The Official Bob Huggins Thread

[Thegreatone]

Here is what we are going to do guys. The mods and I have been discussing how to handle the WVU game and the second return of Bob Huggins. Instead of not getting into the past and not talking about it we have decided to have 1 thread discussing all things Bob Huggins and the past.

Really anything goes besides personal attacks on family. No Wyler talk or Micks wife or whatever else you might want to get into.

Things in play.

- Huggins tenure
- Conference Championships
- DUI's
- Final Four
- NBA Players
- Players arrest
- Micks record
- If Huggins was to blame for the recent years of struggling
- Mick leaving for U of L

Anything as long as it has relevance to UC basketball program.

ALL OTHER THREADS WILL BE DISCUSSING THE GAME AND CURRENT TEAMS. Use this thread to air out any of the garbage.

Know what this thread is. Post if you want or ignore if you want.

This thread will be close on Sunday.

Alright lets have at it.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Bob Huggins at UC 399–127 (.759)

Bob Huggins is the winning est coach in UC history. Mick has alot to live up to, to reach the level of success Bob brought to the program.

Mick Cronin at UC 77–70 (.523)

 

[Thegreatone]

My Huggins thoughts.

Positive:

- I owe him for most of my memorable childhood sports memories as a spectator. It wasn't coming from the reds or bengals.

- Brought UC out of the dead. Made us a force.

- "Got it" He knew what this city wanted out of the sports teams and always made us proud.

- I remember when he got fired. I was devestated. Was at Moeller High whe the news broke. Only day worse was when I heard Kmart broke his leg.

Negative:

- I will never forget the embarressment of watching him stumble around his words wearing a black UC pullover on sportscenter. Awful day to be a UC fan. Knew the ride was coming to an end.

- His actions caused him his job. I dont agree with how they went about it but he was fired for just reason IMO. He set us back because of his trouble with alcohol and his bad reputation.

I will cheer Huggins before the game on Saturday. Mick will have my full support before and after the game tips and ends. I appreciate Bob Huggins but I am 100 percent behind Mick Cronin.

 

[Thegreatone]

Mick has also been rebuilding a mess left over from former coaches and administration in the best conference in the world.

No doubt Micks record would be better in old C-USA.

Not as good as Huggins but rebuilding in this league is very difficult.

 

[MDW79]

I'm going to write something that I'm sure I will get RIPPED for, (and rightfully so) but for the sake of being honest, here it goes...

I want to beat Huggins without doubt, BUT...I do not want us to embarrass his team. (Meaning I would rather win by 5 then win by 30. Believe me, I do want to win though)

If anyone actually wants to hear why I would say this, or where I'm coming from, I'd be happy to explain. I probably shouldn't share that but eff it. I was probably as big a Huggs fan as they come, but I'm definitely still a bigger fan of UC though.

I know I post on these boards a lot, and for conversations sake, if anyone wants have the "how I'm wrong in thinking this way" debate, I'd be glad to try have it. I know for some of the younger guys, it probably sounds like I should be lumped in with the Eggs fans that showed the balls to post on here.

Go ahead, have at it. I'll check tomorrow if there's any decent shots and/or conversation going.

All this said, this is a must win game, and I think we take care of this game no problems, barring TO's.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Micks BE record is 28-47.

Bob dominated CUSA (which was not a bad league by any means) and is the sole reason UC is in the big east.

 

[SlamJam]

One of the best regular season coaches you will see- He really got his players to play hard and you knew they would give 100% effort.

Deserved to be fired for on court success. As I said- good regular season coach. But I believe in his last 12 years he got to 1 sweet 16 and 1 elite 8--thats all. For whatever reason he couldnt get it done in the tournament which lead to a lot of dissipointment IMO. Regular season were fun though. Thought we had better teams then that...Just extremely underperformed in the NCAA tournament where it matters most. His time was up

 

[Kingsley Court]

If anyone actually wants to hear why I would say this, or where I'm coming from, I'd be happy to explain. I probably shouldn't share that but eff it. I was probably as big a Huggs fan as they come, but I'm definitely still a bigger fan of UC though.

Please do. Not that I think it's a bad thing you only want to win by a little, but more so because I'm interested in why. After all, you still want to win, and if you still respect/cheer for a former coach I can understand why you wouldn't want to embarrass him.

 

[SlamJam]

Mick has also been rebuilding a mess left over from former coaches and administration in the best conference in the world.

No doubt Micks record would be better in old C-USA.

Not as good as Huggins but rebuilding in this league is very difficult.

In my honest opinion if Mick rebuilds this team and makes it to 1 elite 8 id put him right there with huggins. (look- i put stock in the NCAA tournament) What Mick had to deal with when he got here was just unreal. Rebuilding the team, in the big east, to be elite 8 caliber (not a lucky run) would be nothing short of phenomenal.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Bob Huggins in 16 years: 2 elite 8 appearances, 1 final four

Mick Cronin in 4 years: nothing.

 

[SlamJam]

Bob Huggins in 16 years: 2 elite 8 appearances, 1 final four

Mick Cronin in 4 years: nothing.

Were you happy with his last 12 years? content with being very good in the regular season and disappointing in the NCAA tournament...it was embarrassing

 

[TheLivingLegend]

His last 12 years were...average at best. Below average really. And we had talent to be great- explain.

Good point. Proving that his first four were impressive in a rebuilding process. what about micks?

Injuries played a key role in Bobs lack of success later on.

 

[MDW79]

Please do. Not that I think it's a bad thing you only want to win by a little, but more so because I'm interested in why. After all, you still want to win, and if you still respect/cheer for a former coach I can understand why you wouldn't want to embarrass him.

To be clear, when I say I don't want to embarrass him, I don't mean just in us intentionally trying to, I literally would prefer it be a close game. I'd would definitely take a blowout over a loss. (I'm not that wierd) But again, I'd take a 7pt win over a 20pt win. I'd like for us to get the win, without him looking bad.

I'm sure Alum and others may have a field day with that comment. As for Ralph, well he can think whatever. I'll write it out some more tomorrow. It should be a doosy for the Huggs haters. I actually dig this thread. This is a big game for a lot of UC fans but you have to walk on eggshells on other sites.

 

[Thegreatone]

Conference USA was not a bad league....

But can not be compared to the current Big East in anyway.

Louisville wasn't as good until Pitino got there. Marquette was pretty good with Dwade for a couple year. Depaul was definately better.

But come on. C-USA then is NO WHERE close to Big East now.

Huggins v Mick right now?

2-2

Mick outcoached Bob in 3 of the 4 games but a dribble off a shoe and a bank three gave the W to WVU.

 

[SlamJam]

Good point. Proving that his first four were impressive in a rebuilding process. what about micks?

Injuries played a key role in Bobs lack of success later on.

No doubt he was impressive in rebuilding--though i believe he never beat a higher seed in that rebuilding process? Seems like a lot of breaks played key role in his early success at UC...In fact he didn't beat a higher seed his whole tenure at UC.

 

[Thegreatone]

Dont underestimate the fact that Mick doesnt get to take near the chances on kids now that Bob did.

Grades and off the court behavior are much more relevant now.

I know LL doesnt care but the BOT do and have not given Mick the ability to take on those chances so you can not say it doesnt matter.

 

[MDW79]

In my honest opinion if Mick rebuilds this team and makes it to 1 elite 8 id put him right there with huggins. (look- i put stock in the NCAA tournament) What Mick had to deal with when he got here was just unreal. Rebuilding the team, in the big east, to be elite 8 caliber (not a lucky run) would be nothing short of phenomenal.

What the... I'll deal with this in the morning. (Curious, how old are you? What type of program do you think Huggs inherited, that his entire career here can be trumped by a single Elite 8?)

See ya, tom.

 

[Thegreatone]

No doubt he was impressive in rebuilding--though i believe he never beat a higher seed in that rebuilding process? Seems like a lot of breaks played key role in his early success at UC...In fact he didn't beat a higher seed his whole tenure at UC.

I think a couple of factors went into that. 1, we usually were a top 4 seed so many times you wouldn't play a higher ranked seed until much later in the process. When you are rarely the underdog, you do not get as many chances. 2, playing in C-USA got us fat and cocky instead of getting tested week in and week out by elite competition.

 

[blackcattitude]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVi0A_E9MyQ[/ame]

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Dont underestimate the fact that Mick doesnt get to take near the chances on kids now that Bob did.

Grades and off the court behavior are much more relevant now.

I know LL doesnt care but the BOT do and have not given Mick the ability to take on those chances so you can not say it doesnt matter.

Even tho that is a false statement, ill play your game..

Tell that to Lance Stephenson, a guy Mick recruited and got. And before you say all this, Lance was in trouble while Mick was recruiting him. Surely didnt sway Micks opinion.