State of the team

[UCalum08]

This is what a Cincinnati sport fan has to deal with:

Bengals, lose first round playoff

Reds, lose first round/wild card

UC, football loses more big bowl games than wins. Basketball makes the tourney but typically loses 1st-2nd round

Xavier, who cares.

All I want is some post season success. Is that too much to ask for?! I swear, you see random teams like KC Royals have success, or certain college teams seem to play well in post season.

However, Cincinnati teams seem to have a black cloud over them and fail epically. I'm tired of having regular season success but not translating into post season play.

 

[L-T]

Again, I agree the ultimate responsibility rest with the Coach. I don't agree that Mick's defensive system is a detriment to the offense. It's about winning. He wins. He plays a style that gives him the best chance to win. He bases his style on the make up of his team. It also is based on how his team has developed in season.As his players improve he'll win more. Most successful programs and Coaches live by, you don't guard you don't play.

Singling out his offense as being bad for 9 years is a reach. If your not happy with the wins and losses I understand. The games are played on both ends of the floor. There is a overall strategy based on the talents of the players.You don't win by focusing on 1 aspect of the game. Is it possible to find players that guard and score, absolutely. In the end I just want a W. He has delivered and improved the program. I think the program will continue to improve. That improvement will come from many places. Coaches, Administration,Players, Donors and Fans. In my opinion Mick has done a tremendous job. I would also bet that many in the profession would agree. If he made himself available he would be hired in a minute.

Waite, you have to post accurately. Under Mick, our regular seasons have not improved over the Huggs years. Our league tournament performances have not improved over the Huggs years. And, our NCAA performance has not improved over the Huggs years. Our recruiting has not improved over the Huggs years. Our graduation has improved and our image has improved (not from a basketball standpoint....only from a trouble standpoint). I would bet you my annual salary, that if Mick made himself available, he would not be hired in a minute by any power five conference program, unless one of the bottom feeders took a chance on him. He might be hired in a minute by various mid-major programs.

Mick has to stress defense to win because he hasn't recruited offensive talent, and he doesn't play a style of offense that would attract great players to play here. I give him a pass on his first four years. You think he has done tremendous. I think he has done OK. You view him as a Brian Kelly. I view him as a Rick Minter. Rick Minter was good for this university and I thought he did a pretty good job, just like I think Mick has done a pretty good job. But, he hasn't wowed me with anything yet. It's all about getting to the next level. 9 years running, we're still not back to the original level, much less the next level.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Waite, you have to post accurately. Under Mick, our regular seasons have not improved over the Huggs years. Our league tournament performances have not improved over the Huggs years. And, our NCAA performance has not improved over the Huggs years. Our recruiting has not improved over the Huggs years. Our graduation has improved and our image has improved (not from a basketball standpoint....only from a trouble standpoint). I would bet you my annual salary, that if Mick made himself available, he would not be hired in a minute by any power five conference program, unless one of the bottom feeders took a chance on him. He might be hired in a minute by various mid-major programs.

Mick has to stress defense to win because he hasn't recruited offensive talent, and he doesn't play a style of offense that would attract great players to play here. I give him a pass on his first four years. You think he has done tremendous. I think he has done OK. You view him as a Brian Kelly. I view him as a Rick Minter. Rick Minter was good for this university and I thought he did a pretty good job, just like I think Mick has done a pretty good job. But, he hasn't wowed me with anything yet. It's all about getting to the next level. 9 years running, we're still not back to the original level, much less the next level.

I'm not trying to make a comparison to Micks tenure and Huggs. Different days different times. I enjoyed Huggs run and I am enjoying Micks run. I'm not going to compare the programs because the circumstances aren't the same. Brian Kelley followed Dantonio. What he inherited as opposed to what Bob and Andy left Mick wasn't even close. This argument has been beat to death. I view Mick as a up and coming Coach who will be here long term. I personally don't care what he stresses as long as we win.He has done a great job rebuilding a program that was left for dead. There is still much room for improvement and I'm enjoying watching him get there. If your not wowed that is your issue. I hope you have a bunch of money in the bank because you'd need it if you made that bet. Oh and you saying he hasn't improved the program is laughable. This program was road kill when he took over and was a total rebuild. The Nancy Z and Huggs fiasco almost killed this program. Factor in the changing landscape in College athletics and he has done a tremendous job under very challenging circumstances. If that isn't enough for you to each his own.

 

[[email protected]]

Waite, you have to post accurately. Under Mick, our regular seasons have not improved over the Huggs years. Our league tournament performances have not improved over the Huggs years. And, our NCAA performance has not improved over the Huggs years. Our recruiting has not improved over the Huggs years. Our graduation has improved and our image has improved (not from a basketball standpoint....only from a trouble standpoint). I would bet you my annual salary, that if Mick made himself available, he would not be hired in a minute by any power five conference program, unless one of the bottom feeders took a chance on him. He might be hired in a minute by various mid-major programs.

Mick has to stress defense to win because he hasn't recruited offensive talent, and he doesn't play a style of offense that would attract great players to play here. I give him a pass on his first four years. You think he has done tremendous. I think he has done OK. You view him as a Brian Kelly. I view him as a Rick Minter. Rick Minter was good for this university and I thought he did a pretty good job, just like I think Mick has done a pretty good job. But, he hasn't wowed me with anything yet. It's all about getting to the next level. 9 years running, we're still not back to the original level, much less the next level.

And to think Mick stayed at Cincy of few years back for less money and lesser program for fans like you. If you think couldn't get a better job than Cincy your crazy.

 

[Bearcat Rob]

Im realy not getting the point of this.
We are currently riding a 5 game win streak and looking at an 8 seed, with the possibility of getting up to a 6 seed and making a tournament run in a said "rebuilding year" without our coach. Next year OUR WHOLE TEAM IS BACK, besides sanders who is replaced by two 4 stars, and our coach is back to. The following year clark will be a junior and troy a senior (you think they are good now) and the following year we will be opening up a beautiful new areana led by four year stater gary clark. To me the state of the program is great right now, we are at a high attendence rate for Cronin which will IMO wi easily be topped next season as i think we will be easily averaging 10k+ considering we should be highy ranked all season, and we will make our 5th straight tourny this year which doesnt look like a streak that will end soon. If u ask me uc basketball is about to take off.....People need to stop complaining we have positioned ourselves very nicely to this point and are playing great ball

 

[Nayers]

Waite, you have to post accurately. Under Mick, our regular seasons have not improved over the Huggs years. Our league tournament performances have not improved over the Huggs years. And, our NCAA performance has not improved over the Huggs years. Our recruiting has not improved over the Huggs years. Our graduation has improved and our image has improved (not from a basketball standpoint....only from a trouble standpoint). I would bet you my annual salary, that if Mick made himself available, he would not be hired in a minute by any power five conference program, unless one of the bottom feeders took a chance on him. He might be hired in a minute by various mid-major programs.

Mick has to stress defense to win because he hasn't recruited offensive talent, and he doesn't play a style of offense that would attract great players to play here. I give him a pass on his first four years. You think he has done tremendous. I think he has done OK. You view him as a Brian Kelly. I view him as a Rick Minter. Rick Minter was good for this university and I thought he did a pretty good job, just like I think Mick has done a pretty good job. But, he hasn't wowed me with anything yet. It's all about getting to the next level. 9 years running, we're still not back to the original level, much less the next level.

LT, you should just post a blank message instead of wasting all the time typing out your message. We've all heard it countless times. This board is generally happy with mick, you aren't convincing anybody he's a bad coach.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Im realy not getting the point of this.
We are currently riding a 5 game win streak and looking at an 8 seed, with the possibility of getting up to a 6 seed and making a tournament run in a said "rebuilding year" without our coach. Next year OUR WHOLE TEAM IS BACK, besides sanders who is replaced by two 4 stars, and our coach is back to. The following year clark will be a junior and troy a senior (you think they are good now) and the following year we will be opening up a beautiful new areana led by four year stater gary clark. To me the state of the program is great right now, we are at a high attendence rate for Cronin which will IMO wi easily be topped next season as i think we will be easily averaging 10k+ considering we should be highy ranked all season, and we will make our 5th straight tourny this year which doesnt look like a streak that will end soon. If u ask me uc basketball is about to take off.....People need to stop complaining we have positioned ourselves very nicely to this point and are playing great ball

couldn't agree more.

 

[Bulldog01]

This is what a Cincinnati sport fan has to deal with:

Bengals, lose first round playoff

Reds, lose first round/wild card

UC, football loses more big bowl games than wins. Basketball makes the tourney but typically loses 1st-2nd round

Xavier, who cares.

All I want is some post season success. Is that too much to ask for?! I swear, you see random teams like KC Royals have success, or certain college teams seem to play well in post season.

However, Cincinnati teams seem to have a black cloud over them and fail epically. I'm tired of having regular season success but not translating into post season play.

Start watching boxinG. Cincinnati has boxing on lock right now

 

[HoosierCat]

Waite, you have to post accurately. Under Mick, our regular seasons have not improved over the Huggs years. Our league tournament performances have not improved over the Huggs years. And, our NCAA performance has not improved over the Huggs years. Our recruiting has not improved over the Huggs years. Our graduation has improved and our image has improved (not from a basketball standpoint....only from a trouble standpoint). I would bet you my annual salary, that if Mick made himself available, he would not be hired in a minute by any power five conference program, unless one of the bottom feeders took a chance on him. He might be hired in a minute by various mid-major programs.

Mick has to stress defense to win because he hasn't recruited offensive talent, and he doesn't play a style of offense that would attract great players to play here. I give him a pass on his first four years. You think he has done tremendous. I think he has done OK. You view him as a Brian Kelly. I view him as a Rick Minter. Rick Minter was good for this university and I thought he did a pretty good job, just like I think Mick has done a pretty good job. But, he hasn't wowed me with anything yet. It's all about getting to the next level. 9 years running, we're still not back to the original level, much less the next level.

Morgantown isn't that far away,

 

[TheLongHaul]

LT, you should just post a blank message instead of wasting all the time typing out your message. We've all heard it countless times. This board is generally happy with mick, you aren't convincing anybody he's a bad coach.

It's like groundhog day over here.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Waite, you have to post accurately. Under Mick, our regular seasons have not improved over the Huggs years. Our league tournament performances have not improved over the Huggs years. And, our NCAA performance has not improved over the Huggs years. Our recruiting has not improved over the Huggs years. Our graduation has improved and our image has improved (not from a basketball standpoint....only from a trouble standpoint). I would bet you my annual salary, that if Mick made himself available, he would not be hired in a minute by any power five conference program, unless one of the bottom feeders took a chance on him. He might be hired in a minute by various mid-major programs.

Mick has to stress defense to win because he hasn't recruited offensive talent, and he doesn't play a style of offense that would attract great players to play here. I give him a pass on his first four years. You think he has done tremendous. I think he has done OK. You view him as a Brian Kelly. I view him as a Rick Minter. Rick Minter was good for this university and I thought he did a pretty good job, just like I think Mick has done a pretty good job. But, he hasn't wowed me with anything yet. It's all about getting to the next level. 9 years running, we're still not back to the original level, much less the next level.

Minter went 53-63, so that's a bit of a slap in the face.

If anything, I view Cronin as Dantonio, except Cronin is actually turning down other solid head coaching positions. He's succeeding, but not blowing anyone away.

 

[bearcat jeff]

People need to stop looking backwards. The peak of Cincinnati success was not the Huggs years. It was the Ed Jucker years.

Mick has achieved the past 5 years tournament wise what Huggs did from 96 on in terms of success. From 1996 UC was very disappointing in the NCAA in terms of seeding and the failure to advance. While at Cincinnati Bob Huggins never beat a higher seed in the tournament and failed to advance beyond the first weekend with I believe only one sweet 16 after 96, in spite of very good seeding position.

As far as branding you are correct....Mick has a ways to go to get back there.

 

[U of Cin]

Lost a ton of leadership on top of it all. Thought they'd make the tournament but probably be one and done. Am on record saying I believe the next two years could be special seasons. Really believe this team has a chance to be very good next season. Top 10 good if they can get steady production at the three.

Look, I want this team to get better as well, but let's be honest there aren't enough scorers, or shooters on this team to be much better then what it is right now, next season. I truly think you guys are crazy if you think this is even a top 25 team, next year. Yes, they play tough def. but the offense is sadly lacking to be a top 25 team next season. Mick hasn't recruited any good scoring threats, or shooters the last couple of seasons, and it shows, with this team scoring in the high 40's or low 50's most nights. Now with the Conf. they are in, not being very tough, and with that said, they will win 20-22 games next season as well, but it will be more of being in this bad Conf., then being a top basketball program in the near future. Sorry just how I feel, right now.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Look, I want this team to get better as well, but let's be honest there aren't enough scorers, or shooters on this team to be much better then what it is right now, next season. I truly think you guys are crazy if you think this is even a top 25 team, next year. Yes, they play tough def. but the offense is sadly lacking to be a top 25 team next season. Mick hasn't recruited any good scoring threats, or shooters the last couple of seasons, at it shows, with this team scoring in the high 40's or low 50's most nights. Now with the Conf. they are in, not being very tough, and with that said, they will win 20-22 games next season as well, but it will be more of being in this bad Conf., then being a top basketball program in the near future. Sorry just how I feel, right now.

Can we stop it with this "lack of shooters" nonsense? Caupain, Cobb, and Johnson combined to hit 40% from beyond the arc in conference play. They're all returning. Newcomer Evans can supposedly shoot. Our scoring issue has been turnovers, not shooting. Cut down on that and this team will average 70/game next year, depending on tempo.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Look, I want this team to get better as well, but let's be honest there aren't enough scorers, or shooters on this team to be much better then what it is right now, next season. I truly think you guys are crazy if you think this is even a top 25 team, next year. Yes, they play tough def. but the offense is sadly lacking to be a top 25 team next season. Mick hasn't recruited any good scoring threats, or shooters the last couple of seasons, at it shows, with this team scoring in the high 40's or low 50's most nights. Now with the Conf. they are in, not being very tough, and with that said, they will win 20-22 games next season as well, but it will be more of being in this bad Conf., then being a top basketball program in the near future. Sorry just how I feel, right now.

I will go on record right now that UC wins 26 regular season games next year.

 

[JackBauer151]

Look, I want this team to get better as well, but let's be honest there aren't enough scorers, or shooters on this team to be much better then what it is right now, next season. I truly think you guys are crazy if you think this is even a top 25 team, next year. Yes, they play tough def. but the offense is sadly lacking to be a top 25 team next season. Mick hasn't recruited any good scoring threats, or shooters the last couple of seasons, at it shows, with this team scoring in the high 40's or low 50's most nights. Now with the Conf. they are in, not being very tough, and with that said, they will win 20-22 games next season as well, but it will be more of being in this bad Conf., then being a top basketball program in the near future. Sorry just how I feel, right now.

They have the highest field goal percentage of any Cincinnati team in over a decade. So they can score just fine. It's the turnovers that have been the MAJOR problem. You cant score if you dont get a shot. Also cant rebound your miss. After a year of playing with each other and having 4 seniors this team will be primed for a deep run next year. They have length, speed, defense, can score in the post and the perimeter, they have depth, they can press, they will have their head coach back. History says these guys will get better. Clark will be a sophomore, Ellis will have his first season in an off season D1 lifting program. I think there is no doubt that we would win Nebraska, Xavier, Tulane, ECU games if it were next season. That would make us a 26 win team. It's the first year in a long time Im going to be hyping Cincinnati as a possible final four team.

 

[U of Cin]

Can we stop it with this "lack of shooters" nonsense? Caupain, Cobb, and Johnson combined to hit 40% from beyond the arc in conference play. They're all returning. Newcomer Evans can supposedly shoot. Our scoring issue has been turnovers, not shooting. Cut down on that and this team will average 70/game next year, depending on tempo.

YOUR SCORERS you stated average between ALL 3 scoring 23 pts a game. Not to mention UC is 290th in Div 1 basketball in scoring. This team will be no different next year, it CAN'T score enough points, game in, game out, and that's the reality of this team, deal with it.

 

[U of Cin]

They have the highest field goal percentage of any Cincinnati team in over a decade. So they can score just fine. It's the turnovers that have been the MAJOR problem. You cant score if you dont get a shot. Also cant rebound your miss. After a year of playing with each other and having 4 seniors this team will be primed for a deep run next year. They have length, speed, defense, can score in the post and the perimeter, they have depth, they can press, they will have their head coach back. History says these guys will get better. Clark will be a sophomore, Ellis will have his first season in an off season D1 lifting program. I think there is no doubt that we would win Nebraska, Xavier, Tulane, ECU games if it were next season. That would make us a 26 win team. It's the first year in a long time Im going to be hyping Cincinnati as a possible final four team.

You do realize this team is 290th in Div 1 basketball in scoring this season right? How in the world can you come on here, and say they will be just fine next year, they CAN't score enough or shoot good enough to be a real threat next season with MOST of these same players back.

 

[L-T]

Again, you pick one piece of the puzzle to make your point. In this case, it's NCAA performance. That's as close as you can get to a valid comparison, so you conveniently stop there. There are three key parts of every season. Regular season, League Tournament, and NCAA Tournament. Yes, Mick almost approaches the later Huggs years in the NCAA, except for the fact that in 14 years, Huggs only had two 1st round losses. Mick has had two in a row in just 4 years (notice I'm not even counting his first 4 seasons here). When you talk regular seasons, national rankings, recruiting, and the league tournaments, that's where the comparison gets comical. I can see why you don't want to acknowledge any of those facts.

Then we get to Mick's big accomplishment...."5" straight trips to the NCAA. Only 16 teams have done that. Yep, that puts him ahead of John Calipari. Oh wait, he has a national championship, a runner-up, an elite 8, not to mention this year's team that will probably win it all as well. But, Mick is obviously better because he has 5 in a row.

Or, how about Brad Stevens? That bum missed the NCAA in his 5th season. Oh, but he had 2 national championship games and a sweet 16 mixed around the year he didn't go at all. But, Mick is better at 5 in a row.

Or, should we talk about Buzz Williams? In 2013/2014, he missed the NCAA. This puts Mick ahead of him. Oh, but the 3 years before that, he had an elite 8 and 2 sweet 16s. But, Mick is obviously better with his 5 in a row.

Then there's poor Ben Howland. Missed the NCAA 2 of his last 4 years, following 3 trips to the Final 4 with one national championship game. He was fired. Mick's resume obviously looks better than his with his 5 in a row doesn't it?

It doesn't matter if we re-visit the past, or the present, the comparison is the same. His 5 NCAAs in a row are a nice little accomplishment. But, when you look at the big picture, it's a pretty weak argument when trying to label his performance as amazing or tremendous.

He's proven to be a pretty good coach, and he has us poised "on Paper" to take that next step that people like me have yearned for. The next two years will determine if I join all of you in annointing Mick as the real deal. NCAA runs, national rankings, and improved recruiting are a must. As of now, continue to call me skeptical.

 

[U of Cin]

Again, you pick one piece of the puzzle to make your point. In this case, it's NCAA performance. That's as close as you can get to a valid comparison, so you conveniently stop there. There are three key parts of every season. Regular season, League Tournament, and NCAA Tournament. Yes, Mick almost approaches the later Huggs years in the NCAA, except for the fact that in 14 years, Huggs only had two 1st round losses. Mick has had two in a row in just 4 years (notice I'm not even counting his first 4 seasons here). When you talk regular seasons, national rankings, recruiting, and the league tournaments, that's where the comparison gets comical. I can see why you don't want to acknowledge any of those facts.

Then we get to Mick's big accomplishment...."5" straight trips to the NCAA. Only 16 teams have done that. Yep, that puts him ahead of John Calipari. Oh wait, he has a national championship, a runner-up, an elite 8, not to mention this year's team that will probably win it all as well. But, Mick is obviously better because he has 5 in a row.

Or, how about Brad Stevens? That bum missed the NCAA in his 5th season. Oh, but he had 2 national championship games and a sweet 16 mixed around the year he didn't go at all. But, Mick is better at 5 in a row.

Or, should we talk about Buzz Williams? In 2013/2014, he missed the NCAA. This puts Mick ahead of him. Oh, but the 3 years before that, he had an elite 8 and 2 sweet 16s. But, Mick is obviously better with his 5 in a row.

Then there's poor Ben Howland. Missed the NCAA 2 of his last 4 years, following 3 trips to the Final 4 with one national championship game. He was fired. Mick's resume obviously looks better than his with his 5 in a row doesn't it?

It doesn't matter if we re-visit the past, or the present, the comparison is the same. His 5 NCAAs in a row are a nice little accomplishment. But, when you look at the big picture, it's a pretty weak argument when trying to label his performance as amazing or tremendous.

He's proven to be a pretty good coach, and he has us poised "on Paper" to take that next step that people like me have yearned for. The next two years will determine if I join all of you in annointing Mick as the real deal. NCAA runs, national rankings, and improved recruiting are a must. As of now, continue to call me skeptical.

Put uc in the SEC, Big 12, ACC, or even the Big East this season, and this team MIGHT be eliagable for the NIT, MIGHT be. The AAC is GOD AWFUL, and that's the reality.