SMU Round 2

[UCalum08]

I was talking with a family friend who was at the game last night. Said it was a more hostile environment than the Xavier brawl game.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Are we really going to start this nonsense again? After one loss that drops us to 22-3?

Schematically, Cincinnati is fine offensively. The passing needs to improve and they need to pass the ball inside to Jackson on the post more. Last night, the UC players let the SMU players push them off their spots.

If it's fine, then why have we never had a good offense under Cronin? For better and for worse, he follows the Huggins formula. Grind it out, tough basketball. The offense isn't going to magically improve, it is what it is. Mick is a great coach and he is great at finding diamonds in the rough. His teams, just like Huggins teams, play to the level of their competition. I'm not bashing him, he is the best coach for this program. Every coach has a weakness-heck, I bet Larry Brown will tell you he has flaws and he is a HOF coach. You need assistants that can help your team in ways that you cannot. You always blow things way out of proportion, I'm not starting nonsense, I'm objectively analyzing this team, this program, and our players. Pitino hired Cronin because he was smart enough to realize that he had a weakness. I don't care for Pitino, but he is smart in that regard. You are only dumb if you are stubborn enough to think you have no weaknesses. It's all about finding your weakness and addressing it. I like this team, we are tough and gritty. If you have watched this whole year at all, not just yesterday, you realize that our offense is not very good. It hasn't been in the Cronin or Huggins era, but that doesn't make them bad coaches, it just hasn't been a strength of the program.

 

[JackBauer151]

If it's fine, then why have we never had a good offense under Cronin? For better and for worse, he follows the Huggins formula. Grind it out, tough basketball. The offense isn't going to magically improve, it is what it is. Mick is a great coach and he is great at finding diamonds in the rough. His teams, just like Huggins teams, play to the level of their competition. I'm not bashing him, he is the best coach for this program. Every coach has a weakness-heck, I bet Larry Brown will tell you he has flaws and he is a HOF coach. You need assistants that can help your team in ways that you cannot. You always blow things way out of proportion, I'm not starting nonsense, I'm objectively analyzing this team, this program, and our players. Pitino hired Cronin because he was smart enough to realize that he had a weakness. I don't care for Pitino, but he is smart in that regard. You are only dumb if you are stubborn enough to think you have no weaknesses. It's all about finding your weakness and addressing it. I like this team, we are tough and gritty. If you have watched this whole year at all, not just yesterday, you realize that our offense is not very good. It hasn't been in the Cronin or Huggins era, but that doesn't make them bad coaches, it just hasn't been a strength of the program.

Lets keep in mind as well that the type of offense you run is much less important than the talent you have on the floor. You can teach passing and shooting drills, mechanics, strategies, and mindset. At the end of the day you have to have the talent to put the ball in the hole. To make contested and uncontested shots consistently. Early in Mick's tenure he couldn't recruit those types of players. So he had to get lengthy athletes who could defend and use their athleticism to rebound and get more high percentage shots off those rebounds. He's proven you can win big that way. Now the other shoe has to drop to truly have a dangerous final 4 team that is the whole package. I think the last two recruiting classes have vastly gone in that direction. Finding a mix of defensive guys and really good scorers. This has been a special season and hopefully is going to last well into March. On paper though I think Mick's best team is set up to be 2-3 years from now. Hopefully the success of this season can help him reel in some impact guys in the 2015 class. Future is bright and I think better offense simply because of the increase in talent is a major reason why.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

If it's fine, then why have we never had a good offense under Cronin?

In 2012 Cincinnati had the #61 offense, in 2011 Cincinnati had the #53 offense. Not surprisingly, in both of those years UC had a viable post man in Yancy Gates. In order to become a better offensive team, they need to give the ball to Jackson a lot more in the post. He has been very efficient at scoring. Now that he has some respect, the wing players have to score to complement him and Kilpatrick. They have been too inconsistent.

For better and for worse, he follows the Huggins formula. Grind it out, tough basketball. The offense isn't going to magically improve, it is what it is. Mick is a great coach and he is great at finding diamonds in the rough. His teams, just like Huggins teams, play to the level of their competition.

Huggins last two years his offense was ranked #13 (in 2004) and #34 (in 2005). Did he change schematically? No. Huggins finally regained some talent with shooters like Bobbit & Williams along with a good post man in Maxiell. Hicks was also effective off the bench.

I'm not bashing him, he is the best coach for this program. Every coach has a weakness-heck, I bet Larry Brown will tell you he has flaws and he is a HOF coach. You need assistants that can help your team in ways that you cannot.
You always blow things way out of proportion, I'm not starting nonsense, I'm objectively analyzing this team, this program, and our players. Pitino hired Cronin because he was smart enough to realize that he had a weakness. I don't care for Pitino, but he is smart in that regard. You are only dumb if you are stubborn enough to think you have no weaknesses. It's all about finding your weakness and addressing it.

Don't know how you surmised that from what I said. Mick's weakness has been his lack of recruiting highly skilled scorers (being bridesmaids for Walker and Burke among others). I would like for Cincinnati to become a better passing team and as the talent improves, I think this is the next logical step. It would be helpful to land a guy like Graham who is a natural scorer/shooter.

I like this team, we are tough and gritty. If you have watched this whole year at all, not just yesterday, you realize that our offense is not very good. It hasn't been in the Cronin or Huggins era, but that doesn't make them bad coaches, it just hasn't been a strength of the program.

I agree. He has taken a team that is clearly flawed offensively, and somehow got them at 22-3 and ranked in the top 10-15. When they get stagnant on offense, it becomes the Kilpatrick show. Unfortunately, the seniors are the only guys that can consistently create shots for others. Mick has been wise to slow the tempo and make teams grind it out at UC's pace. That is the key to success...

 

[Levettation]

I've been saying this for a while -- it's time to turn Shaq loose. Maybe he already does have the green light and is just playing timid. But there is no reason he shouldn't be averaging double figures with his ability to break down defenders off the dribble, hit the mid-range jumper, and finish at the rim.

I have been thinking the same thing recently. Seems like a couple plays per game that Shaq really asserts his will offensively. Mostly on the offensive glass, but occasionally he can get penetration and hit the 15 footer. His shot is a bit flat, but effective nonetheless. I'd say he hits the mid-range jumper better than anyone on our team not named Kilpatrik.

Shaq showed his potential in the Creighton game last year, and I would love to see him come out of his shell more in the stretch drive. True, his handle needs to improve to do that, but it may be more mental than physical at this point. Not sure if he just doesn't want to take the ball out of SK's hands, but I think even Sean would tell him to be more aggresive.

If his progress doesn't bear out this year I can see him taking a big step up his senior year like Jackson has this season.

 

[UCalum08]

Is it just me or others notice but when Shaq tried to assert himself it just turns into a one on one. If Shaq doesn't beat his man off his dribble (which isn't often bc defenses help on him) he gets nothing. Why can't he get involved other ways?

 

[JumpinJack5]

Is it just me or others notice but when Shaq tried to assert himself it just turns into a one on one. If Shaq doesn't beat his man off his dribble (which isn't often bc defenses help on him) he gets nothing. Why can't he get involved other ways?

We need to set some picks for him and let him go to work. I think he could be effective in the middle of the zone if he could limit his turnovers. His ability to slash and hit the mid-range jumper make him effective there.

 

[Robert]

Is it just me or others notice but when Shaq tried to assert himself it just turns into a one on one. If Shaq doesn't beat his man off his dribble (which isn't often bc defenses help on him) he gets nothing. Why can't he get involved other ways?

Well, it's not like he turns the ball over much. And I do think he's a willing passer, but that part of his game is still developing. But he rarely takes bad shots. He shoots a higher percentage than anyone on this team not named Justin Jackson and he is a respectable free throw shooter too. I don't mind him being aggressive, even if it is one on one because he still gets better shots than most of the guys on this team. Next to Kilpatrick, he is the best at creating offense for himself.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Well, it's not like he turns the ball over much. And I do think he's a willing passer, but that part of his game is still developing. But he rarely takes bad shots. He shoots a higher percentage than anyone on this team not named Justin Jackson and he is a respectable free throw shooter too. I don't mind him being aggressive, even if it is one on one because he still gets better shots than most of the guys on this team. Next to Kilpatrick, he is the best at creating offense for himself.

Most of his points come from the secondary break when he gets an outlet pass on the right side of the floor. Beyond that he isn't as productive as he could be in the half court.

 

[Robert]

Shaq is only averaging 5.5 field goal attempts per game. Some of that is probably on him, but I would like to see him closer to 8 or 9.

Jackson also needs to get more touches on the post. I liked in the UConn game when he was running the pick-and-roll game effectively with Kilpatrick. SMU did a very good job shutting it down, but it doesn't mean we should get away with it.

A way we can get Shaq involved more is by running Kilpatrick and Jackson on the same side of the floor. Let them try to get the pick and roll going, but if it's not working, Shaq will be on one side with the defense keying on the other side. Gives Shaq and opportunity to work one-on-one without so much help defense.

 

[UCalum08]

Most of his points come from the secondary break when he gets an outlet pass on the right side of the floor. Beyond that he isn't as productive as he could be in the half court.

Exactly. Its gotta change but what's it going to take? He's gotta get more involved in the half court offense.

 

[bearcatz1]

We need to set some picks for him and let him go to work. I think he could be effective in the middle of the zone if he could limit his turnovers. His ability to slash and hit the mid-range jumper make him effective there.

I like our team all I'm saying is this team will lose to u conn and Louisville next time they play because those coaches will adjust and cinncy wont. You can't be that 1 dimentionable able and keep winning... I hope I'm wrong but I wouldn't bet on it and I watch all cinncy games. We can't score enough to make a big run in the tourney...it's frustrating watching them go through all of these scoring and continue to go down and run a offense where sk goes 1 on 1 after he has to fight just to get the ball after 15 seconds.. is this a wrong observation???

 

[bearcatz1]

Exactly. Its gotta change but what's it going to take? He's gotta get more involved in the half court offense.

He can't get more involved he don't have the skill set??????? Along with rubble gg j can maybe score a little but he relies on off reb or someone taking his defender away.. tc will be better next year I have doubts about JL I wish KJ would play more

 

[bearcatz1]

This bearcatz guy has no clue what he's saying

Your confused questioning my knowledge sir. I'm giving an opinion and making valid points and if you legitimately think this team has a chance in the tournament then you sir have no clue.. I hope they do and I stand by cinncy good and bad years. But I'm not unrealistic and have no doubt I know a much if not more than you.

 

[Bearcat Rob]

Your confused questioning my knowledge sir. I'm giving an opinion and making valid points and if you legitimately think this team has a chance in the tournament then you sir have no clue.. I hope they do and I stand by cinncy good and bad years. But I'm not unrealistic and have no doubt I know a much if not more than you.

Well, assuming smu is ranked Monday that gives us 5 ranked wins, 2 on road 1 on neutral court, no bad losses, a 22-3 record, top 10 ranking, veteran players, and a top 5 defense. So yes I believe we have a legit shot to go far in the tourny, but I guess all that's not good enough, and don't say u stand by cincy when u come on here and bash a top 10 team and there coach who is up for coach of the year. Now I don't mind if u voice your opinions, but don't come on here ripping Cronin and saying we don't have a chance. We are top ten team give them some credit

 

[JackBauer151]

Your confused questioning my knowledge sir. I'm giving an opinion and making valid points and if you legitimately think this team has a chance in the tournament then you sir have no clue.. I hope they do and I stand by cinncy good and bad years. But I'm not unrealistic and have no doubt I know a much if not more than you.

Please provide facts that back up the claim that Cronin cant game plan. They have have won 22 god damn games. Only lost 3. Were on a 15 game winning streak that included wins over Pitt, SMU, Louisville, Memphis, and UCONN. Every major national college basketball sports writer has Mick Cronin as a NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR candidate. (They know much more than you and by many of your posts so far that's not hard to do) Im so sick of this conversation. You are wrong. The damn guy has had the team in top top 10 in back to back seasons. In the top 25 in each of the last 5. Will be 4 straight NCAA tournaments including a sweet 16 appearance. Want to bag on his players not being talented enough, fine. He is responsible for recruiting. Which has continued to get better by the way as they have done better and better. The verdict is in on his ability to coach. He is one of the best young coaches in the game. It is just a fact. So stop with this bullshit. Im so sick of having this retarded argument every time the team loses a game. They happen when you play 30 plus games a year against teams who also have big budgets, good coaches, home court advantages, and scholarship players. Sorry for the rant but it just is infuriating at times.

 

[waterhead]

Your confused questioning my knowledge sir. I'm giving an opinion and making valid points and if you legitimately think this team has a chance in the tournament then you sir have no clue.. I hope they do and I stand by cinncy good and bad years. But I'm not unrealistic and have no doubt I know a much if not more than you.

Let me get all of this straight. Thomas doesn't have the skill set. Our coach can't game plan. And because we are offensively challenged we can't make a run against good teams. Is this about right?

The problem with Thomas is not his skill set...trust me he's got the skills. Our coach has game planned 15 wins in a row (probably lucky). In that stretch we got lucky and beat UM (away), SMU, UCONN, UL (away), NEB, PITT (away) and 9 others...without losing ONE game.

Unrealistic? IDK...but I will settle for unobjective

 

[UCalum08]

Please provide facts that back up the claim that Cronin cant game plan. They have have won 22 god damn games. Only lost 3. Were on a 15 game winning streak that included wins over Pitt, SMU, Louisville, Memphis, and UCONN. Every major national college basketball sports writer has Mick Cronin as a NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR candidate. (They know much more than you and by many of your posts so far that's not hard to do) Im so sick of this conversation. You are wrong. The damn guy has had the team in top top 10 in back to back seasons. In the top 25 in each of the last 5. Will be 4 straight NCAA tournaments including a sweet 16 appearance. Want to bag on his players not being talented enough, fine. He is responsible for recruiting. Which has continued to get better by the way as they have done better and better. The verdict is in on his ability to coach. He is one of the best young coaches in the game. It is just a fact. So stop with this bullshit. Im so sick of having this retarded argument every time the team loses a game. They happen when you play 30 plus games a year against teams who also have big budgets, good coaches, home court advantages, and scholarship players. Sorry for the rant but it just is infuriating at times.

Preach!! Well said Jack, well said. I can't believe people still wanna pick on Cronin.

 

[Bearcat4ever]

Please provide facts that back up the claim that Cronin cant game plan. They have have won 22 god damn games. Only lost 3. Were on a 15 game winning streak that included wins over Pitt, SMU, Louisville, Memphis, and UCONN. Every major national college basketball sports writer has Mick Cronin as a NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR candidate. (They know much more than you and by many of your posts so far that's not hard to do) Im so sick of this conversation. You are wrong. The damn guy has had the team in top top 10 in back to back seasons. In the top 25 in each of the last 5. Will be 4 straight NCAA tournaments including a sweet 16 appearance. Want to bag on his players not being talented enough, fine. He is responsible for recruiting. Which has continued to get better by the way as they have done better and better. The verdict is in on his ability to coach. He is one of the best young coaches in the game. It is just a fact. So stop with this bullshit. Im so sick of having this retarded argument every time the team loses a game. They happen when you play 30 plus games a year against teams who also have big budgets, good coaches, home court advantages, and scholarship players. Sorry for the rant but it just is infuriating at times.

I agree 100 percent! I could not have said it any better! Thank you.

 

[UCBearcats]

Tough loss on Saturday for the Cats. I really didn't mind the loss and kind of expected it going in but I wasn't happy with the final score. We got blown out and bottom line we just walked right into a buzzsaw.

All in all it's not that big of a deal. UC will still have a high ranking and still has a legit shot at a 2 seed or possibly a 1 seed if they finish strong and win the conference tourney.

Hopefully this loss gets the guys refocused and back on track to close the season out strong. I think it will, this is a determined group.