Season Updates

[Queens_NYC]

FWIW, Evan Prater just tweeted @ the MBB account asking if the team needs one more player.

**** it. Let him play lol.

 

[justinhub2003]

I don’t know the number... but how many football players opted out? How many starting football players opted out? At uc

Id think Covid is a little easier on Football players. They play outside, and in some case in front of fans. They have a huge group of guys to interact with. And football season wasn’t in the peak corona season like it is now. I think the 25 day pause really impacted some guys. I mean not long after the pause we lost 2 high level players.


I’m even giving gabe the benefit of the doubt. No one signed up for this. A lot easier to get home sick when Uc never got to feel like home.


But if every one is questioning whether the Covid blues are real at UC then either you are:
-calling the players soft
-alluding to John not getting along with guys and making them feel like leaving
-assuming it’s a cover up for what really is just a transfer.



It’s weird that I’m one giving CJB and the players some grace and y’all are alluding to something else

 

[justinhub2003]

Sam Martin and mason madsen are the kinda guards that John brannen’s dreams are made of. Make it happen

 

[TheLongHaul]

Again. Fellas. Hoops. Video games.... Somehow work chipotle in there and sign me up so day

I essentially had to do this for a few weeks during pre-season camps. You are right, it was a lot of fun...for a couple weeks. Got very old very quick when you couldn't really see people, and we weren't even as isolated as these guys and there wasn't Covid.

I have no idea what's going on with the program or why they seem to be having more players opt-out than other teams. I'd guess it's a number of factors, but I hope it's because Brannen is taking the situation seriously and realizes that there is more to life that screwing with these kids mental health. It's really got to be tough for them.

 

[Bearcat_Z]

FWIW, Evan Prater just tweeted @ the MBB account asking if the team needs one more player.

**** it. Let him play lol.

He was apparently recruited by D1 schools for basketball. FWIW.

 

[Lefty]

I doubt anything bad happened after a win last night. This is weird.

Right after the game, as Davenport was running
toward half court with arms raised, I caught a
glimpse of DD still in the paint but walking in the
same direction. He had no joy in his expression
and I thought it odd at the moment.

 

[Lefty]

If he is a maniac, I’m not sure what would have change from last night after a win. I doubt he was yelling at the guys after a last second win but who knows.

Maybe the school or brannen approach the pandemic wrong. Maybe they have let the kid do anything except basketball. I have no idea. Just a theory. Just wondering why we are the only schools having multiple people quit.

Was wondering about the restrictions imposed on
the players myself. Are they not allowed out of
their room at all, beyond a 30 min gym period ?
Doesn’t the team have team meals per a training
regimen where they can interact with social
distancing in mind vs meals delivered to them ?

 

[Lefty]

Again. Fellas. Hoops. Video games.... Somehow work chipotle in there and sign me up so day[/QUOTE?

Legend, do we know the players have that much
latitude ? Are they not quarantined with a
roomate & restricted to a brief shoot around daily
with zoom classes ?

 

[Queens_NYC]

He was apparently recruited by D1 schools for basketball. FWIW.

I remember reading he had a Wright State offer.

 

[cincrulz11]

Judging by the fact that DeJulius plans to come back, and the fact that DeJulius was still giving it his all for 35 minutes every night, its more than possible Brannen is encouraging these guys to do whats best for them. That isn't the worst thing in the world.


After reading the article in the athletic and quotes from a former coach that DeJulius is close with, he just hit a wall and couldn't go anymore. Had nothing to do with basketball or the coaching staff.

 

[Loser Mentality]

The timing is just odd. DD had sort of established himself as the leader of the team.

Of course all we can do as fans is speculate, but as we begin to turn the corner on covid somewhat, with 3+ games to go, I can't help but wonder what's the vibe in the locker room.

To me this shows a team of individuals that have yet to mesh, as they continue to deal with each other and covid.

I wouldn't call it quitting, but these guys are obviously not willing to lay it on the line for Coach Brannen, or their team members.

 

[cincrulz11]

I wouldn't call it quitting, but these guys are obviously not willing to lay it on the line for Coach Brannen, or their team members.

Thats not really a bad thing if we are talking about their mental wellbeing.

It's been a messed up year for everybody. It's one thing to take this past year as an adult that has lived the once in a lifetime experiences and now each year runs into a year thats similar.


Kids are losing once in a lifetime chances. This is a year they'll never get back and a year that is unlike any other for them.

 

[justinhub2003]

I think it’s always a concern if a player leaves and isn’t from cincinnati. You do have to wonder if their best support system may end up being closer to home. That goes for gabe and DJD.

I hope they both feel better and come back.

 

[Loser Mentality]

Could you imagine just gutting out a win, and within 48 hours, "I'm Done."

Plus your next 2 games are at home. I get that this is a lost season, but something is not right.

Makes me wonder if we only had 4 total losses this season, would the opt outs be the same.

 

[sedziobs]

Could you imagine just gutting out a win, and within 48 hours, "I'm Done."

It's not very difficult to imagine if you've ever experienced or been close to someone with mental health issues. And it's not difficult to imagine why a person's issues could become overwhelming given the circumstances.

I don't see much of a reason to disregard what DeJulius said.

 

[Loser Mentality]

It's not very difficult to imagine if you've ever experienced or been close to someone with mental health issues. And it's not difficult to imagine why a person's issues could become overwhelming given the circumstances.

I don't see much of a reason to disregard what DeJulius said.

I have, and I currently have someone close with mental issues. I can never speak to anyone else's circumstance, that's why I haven't.

Speaking in context of being around your brother's "Teammates" this decision was probably been made a while ago, just never executed.

I'm just speaking to the "Moment" and not the entire season.

It has to be difficult for everyone.

 

[sedziobs]

I give him a lot of credit for publicly acknowledging his mental health issues. There's still a stigma around that in our society. And you can see from the response by some fans why people would choose to hide it.

 

[kskenyon4]

Brannen said post game that he wanted DDJ to be taking more jumpers when open. Felt he passed on several against Tulsa.

I'm not on the Brannen train, but this really seems like a personal, mental issue with DDJ. They are real, they are serious, and we should wish the kid nothing but the best, whether at Cincy or needing to get back closer to home.

 

[justinhub2003]

I give him a lot of credit for publicly acknowledging his mental health issues. There's still a stigma around that in our society. And you can see from the response by some fans why people would choose to hide it.

You can see the sigma showing up in this very thread with the insinuation that these kids got in made. Locked in a room playing video games for 4 months is the idea of a good time for some people on the board so I guess it makes our players feelings about it invalid.

He could have easily used the Covid opt out and not had to explain a single word, so yea him public vulnerability is a big deal. I generally feel I have a good read of people and the dude just comes off as a genuine and thoughtful dude.

I hope he feels better whether he decides Cincinnati basketball is for him or not.

 

[Queens_NYC]

I'm not on the Brannen train, but this really seems like a personal, mental issue with DDJ. They are real, they are serious, and we should wish the kid nothing but the best, whether at Cincy or needing to get back closer to home.

This.

I have no reason to believe that DeJulius isn't still all-in with the program and has every intention to return next season.