bearcat jeff
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STRENGTHS: This is a veteran-laden team that returns its top four scorers. Cincinnati is adding a six-man signing class (five freshmen, one junior college transfer) to the mix. F Yancy Gates has ample talent to be a star in the Big East, but it's been a tug-of-war with coach Mick Cronin to get him to tap into that ability. After a one-game suspension in February and a benching in his return, Gates may have turned the corner, averaging 15.8 points and 8.1 rebounds over the final nine games of the season. Gates lost about 20 pounds during the offseason, and Cronin praised his work ethic. Cincy has an experienced backcourt. Cashmere Wright's job is to set up his teammates, primarily Gates and two solid 3-point shooters in G Dion Dixon and G/F Sean Kilpatrick. Cincinnati's foundation, though, is rebounding and defense. The Bearcats held Big East opponents to 61.7 points per game. Only Pitt did a better job in the league.
AT A GLANCE
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE
C Cheikh Mbodj (6-10/245, Jr.)
F Yancy Gates (6-9/206, Sr.)
F/G Sean Kilpatrick (6-4/215, Soph.)
G Dion Dixon (6-3/195, Sr.)
G Cashmere Wright (6-0/175, Jr.)
KEY RESERVES
C Kelvin Gaines (6-10/225, R-Fr.)
F Justin Jackson (6-8/210, Soph.)
F Jermaine Sanders (6-5/225, Fr.)
G JaQuon Parker (6-3/210, Jr.)
Coach: Mick Cronin (6th season at Cincinnati)
Last season's record: 26-9 overall, 11-7 in Big East (T-6th in league)
Postseason: Lost to Connecticut in third round of NCAA tournament
Final regular-season RPI: 36th
Last time didn't make NCAA field: 2010 WEAKNESSES: The backcourt is settled, but who will team with Gates in the frontcourt? Some of the newcomers need to come through. Cheikh Mbodj is a 6-foot-10 center from Senegal who transferred from junior college. Redshirt freshman Kelvin Gaines is another 6-10 center expected to make an impact. Freshman Jermaine Sanders can score in a variety of ways. The question is which newcomers contribute and how quickly they catch up with Cincinnati's veteran core. F Shaquille Thomas, a four-star Rivals150 prospect, was the top signee, but he will redshirt because he was ineligible for the fall semester.
OVERVIEW: Cincinnati has improved its win total every season under Cronin, from 11-19 in his first season to 26-9 last season. The Bearcats started 15-0 last season (with an assist from a light non-conference schedule), and they could be headed for a breakout season in the Big East. If Gates can play to his potential for the entire season and Wright can stay healthy, Cincinnati will be a dangerous team in the Big East race.
http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1278683
AT A GLANCE
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE
C Cheikh Mbodj (6-10/245, Jr.)
F Yancy Gates (6-9/206, Sr.)
F/G Sean Kilpatrick (6-4/215, Soph.)
G Dion Dixon (6-3/195, Sr.)
G Cashmere Wright (6-0/175, Jr.)
KEY RESERVES
C Kelvin Gaines (6-10/225, R-Fr.)
F Justin Jackson (6-8/210, Soph.)
F Jermaine Sanders (6-5/225, Fr.)
G JaQuon Parker (6-3/210, Jr.)
Coach: Mick Cronin (6th season at Cincinnati)
Last season's record: 26-9 overall, 11-7 in Big East (T-6th in league)
Postseason: Lost to Connecticut in third round of NCAA tournament
Final regular-season RPI: 36th
Last time didn't make NCAA field: 2010 WEAKNESSES: The backcourt is settled, but who will team with Gates in the frontcourt? Some of the newcomers need to come through. Cheikh Mbodj is a 6-foot-10 center from Senegal who transferred from junior college. Redshirt freshman Kelvin Gaines is another 6-10 center expected to make an impact. Freshman Jermaine Sanders can score in a variety of ways. The question is which newcomers contribute and how quickly they catch up with Cincinnati's veteran core. F Shaquille Thomas, a four-star Rivals150 prospect, was the top signee, but he will redshirt because he was ineligible for the fall semester.
OVERVIEW: Cincinnati has improved its win total every season under Cronin, from 11-19 in his first season to 26-9 last season. The Bearcats started 15-0 last season (with an assist from a light non-conference schedule), and they could be headed for a breakout season in the Big East. If Gates can play to his potential for the entire season and Wright can stay healthy, Cincinnati will be a dangerous team in the Big East race.
http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1278683
