Seniors and Juniors

[waterhead]

It probably shouldn't be all that surprising to me that our veterans are doing one hell of a job at giving max effort. They are the one's who have heard it preached the longest. But I am a little surprised that guys, who were ALREADY giving a lot of effort in the past, have found a way to give MORE. They probably thought they were maxing out last year and they had nothing left to give.

It's surprising what a good motivational coach can get you to do.

SK, who I think ALWAYS gave max effort, has found a way to focus his efforts mentally to better maximize his performance. He is also giving EXTRA effort into coaching the younger players on the floor and being a true leader, even if it's not his presonality type. I might also add he seems to have made it a focused effort to make more FT's. And I mean that...16 of 17 come on.

JJ...one would think would not have ANY more effort to give. But he obviously did in the off season and I can see a completely different look on his face in games of "it's business time now" rather than "fun time". He wants to win and he wants his coach to know that he wants to win. He's always been good about jacking up his teamates and getting in their face with positive messages.

TR...it's not easy being able to guard EVERY position on the court...but he can. He has also transformed his offensive game and dedicated himself to getting to the basket rather than settling for outside shots. He rebounds and is also unselfish when it comes to assists. Being the BEST defender on a Mick Cronin team is all you need to know about effort.

JS...has been great to watch in the first two games. He has seen his effort getting him on the court 25 minutes plus a game...when I was seeing more like 10 after the exhibition matches. I was too hard on JS and I hope he continues his productive play.

GG...has shown he's not going to lose much time to TC because he is a "bulldog" as some have mentioned. He's just a hard nosed player for a PG which is not normal. His effort has seen him stay on the court for 25 minutes when a lot of people like myself doubted him.

I know that JDIII, ST and DN are trying thier butts off...and it will pay off in the end.

It's not only a testament to the players but also the coach for having instilled these virtues over their years. Well done veterans!! Our youngsters will learn by example and we will be awesome in the future because YOU gave more effort than you thought you had.

 

[waterhead]

I gotta tell ya this team was COACHED UP! I remember saying at the end of last year and the beginning of this one...if we didn't get a great amount of freshman production we would basically be an average team at best.

I was wrong. Coach did a great job of motivating his veterans to do better...which is also the same as "coaching them up". I know a lot of fans don't think Cronin is that type of coach...but I am starting to see the light now. The coach can't get every player to respond..but he can get some to respond...and he has.

I can't think for the life of me that JJ, TR, SK, JS and GG took it upon themselves to improve thier games without at least a little motivation from coach.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I gotta tell ya this team was COACHED UP! I remember saying at the end of last year and the beginning of this one...if we didn't get a great amount of freshman production we would basically be an average team at best.

I was wrong. Coach did a great job of motivating his veterans to do better...which is also the same as "coaching them up". I know a lot of fans don't think Cronin is that type of coach...but I am starting to see the light now. The coach can't get every player to respond..but he can get some to respond...and he has.

I can't think for the life of me that JJ, TR, SK, JS and GG took it upon themselves to improve thier games without at least a little motivation from coach.

I agree that Mick Cronin has done a good job getting guys to step up. He and the staff in my opinion had done a good job for years with inferior talent to the teams they've competed against. Something I think is overlooked. Mick is still the only coach in UC history to beat a higher seed in the NCAA tournament.

However, and I say this yearly, do not underestimate team leadership. Sk and JJ are doing a great job leading in practice and the locker room. It is an invaluable piece to have players who live and die as Bearcats. I'm not sure there has ever been anyone who loved being a Bearcat more than Sean Kilpatrick.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I agree that Mick Cronin has done a good job getting guys to step up. He and the staff in my opinion had done a good job for years with inferior talent to the teams they've competed against. Something I think is overlooked. Mick is still the only coach in UC history to beat a higher seed in the NCAA tournament.

However, and I say this yearly, do not underestimate team leadership. Sk and JJ are doing a great job leading in practice and the locker room. It is an invaluable piece to have players who live and die as Bearcats. I'm not sure there has ever been anyone who loved being a Bearcat more than Sean Kilpatrick.

you can add Titus to that list as it has been reported that Mick has also made him a captain.

 

[bearcat jeff]

you can add Titus to that list as it has been reported that Mick has also made him a captain.

Just read that. I think he's earned it.

 

[Bearcat22]

I agree that Mick Cronin has done a good job getting guys to step up. He and the staff in my opinion had done a good job for years with inferior talent to the teams they've competed against. Something I think is overlooked. Mick is still the only coach in UC history to beat a higher seed in the NCAA tournament.

However, and I say this yearly, do not underestimate team leadership. Sk and JJ are doing a great job leading in practice and the locker room. It is an invaluable piece to have players who live and die as Bearcats. I'm not sure there has ever been anyone who loved being a Bearcat more than Sean Kilpatrick.

I didn't realize that about the only coach to beat a better seed. That's where lockdown defense can become an equalizer when there is a talent gap. What's promising is that we're now getting more talented & skilled players. If they can paly Cronin's style of defense, the Cats could become really scary.

 

[waterhead]

I agree that Mick Cronin has done a good job getting guys to step up. He and the staff in my opinion had done a good job for years with inferior talent to the teams they've competed against. Something I think is overlooked. Mick is still the only coach in UC history to beat a higher seed in the NCAA tournament.

However, and I say this yearly, do not underestimate team leadership. Sk and JJ are doing a great job leading in practice and the locker room. It is an invaluable piece to have players who live and die as Bearcats. I'm not sure there has ever been anyone who loved being a Bearcat more than Sean Kilpatrick.

I agree with you about leadership. Next year we are going to have to find one or two. Cronin will have to challenge someone to take the role. Nobody stands out at the moment.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I agree with you about leadership. Next year we are going to have to find one or two. Cronin will have to challenge someone to take the role. Nobody stands out at the moment.

It will sort itself out. it always does. Some one will step up. I perfer to worry about next year next year. Lets see how GG,JS and ST finish this year.

 

[JasonS]

I agree that Mick Cronin has done a good job getting guys to step up. He and the staff in my opinion had done a good job for years with inferior talent to the teams they've competed against. Something I think is overlooked. Mick is still the only coach in UC history to beat a higher seed in the NCAA tournament.

However, and I say this yearly, do not underestimate team leadership. Sk and JJ are doing a great job leading in practice and the locker room. It is an invaluable piece to have players who live and die as Bearcats. I'm not sure there has ever been anyone who loved being a Bearcat more than Sean Kilpatrick.

I think you could put Kenyon Martin up there in terms of loved being a Bearcat. There aren't many on that level for sure.

 

[L-T]

I agree that Mick Cronin has done a good job getting guys to step up. He and the staff in my opinion had done a good job for years with inferior talent to the teams they've competed against. Something I think is overlooked. Mick is still the only coach in UC history to beat a higher seed in the NCAA tournament.

However, and I say this yearly, do not underestimate team leadership. Sk and JJ are doing a great job leading in practice and the locker room. It is an invaluable piece to have players who live and die as Bearcats. I'm not sure there has ever been anyone who loved being a Bearcat more than Sean Kilpatrick.

You do realize that when your getting a 1 to 4 seed almost every year, that there are very few opportunities to beat a higher seed. When you do get an opportunity, you're playing a 1 or 2 seed which is far more difficult than the Cronin teams have with the lower seeds we tend to get now and having to upset a middle of the pack seed.

Remember, Mick was going to take the program to the next step. You can argue that academically, that may have happened, but it certainly hasn't come close to happening on the court. I sat there the other night looking up at a pretty empty upper deck playing an ACC team and I was wondering where all those fans have gone.

You made a key point above when you praised him for winning with inferior talent. That is a good thing. But the fact that we always have inferior talent is not. When your accomplishments are winning with inferior talent, beating a higher seed in the NCAA tournament, and graduating your players, is that the next level we all wanted 7 years ago?

 

[waterhead]

You do realize that when your getting a 1 to 4 seed almost every year, that there are very few opportunities to beat a higher seed. When you do get an opportunity, you're playing a 1 or 2 seed which is far more difficult than the Cronin teams have with the lower seeds we tend to get now and having to upset a middle of the pack seed.

Remember, Mick was going to take the program to the next step. You can argue that academically, that may have happened, but it certainly hasn't come close to happening on the court. I sat there the other night looking up at a pretty empty upper deck playing an ACC team and I was wondering where all those fans have gone.

You made a key point above when you praised him for winning with inferior talent. That is a good thing. But the fact that we always have inferior talent is not. When your accomplishments are winning with inferior talent, beating a higher seed in the NCAA tournament, and graduating your players, is that the next level we all wanted 7 years ago?

I agree with your point about higher seeds and attendence. I understand your other points but we have seen, what I would consider, steady improvement almost every year for the most part in both production (winning games) and attendence. The last two recruiting classes are clearly leaning towards better BB talent and less pure athletes. Even if we keep improving slowly I think we are still headed upwards.

Of course we all wanted to see things happen faster. That is the nature of almost any fan. I know I did/do. Unless we see a consistent regression or hit a ceiling in terms of NCAA tournament potential...I am still on board with Cronin. Our coach is passionate about being a Bearcat lifer, has a lot of his career left, and has put the uinversity's reputation above keeping his job at any cost.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I get sick of people who try to minimize what Mick Cronin has done. The fact is all those 1-4 seeds resulted in a lot of second round losses which means a lot of loses to lower seeds as well. Some cannot remember the past fondly in reality and still appreciate the present. Some would have you believe those 1-4 seeds resulted in a sweet sixteen or higher for fourteen straight years and forget that after the elite eight run that Huggins had one sweet sixteen and multiple second and first round losses to lower seeds.

 

[L-T]

I agree with your point about higher seeds and attendence. I understand your other points but we have seen, what I would consider, steady improvement almost every year for the most part in both production (winning games) and attendence. The last two recruiting classes are clearly leaning towards better BB talent and less pure athletes. Even if we keep improving slowly I think we are still headed upwards.

Of course we all wanted to see things happen faster. That is the nature of almost any fan. I know I did/do. Unless we see a consistent regression or hit a ceiling in terms of NCAA tournament potential...I am still on board with Cronin. Our coach is passionate about being a Bearcat lifer, has a lot of his career left, and has put the uinversity's reputation above keeping his job at any cost.

I'm not sure I buy the fact that he is recuiting this way intentionally, solely for the sake of the University's reputation. We have to just accept the fact that we're appearing more like a mid-major program today and doing it in a mid-major conference. While fan support was a little better last year, It certainly was far from good. I agree these last two recruiting classes have shown improvement and I really like what I'm seeing so far this year. Mick's job is safe, but we're 7 years in and we need to do something substantial soon or we'll just get lost in mediocrity. We shouldn't be happy where we are today. Major college sports doesn't feel we are worthy to be a part of their fraternity and some of that is certainly on Mick. We might not have the thug reputation anymore, but we also don't have a Top 25 reputation either. We can't be happy with just being pretty good.

 

[bearcat jeff]

The issues are outdated facilities and revenue and had little to do with the programs. Both programs are winning and fans don't attend and the facilities are poor. Its simply silly to imply otherwise.

 

[L-T]

The issues are outdated facilities and revenue and had little to do with the programs. Both programs are winning and fans don't attend and the facilities are poor. Its simply silly to imply otherwise.

I don't see Duke getting held back by Cameron Indoor Stadium. It's a "lot" more than revenue and facilities. The program is winning. It is graduating players. That's about it. I sure hope this year's team does more than just win. I'm hopeful!
.

 

[JumpinJack5]

I get sick of people who try to minimize what Mick Cronin has done. The fact is all those 1-4 seeds resulted in a lot of second round losses which means a lot of loses to lower seeds as well. Some cannot remember the past fondly in reality and still appreciate the present. Some would have you believe those 1-4 seeds resulted in a sweet sixteen or higher for fourteen straight years and forget that after the elite eight run that Huggins had one sweet sixteen and multiple second and first round losses to lower seeds.

People whine about Mick and then praise Huggins. THEY ARE BOTH ALMOST EXACTLY IDENTICAL!!!!! They both develop tough teams that struggle offensively and have a tendency to play to the level of their opponent. Both really emphasize defense and both have had teams that just cannot shoot free throws. Both have done a lot with inferior talent. Mick hasn't made it as far as Huggs made it yet, but Huggs also didn't have to take over a program that had next to no scholarship players. Mick has done a fine job and he is a good coach, and even though I do get frustrated with our offense every year, he knows what he is doing defensively.

 

[L-T]

People whine about Mick and then praise Huggins. THEY ARE BOTH ALMOST EXACTLY IDENTICAL!!!!! They both develop tough teams that struggle offensively and have a tendency to play to the level of their opponent. Both really emphasize defense and both have had teams that just cannot shoot free throws. Both have done a lot with inferior talent. Mick hasn't made it as far as Huggs made it yet, but Huggs also didn't have to take over a program that had next to no scholarship players. Mick has done a fine job and he is a good coach, and even though I do get frustrated with our offense every year, he knows what he is doing defensively.

Lol! This post is funny. Please don't make me list the names of our inferior talent from those years.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I don't see Duke getting held back by Cameron Indoor Stadium. It's a "lot" more than revenue and facilities. The program is winning. It is graduating players. That's about it. I sure hope this year's team does more than just win. I'm hopeful!
.

The ACC came out and said Louisville had more to offer financially. They specifically mentioned facilities and the instant revenue they bring. Duke generates huge revenue and Cameron is a small but renown facility where the energy is off the charts and makes for good television which generates more revenue. UC will be televised more this season than any time in years. As usual you are wrong.

 

[Nomadic1]

I'm not sure I buy the fact that he is recuiting this way intentionally, solely for the sake of the University's reputation. We have to just accept the fact that we're appearing more like a mid-major program today and doing it in a mid-major conference. While fan support was a little better last year, It certainly was far from good. I agree these last two recruiting classes have shown improvement and I really like what I'm seeing so far this year. Mick's job is safe, but we're 7 years in and we need to do something substantial soon or we'll just get lost in mediocrity. We shouldn't be happy where we are today. Major college sports doesn't feel we are worthy to be a part of their fraternity and some of that is certainly on Mick. We might not have the thug reputation anymore, but we also don't have a Top 25 reputation either. We can't be happy with just being pretty good.

.... Worthy? What does being "worthy" have to do with anything? What has Wake Forest or BC done to be worthy? Basketball is irrelevant and the only people clinging to the nostalgia of the Huggins era are the ones who understand nothing of TV markets, research grants, AAU status etc.
Our accomplishments on the basketball court have nothing to do with why we aren't in another power conference. If they did, Rutgers would be in the MAC. That's just reality.


We are in a pro sports town, who doesn't give a flying ____ about college football. A bunch of old fogeys who care about an NFL team who hasn't won a playoff game since Joe Montana played his last year, and a baseball team who hasn't won a playoff series since 1995. Football drives the bus and the antipathy this town has toward success is embarrassing. UC employs more people than anyone else in Cincinnati and is looked at as an eyesore.

They have people at the Enquirer asking Anthony McClung what it was like under Brian Kelly when he was recruited by Butch Jones. It's like they enjoy being miserable, masochists. Which is probably why they support the Bengals and the reds... Not to mention, why they can't be bothered to fix crappier parts of downtown, why they pin their hopes and dreams on a retarded trolley car oops I mean rail car project set to take us back to the end of the 19th century.

Cincinnati has the spirit of a dead man and at a certain point, it's a hard sell. We no longer have a major hub near us since CVG is down sizing. People need to get over themselves or they'll just sit and wallow in their own self centered, childish, emotional excrement. Sorry prideless bastards.

 

[bearcat jeff]

.... Worthy? What does being "worthy" have to do with anything? What has Wake Forest or BC done to be worthy? Basketball is irrelevant and the only people clinging to the nostalgia of the Huggins era are the ones who understand nothing of TV markets, research grants, AAU status etc.
Our accomplishments on the basketball court have nothing to do with why we aren't in another power conference. If they did, Rutgers would be in the MAC. That's just reality.


We are in a pro sports town, who doesn't give a flying ____ about college football. A bunch of old fogeys who care about an NFL team who hasn't won a playoff game since Joe Montana played his last year, and a baseball team who hasn't won a playoff series since 1995. Football drives the bus and the antipathy this town has toward success is embarrassing. UC employs more people than anyone else in Cincinnati and is looked at as an eyesore.

They have people at the Enquirer asking Anthony McClung what it was like under Brian Kelly when he was recruited by Butch Jones. It's like they enjoy being miserable, masochists. Which is probably why they support the Bengals and the reds... Not to mention, why they can't be bothered to fix crappier parts of downtown, why they pin their hopes and dreams on a retarded trolley car oops I mean rail car project set to take us back to the end of the 19th century.

Cincinnati has the spirit of a dead man and at a certain point, it's a hard sell. We no longer have a major hub near us since CVG is down sizing. People need to get over themselves or they'll just sit and wallow in their own self centered, childish, emotional excrement. Sorry prideless bastards.[/QUOTE

You make very excellent points. Probably not the way I would have stated it but excellent points all the same.