The day after...

[Thegreatone]

First off the loss yesterday sucked. No two ways around that. However, that is March. It happens every year it just isn't fun when it is at your teams expense.

- This team never quit. They busted their asses off for Mick Cronin that entire tournament.

- I am really interested to see the response for the first game of the NIT at the shoe. I will be there and I suggest many people do go. Much can be learned in March in a tournament like the NIT.

- We are close to be a very good team. Thomas, Wilks, Stephenson, Cash, Parker, Yancy ALL stepped their games up for this tournament. We lose 1 senior who wasn't all that productive this year. We get some help down low to replace what Steve did. I feel this team is on the cusp of some big things.

- Our mistakes were mainly effort related. The scramble at the end of the game was a tough break. The two end of the half 3 pointers were defended properly.

- I had a lot of fun watching this team the last 3 days. They are sometimes unbearable but not this tournament. This was a blast that I wish could have ended differently. Next year we will win these games.

- Tough to handle though. Really out preformed them I thought. They came out hot but from that point on we really outplayed them. 2 three's to end the game and 1 effort related bonehead mistake and it cost us.

 

[Not Guilty]

I echo everything you said. The fact that the tournament was so fun to watch is what made the end result so excruciating. We busted our ass and played right with a legitimate final four contender despite numerous missed layups and long scoring draughts, only to have a chance to win it at the end and it slipped away.

I just can't get over what might have happened if Dion threw it back to Deonta, who wasn't covered on the imbounds. To have him sprint the floor with the possibilty of Lance or Yancy slipping free for the win keeps playing over and over in my head. I guess you could say I like Bearcat basketball a little too much.

As you said, I'm as confident as ever in the future of the program because of what we have coming back, but I would like to see them back up that confidence with similar effort in the NIT. I will be there as well. They deserve our support. Hopefully we can get some redemption in Madison Square Garden.

On a side note, I'm a little disappointed Mick went away from Parker last night. I know he didn't play a great game in his limited minutes, but I still wish he would have seen some of Deonta's minutes in the second half. That is a pretty minor complaint though...

 

[Thegreatone]

I echo everything you said. The fact that the tournament was so fun to watch is what made the end result so excruciating. We busted our ass and played right with a legitimate final four contender despite numerous missed layups and long scoring draughts, only to have a chance to win it at the end and it slipped away.

I just can't get over what might have happened if Dion threw it back to Deonta, who wasn't covered on the imbounds. To have him sprint the floor with the possibilty of Lance or Yancy slipping free for the win keeps playing over and over in my head. I guess you could say I like Bearcat basketball a little too much.

As you said, I'm as confident as ever in the future of the program because of what we have coming back, but I would like to see them back up that confidence with similar effort in the NIT. I will be there as well. They deserve our support. Hopefully we can get some redemption in Madison Square Garden.

On a side note, I'm a little disappointed Mick went away from Parker last night. I know he didn't play a great game in his limited minutes, but I still wish he would have seen some of Deonta's minutes in the second half. That is a pretty minor complaint though...

About the parker thing I was on the other end of it want him out. I think he is a very good player verse the zone right now but not on tight man on man coverage. I think Cash was the better option.

NIT is really the only tournament I care about right now.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I thought the past few days that this team represented the Bearcat brand proudly. Though they haven't shot well, their toughness is a good selling point to potential recruits. They were the darlings of the BEast for a couple days. If they can present themselves well in the NIT it could be huge for recruiting and building momentum for next season.

Love the future of this team. Cash, Parker, Davis, Lance, Dixon, Bishop, Gates, Thomas, Wilks and Kilpatrick will be a solid team. I may be wrong but I don't think Biggie will be back, at least not on scholarship. I think Mick will look to add a shooter if at all possible. Justin Jackson will be a blue collar low post player and add more toughness and another high motor player. Gaines will be a future defensive force. My only concern will again be consistent outside shooting.

 

[Not Guilty]

I thought the past few days that this team represented the Bearcat brand proudly. Though they haven't shot well, their toughness is a good selling point to potential recruits. They were the darlings of the BEast for a couple days. If they can present themselves well in the NIT it could be huge for recruiting and building momentum for next season.

Love the future of this team. Cash, Parker, Davis, Lance, Dixon, Bishop, Gates, Thomas, Wilks and Kilpatrick will be a solid team. I may be wrong but I don't think Biggie will be back, at least not on scholarship. I think Mick will look to add a shooter if at all possible. Justin Jackson will be a blue collar low post player and add more toughness and another high motor player. Gaines will be a future defensive force. My only concern will again be consistent outside shooting.

...and better movement without the ball. When we move without the ball, we make the defense work, get better shots and have better opportunities to rebound. We just need to be more consistent with it...

 

[lumberjack]

I see the same problems next year. Great to see a team that won't quit but they cannot score. Poor shooters ok--- poor offense. I don't see a team running an offense.Micks MO is wilt under pressure. They did it again, really twice if you count Rutgers.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I see the same problems next year. Great to see a team that won't quit but they cannot score. Poor shooters ok--- poor offense. I don't see a team running an offense.Micks MO is wilt under pressure. They did it again, really twice if you count Rutgers.

Let's be honest, you're not going to see anything good regardless. Mick didn't wilt, the player made a bad judgment after being instructed to do otherwise. I don't mind criticism from the anti-Mick camp, but I hate when it's done contrary to truth and fact. Realistically the breaks went to WVU last night. The ball squirting out to an open man in the scrum, Butler hitting a prayer (a shot he called lucky himself in the post game interview), a prayer before half. Mick has deserved some criticism but last night wasn't one of those times.

 

[Thegreatone]

I see the same problems next year. Great to see a team that won't quit but they cannot score. Poor shooters ok--- poor offense. I don't see a team running an offense.Micks MO is wilt under pressure. They did it again, really twice if you count Rutgers.

Fighting back verse the number 7 team in the country is wilting under pressure? Please.

Lance's shot will need to improve but Lance, Cash and Quon are going to improve. Add Kilpatrick.

Gates will have another year to get better. I think having Lance there is going to help everyone get better. Cash is one who I am really excited about. When the game slows down for him look out.

Your trying to blame Mick for anything right now is bad. Blame him for the last 3 games of the regular season if you want but give credit where it is due.

 

[swg]

UC had two FG's in the first 15 combined minutes of the first and second half. The inability to score has plagued UC all year. I do hope that gets fixed, or Lumberjack is correct. However, there is reason for optimism next year, as the team is not losing anyone they shouldn't be able to replace (not counting Bishop).

 

[ready2go]

Fighting back verse the number 7 team in the country is wilting under pressure? Please.

Lance's shot will need to improve but Lance, Cash and Quon are going to improve. Add Kilpatrick.

Gates will have another year to get better. I think having Lance there is going to help everyone get better. Cash is one who I am really excited about. When the game slows down for him look out.

Your trying to blame Mick for anything right now is bad. Blame him for the last 3 games of the regular season if you want but give credit where it is due.

My only problem is when UC loses the players get blamed. When UC wins or plays a good team tough it is because of Mick. What I saw last night were players scrapping, hustling, and diving to do what they could to win the game. That is the reason we were in it.

Last time I checked Mick was not playing in the game. Yes, he may have motivated them for once, but at the same time only 51 points were scored. That is not exactly good basketball.

 

[Thegreatone]

I agree with you and feel it is the opposite. If we lose it is all Mick and if we win it is in spite of him. haha

Problem somewhere in the middle.

 

[ohioubearcat]

I agree with you and feel it is the opposite. If we lose it is all Mick and if we win it is in spite of him. haha

Problem somewhere in the middle.

Well honestly Mick coached his butt off this tournament. I was sooooo pissed last night I would have fought a Ghandi. I was cursing Mick and was very upset Dixon was in there. I had NO idea what he was thinking and couldn't wrap my mind around it.

With that said....it makes sense. Dixon is just an idiot who did not do what he was told. Coaches can only do so much....with that said I would not have put it in Dixon's hand even if he was supposed to throw it back to DV. Lance should have had the ball in his hands the entire possession.

That is the only gripe i have with Mick this tournament. This team played with heart and intensity. It is no coincidence that Bishop did not play at all while DV and Toyloy had limited roles. The young guys on this team are the future and the future looks bright.

My concern next year is this team will not bring it every night. Hopefully with the removal of the upper class cancers (DV through graduation and hoping Bishop gets kicked off the team) we will be a young, fiesty team that plays like we did in the BE tournament.