This defense is DAMN good (my theory)

[nparker1]

Granted, the opposition has been weak, minus Dayton; however, there is one major difference this year. Mick has had some athletes, and he has had talent. What mick didnt have was players giving full effort or players not sold on his coaching. Mick and the players have said it since the summer. The guys 'get it'. Gates has always been an athlete. In high school, and coming into the college game, he was a genetic freak, body style wise, but he didnt give effort. He like many of these guys, Cash admittedly, came into college expecting to play with the same efforts as they did in high school. Maybe that mentality works in some very minor conferences, and probably d2 or juco, but definitely not in the big east. I am really proud of this years team because they are not afraid to hustle, scratch and claw, and get dirty. Huggs did not bring in the athletes with highest bball IQs, but he was able to get them to give a 110%. This years teams mentality so far, remind me of a Huggs UC basketball team. I could be drunk on the kool-aid, but hearing the players speak and so far in their actions, this year is different. I think it is all about effort. The BEast will be the true test, as well as time/wear and tear, as the season goes on. I know I am enjoying this team and their maturation. It is nice to truly feel like UC basketball is back.
Go Bearcats!

 

[TheLoganator]

Really upset we didnt get Ricardo Ratcliffe, look at what he is doing at Mizzou

 

[psax889906]

Really upset we didnt get Ricardo Ratcliffe, look at what he is doing at Mizzou

Yeah he looked like the real deal coming out of the JUCO ranks.

 

[waterhead]

Defense!

It remains to be seen.

We have played the GCL North thus far.

I'll believe when the Big East rolls in and teams are capable of hitting jumpers and getting the ball down low.

Many teams have had pansy schedules so far...but only one leads the nation in D. Whether or not we stay #1...we should have a very solid D for the season. My concern is with offensive production thus far given the schedule we have played. We should be able to drop 80+ on teams like these if we hope to drop 70+ on certain Beast teams. We won't be able to hold them all under 70. I would think we would be doing a good job to hold them to an average of 60-65...which means we are going to need to average 65-70 ourselves.

Fortunately we have seen some signs of outside shooting improvement and hopefully that will continue so we can get Gates and Thomas the ball underneath. I think Killa is perhaps our biggest key to a successful season. If we can get to a point where Mick is comfortable with him in the game for 20-25 minutes...that should equate to an extra 5 points or so right there. If that helps to open things up for our big men it could translate to 10 or more points per game.

Most of our guys seem to have bought into the idea of playing harder than the opponents on D and that's great. Now we just need to find a way to average about 10 more points a game before heading into Beast play.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

Killa will get 20-25 minutes when he learns to play defense for that amount of time. Defense is his weak area right now....and it's farily obvious.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Killa will get 20-25 minutes when he learns to play defense for that amount of time. Defense is his weak area right now....and it's farily obvious.

Agree 100% with you BA1. Mick would love to have him on the floor for 20-25 minutes. That's why you play the non-conf schedule.

 

[waterhead]

Killa will get 20-25 minutes when he learns to play defense for that amount of time. Defense is his weak area right now....and it's farily obvious.

I can't argue that. Hopefully he can get it figured out. We sure could use him on the offensive side.