Rothstein on the Bearcats post Gates

[david aka the TYZ]

I've been busy the past year. I'm settled into the Omaha area permanently now so I'm back to being able to do the small things in life that make me happy and keep me sane! I just hope I can find the time/money to fit a few Bearcat football and basketball games into my schedule this upcoming fall, winter and spring.

This site keeps you sane? Ahhh...you missed the Obepka thread. I'm just messing with you, of course, glad to have you back around.

 

[dp3113]

Some good points. I will say that I do think annual sweet 16 trips does put UC firmly on the map. While I take you point, can you name for me the elite 8? Heck, even the final four the last 3 years?

Most people would say no. But...if they see a team playing into the second weekend in the NCAA tournament over a period of time, then they register them as good and it's not a surprise to see them go farther or in the polls, they come to expect it. I'm not sure if I'm relaying my thoughts clearer here.

I mean, a few years ago, if you saw Baylor playing in basketball you;d have been like.."Baylor, no way they are going to win, didn't one of their players murder someone???" Now you see Baylor in the bracket or on tv you expect them to be good and do well. Did they win a championship? How far did they get? How many years have they been good? But you still expect them to be good. Their perception has changed dramatically.

i think these are all good points. i will say this though- even if you can't name a specific year- you at least know that teams have been recently. people remember that villanova went when they beat pitt in the elite 8, people know osu has been a few times in the past 5/6 years, they know michigan state has gone, west virginia a few years back. granted, making it there, and not following it up is another issue. LSU is a good example- they made it in 06 and have been fairly irrelevant since then. West Virginia hasn't really capitalized on their appearance 2 years ago, having two middle of the pack years after it.

regardless, everyone knows baylor is very talented and a good team now. however, i don't think people view them as national title contenders or true national powers yet. that won't be achieved until they get to the final four. same goes with pitt. they are mainstays on top of the big east (minus last year), but all of my friends from non-big east schools don't view them as a real threat because they never get to the final 4.

all said, getting to the sweet 16 is great- especially this past year. the run from post xavier through march was one of the most memorable i have had as a fan when you take into account all that was overcome and how many great games we played in. getting to the sweet 16 every you can firmly entrench you as a very good program. however, until you start getting to final fours, you won't be viewed as a power nationally. i don't expect a final 4 this year, but i do think uc has to continue to progress to gain back the market share it lost in the mid 2000s.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Parker developed by leaps and bounds between his soph and junior years. So did Cash in my opinion. Why can't JJ? Mbodj was hurt the majority of the season. Lets see him play while healthy (and at a good playing weight) before we damn him as the next Adam H.

Don't worry, be happy! This front court has lots of potential in the new system Mick wants to run, imo.

You are quoting me but putting words in my mouth. I never said JJ can't improve, did I? My point is that he has to improve.

As for Mbodj, hell, I'd love for him to provide what Adam H did. So far he hasn't even done that. So while I'm am happy and am looking forward to the season, doesn't mean I don't have concerns.

As for the new system,Mick has been talking about running for 3+ years now. Personally I don't think the one on one jack up a three offense will work against good big east teams. I they are still going to need to be good in the half court. Though I do hope they run a lot more,as they are better equipped for it.

 

[bearcat jeff]

You are quoting me but putting words in my mouth. I never said JJ can't improve, did I? My point is that he has to improve.

As for Mbodj, hell, I'd love for him to provide what Adam H did. So far he hasn't even done that. So while I'm am happy and am looking forward to the season, doesn't mean I don't have concerns.

As for the new system,Mick has been talking about running for 3+ years now. Personally I don't think the one on one jack up a three offense will work against good big east teams. I they are still going to need to be good in the half court. Though I do hope they run a lot more,as they are better equipped for it.

My understanding is one of the things they are working on is concepts in this offense to do just that. I agree against good defensive teams and off shooting nights they are going to have to create shots in the half court.

 

[Gnomey]

You can't tell people not to label Cheikh Mbodj as Adam H. 2.0.
The onus falls to those who would like to claim otherwise.
Based on his play thus far, we have no reason assume he'll be anything remarkable. While I agree that his injury and suspension probably didn't help, we can't just have this preconception, that anything contradicting a rosey outlook of him is invalid. If we're really looking to guage how good this team is, we need to be somewhat objective about it.

I think this team will be like a a boat going upstream, the front line will likely be like a flimsy piece of balsa wood, used to patch a Gates sized hole and we'll be taking on more water as the competition gets tougher.
We do have more height, so that helps. I haven't seen anything to suggest Justin Jackson has developed a post presence or has become a capable rebounder, and Cheikh is Cheikh. Having the added forwards in Thomas and Rubles will help. The Big East will be down next year, but still tough.
I think we can swing a 3-4 seed.
In the tournament, I think if we are seeded as such, we'll probably see a Sweet 16. I think the Elite Eight is asking for a supreme effort.
The only way it goes beyond that, is if someone really surprises us all.

 

[dp3113]

You can't tell people not to label Cheikh Mbodj as Adam H. 2.0.
The onus falls to those who would like to claim otherwise.
Based on his play thus far, we have no reason assume he'll be anything remarkable. While I agree that his injury and suspension probably didn't help, we can't just have this preconception, that anything contradicting a rosey outlook of him is invalid. If we're really looking to guage how good this team is, we need to be somewhat objective about it.

I think this team will be like a a boat going upstream, the front line will likely be like a flimsy piece of balsa wood, used to patch a Gates sized hole and we'll be taking on more water as the competition gets tougher.
We do have more height, so that helps. I haven't seen anything to suggest Justin Jackson has developed a post presence or has become a capable rebounder, and Cheikh is Cheikh. Having the added forwards in Thomas and Rubles will help. The Big East will be down next year, but still tough.
I think we can swing a 3-4 seed.
In the tournament, I think if we are seeded as such, we'll probably see a Sweet 16. I think the Elite Eight is asking for a supreme effort.
The only way it goes beyond that, is if someone really surprises us all.

i agree that we need to have no expectations for cheikh until he proves it with performance. like you said, we all know he was hampered all of last year with the ankle injury, but we have no other evidence of him being a capable big other than our assumptions that with his weight loss and increased mobility he will be better. he might be more agile, but he still was incredibly awkward when he had the ball in his hands in the post. he needs to prove his ability. if we aren't going to get production out of him, we should not play him just for the sake of being big.

this team will struggle on the glass- that is just reality. i think they will embrace what will be their strength and just play small. it will cost them some nights, but if implemented well it will be a tremendous matchup problem for most teams. kelvin gaines is still not ready to be a legit contributor on this team. i think that we should start embracing and getting used to the idea that jackson will be spending a lot of time at the 5 whether we like it or not. he and titus will play together a lot. if you don't have the personnel there is no reason to force it. this team will still be very good, they will just be very small.

 

[Bearcat22]

Jon Rothstein‏@JonRothstein

Cincinnati sophomore guard Jermaine Sanders is down approximate 20 pounds since the end of last season. Will be solid backup for Bearcats



Jon Rothstein‏@JonRothstein

Cincinnati's @GelawnG14 will be a factor as a backup next season. Bulldog style PG will provide solid depth behind Cashmere Wright.

 

[Bearcat22]

It's funny that this preview written after the Rothstein article fails to mention the fast break style that Mick himself wants to implement. Good example of internet journalism devolving to pure speculation and lazy research.

http://rushthecourt.net/2012/08/14/big-east-summer-capsules-cincinnati-bearcats/

 

[JackBauer151]

Rothstein sticking up for the bearcats again....

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein
@tsnmike isn't it amazing how little respect Cincinnati gets in the preseason? It's not an oversight anymore, it's an insult.

Michael DeCourcy ‏@tsnmike
@JonRothstein Sporting News has Cincinnati at 18. That sound about right?

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein
@tsnmike that's great. Anywhere 16-20 is fair. I've seen some places not have them ranked. 52 wins in 2 years. Best back court in Big East.

 

[Scheids21]

Best back court in the Big East? Those are big words even for Rothstein. Love it.

 

[bearcat jeff]

When you look at returning production whose better? SK has proven himself against the best this summer. The team had a great offseason. I think this will be the best team Micks had by Feb. and you can mark that down for me now.

 

[Scheids21]

When you look at returning production whose better? SK has proven himself against the best this summer. The team had a great offseason. I think this will be the best team Micks had by Feb. and you can mark that down for me now.

Didn't say I disagreed; just a big statement. Expectations are high. I hope and think this team can live up to them.