The next 4 games

[JasonS]

I think this is absolutely true when normal teams try to play some zone because they aren't used to having to find someone to box out or can't get to them, but Syracuse has been playing so much zone for so long that they are used to it and are a great rebounding team anyway.

I will say that offensive rebounding is one reason why I think other teams will not implement a zone defense against UC unless that is their base defense. I can't see it helping against Syracuse though.

I think UC wins @SJ, and vs USF. Getting one of the other 2 would be gravy.

While it is true that Cuse plays zone all the time so they are used to it, it still doesn't make it easier to rebound out of a zone. They are probably a lot better at it than UC would be if they played zone, but it is a whole lot easier to find a guy to box out in man to man than zone. I think we can hurt Syracuse on the boards quite a bit.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Syracuse 4-0 17-0
Pittsburgh 4-0 16-1
Villanova 4-0 15-1
Cincinnati 3-1 16-1
Marquette 3-1 12-5
Louisville 2-1 13-3
N. Dame 3-2 14-3
St. John's 3-2 10-5

Above are the current top 8 teams in the Big East. One look at these standings and you can see the importance of the coming road trip. A win at Syracuse means you stay within reach of first. Wins against ND and St. Johns and you extend your own lead over these teams. I would like to see UC stay at the top of the second tier teams. Of the teams in the top 8 we have only Louisville and St. Johns at home. They need to steal a couple road games against some of these other teams. None of them will be easy to beat at home. The Bearcats will have to be prepared and play well. Pitt, 'Cuse and Nova look to be a notch above the rest. UC lost at Nova but I think in the second half we saw they can play at that level. Mental toughness will be the most important ingredient in getting this done.

 

[cincinnati insanity]

Wow to think at the beginning of this year that we could possibly finish in the top 6 of the league is amazing. you would have to think if they do then Cronin would be highly considered the top canidate for Big East coach of the year and would have a good shot at winning the NCAA coach of the year. This team is starting to mature and if they find there 3 pt stroke vs Syracuse and or ND, they definately will have a shot at winning it.. Just for safe keeping UC needs to win atleast one vs either SU or ND to get that big name win to show that they belong and have to win atleast 2 out of there 3 next games. UC is definately deserving of a top 25 ranking and if they can prove that they can shoot from the 3 and Gates can become the beast he was vs Xavier, they might have a chance to be top 15 which in return would be a shoe in for the tournament.

 

[Ryno99]

I think the keys to this stretch of games are going to be keeping the players fresh, keeping Thomas out of foul trouble, not getting flustered and running the offense, pissing Gates off so he plays with an attitude and getting SK into the flow of the offense.

I really think SK may be THE key. If you can get him on one of his 3 pt streaks, he tends to be very streaky and if he's hot he is hard to contain, b/c then he can use the head fake effectively and get to the basket as well. He unlike others finishes well at the hoop and tends to see a lot of and 1 opportunities.

I'm excited about the next three. I won't be dissappointed unless they go 0-3, but I know that is a possibility. If they can pull out 2 I'd be jumping around the house.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Just take them one at a time. Protect the home court and take a couple on the road, then all will be fine.

Ralphys strikes. I have waited nearly 6 years to agree with something Ralphy says. The day has come. We win at home and steal something on the road we will be in good shape.

 

[Thegreatone]

Ralphys strikes. I have waited nearly 6 years to agree with something Ralphy says. The day has come. We win at home and steal something on the road we will be in good shape.

About time you got on board. The ralph = The truth

 

[BearcatAlum1]

I really like Marquette. I know they've lost some tough games early in the year to good teams (by a few points, too), but they're almost guaranteed to win games at home and are scrappy as hell to compete on the road.

I'd bet some $ that Marquette is no worse than 10-8.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I really like Marquette. I know they've lost some tough games early in the year to good teams (by a few points, too), but they're almost guaranteed to win games at home and are scrappy as hell to compete on the road.

I'd bet some $ that Marquette is no worse than 10-8.

Buzz Williams is a helluva coach!

 

[Thegreatone]

USF @ Cincy

Cincy @ Syracuse

Cincy @ ND

Cincy @ St. Johns

How many wins can we get?

I will predict 2 wins. Most of us will predict wins over USF @ home. I think this is one we have to have.

This will bring our record to 17-3 and 4-3 against the top 100 RPI.

I think we will give either Syracuse or ND a run for their money. I think we probably drop both of those games though. Top 15 teams @ home are very tough. Those two teams seem to play very very well at home.

The St. Johns game could be a season changer. If my prediction of losing 2 straight and 3 out of 4 total happens going into that game we are going to be hearing the same old bullshit again about collapsing. If they beat St Johns then we will carry that momentum and bear Rutgers and WVU (both at home) and carry our over all record to.

19-3.

Beat St Johns and I will be OK with the 4 game stretch and happy with where we would be.