UC last year where our sole motive was to slow down the pace and junk up the game. Rarely did our defense ever lose the battle of dictating the pace. And Good defenses will dictate your pace.

I want us to Run when we can. And play slow when we have to. I actually think our half court offense needs more work than us trying to push the pace the entire time. I think Xavier does a really good job of attacking a defense with good passing and movement even when a team is in there half court set.

The real real real problem has nothing to do with pace and everything with not having a true slashing guard. A quick gaurd who can pass, breakdown the D and ALSO SCORE. Justin Jenifer may end up being that guy for us, but its obvious as to why we arent using him yet. I watched that point guard for Creighton just dismantle Xavier's 1-3-1 defense. And it showed me what we are missing. Xavier has 1 of there own with Sumner. We have troy who is a great well rounded PG and can penetrate when needed but its not his game.

The real problem is that Mick can't coach a half court offense. He has no concept of how to beat the other team's defense. Our half court offense has been absolutely putrid for his entire tenure. Playing quick would certainly help but there's always going to be teams that slow you down. No matter how quick or slow you play the majority of your possessions will require some sort of half court offensive set. Mick's awful at them, if we aren't hitting 3's then we don't usually score much.

 

[UCBearcats]

I think Cronin sounded like a dick when people asked their questions tonight. If the questions weren't automatically positive he got defensive and was pretty rude.

Mick always does that kind of crap, or he deflects and starts talking about his daughter.

The guy is literally getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year just to do this stupid radio show so he can answer to his fans and critics. Guess what Mick, when arguably your best team in a decade is struggling to make the NCAA's not all the questions you get will be softballs.

I'm shocked that this guy seemingly has so many supporters. I think the true answer is he doesn't, all 10 of them just like to congregate on this board.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I think Cronin brought up another good point too. That playing up tempo doesn't always work against teams who aren't trying to get offensive rebounds with 4 guys.

Some teams we play will send most of there team back to stop the fast break. And he mentioned that we want to play 5 on 2 not 2 on 5. If we try to play ultra faced paced against every D, the results will be just as frustrating because some teams prepare for.

Think all the teams who played faster paced and then went and played UC last year where our sole motive was to slow down the pace and junk up the game. Rarely did our defense ever lose the battle of dictating the pace. And Good defenses will dictate your pace.

I want us to Run when we can. And play slow when we have to. I actually think our half court offense needs more work than us trying to push the pace the entire time. I think Xavier does a really good job of attacking a defense with good passing and movement even when a team is in there half court set.

The real real real problem has nothing to do with pace and everything with not having a true slashing guard. A quick gaurd who can pass, breakdown the D and ALSO SCORE. Justin Jenifer may end up being that guy for us, but its obvious as to why we arent using him yet. I watched that point guard for Creighton just dismantle Xavier's 1-3-1 defense. And it showed me what we are missing. Xavier has 1 of there own with Sumner. We have troy who is a great well rounded PG and can penetrate when needed but its not his game.

This is the line that I'll never understand. No one has ever said we should be playing 2 on 5. I think the disconnect in the argument has to do with what "pushing the pace" entails. It's transitioning quickly from defense to offense. Simple as that. Just bc they have guys back doesn't mean you can't still run. And I don't mean run as in fast break. I literally mean running instead of walking. Nothing about Caupain's demeanor screams "LET'S GO!". I mean, even on dead balls...A team that is serious about higher possessions doesn't catch it 2 feet from the baseline and take 8 seconds to get it up the floor against no press. We seriously might as well roll the ball inbounds and pick it up closer halfcourt. I'd honestly prefer that. We waste literally minutes every game watching Caupain walk at 3 mph. So a team getting back shouldn't slow us down as much as we let it. Fact is, our pace is still in the 300s. So I get that it seems fast for Cronin and Caupain, but it actually isn't. Little things happen all game that let me know that we're not all that interested in anything uptempo when it really comes down to it. When push comes to shove, we have a comfort zone that holds us back from truly competing. And this really manifests itself away from home.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

You can score 0 fast break points and still push the pace.

 

[UCBearcats]

This is the line that I'll never understand. No one has ever said we should be playing 2 on 5. I think the disconnect in the argument has to do with what "pushing the pace" entails. It's transitioning quickly from defense to offense. Simple as that. Just bc they have guys back doesn't mean you can't still run. And I don't mean run as in fast break. I literally mean running instead of walking. Nothing about Caupain's demeanor screams "LET'S GO!". I mean, even on dead balls...A team that is serious about higher possessions doesn't catch it 2 feet from the baseline and take 8 seconds to get it up the floor against no press. We seriously might as well roll the ball inbounds and pick it up closer halfcourt. I'd honestly prefer that. We waste literally minutes every game watching Caupain walk at 3 mph. So a team getting back shouldn't slow us down as much as we let it. Fact is, our pace is still in the 300s. So I get that it seems fast for Cronin and Caupain, but it actually isn't. Little things happen all game that let me know that we're not all that interested in anything uptempo when it really comes down to it. When push comes to shove, we have a comfort zone that holds us back from truly competing. And this really manifests itself away from home.

You know what's funny is that Mick has talked a lot in the past about the loose press we play sometimes and that the intent of it isn't to force a turnover but to eat into the shot clock. To give the other team less time to execute on offense in the half court once they get the ball across and get their offense set.

The crazy part, as you detailed above, is that Mick doesn't seem to mind at all that we willingly waste the first 10-15 seconds of our shot clock every time we walk the ball up the floor. So Mick believes that playing a loose press gives us a big advantage over our opponents by eating into the possession but doesn't acknowledge that we're hurting our self by doing the exact same thing????

 

[jds513]

This is the line that I'll never understand. No one has ever said we should be playing 2 on 5. I think the disconnect in the argument has to do with what "pushing the pace" entails. It's transitioning quickly from defense to offense. Simple as that. Just bc they have guys back doesn't mean you can't still run. And I don't mean run as in fast break. I literally mean running instead of walking. Nothing about Caupain's demeanor screams "LET'S GO!". I mean, even on dead balls...A team that is serious about higher possessions doesn't catch it 2 feet from the baseline and take 8 seconds to get it up the floor against no press. We seriously might as well roll the ball inbounds and pick it up closer halfcourt. I'd honestly prefer that. We waste literally minutes every game watching Caupain walk at 3 mph. So a team getting back shouldn't slow us down as much as we let it. Fact is, our pace is still in the 300s. So I get that it seems fast for Cronin and Caupain, but it actually isn't. Little things happen all game that let me know that we're not all that interested in anything uptempo when it really comes down to it. When push comes to shove, we have a comfort zone that holds us back from truly competing. And this really manifests itself away from home.

Well said Jacob

 

[Doogle]

Disagree with the assessment of Mick's offense. I've seen a lot of good in UC's half court sets this season. Mick has brought Clark out high at times and used him as a drive and kick guy, he's posted him up and let him pass out that way. Ball movement has been pretty good. A vast improvement over last year. The passing numbers don't lie: right now UC has 397 assists as a team. Last year they had 394 assists for the season (9 more games). Or, looking at it another way:

2014-15 (34 games): 394 assists, 432 turnovers
2015-16 (25 games): 397 assists, 284 turnovers

Only 8 fewer steals right now than last year. Shooting % negligible, 3 pt % up overall (Troy's is down, but he's shot way more this year).

I'd argue that the perception of "turtle ball" is rooted in the inexplicable spurts of ineptitude the Bearcats experience in almost every game. 4-7 minute periods (sometimes longer) where it seems like they can't buy a hoop. No data to support it but my eyeballs tell me that the percentage of wide open or easily convertible shots UC has generated here is way up from last season or maybe any other season in the Mick era. That's the frustration in the offense from my perspective - that they're simply not cashing in on the opportunities that they have at an acceptable rate.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Disagree with the assessment of Mick's offense. I've seen a lot of good in UC's half court sets this season. Mick has brought Clark out high at times and used him as a drive and kick guy, he's posted him up and let him pass out that way. Ball movement has been pretty good. A vast improvement over last year. The passing numbers don't lie: right now UC has 397 assists as a team. Last year they had 394 assists for the season (9 more games). Or, looking at it another way:

2014-15 (34 games): 394 assists, 432 turnovers
2015-16 (25 games): 397 assists, 284 turnovers

Only 8 fewer steals right now than last year. Shooting % negligible, 3 pt % up overall (Troy's is down, but he's shot way more this year).

I'd argue that the perception of "turtle ball" is rooted in the inexplicable spurts of ineptitude the Bearcats experience in almost every game. 4-7 minute periods (sometimes longer) where it seems like they can't buy a hoop. No data to support it but my eyeballs tell me that the percentage of wide open or easily convertible shots UC has generated here is way up from last season or maybe any other season in the Mick era. That's the frustration in the offense from my perspective - that they're simply not cashing in on the opportunities that they have at an acceptable rate.

I definitely agree that the halfcourt offense as a whole has been much improved since last year. Helps with spacing, as you mentioned, when we have a guy like Clark who can really do everything. As for those scoring droughts...it seems like in conference they have happened to us more down the stretch. Imo it's bc we start shutting things down way too early. It's like the game can't end soon enough and we are desperately trying to hang on and bleed out the clock. Problem is, this starts (particularly in conference road games) before the under 8 minute media timeout. Makes for a hell of a struggle to the finish. Maybe I'm just forgetting, but I can't think of a single time in the final 10 minutes of @SMU, @USF, or @UConn where Caupain has had the offense hauling ass down the floor, looking for an easy one. We basically act like we aren't allowed to and we go into "crunch time mode"...way before actual crunch time. You can see the tightness. And when Cronin teams (or any college teams really) tighten up, they don't score. We basically put restrictions on ourselves bc we fear the big moments are coming. And the guys stop playing the way they had the previous 30+ minutes. Sometimes we can still squeak out the Ws. But even when that happens, seems like the scoring down the stretch really grinds to a halt. I dunno. Jmo.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I definitely agree that the halfcourt offense as a whole has been much improved since last year. Helps with spacing, as you mentioned, when we have a guy like Clark who can really do everything. As for those scoring droughts...it seems like in conference they have happened to us more down the stretch. Imo it's bc we start shutting things down way too early. It's like the game can't end soon enough and we are desperately trying to hang on and bleed out the clock. Problem is, this starts (particularly in conference road games) before the under 8 minute media timeout. Makes for a hell of a struggle to the finish. Maybe I'm just forgetting, but I can't think of a single time in the final 10 minutes of @SMU, @USF, or @UConn where Caupain has had the offense hauling ass down the floor, looking for an easy one. We basically act like we aren't allowed to and we go into "crunch time mode"...way before actual crunch time. You can see the tightness. And when Cronin teams (or any college teams really) tighten up, they don't score. We basically put restrictions on ourselves bc we fear the big moments are coming. And the guys stop playing the way they had the previous 30+ minutes. Sometimes we can still squeak out the Ws. But even when that happens, seems like the scoring down the stretch really grinds to a halt. I dunno. Jmo.

jacob all teams run click with the lead in the latter stages of a game. It was a wide open missed 3 early in the shot clock that could have started the run at SMU. I guess there is a fine line between keeping the pressure on or milking the clock.at times we are forced to slow down because of foul trouble.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Newsflash: Troy isn't fast. He isn't beating the defense end to end with speed. I've been saying for almost 3 years now for him to play "fast" it has to be by moving the ball quickly up the wing with passing. When it is there, this team is at its most efficient and when it isn't they play a slower tempo.

UL is a great example of this. When they had Siva and Russ Smith they relentlessly beat teams end to end with pure end to end speed. Now they have bigger guards and to run they do it by quickly advancing the ball up the wings with outlet passing.

This is a bigger team that isn't constructed to fly up and down the floor and beat you with speed. They can still play fast at times when the defense isn't sending 3 and 4 guys back to clog the lane, so it is done more by forcing live ball turnovers and attacking from there. When turnovers forced are up, they score in the 70s. When those numbers are down, the game slows considerably...

Now the excuse is that Troy is too slow to play up-tempo? What a bunch of crap. Anyone that's ever played basketball knows you don't have to be blazing fast to play up-tempo.

And this team isn't that big. Ellis even after putting on weight is still on the lighter side. Absolutely no reason he shouldn't excel in an up tempo game. Shaq? KJ? Cobb? All better in up tempo.

Might not be wise for Mick to tell us all summer about how fast the team is going to play (again)...

Ha, no kidding. Or how this is going to be his best team ever. Not that I believe him on the playing fast part.

The best fast break teams don't just dribble up the court with pure speed. They pass the ball up the floor quickly. You don't have to have raw speed to get the ball up the floor. We've all watched this team score more points and score them more efficiently when they play fast. Watch North Carolina play. One of the highest tempo teams year after year. I assure you Marcus Paige isn't running up and down the floor faster than the opposition. No, they pass the ball up the floor quickly and score points. It's not rocket science. We were told there would be a faster style. And we've seen it work. THEY PLAY BETTER THAT WAY. So why aren't we doing it all the time? Make them play faster. It's simple.

Exactly. This team is light years better when pushing the pace. Not to mention that it just maybe would wake them up a bit and help them play with energy which has been a major struggle.

They are playing much faster and scoring considerably more than a year ago with essentially the same roster. When you are adjusting a system, it is very rarely done in one year.

This season so far has been a step in the right direction, but they still have limitations when it comes to playing end to end given the roster at hand. Easy to ignore that and just pound the old and tired talking points to death. Keep doing you, though...

Step in the right direction? How is having your best team, one that a bunch of people thought could make a deep run in the tourny, yet is on the bubble being a step in the right direction?

Now your excuse is they are adjusting the system. Do you sit at home and just think of things to make up? If that is the case, maybe it's not a good idea to adjust the system when you have the best roster you'll likely have for a while. Especially if as you say, it's rarely done in a year. Not that this system is really any different than in the past.

Roster is fine. The coaching this year has not been.

 

[M64W]

I am starting to wonder

I believe Mick has changed caused by his medical problem last year. I respect him for that, but the coaching profession calls for an intense leader, driven to succeed, that will not in any way allow complacency to set in among the ranks. I believe that the problems incurred mellowed Mick out faster than normal. I do not see the fire in his belly that he had at one time. Sorry to say that!

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I believe Mick has changed caused by his medical problem last year. I respect him for that, but the coaching profession calls for an intense leader, driven to succeed, that will not in any way allow complacency to set in among the ranks. I believe that the problems incurred mellowed Mick out faster than normal. I do not see the fire in his belly that he had at one time. Sorry to say that!

What is it your looking for? A basket here or a basket there and we would be very happy with this team. Season isn't over yet. If we make a run in Tourney will the fire have returned?

 

[Doogle]

What is it your looking for? A basket here or a basket there and we would be very happy with this team. Season isn't over yet. If we make a run in Tourney will the fire have returned?

Yes. The team is much improved this season. Some very tough losses, inexplicable bad starts, etc have hurt the perception. AAC is better as well, at least in the mushy middle. Tulsa is coming on strong. Houston is a tough out, especially at home.

Bearcats will be a tough tourney out should they get in. Win your home games, fight through Tulsa and Houston on the road, and you're there.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Yes. The team is much improved this season. Some very tough losses, inexplicable bad starts, etc have hurt the perception. AAC is better as well, at least in the mushy middle. Tulsa is coming on strong. Houston is a tough out, especially at home.

Bearcats will be a tough tourney out should they get in. Win your home games, fight through Tulsa and Houston on the road, and you're there.

My thoughts as well Doogle. This is a anything can happen year in the NCAA. Need to get to the Dance. Getting their with the hole we have dug will not be easy. That said it is doable.