Senior Day

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Furthermore the last thing Alex would want is you two using his hard work to take a shot at the program and Its coach. Have a clue and a little class.
 
OK everybody jump on me for this one:
Thank you JaQuon Parker. Nobody on this team has more heart or expended more effort than you. It's unfortunate that you're going through a bad time at the FT line, but that is no reflection on the heart and hustle you've given us through your tenacious play. You are as competitive, no, more competitive than anyone on this team. No one is the perfect player; but your intensity heartens me whether it's banging the boards with the big boys from a rebound, taking it to the hoop (and you're the only one who seems unafraid to do that), or just the agony on your face when you miss one at the line, you have been the one bright light in this program. People are going to blast that statement with all your alleged shortcomings, but nobody can deny your passion for the team or to win. You will leave the biggest hole on this team when you graduate, not necessarily in stats, although I do believe you're #1 in 3-pt % and near the top in overall shooting % of those who shoot more than a couple of times per game, and third in rebounds (even ahead of Cheikh), but in heart. It's reflected in your minutes played. Mick realizes how vital your presence has been. You've brought excitement to us fans. I can only hope that you'll enjoy a few more victories before the season's over. I've said it before..........if only we had a team of 5 Parkers, with your heart and never say die attitude..........Thank you, JaQuon!
All right all you armchair coaches, it's open season. Start shooting~~~~~:p
 
Look, guys, I know Mick doesn't personally owe Alex anything. I'm just saying it would have been a nice gesture if, maybe just ONCE he put him in the game at the 5-minute mark instead of throwing him in with 2 or less when you can't even get in the flow of a game. At least give a senior to get out there and get some rhythm instead of going out there ice cold and looking like a chump for a minute and 37 seconds. That's all I'm saying.
 
You can tell from that Enquirer article that the guy probably appreciates his spot on the team more than anyone. We were up by 31, 27, and 29 at half against NCA&T, Arkansas Little Rock, and Maryland Eastern Shore. If the guy works his tail off (and he must to stay on the team for 4 years as a walk-on), give him once or twice where he can actually be a part of a game instead of an after-thought. You can't tell me it would hurt to throw him in there at the 5 or 6 minute mark of a 40-point blowout.
 
Robert said:
Look, guys, I know Mick doesn't personally owe Alex anything. I'm just saying it would have been a nice gesture if, maybe just ONCE he put him in the game at the 5-minute mark instead of throwing him in with 2 or less when you can't even get in the flow of a game. At least give a senior to get out there and get some rhythm instead of going out there ice cold and looking like a chump for a minute and 37 seconds. That's all I'm saying.
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Technically, you're right, Robert. Mick doesn't owe any team member anything. His job is to win games. His job is also to find the right combination of players that are cohesive enough to win games. He's tried virtually every combination of players, save one. Just because you're a walk-on, doesn't necessarily mean you're not as good as a scholarship player. That should be determined during practice. But until you're in actual real time game pressure, nobody knows how you'll play. If you're good enough to play in practice and be a member of the team, then you should be capable of game time. For all we know, they could be using him in practice as a tackling dummy. All we really know is he averaged 14 pts in HS and was a high % FT shooter. I don't know how he shoots from the field, but if he has a soft touch for FT's,..............And for all you others, no need to get your bowels in an uproar, this is just me and Robert having a civil conversation.
 
I expect the 4 seniors will start on Saturday.

All of them will be missed, but especially Cash and Parker. Let's not forget that these 2 came here when we were still a pretty bad team. They became part of the solution with their toughness and ability to score in multiple ways. They each contributed serious minutes for 3 or 4 seasons which is rare in today's game.

It's a senior class that can be replaced on the court, but also a class that is responsible for a lot of progress for the program over the last 4 years. Especially if they make the tourney yet again, that will be the legacy for this class. They came into a struggling program in the hardest conference in america and became consistent winners.

Regardless of what happens with next year's team or the new conference, I will consider it Cash/Parker along with Yancy/Dixon that put UC bball back on the map.
 
CaptDale said:
The problem is Cronin only cares about Cronin and results and protecting his job. Starting Alex is an ethical issue. How do you get a coach who yells at his players for every little mistake (microcoaching) to have enough balls to start his walkon even against the doormat of the conference. Assuming we are good enough to come back from any misgivings of Alex, it should be a symbolic no-brainer for Cronin. Start the 3 amigos plus Alex and (take your pick) somebody at the 5. There is no way they could do any worse than they have done of late. It won't happen, though. And therein lies one of the reasons I don't think Mick is the "great" coach everyone tries to make him out to be. He's not trying to teach valuable life lessons along with basketball. It's like if a player violates team rules. What do you do as coach? No question - suspend him. Not for a half in an important game like so many of the coaches do. That teaches nothing. Zero. Zip. I don't care if it's the final game of the tournament. Not that he's been put in that situation. The NCAA did it for him last year. OK, enough of my rant. I'm not a Cronin fan. Schieds thinks all I post is negativity. Maybe he's right. But I can always wake up and look at myself in the mirror, learn from my mistakes. Can Cronin say that? START ALEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Im glad you can look yourself in the mirror and learn from your mistakes. Clap. Clap. Clap. Can Mick say that? That is one of the most ignorant, pompous, stupid fucking posts I have seen on this board. You dont know Mick. You dont see him in practice or in private with those kids. You have no idea what kind of relationship that they have. Those kids are an extension of his family. To say he only cares about himself is one of the most disingenuous things I have seen on these boards. And that's saying something. Do You think 5 minutes in a basketball game teaches a bigger lesson than the countless hours of practice and life lessons learned off the court? His players graduate and all of them sing his praises when interviewed. His job is to win every single game and get his players ready. Why give valuable minutes to a kid who is not going to help you win a significant game. Its not personal, its his job. Just another one of those fans who finds any way that they can to criticize the head coach. Does he deserve criticism for his team's play this year? Absolutely. However to attack his character is just ridiculous and using Epp as evidence of that claim is even more ridiculous. Awful.
 
Mick has an excellent relationship with the players. It's pitiful to even have to respond to something as idiotic as that post.
 
nparker1 said:
I always look forward to honoring the Seniors each year on Senior Day...

Cash
as frustrating as Cash's year has been, he has provided many great moments in his career...he has helped return this program to the national spotlight...i know his knee was bad before he got here, but i really respect a kid who has fought through and overcome major injuries and surgeries...he has always had a good attitude...i hope he has a chance to play somewhere after college, whether it is in the states or overseas...although not a Siva level point guard, Cash's presence will be missed and hard to replace/fill...
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Thanks Cashmere. I appreciate all you've done for UC. I think you're a class act and the type of quality person we want at UC. Thanks for being classy while battling through several injuries. I really think you're a SG playing PG out of need for the team. Chadd Moore comes to mind when I think of you. But you battled through injuries more than Moore did. Thanks for everything.

Parker
I consider Parker to be the epitome of UC basketball...he fought for every loose ball and was never afraid of contact...his style/role has reminded me of E. McElroy...he faced a lot of adversity/reality his sophmore year...since then, he has given his all to the program...he has been the 'glue' guy during his tenure, and a major factor in last year's run...for his sake, i would love to see him to turn it on and spur this team to make another run this year...Parker's role/contributions may be the toughest to replace...
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We all love guys that battle and give everything they got. Parker is that guy. Thanks for upholding the Bearcat quality of toughness. You will be missed. Finish the season strong.

Mbodj
Never really came into his own...injuries definitely slowed his progress...and it didn't help not having 'big man' coaching...he busted his ass this offseason...he really stepped up his blocks this year...he is usually good for at least one play a game, where it seems like he is angry/pissed, and he flexes some muscle/size...not meant to be an insult, but he was so much more effective than Adam H...
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I appreciate all you gave to the team, Mbodj. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Alex E
Don't have much to say about that...

Go Bearcats!
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It's tough to be the guy who helps the team but never gets any glory. Thanks and good luck Alex.
 
Technically, Epp is no longer a walk-on. He is on scholarship this year (hope I'm not repeating something that has already been said). Mick deserves great props for doing that. I don't recall, but giving the walk-on a scholarship is not very common here. I don't recall it happening before this recently. I'm sure Epp would appreciate playing, but he probably appreciates that scholarship 1000 times more.
 
L-T said:
Technically, Epp is no longer a walk-on. He is on scholarship this year (hope I'm not repeating something that has already been said). Mick deserves great props for doing that. I don't recall, but giving the walk-on a scholarship is not very common here. I don't recall it happening before this recently. I'm sure Epp would appreciate playing, but he probably appreciates that scholarship 1000 times more.
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It has been mentioned before, but it is worth repeating.
 
JackBauer151 said:
Im glad you can look yourself in the mirror and learn from your mistakes. Clap. Clap. Clap. Can Mick say that? That is one of the most ignorant, pompous, stupid fucking posts I have seen on this board. You dont know Mick. You dont see him in practice or in private with those kids. You have no idea what kind of relationship that they have. Those kids are an extension of his family. To say he only cares about himself is one of the most disingenuous things I have seen on these boards. And that's saying something. Do You think 5 minutes in a basketball game teaches a bigger lesson than the countless hours of practice and life lessons learned off the court? His players graduate and all of them sing his praises when interviewed. His job is to win every single game and get his players ready. Why give valuable minutes to a kid who is not going to help you win a significant game. Its not personal, its his job. Just another one of those fans who finds any way that they can to criticize the head coach. Does he deserve criticism for his team's play this year? Absolutely. However to attack his character is just ridiculous and using Epp as evidence of that claim is even more ridiculous. Awful.
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Absolutely Jack. Captdave is completely off base as usual. He uses every situation to undermine Micks credibilty with the fans who post here. Guy has no idea what he is talking about. Alex loves this program and its Coach Robert and CaptDave need to stop projecting there wrong assumptions on the unsuspecting player. I'll be there cheering for everyone of the seniors whether they play 40 minutes a game or don't get off the bench. Just being on the team is a great accomplishment.
 
I went to an open practice when Epp was coming in as a freshman and out of coincidence was sitting next to his dad. I found this out about halfway through the "game". I asked him what made him choose to be a walk-on. He told me he was offered and was going to accept a D3 scholarship, but Mick approached him with the chance to walk-on and he was happy because he was a big fan and would get the chance to be a part of the team even though he knew he'd never play and could stay home. Also said he loves the game and the chance to practice against good D1 players was more appealing to him than playing D3. I think it would be a nice gesture to start him but in no way think Mick is obligated to nor do I think he should. This game is a must win. Epp knew and accepted his role on this team. He provides an extra body in practice. To do what he does, to work as hard as he has to to keep his roster spot knowing he won't play is nothing short of amazing to me. I'm not sure I could do it. Although if I loved playing the game that much and realistically knew I could never play at the next level then really what's the difference? His practices here are better competition than games in D3. He is getting a better education and got to stay home. Not everyone needs to be in the limelight. Some actually don't want to be. For Mick to give him a scholarship for no reason other than to reward him says all you need to know about Mick's character.
 
david aka the TYZ said:
I went to an open practice when Epp was coming in as a freshman and out of coincidence was sitting next to his dad. I found this out about halfway through the "game". I asked him what made him choose to be a walk-on. He told me he was offered and was going to accept a D3 scholarship, but Mick approached him with the chance to walk-on and he was happy because he was a big fan and would get the chance to be a part of the team even though he knew he'd never play and could stay home. Also said he loves the game and the chance to practice against good D1 players was more appealing to him than playing D3. I think it would be a nice gesture to start him but in no way think Mick is obligated to nor do I think he should. This game is a must win. Epp knew and accepted his role on this team. He provides an extra body in practice. To do what he does, to work as hard as he has to to keep his roster spot knowing he won't play is nothing short of amazing to me. I'm not sure I could do it. Although if I loved playing the game that much and realistically knew I could never play at the next level then really what's the difference? His practices here are better competition than games in D3. He is getting a better education and got to stay home. Not everyone needs to be in the limelight. Some actually don't want to be. For Mick to give him a scholarship for no reason other than to reward him says all you need to know about Mick's character.
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Thanks for sharing. I hope he starts him and lets him play until the first tv timeout, especially since we are playing USF. If he plays the first 5 minutes and we lose, let's be honest, we were going to lose anyway. That being said, I think he will let him play until the first stopped ball instead. But as you said, Mick has no responsibility to play him; his responsibility is to give the team the best chance of winning.
 
Scheids21 said:
Thanks for sharing. I hope he starts him and lets him play until the first tv timeout, especially since we are playing USF. If he plays the first 5 minutes and we lose, let's be honest, we were going to lose anyway. That being said, I think he will let him play until the first stopped ball instead. But as you said, Mick has no responsibility to play him; his responsibility is to give the team the best chance of winning.
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I can't see him playing through the first timeout if he does start. This game is just too important and Epp knows that. USF sucks, but they could still win if UC lays an egg.
 

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