Season Updates

[cincrulz11]

I don't think Brannen is a bad coach, but I no longer think he is going to succeed here.

To no longer think something, didn't you have to think it at some point?

 

[skyblade]

To no longer think something, didn't you have to think it at some point?

I did originally want us to hire Brannen. He would have been my top choice based on the options available. He just went downhill quick in my book and never turned it around.

Even the rays of hope (Harvey, Eason) seem to be getting clouded over.

 

[Loser Mentality]

Remember Nick Van Exel............

No matter how green or lack of whatever, He represented what Cincinnati Basketball stood for.

I bet as fans we would not be butthurt about recruiting.

That fact can not be denied, but until this city can step out of it's own box and take a chance on the "Unconventional Hire" every now and then, good luck on tasting real success.

I don't have anything negative to say about Brannen, as he is still under review in my eyes. No, Brannen was not an unconventional hire, rather more convenient side step to keep the program going somewhat.

I'm more worried about the New AD....

 

[justinhub2003]

If we had a class coming next year like the one we just got, I think we'd all feel a lot better.

This

My main worry has nothing to do with the current play on the court it’s the lack of a 2021 class.

I can see through the losses if I’m presented a vision, the vision in CBB is usually presented in recruiting. It’s just tough to see the vision right now.

 

[cincyguy13]

This

My main worry has nothing to do with the current play on the court it’s the lack of a 2021 class.

I can see through the losses if I’m presented a vision, the vision in CBB is usually presented in recruiting. It’s just tough to see the vision right now.

It’s definitely an issue but there is still time. There are going to be good players out there. If he doesn’t get any, it’s on him.

 

[cincyguy13]

This

My main worry has nothing to do with the current play on the court it’s the lack of a 2021 class.

I can see through the losses if I’m presented a vision, the vision in CBB is usually presented in recruiting. It’s just tough to see the vision right now.

The vision is get as good of players as you can get and keep them. That vision doesn’t work as well when you lose your best players. No vision does. Not saying it isn’t his fault.

 

[skyblade]

This

My main worry has nothing to do with the current play on the court it’s the lack of a 2021 class.

I can see through the losses if I’m presented a vision, the vision in CBB is usually presented in recruiting. It’s just tough to see the vision right now.

That is my main concern as well. I've said in the past, I don't really care how this year turn out at this point. Once we were eliminated from the NCAA tournament my focus primarily turned to next year.

The vision for next year doesn't look good. Will we be recruiting all transfers? That could negatively impact us years down the line and limit the supply of players available. Is Brannen going to wait until June so he can have in person visits? Or will adjust now that he is pretty much forced to.

Teams that replace 5/6 players per year typically do not do well (in anything but recruiting ranking). It's hard to deal with roster turnover because you have so many new guys learning the system. There are exceptions here and there, but next year is usually dependent on the guys who are on the roster this year.

We've got some potential on the roster now. But it seems to need a lot of work if we are going to be at the top of the AAC next year.

 

[waterhead]

This

My main worry has nothing to do with the current play on the court it’s the lack of a 2021 class.

I can see through the losses if I’m presented a vision, the vision in CBB is usually presented in recruiting. It’s just tough to see the vision right now.

I think I know what vision he's kinda going for/looking for but it's been hard for him to put together. I sure hope he has changed his philosophy on the 5 position. If not it's going to be a tough road to being a top 50 D.

Covid derailed his vision of wanting to meet players in person and spend some quality time to get a better feel. If you didn't like that decision then...you sure won't like it now as more roster spots open. I would hope in most years we would want to be at 1-2 transfers to fill holes.

I'm sure CJB is questioning some of his decisions. I guess as long as he is aware of them and can adjust accordingly he can still salvage the overall plan. It's going to be an uphill battle right now.

Look at it this way. If you were not happy with CJB already the latest defection is going to lead to a new coach sooner than if things slowly deteriorated. If you still like CJB then if he pulls this off and gets back on track we will likely be sitting on a very good coach. I don't see much room in the middle on this one.

 

[cincyguy13]

I think I know what vision he's kinda going for/looking for but it's been hard for him to put together. I sure hope he has changed his philosophy on the 5 position. If not it's going to be a tough road to being a top 50 D.

Covid derailed his vision of wanting to meet players in person and spend some quality time to get a better feel. If you didn't like that decision then...you sure won't like it now as more roster spots open. I would hope in most years we would want to be at 1-2 transfers to fill holes.

I'm sure CJB is questioning some of his decisions. I guess as long as he is aware of them and can adjust accordingly he can still salvage the overall plan. It's going to be an uphill battle right now.

Look at it this way. If you were not happy with CJB already the latest defection is going to lead to a new coach sooner than if things slowly deteriorated. If you still like CJB then if he pulls this off and gets back on track we will likely be sitting on a very good coach. I don't see much room in the middle on this one.

If you have an open mind, (not you), I don’t think it’s hard to see the vision. He’s going for something similar to Chris Mack and Anthony grant. Both have had success at the highest level. It’s not “mid major”. It’s not a system that is complete foreign to this level of basketball. It’s just not what people at uc are used to. It doesn’t work with players that aren’t skilled at all. That is why those players aren’t here anymore. Looking back it’d be nice to have 1-2 of those guys along with some of these guys to mix in but I also don’t want a whole team of guys with no skill either, like we had when brannen arrived.

 

[waterhead]

I think CJB would like to have a full team of guys like Davenport, Madsens, DD, and Mikey etc. Guys who are gonna cheer on other players, lead, be selfless and just have a positive locker room impact. I don't know if you can actually get 13 guys (talented) on the roster like that especially if you want some 4 and 5 star guys.

Eason and Harvey were our best two recruits. One is gone and the other has shown some level of unhappiness from time to time. Harvey didn't seem to have many of the attributes that I listed above and not sure on Eason but he seems a little more into it.

So do you take on players like this to get your talent level up or do you find a 3 star with a great attitude? I am guessing John probably bent some of his own rules to get the shiny objects. You can hear him say things like "you take the wrong guy and he can hurt you for 4 years". "You miss on the right guy and he can only hurt you twice a year". Bottom line is he doesn't want guys in the locker room becoming a cancer...or sulking on the sidelines. He wants them to cheer on the others, work hard and wait for their time. You can't guarantee any player a certain amount of minutes...you just can't. But Eason right now is getting similar minutes to Cumberland in his frosh season.

 

[waterhead]

If you have an open mind, (not you), I don’t think it’s hard to see the vision. He’s going for something similar to Chris Mack and Anthony grant. Both have had success at the highest level. It’s not “mid major”. It’s not a system that is complete foreign to this level of basketball. It’s just not what people at uc are used to. It doesn’t work with players that aren’t skilled at all. That is why those players aren’t here anymore. Looking back it’d be nice to have 1-2 of those guys along with some of these guys to mix in but I also don’t want a whole team of guys with no skill either, like we had when brannen arrived.

Agreed. I would certainly take some less skilled athletic 5's at this point. Most of them can make put backs and layups off pick n rolls etc. We don't have to have an automatic bucket getter down there on the block if it helps us out on D. But I don't think we need that on the wing. They aren't going to be happy with only spot minutes. But we have Banks right now...who can fill that role of less talented on offense but can play good D.

 

[cincyguy13]

Agreed. I would certainly take some less skilled athletic 5's at this point. Most of them can make put backs and layups off pick n rolls etc. We don't have to have an automatic bucket getter down there on the block if it helps us out on D. But I don't think we need that on the wing. They aren't going to be happy with only spot minutes. But we have Banks right now...who can fill that role of less talented on offense but can play good D.

Yeah, i think anyone would want a non skilled 5 at this point or one of the ones that we got rid of. It’s really easy to say that now, and I’m sure brannen would agree. I think John thought he could at least replace them if not upgrade. But he’s swung and missed at this point. That’s how it goes, the difference between having a successful run and being fired in 3 years is getting nick van exel or yancy gates. All you need is something to believe in. We don’t have that now

 

[justinhub2003]

Im just interested to see what kind of fan turn out next year brings. I think if we see a significant down turn in donations and ticket sales next season, then it puts more pressure on Brannen to win and he will start feeling more pressure from Cunningham.

This fan base is fragile. Add Covid to the mix and its even more fragile. I do have fears that Covid plus an extended rebuild under Brannen could have huge consequences for the basketball program.

The situation with Mike Rehfedt let us know that football takes a much bigger priority under Cunningham. A bad basketball product is all the more reason to shrink the budget on BB and move it to football.

I think Brannen missing on Pettway had a huge impact not only in recruiting but in that, I doubt that Brannen could spend that kind of money on assistant Now and under a new AD. Were more than likely stuck with this staff or at least a staff thats not high end.

 

[cincyguy13]

Im just interested to see what kind of fan turn out next year brings. I think if we see a significant down turn in donations and ticket sales next season, then it puts more pressure on Brannen to win and he will start feeling more pressure from Cunningham.

This fan base is fragile. Add Covid to the mix and its even more fragile. I do have fears that Covid plus an extended rebuild under Brannen could have huge consequences for the basketball program.

The situation with Mike Rehfedt let us know that football takes a much bigger priority under Cunningham. A bad basketball product is all the more reason to shrink the budget on BB and move it to football.

I think Brannen missing on Pettway had a huge impact not only in recruiting but in that, I doubt that Brannen could spend that kind of money on assistant Now and under a new AD. Were more than likely stuck with this staff or at least a staff thats not high end.

If we win fans will come. Have to win, like always

 

[TheRealMick]

If nick really wanted to be here why not tag along as an assistant? I think if nothing else UC needs open this door, it’s some NBA talent in tri-state high school that parents favorite UC player more likely Nick.

 

[Lefty]

And there's a rub. I forget what game it was before the break but Keith and Dejulius got into in the huddle near the end of the game and Keith looked like he was about ready to smack DeJulius. Keith feels it should be his team. DeJulius is a natural leader. Not good.



If there is no cohesiveness next year then its pretty clear Brannen is at fault. Cumberland and Keith have never been unity guys and I don't really think it mattered who the coach was.

How is Keith not a “ unity” guy ?
I’ve never seen anything to suggest that.
An Alpha- no , but seems to me to always be
Team oriented ?

 

[Lefty]

Agreed. I would certainly take some less skilled athletic 5's at this point. Most of them can make put backs and layups off pick n rolls etc. We don't have to have an automatic bucket getter down there on the block if it helps us out on D. But I don't think we need that on the wing. They aren't going to be happy with only spot minutes. But we have Banks right now...who can fill that role of less talented on offense but can play good D.

Less skilled,,athletic 5’s - like Dou ???? Lol

 

[Lefty]

A few questions:
1- How does the University of Cincinnati support
It’s BB program vs other AAC programs ?
Include $$ for asst coaches & technology.
2. Any LaSalle Lancers out there to chime in on
their senior Uber athletic hoopster without an
offer ? Is he D-1 material after a year or so ?

 

[justinhub2003]

How crazy is it that the AAC coach of the year front runner is an interim coach with a brand new roster and never coached before,

The shockers might have their long term coach already

 

[sedziobs]

How crazy is it that the AAC coach of the year front runner is an interim coach with a brand new roster and never coached before,

The shockers might have their long term coach already

Not a brand new roster. The core of the team is Etienne, Dennis, Wade, and Udeze - all returning players. Gilbert is the only newcomer playing significant (20+) minutes. I don't know why this myth persists.

Still a great job by the coaching staff though.