bearcat jeff
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JonRothsteinJon Rothstein
Steve Lavin on Cincinnati "They'll feast on your turnovers and get into the open court as quickly as anyone in the country."
Thought I'd start our chat about the Bearcats next game with a quote we didn't think we'd hear till 7 games ago. We can debate what Mick should of done and when he should have done it all we want. The bottom line is regardless of when and how, the changes have been made and this team is winning.
Cincinnati now passes the eye test. They still have some offensive lapses, and have to fix that to make the step from a good team to a very good team. They have learned that strong defense is a necessity not a chore. They are playing defense like they want to play defense. They know if they get a steal or deflection they're going to run. They know off a rebound they're going to run. They're playing hard and they're playing for each other. Say what you want but this team does "have a vibe about it" to quote Mike Brey. Given all this, and the multiple issues, team youth, and lack of depth, this is a game Cincinnati should win and needs to win heading into the teeth of the Big East.
The Red Storm have taken roster hits this season, lost recruits for next season, and have a head coach battling prostate cancer. They have a roster of 8 talented freshmen. Talent is talent but young talent typically does not fair well in the rigors of the Big East. Two of those freshmen, D'Angelo Harrison and Moe Harkless (former UC interest) are the unquestion leaders on this team. Mick has said he believes Harrison is the best Freshman in the Big East. They are probable 1 and done guys. Another former Bearcat recruit God's Gift Achiuwa carries the load for them in the paint.
Offensively Harrison and Harkless both average over 15 ppg. Achiuwa adds almost 12. Harrison has set Big East records for scoring as a freshman and both excel at taking the ball to the rim. Neither are great outside shooters. Harkless hits only 24% and Harrison 32% on three point shots. Harrison makes his living at the ft line. He has shot a team high 84 and makes them 82% of the time. GG is second and he makes nearly 74% of his. St. Johns as a team is horrible from behind the three point line at only 25% and shoot just enough behind the arc to keep you honest.
Defensively the Bearcats have to stop dribble penetration and can't allow offensive rebounds. Harkless averages 8 rpg and Achiuwa 7 and both are good offensive rebounders. If you box out and team rebound you take away a big part of the Red Storm's offense. I look for some zone to force St. John's to beat them from the 3. I also look for ball pressure coming up the court but for the UC guards to stay off Harrison in the halfcourt to prevent dribble drives. On these drives you don't have to worry as much about the kick out, but you have to stay in your passing lane to deflect or steal the pass to Harkless or Achiuwa cutting or underneath. The Bearcats will force tempo to wear down the Johnnies and their short bench. St. Johns is prone to turnovers. They have 4 players that have over 20 and Harkless is especially prone to lose the ball and leads the team with 34. The Bearcats need to captilize on these mistakes and make the Red Storm pay for throwing the ball away.
Tempo will be important on offense as well. The Bearcats will continue to push the action. I'd love to see Dixon, Cash and Killa, attack the rim, but Yancy Gates could have a huge game Saturday on the block. Achiuwa has great heart and toughness but there isn't anybody on St. Johns who matches up with Yancy physically. I believe the Cats will look for Yancy at every opportunity.
This is one of those games that scare you. You have to shake a young talented team and not allow them to begin to think they can beat you. With Harrison and Harkless on the floor they have two guys that can carry a team and match you basket for basket.
UC should win this game. They need to win this game. With what lies ahead of them over the next two weeks it is important to get another conference win. The Bearcats face some tough road games and none of the games are give me's. They have to earn them. This is the kind of a game a good team wins. It's at home and frankly the Bearcats have the better/deeper team. I think they will win and win it handily. My prediction is 73-59 Bearcats.
Steve Lavin on Cincinnati "They'll feast on your turnovers and get into the open court as quickly as anyone in the country."
Thought I'd start our chat about the Bearcats next game with a quote we didn't think we'd hear till 7 games ago. We can debate what Mick should of done and when he should have done it all we want. The bottom line is regardless of when and how, the changes have been made and this team is winning.
Cincinnati now passes the eye test. They still have some offensive lapses, and have to fix that to make the step from a good team to a very good team. They have learned that strong defense is a necessity not a chore. They are playing defense like they want to play defense. They know if they get a steal or deflection they're going to run. They know off a rebound they're going to run. They're playing hard and they're playing for each other. Say what you want but this team does "have a vibe about it" to quote Mike Brey. Given all this, and the multiple issues, team youth, and lack of depth, this is a game Cincinnati should win and needs to win heading into the teeth of the Big East.
The Red Storm have taken roster hits this season, lost recruits for next season, and have a head coach battling prostate cancer. They have a roster of 8 talented freshmen. Talent is talent but young talent typically does not fair well in the rigors of the Big East. Two of those freshmen, D'Angelo Harrison and Moe Harkless (former UC interest) are the unquestion leaders on this team. Mick has said he believes Harrison is the best Freshman in the Big East. They are probable 1 and done guys. Another former Bearcat recruit God's Gift Achiuwa carries the load for them in the paint.
Offensively Harrison and Harkless both average over 15 ppg. Achiuwa adds almost 12. Harrison has set Big East records for scoring as a freshman and both excel at taking the ball to the rim. Neither are great outside shooters. Harkless hits only 24% and Harrison 32% on three point shots. Harrison makes his living at the ft line. He has shot a team high 84 and makes them 82% of the time. GG is second and he makes nearly 74% of his. St. Johns as a team is horrible from behind the three point line at only 25% and shoot just enough behind the arc to keep you honest.
Defensively the Bearcats have to stop dribble penetration and can't allow offensive rebounds. Harkless averages 8 rpg and Achiuwa 7 and both are good offensive rebounders. If you box out and team rebound you take away a big part of the Red Storm's offense. I look for some zone to force St. John's to beat them from the 3. I also look for ball pressure coming up the court but for the UC guards to stay off Harrison in the halfcourt to prevent dribble drives. On these drives you don't have to worry as much about the kick out, but you have to stay in your passing lane to deflect or steal the pass to Harkless or Achiuwa cutting or underneath. The Bearcats will force tempo to wear down the Johnnies and their short bench. St. Johns is prone to turnovers. They have 4 players that have over 20 and Harkless is especially prone to lose the ball and leads the team with 34. The Bearcats need to captilize on these mistakes and make the Red Storm pay for throwing the ball away.
Tempo will be important on offense as well. The Bearcats will continue to push the action. I'd love to see Dixon, Cash and Killa, attack the rim, but Yancy Gates could have a huge game Saturday on the block. Achiuwa has great heart and toughness but there isn't anybody on St. Johns who matches up with Yancy physically. I believe the Cats will look for Yancy at every opportunity.
This is one of those games that scare you. You have to shake a young talented team and not allow them to begin to think they can beat you. With Harrison and Harkless on the floor they have two guys that can carry a team and match you basket for basket.
UC should win this game. They need to win this game. With what lies ahead of them over the next two weeks it is important to get another conference win. The Bearcats face some tough road games and none of the games are give me's. They have to earn them. This is the kind of a game a good team wins. It's at home and frankly the Bearcats have the better/deeper team. I think they will win and win it handily. My prediction is 73-59 Bearcats.