Scouting Harvard

[BEARCAT-4-LIFE]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...423/medcalfs-10-bold-ncaa-tourney-predictions

Love it, everyone doubting the CATS, I mean any reason we should even make the trip?????

Give em hell boys noone gave us a prayer going into the Yum Center and we see how that played out.

GO BEARCATS

 

[JrmyT]

Thanks for the background on Harvard, look forward to reading up thanks Bearcats NTS. Also, if it has not been made known, but the team flies out tonight for Spokane. Mick said last night that NCAA handles the team traveling, so with that being said I would assume all teams will leave later today for Washington. All teams come form the east so no advantage with the timezone for any involving Cincy's weekend.

 

[mdchick]

in my billion dollar bracket I picked mich state to win, but Delaware can give them a game, if garry harris isn't hitting their shots they might be in trouble delaware only has 1 big man that can stand in with payne but they have 3 very very good guards, nothing suprises me in the tournament, I'm just saying if we make it pass the first round theres not a garuntee mich st will be there.

 

[Bulldog01]

Shaq has to put his big boy pants on Thursday. NOBODY on Harvard can match up with him on wing. He just needs to attack without hesitation and dunk it on EVERY drive. Same for Rubles and SK go to rim with aggression and we should be cool.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...423/medcalfs-10-bold-ncaa-tourney-predictions

Love it, everyone doubting the CATS, I mean any reason we should even make the trip?????

Give em hell boys noone gave us a prayer going into the Yum Center and we see how that played out.

GO BEARCATS

Isn't it amazing how these "experts" can make these predictions each year? Here is what that guy said last year:

1.Kansas will not reach Atlanta. He was right, they lost to Michigan.

2.Big Ten national title drought will continue. He was right, Michigan lost in the title game.

3.Marshall Henderson's performance won’t match his mouth - Wrong. They beat Wisconsin.

4.Middle Tennessee will prove that it’s the best team in Tennessee, reach Sweet 16 Wrong, they didn't make it out of the play-in round.

5.Bill Self versus Roy Williams won’t happen Wrong. Kansas played UNC in the second round.

6. The Pac-12 will go 0-5 in the first (second) round Wrong. Cal, Oregon and Arizon all won.

7.Michigan won’t reach the Sweet 16 Wrong. Made the Title game.

8.Florida Gulf Coast will push Georgetown to the brink of an upset - Kind of right. Pretty good call.

9.Indiana will win every game, prior to the Final Four, by double digits Wrong. They lost in the Sweet 16 by double figures and only beat Temple by 6.

10.We’ll see multiple 40-point performances in the opening rounds Wrong. There were NONE.

So basically this guy is just throwing stuff against the wall....

Last years "Bold Predictions"

 

[IDC]

Whoever said Shaq needs to attack is right. This is a game where they can impose their will physically on Harvard. Attack the basket, crash the boards, trap and contest every shot and UC will win.

 

[cincycpaw]

I think the true key to the game is the team remaining disciplined on defense for 40 minutes. Don;t think your athleticism can let you take too many risks.

If we sit down, get our hands up and defend like we can...if JJ stays out of foul trouble and TR rebounds like he has and we control the defensive boards...we will win.

We can win even without offensive efficiency...and we will have to because it's not going to happen all of a sudden against a team like Harvard.

We will need, either SK to be hot from the outside, however, patient enough to use it to drive to the basket instead or we will need either ST attacking or JS hitting open 3's after the dribble drive and kick. And we will win.

I'm nervous...but I always am in the tournament. Anything can happen and Harvard is a very good team. That said, I think the Bearcats win by 8 points and face Michigan State in the 3rd round. I don;t like my prediction for that game right now so I'm hoping it changes after thursday play!

 

[Levettation]

I think the true key to the game is the team remaining disciplined on defense for 40 minutes. Don;t think your athleticism can let you take too many risks.

If we sit down, get our hands up and defend like we can...if JJ stays out of foul trouble and TR rebounds like he has and we control the defensive boards...we will win.

I agree. The adage of "maintain your lane". We don't need JJ flying around trying to block every shot and getting in foul trouble. We need to play like a boa constrictor and slowly suffocate our foe. Don't need to win by 50, just by 1.

Also, don't know if pressing is good strategy. While it may speed the game up and give us extra possessions to score, it may open them up to layups and us to fouls. I would only press if in game we need a spurt (i.e. we are trailing).

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I agree. The adage of "maintain your lane". We don't need JJ flying around trying to block every shot and getting in foul trouble. We need to play like a boa constrictor and slowly suffocate our foe. Don't need to win by 50, just by 1.

Also, don't know if pressing is good strategy. While it may speed the game up and give us extra possessions to score, it may open them up to layups and us to fouls. I would only press if in game we need a spurt (i.e. we are trailing).

As I said in my scouting report, I would press them as much as possible. They will get a few open shots because they have good guards but Cincinnati will have to try to get a faster tempo somehow. The press was effective against UConn...

 

[IDC]

The press was very effective against UCONN because Mick picked his spots. If they come out flat emotionally (which i don't see) or they play tight early (which i can see) the press might get them to just play and stop thinking.

Dan Dockich (sp?) was on with Mo earlier. He said no way Harvard beats UC, and no way UC beats MSU, lol.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Not overplaying on D is the key. If UC doesn't give up 3 after 3 they will win and win by double digits.

 

[UCalum08]

Just booked my trip. Nobody ask how much it is costing me, I don't want to think about it. I'm just glad I can go and support the team. Should be fun. I was able to get tix through UC which means hardly anyone is going. He said they are getting calls from people in Washington for tickets.

Have a safe trip! I just googled the arena we are playing at and it seems pretty nice. I hope youre able to post some pics! I know its beautiful scenery out there.

 

[CanadianBearcat]

I dont mind the press in this game, looking at their minutes for the season it seems like they have a tight rotation with 6-7 players only. Im not saying trap everywhere in the front court but let Guyn, and Caupain pick up full court and be a nuissence while not exposing our back end to fouling by gambling a bunch.

 

[Levettation]

I don't mind the press if, like some have said, we don't pick up dumb fouls because of it and allow them easy buckets. Must stay out of foul trouble and minimize their FT attempts.

I thought our press in the 1st half was great vs. UConn. Definitely provided a necessary energy boost, as well as some easy buckets.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I don't mind the press if, like some have said, we don't pick up dumb fouls because of it and allow them easy buckets. Must stay out of foul trouble and minimize their FT attempts.

I thought our press in the 1st half was great vs. UConn. Definitely provided a necessary energy boost, as well as some easy buckets.

My thought is that our bench will be more effective in this game. Don't get me wrong, Harvard is legit and deep, but guys like Troy Jermaine and Kevin will fair better against Harvard than a Louisville or UConn.

 

[ervins84]

After watching parts of their games vs UConn, @Princeton and @colorado (with dinwiddie) I really am torn as to the best way to defend them because I think both our halfcourt D and press are both better than anything they've faced all year.

I really don't see them having much success in the halfcourt vs us, and as a result the last thing I want is to gamble and take a chance on them getting easy layups/open 3s if they beat it.

I think we'd be best to start off in a regular full court man2man with no run n jumping/trapping ( aka gamble.)

On made free throws run our diamond and 1 press and trap the first pass hard but no others with emphasis on sprinting and recovering if they get out of that trap.

Plus waiting to go balls out pressure D gives us a kind of ace up the sleeve back up plan to change tempo and energy level in case we get behind.

I think changing D's throughout will be critical to prevent Harvard from getting comfortable and in any consistent rhythm.

 

[ervins84]

And weird as it may sound, but if we do make it to rd 2 vs msu, I would trap and press every different way possible vs them. I think high risk/ high reward is the way to play when at a disadvantage and they've looked shaky vs pressure at times this year and historically.

 

[bearcat jeff]

And weird as it may sound, but if we do make it to rd 2 vs msu, I would trap and press every different way possible vs them. I think high risk/ high reward is the way to play when at a disadvantage and they've looked shaky vs pressure at times this year and historically.

I agree with you on this 100%. Dawson concerns me and if we can keep him from getting set it works to UC's benefit. However, let's get past Harvard first.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Have a safe trip! I just googled the arena we are playing at and it seems pretty nice. I hope youre able to post some pics! I know its beautiful scenery out there.

Thanks, I'll try and get some good pics. (I'm sure the wife will take 100 pics at their zoo they have...) I'm not sure where my seats are because UC said they haven't gotten them yet. He said the best seats go to sponsors but we should be behind the bench. I'm pretty loud and animated at games so I'm hoping I'll get on TV. They won't have that many UC fans to choose from. I remember when we played Hawaii in football several years ago and we made the trip. ESPN put me on for about 7 seconds after we fumbled a kickoff. I was just standing there with my arms out like "what the..." There were maybe 50-80 UC fans there for that. I'm hoping we have more than that for this game. It will be good for the players to see some fans, especially since the home crowd will be rooting for the upset. I am putting this one on my back boys, I'll try not to let you guys down and bring home a winner.

 

[handwaver]

In their defense, both of those games were on the road. Also Green Bay and Vermont were decent, but yes their schedule was weak.

If comparative scores are worth anything, Geen Bay lost to both Virginia and Wisconsin by 3, and to Harvard by 12.