TheGreatone's Interview with Dan Hoard (Bearcattalk.com Orignal)

[Thegreatone]

What do you think the bearcats need to do to get into the NCAA tournament?

They need to finish at least 9-9 in the Big East during the regular season and probably win one game in the conference tourney. It doesn't seem likely right now, but stranger things have happened (Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett right?)

In your opinion is the basketball program going backwards, forwards, or spinning its tires?

It's moving forward . . . just not at the pace that we had hoped. There's such a thin line between having a great year and a decent one and the three overtime losses (Gonzaga, Xavier, Marquette) and the giveaway at St. John's have been devastating (Vaughn was 3-for-22 from beyond the arc in those games). I expected the team to be more fun to watch this year. I think the offense is so ugly to watch at times that it's made the season seem worse than it really is.

Where do you think Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard get drafted?

I don't have Mel Kiper's hair, but I'll give it a shot. I think Gilyard will be gone by the middle of the 2nd round and could go late in the first. I've heard the Bengals are interested in Pike with their 2nd round pick as a guy they could groom for a few years behind Carson. I don't know if he'll last that long. Once QBs start to go, teams get worried about not getting one. I think he'll be among the first four QBs picked.

Who has been your favorite basketball player to watch during your time at UC?

Mel Levett.

Who has been your favorite football player to watch during your time at UC?

Mardy Gilyard.

 

[Thegreatone]

I agree with Dan that the basketball program is going forward but not at the pace we would like. Winning more game and getting better players is how I judge that.

I was interested in his response to what we have to do to get in the tournament. If I am realistic I think that his response is what we will have to do.

 

[Thegreatone]

Mardy said where ever he plays next season he would like to wear #15 to honor Henry. Interesting.

 

[swg]

I would like to see UC grab a WR and QB with their early picks. Pike would be great to get in the 2nd round, and perhaps Tebow because the Bengals could afford to wait several years for him to develop.
Nice interview. Hoard is a solid guy.

 

[ucswais]

I have as much respect for Dan Hoard as anyone associated with UC athletics. Thanks for doing this.

I will say that I think UC needs less than that to make the tournament and pretty much every expert on the subject agrees with that.

 

[Thegreatone]

I have as much respect for Dan Hoard as anyone associated with UC athletics. Thanks for doing this.

I will say that I think UC needs less than that to make the tournament and pretty much every expert on the subject agrees with that.

All I ask from you is to hit my rep button

I dont know about the having to do less than that. We will find out a lot tonight. I can't wait for the game. I am a sucker I know.

 

[Cat Attack]

I have as much respect for Dan Hoard as anyone associated with UC athletics. Thanks for doing this.

I will say that I think UC needs less than that to make the tournament and pretty much every expert on the subject agrees with that.

Huh? Do you think an 8-10 UC team gets in over some of the other bubble/BE teams? UC needs 9-9 at minimum and they have to win a tourney game against a lesser team. Even then, I think they would be squarely on the bubble.

 

[CoolCat]

Love his sense of humor and good interview. Dan H is good people.

 

[Thegreatone]

Yeah I enjoy doing stuff like this because I find it interesting. I have a couple other people I would like to ask some questions too but they are still in the works.

 

[Kingsley Court]

Yeah I enjoy doing stuff like this because I find it interesting. I have a couple other people I would like to ask some questions too but they are still in the works.

Listen, I got your email and I will respond to your questions soon, I've got other interviews to do first, but I will get too yours within a week.

Seriously though, nice job. Thanks for adding that to bcattalk.

 

[ucswais]

Huh? Do you think an 8-10 UC team gets in over some of the other bubble/BE teams? UC needs 9-9 at minimum and they have to win a tourney game against a lesser team. Even then, I think they would be squarely on the bubble.

Yes. You're suggesting that if UC were to beat Villanova and @Georgetown this week they'd go from ~6th out to still not in? Those teams they are bunched up with right now are very close together and those two wins would separate us easily.

More specifically, if UC gets to 9-9 there is about a 95% chance they will have a bye in the 1st round. That means you either think beating Nova/GTown back to back won't jump 5 bubble teams or you think losing a game to the 9/10 seed we will likely play in the tourney will drop us back out. A loss to a UConn/ND/SHall type team would not do that.

If UC finishes with an 8-10 record given the final 2 opponents they will probably stand around last 4 out. Winning against Rutgers/Depaul and then beating the 7/8 seed in the 2nd round would probably push us in although this path is more dependent on some others around us.

In any case, "at least" 9-9 in conference plus a win is suggesting the Bearcats are further away than they really are according to objective sources.