Time For The Players To Step Up

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bearcat jeff

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Feb 24, 2010
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Reading Dan Hoards thoughts on the loss to WVU I came across an interesting observation. Dan Hoard was present during Mick's instruction to the team and and heard Mick tell them what to expect in terms of effort and hustle from the Mountaineers. Evidently that fell on deaf ears.

Anthony McClain, Larry Davis, Rashad Bishop, Darnell Wilks and Ibrahim Thomas have been here in past seasons. They've seen apathy and uninspired play derail a run at making the NCAA tournament. With the stretch run in front of them, they find themselves staggering and on the brink. A loss like Saturdays and repeated missed opportunities can haunt a team. With the prospect of playing Pitt on the road you have to wonder where the team is mentally. In each major test they've come out uninspired and lethargic. With 5 seniors and 2 juniors on a team that's been here before that shouldn't be happening.

It's time for the players to come together and demand more of each other. This is gut check time. Time to ask yourself if you belong in this or not. Time to understand that every night you're playing other teams right where you are. On the edge and needing a win. There's no off night. No more give me's. It's war.

This bunch has seemed reluctant to go to war when it matters. Failing to match their opponents toughness in each loss. Dominated physically inside and physically unable to make enough plays outside. Outfought and outthought. 'Nova, 'Cuse, ND, and WVU were mentallity tougher and sharper.

If this season falls apart it will be in part because the upperclassmen on this team haven't held each other accountable. Maybe it's because nobody gives a consistent effort themselves to be able to do that. Championship teams demand excellence from each other. Bob Huggins said he asked his kids for 7-8 kids that wanted to work hard and do the right things everyday. UC hasn't had 7 on a given night do that this season and 4 times it's cost them a ball game.

This city will follow a fighter. It will get behind a team less talented that plays it's collective heart out. If the players want to win back the fan base and be champions it's time for the players to step up. It's time to demand a premium effort from every player every night. It's time for the seniors to lead and be vocal. it's time to tell one another that "We will not lose another game this season because another team was mentally and physically tougher than us!".
 
The chances of this happening are slim to none, appreciate the well thought out response Jeff, but its better to not burden yourself with trying to solve an unsolvable problem.
 
I just wish this team had a calming force. A player that never gets rattled in the midst of a scoring drought. A player that plays to his strengths in tough situations, especially on the road. Far too often we end up with five guys playing defensive, timid offense.

I can't believe out of all the guys that play, we can't find one guy that can at least get to the foul line when he needs to. Is it really that difficult to drive the ball into the lane under control, pump fake, get your man in the air and draw a foul when we most need it? It's fairly simple, but it is definitely missing on this team. The lack of easy points leads to so many big scoring runs for the opposition.
 
The BIG MEN on this team is not BEAST caliber! Thomas was a guy you left the team because he didn't want to player center! He doesn't want to bang and be a shot blocker like we need! Yancy has always played outside of the paint! I saw him at Huhges is soph yr and only time he was in the paint was for a tip dunk! He was the biggest guy on the floor you could have easily had 30 a night! Mick haves to pillows anchoring the middle in a conference tha prides itself on toughness!
 
I had to avoid the forum yesterday and most of the day today. Due to the lackluster performance of our Cats, I would have posted something off color and stupid, and probably ban-worthy.

Note to self......don't post while upset. :)
 
I think Kilpatrick will be that guy to calm the team but he's not ready for it yet. I totally agree about the bigs and have railed about that all season.
 
I had to avoid the forum yesterday and most of the day today. Due to the lackluster performance of our Cats, I would have posted something off color and stupid, and probably ban-worthy.

Note to self......don't post while upset. :)

That's funny, I avoided it so I didn't have to read anything stupid or ban-worthy ;)
 
The offense under MC has gotten better at times, but still is severely lacking. It concerns me that with veteran players and depth that the players can't put together sustained scoring.
 
Let's not forget that the Seniors on this team were Mick's first real recruiting class. You know, the class where his recruiting pitch was: "Come play for me and every day you get to lace em up with Adam H., Marvin Gentry, Marcus Sikes, and Jamual Warren."

Until we get to the point where the graduating seniors don't produce an addition by subtraction effect, we will not be able to compete with the top Big East teams that have had a steady flow of BE caliber recruits for a decade. That time is coming but its not here yet
 
The BIG MEN on this team is not BEAST caliber! Thomas was a guy you left the team because he didn't want to player center! He doesn't want to bang and be a shot blocker like we need! Yancy has always played outside of the paint! I saw him at Huhges is soph yr and only time he was in the paint was for a tip dunk! He was the biggest guy on the floor you could have easily had 30 a night! Mick haves to pillows anchoring the middle in a conference tha prides itself on toughness!

You like to bash the big men. I like to bash the coach who puts them in that situation.

Ibrahima Thomas hasnt had a decent post move in a game since Jesus lectured in Omaha.

Wilks and Jackson are about 180lbs, give or take. What they are is very athletic and can run the floor.

Most of us on this board would like to dunk, but its not going to happen. So why does Mick continue to set up the same offense knowing the big men are true post players. The reason so many 3s are takin is because the gaurds cant pass the ball down low. The so called bigs on this team are being pushed away from the hoop and arent posting strong. Well no kidding because thats not who they are. They are not true post players

Spread the floor!
 
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How do you know that every player is not giving their premium effort? The answer is you do not know that. Did the Duke players lay down yesterday against St. John? Of the first 21 three point shots Duke took yesterday they made 1.
 
How do you know that every player is not giving their premium effort? The answer is you do not know that. Did the Duke players lay down yesterday against St. John? Of the first 21 three point shots Duke took yesterday they made 1.

Don't work harder. Work smarter.
 
How do you know that every player is not giving their premium effort? The answer is you do not know that. Did the Duke players lay down yesterday against St. John? Of the first 21 three point shots Duke took yesterday they made 1.

because they watch rebounds and loose balls. pretty easy to tell.
 
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