bearcat jeff
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I'm a little concerned about the Oklahoma game. I think it's going to be a tight game. Kruger is a very good defensive coach and his teams play with good discipline. The bigs are going to have to rebound and be smart and not foul on defense. Oklahoma will recover faster on the perimeter and will be better at helping on defense. Cats can't allow the Sooners to take them out of this attacking style and cause them to settle for jump shots. I think the Bearcats win but I think it'll be an 8-10 point game.
Pledger hits 49% of his threes and is a overall legit player. He averages just under 20 a game so Dixon and Parker will have their work cut out and have to keep him in check. Sooners have 4 players averaging double figures and another at 9.8 ppg. Newell also shoots well from the 3 sitting exactly between 38%-39% from behind the arc. Grooms is a good point guard and hands out over 5 assist a game.
Oklahoma is 5th in the country rebounding the basketball. HUGE concern for the Bearcats. Osby is their leader and avrages over 8 rpg and nearly 4 of those on the offensive end. The Sooners hit the offensive glass. Especially Osby and Fitzgerald who pulls down 2.4 offensive rebounds a game. Between just the two of them they account for 6 offensive rebounds every game.
Their only loss has been to an above average St. Louis team. They have not played a power schedule but have played a solid one. They played 3 games at the 76 Classic in Anaheim and other then that have not ventured outside Oklahoma.
Historically UC plays well in US Bank Arena. With the Sooners being 9-1 and talked about as a surprise team, this provides Cincinnati with the opportunity to get their best win of the season. Another chance to gain some respect back and it's a nationally televised game on ESPNU. That's a good situation to be in. If UC shows up understanding their opponent has the tools to beat them they will win this game. If they come thinking all they need to do is walk on the court and they'll overwhelm the Sooners they may well get beat. To me this is the measuring stick game for this new attitude and scheme. Great game to play just prior to playing Pitt in the BEast opener.
Two things I believe. 1) Cincinnati will answer the questions and critics and win this game. 2) We'll all have a much better ideal of where this team is and if this style of play will be effective against solid to good competition. I'm really looking forward to this game for many reasons.
Pledger hits 49% of his threes and is a overall legit player. He averages just under 20 a game so Dixon and Parker will have their work cut out and have to keep him in check. Sooners have 4 players averaging double figures and another at 9.8 ppg. Newell also shoots well from the 3 sitting exactly between 38%-39% from behind the arc. Grooms is a good point guard and hands out over 5 assist a game.
Oklahoma is 5th in the country rebounding the basketball. HUGE concern for the Bearcats. Osby is their leader and avrages over 8 rpg and nearly 4 of those on the offensive end. The Sooners hit the offensive glass. Especially Osby and Fitzgerald who pulls down 2.4 offensive rebounds a game. Between just the two of them they account for 6 offensive rebounds every game.
Their only loss has been to an above average St. Louis team. They have not played a power schedule but have played a solid one. They played 3 games at the 76 Classic in Anaheim and other then that have not ventured outside Oklahoma.
Historically UC plays well in US Bank Arena. With the Sooners being 9-1 and talked about as a surprise team, this provides Cincinnati with the opportunity to get their best win of the season. Another chance to gain some respect back and it's a nationally televised game on ESPNU. That's a good situation to be in. If UC shows up understanding their opponent has the tools to beat them they will win this game. If they come thinking all they need to do is walk on the court and they'll overwhelm the Sooners they may well get beat. To me this is the measuring stick game for this new attitude and scheme. Great game to play just prior to playing Pitt in the BEast opener.
Two things I believe. 1) Cincinnati will answer the questions and critics and win this game. 2) We'll all have a much better ideal of where this team is and if this style of play will be effective against solid to good competition. I'm really looking forward to this game for many reasons.
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