Some Crosstown Observations

[bearcat jeff]

Don't want to post names at this time. I will pm you some tidbits. Going to be updating some profiles as well.

 

[Thegreatone]

Maybe the best thing about the game last night is that there were multiple recruits across several classes that were at the game. A sellout crowd, a big win, is always good to have when you have visitors. I'm sure they left Fifth Third with a very good impression. This is especially good considering the amount of Ohio players that were in attendance. Some of which are being recruited by both schools.

Sweet. I figured we would invite tons of recruits to the game. I heard there were a lot of football recruits on campus per the players twitters but I am not sure if they were in town Thursday night?

 

[Red_N_Black_Attack]

Mick the Great!

What UC fans are witnessing is the greatest rebuilding job in the history of college basketball. What Mick has accomplished in 4+ years is nothing short of a miracle. Mick throughly outcoached Chris Mack last night. UC could not have made a better choice than Mick to rebuild the program that was left in shambles by BH.

Duke was a pretty good program in the 60's and 70's, not achieving the success of UC, but still pretty good. In late 70's and early 80's they were horrid, then they hired a coach from Army...the rest is history and probably the greatest rebuilding job, next Matta and O$U. I hate everything scarlet and grey and refuse Christmas/Birthday gifts that accidentally have that stupid color combination, but still they went immediately upward with Thad. Pitino, has brought back some glory at the 'Ville.

I will grant UC is doing well and knew Mick and the boys needed more time, but I stop short of admitting greatest comeback in history of college B-Ball.

 

[JasonS]

Duke was a pretty good program in the 60's and 70's, not achieving the success of UC, but still pretty good. In late 70's and early 80's they were horrid, then they hired a coach from Army...the rest is history and probably the greatest rebuilding job, next Matta and O$U. I hate everything scarlet and grey and refuse Christmas/Birthday gifts that accidentally have that stupid color combination, but still they went immediately upward with Thad. Pitino, has brought back some glory at the 'Ville.

I will grant UC is doing well and knew Mick and the boys needed more time, but I stop short of admitting greatest comeback in history of college B-Ball.

I don't know what Coach K walked into but I promise you Thad and Slick Rick didn't walk into the mess that Mick did. The rebuild is far from over but we can finally at least see the top of the mountain.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Any and I mean any coach or knowledgeable basketball expert will tell you that the minimum predicted time for Cincinnati to be back was five years. I thought they had the tools to do it last season but they lacked player leadership and chemistry.

 

[ralph1950]

Any and I mean any coach or knowledgeable basketball expert will tell you that the minimum predicted time for Cincinnati to be back was five years. I thought they had the tools to do it last season but they lacked player leadership and chemistry.

It was longer than 5 years, most thought 8 to 10 years, Pitino advised Mick not to take the job.

 

[Not Guilty]

It was longer than 5 years, most thought 8 to 10 years, Pitino advised Mick not to take the job.

I thought I read somewhere that Pitino fought hard for Mick with the UC administration for him to get the job?

 

[bearcat jeff]

Pitino typically makes calls on behalf of his assistants. Actually it's pretty typical among college coaches.

Everyone knew that taking the UC job was going to be difficult. Two years lost recruiting, having to assemble a team in the late signing period, following a local legend, a fractured fan base, a president determined to minimize the athletic program. Not much that was very appealling unless you were Mick Cronin and wanted to be at Cincinnati.

 

[psax889906]

As Mick has stated many times... he insisted on a six year contract to begin with, because he understood the enormity of the rebuilding process.

 

[JasonS]

I thought I read somewhere that Pitino fought hard for Mick with the UC administration for him to get the job?

I don't believe this to be true. My understanding was that Mick was a top candidate from the get go. I don't think Pitino did any lobbying for Mick. It wouldn't shock me if he made a call on his behalf though considering Mick was already a head coach I am not sure it would have been needed.

 

[TheLongHaul]

It was longer than 5 years, most thought 8 to 10 years, Pitino advised Mick not to take the job.

not true.

 

[Not Guilty]

I don't believe this to be true. My understanding was that Mick was a top candidate from the get go. I don't think Pitino did any lobbying for Mick. It wouldn't shock me if he made a call on his behalf though considering Mick was already a head coach I am not sure it would have been needed.

My point wasn't that Mick wasn't considered from the get go or that he didn't want the job. Just that I thought I heard Pitino was forcefully on Mick's side, not advising Mick not to take the job.

I could be wrong though.

 

[bearcat jeff]

not true.

I have to agree with LongHaul here. 5-6 was typically what people were saying. To be fair though there were a couple people that said in this league they may never return to where they were.

 

[adrock]

My point wasn't that Mick wasn't considered from the get go or that he didn't want the job. Just that I thought I heard Pitino was forcefully on Mick's side, not advising Mick not to take the job.

I could be wrong though.

The two aren't mutually exclusive though, right? Have you ever advised a friend not to do something, but after determining they wouldn't give up, lent them a helping hand?

 

[ralph1950]

not true.

Very, very true.