SMU

[jacobkdoyle]

Jake Anytime you play with a short bench you are at a disadvantage. Come on!!

We don't need Shaq Thomas in the type of games we will play from here on out. He can't produce in a 60 possession style of play. We've seen it for 4 years.

 

[Doogle]

I'm happy they won. Appreciate that they play hard, and represent the University well in the community and classroom. The fact that I still look forward to every game, every season says something about the program.

However...I've never seen a program that consistently recruits guys that can't hit wide open shots and can't get 2 footers over the rim. This is not an NCAA-wide phenomenon. Plenty of great shooters end up in the MAC or Missouri Valley because they aren't "athletic" enough. I'm sick of "athletic". Find a couple of bombers and then design sets to get them open. Find some skill to match the will. Find the next Devan Downey or Van Exel and give them some f'ing freedom. Find the gym rat that loves the game and hates to lose.

This is an oversimplification and recruiting is a tough business. But it is clear that while what Mick is doing has been plenty good enough to contend for tourney bids and make the upper half of most conferences, it hasn't been good enough to win the occasional conference title or advance deep into March.

I believe this team has the talent and will to make the dance and do some damage this year but my fear is that the season long weaknesses will eventually cost them a winnable tourney game, should they make it. As always, rooting for the 'Cats.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

Jake Anytime you play with a short bench you are at a disadvantage. Come on!!

The positive side is it will help Evans next year. Hope ST can play next week.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

We don't need Shaq Thomas in the type of games we will play from here on out. He can't produce in a 60 possession style of play. We've seen it for 4 years.

You need him in spots and he adds depth. He is a good defender and can give you some minutes at the 3 and 4. He certainly gives you more then Moore. I'm not saying he is a world beater but he can provide some value in spots. Saying him being out doesn't matter is wrong.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

The positive side is it will help Evans next year. Hope ST can play next week.

Jacob was getting minutes anyway. He is going to be a great player. Shaq playing or not would not have impacted that.

 

[Doogle]

We don't need Shaq Thomas in the type of games we will play from here on out. He can't produce in a 60 possession style of play. We've seen it for 4 years.

Haven't missed Shaq at all, on a personal level. Hope for his sake he gets healthy enough to play.

Don't want my previous comments to be misconstrued as negative. How amazing is it that a team can hover around 30% FG shooting and control a game they way they did today? But realistically, can you win like that consistently? This season is illustrative on that question. You need a couple guys that can create and score, hit open looks at a 45% clip, etc.

Evans has designs on being one of those guys. Cumberland could be as well but he'll be a freshman.

All I want is for their hard work to pay off. These kids have put in the work and deserve success.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I'm happy they won. Appreciate that they play hard, and represent the University well in the community and classroom. The fact that I still look forward to every game, every season says something about the program.

However...I've never seen a program that consistently recruits guys that can't hit wide open shots and can't get 2 footers over the rim. This is not an NCAA-wide phenomenon. Plenty of great shooters end up in the MAC or Missouri Valley because they aren't "athletic" enough. I'm sick of "athletic". Find a couple of bombers and then design sets to get them open. Find some skill to match the will. Find the next Devan Downey or Van Exel and give them some f'ing freedom. Find the gym rat that loves the game and hates to lose.

This is an oversimplification and recruiting is a tough business. But it is clear that while what Mick is doing has been plenty good enough to contend for tourney bids and make the upper half of most conferences, it hasn't been good enough to win the occasional conference title or advance deep into March.

I believe this team has the talent and will to make the dance and do some damage this year but my fear is that the season long weaknesses will eventually cost them a winnable tourney game, should they make it. As always, rooting for the 'Cats.

Team has some strengths and some glaring holes. If memory serves me we were picked to finish third in league. We are a good team not great. This season tourney is wide open. Anything can happen.

We are a good program with shitty facilities and a small budget in a crappy league. Hopefully that is changing. At present Mick gets a bunch out of his situation.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

Jacob was getting minutes anyway. He is going to be a great player. Shaq playing or not would not have impacted that.

Sometimes coming off the bench knowing you are giving the starting player a breather is different then you are the guy and there is no one behind you can change your game . Maybe he new that but is showing us he is that guy next year. Anyway we still have this year. Go Shaq!

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Haven't missed Shaq at all, on a personal level. Hope for his sake he gets healthy enough to play.

Don't want my previous comments to be misconstrued as negative. How amazing is it that a team can hover around 30% FG shooting and control a game they way they did today? But realistically, can you win like that consistently? This season is illustrative on that question. You need a couple guys that can create and score, hit open looks at a 45% clip, etc.

Evans has designs on being one of those guys. Cumberland could be as well but he'll be a freshman.

All I want is for their hard work to pay off. These kids have put in the work and deserve success.

Everytime I see Moore on floor I missed Shaq or every time I see Evans bent over with his hands on his knees I miss him.

You are right about us being challenged because of our lack of creator and a knockdown shooter but if they are not going to p,as as well defensively have you replaced one weakness and created another. My point is getting better offensively needs to be both ends of the floor.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Haven't missed Shaq at all, on a personal level. Hope for his sake he gets healthy enough to play.

Don't want my previous comments to be misconstrued as negative. How amazing is it that a team can hover around 30% FG shooting and control a game they way they did today? But realistically, can you win like that consistently? This season is illustrative on that question. You need a couple guys that can create and score, hit open looks at a 45% clip, etc.

Evans has designs on being one of those guys. Cumberland could be as well but he'll be a freshman.

All I want is for their hard work to pay off. These kids have put in the work and deserve success.

Sometimes coming off the bench knowing you are giving the starting player a breather is different then you are the guy and there is no one behind you can change your game . Maybe he new that but is showing us he is that guy next year. Anyway we still have this year. Go Shaq!

AZ those things become clear in Pratice as well. Evans knows he is the man going forward. They cleared out for him all game today. That would have happened if Shaq was healthy in my opinion.

 

[waterhead]

Reading through much of this thread I would have guessed we lost based on the negative comments even after the game was over and we had won.

I did see the crowd and team celebrate though so that's good.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Haven't missed Shaq at all, on a personal level. Hope for his sake he gets healthy enough to play.

Don't want my previous comments to be misconstrued as negative. How amazing is it that a team can hover around 30% FG shooting and control a game they way they did today? But realistically, can you win like that consistently? This season is illustrative on that question. You need a couple guys that can create and score, hit open looks at a 45% clip, etc.

Evans has designs on being one of those guys. Cumberland could be as well but he'll be a freshman.

All I want is for their hard work to pay off. These kids have put in the work and deserve success.

Doogle what good coaches know is there will be days when you have to win like that. It's also not something you can turn on and off either. It's a culture. Under Huggs if you didn't guard you didn't play. The issue is can Mick attract the kind of player the can do it on both ends of the floor. That has been the struggle. My feeling is unless we are in. P-5 conference with the way the networks have divided up the pie and the apparel companies lurking it will be very difficult to get much better as a program then we are now. If I was Mick and it became clear we couldn't get to a better conference affiliation I'd leave.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Reading through much of this thread I would have guessed we lost based on the negative comments even after the game was over and we had won.

I did see the crowd and team celebrate though so that's good.

not me very happy we won.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

not me very happy we won.

Me too!!

 

[Doogle]

Doogle what good coaches know is there will be days when you have to win like that. It's also not something you can turn on and off either. It's a culture. Under Huggs if you didn't guard you didn't play. The issue is can Mick attract the kind of player the can do it on both ends of the floor. That has been the struggle. My feeling is unless we are in. P-5 conference with the way the networks have divided up the pie and the apparel companies lurking it will be very difficult to get much better as a program then we are now. If I was Mick and it became clear we couldn't get to a better conference affiliation I'd leave.

I get what you're saying and agree with it for the most part but look, it shouldn't take much to recruit a spot up shooter. Mid-Majors are littered with shooters that other programs overlook because they don't have the body or athleticism. I think a Fletcher Magee (Wofford) or Trent Mackey (North Florida) would do well at this level as long as they have someone that can draw up a few set plays to get them open looks.

Bottom line is that there has to be a scholarship available to that kind of kid. I'd take him over a Quadri Moore or Shaq Thomas any day...but why go either or? You can have both.

 

[[email protected]]

Me too!!

Great fans!

 

[justinhub2003]

not many times do you shoot 29% and 5% from the field and still beat a top 25 team

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I get what you're saying and agree with it for the most part but look, it shouldn't take much to recruit a spot up shooter. Mid-Majors are littered with shooters that other programs overlook because they don't have the body or athleticism. I think a Fletcher Magee (Wofford) or Trent Mackey (North Florida) would do well at this level as long as they have someone that can draw up a few set plays to get them open looks.

Bottom line is that there has to be a scholarship available to that kind of kid. I'd take him over a Quadri Moore or Shaq Thomas any day...but why go either or? You can have both.

if I'm not mistaken Moore and Shaq were both 4 star recruits. I see your point though. You want to add a player that has a certain skill set. Don't entirely disagree with that but it's not that simple. Players generally are driven by the ability to get playing time. If I'm a player with limited athletic skills but have a nice shot would I risk not seeing the floor knowing I'm not moving to the NBA to see the floor a bunch at a smaller school or possibly playing at a bigger program where I may see he floor. Also some of these guys develope after they get to college. All that said I hope Mick gets a grad transfer that can stretch the floor with the group he has coming in. My opinion is it's hard to find fault with the success Mick has had with what he works with. Many a program would die to have it. Now here in Cincy we expect more but the landscape has changed.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Doogle what good coaches know is there will be days when you have to win like that. It's also not something you can turn on and off either. It's a culture. Under Huggs if you didn't guard you didn't play. The issue is can Mick attract the kind of player the can do it on both ends of the floor. That has been the struggle. My feeling is unless we are in. P-5 conference with the way the networks have divided up the pie and the apparel companies lurking it will be very difficult to get much better as a program then we are now. If I was Mick and it became clear we couldn't get to a better conference affiliation I'd leave.

Waite, 4 teams in our "dumpy" conference found a way to get seeded higher than us this year. Somehow they make it work.

If Cronin left UC, what kind of job do you think he'd get? I highly doubt t he'd get a P5 job.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Reading through much of this thread I would have guessed we lost based on the negative comments even after the game was over and we had won.

I did see the crowd and team celebrate though so that's good.

bottom line is this, we beat a team ranked 24 in country with two injured starters, in a must win game many thought we would lose. They had a BPI of 8 and a RPI of 11. We shot terribly but stil won. Enjoy the moment. Many fan bases have far fewer Moments to enjoy then us.

Before anyone comes back and gives me the whole speech about lack of expectations save it. Of course I want more. I want to be Duke. right now that ain't happening. The whys are well documented.