Mick Cronin knew Yancy Gates was going to have a big night as soon as he saw a Xavier player say something to Gates after scoring early in the game.
“When I saw that, I was happy,” Cronin said today. “Sometimes he needs stuff like that. I knew that was good for us when I saw that happen.”
Cronin wouldn’t say who the XU player was, but Kenny Frease made the first two baskets for Xavier and Gates and Frease have had a personal rivalry dating back to their days in high school when they were at XU’s summer camp together.
Whatever inspired Gates, the determination was etched on his face for most of UC’ss 66-46 victory over XU on Thursday night in the Skyline Chili Crosstown.
UC’s 6-foot-9 junior forward scored 22 points – one short of his career high – and pulle down 14 rebounds, which tied his career high, as he dominated inside against XU.
“It definitely was one of the best games since I’ve been in college,” Gates said.
Gates’ performance increased his season averages to 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds and had the home crowd chanting his name at the end of the game.
“You almost get goose bumps when you hear the crowd cheering your name because you know you went out there and did a good job and the crowd was pleased with you,” Gates said. “That’s just a real good feeling.”
More....
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2011/01/07/cronin-trash-talking-inspired-gates/
“When I saw that, I was happy,” Cronin said today. “Sometimes he needs stuff like that. I knew that was good for us when I saw that happen.”
Cronin wouldn’t say who the XU player was, but Kenny Frease made the first two baskets for Xavier and Gates and Frease have had a personal rivalry dating back to their days in high school when they were at XU’s summer camp together.
Whatever inspired Gates, the determination was etched on his face for most of UC’ss 66-46 victory over XU on Thursday night in the Skyline Chili Crosstown.
UC’s 6-foot-9 junior forward scored 22 points – one short of his career high – and pulle down 14 rebounds, which tied his career high, as he dominated inside against XU.
“It definitely was one of the best games since I’ve been in college,” Gates said.
Gates’ performance increased his season averages to 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds and had the home crowd chanting his name at the end of the game.
“You almost get goose bumps when you hear the crowd cheering your name because you know you went out there and did a good job and the crowd was pleased with you,” Gates said. “That’s just a real good feeling.”
More....
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2011/01/07/cronin-trash-talking-inspired-gates/
