UC/St. Johns

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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.
 
Another game they should win.

Id hope for a 10+ win.

Things to look for
- SK to shoot better
- Tempo
- Yancy scoring some more points
- sanders playing time to increase
- Dion less threes
- As always.. attendance.
 
Who do you think matches up well with those two? Harkless mainly. At 6'8 hes kind of a inbetween matchup. Probably to big for sanders, parker... To quick for yancy. Justin playing big minutes?

I think you will see Parker and Justin play on Harkless. Parker may be a bit small but he is strong and can keep him out of the lane. Justin will depend on fouls.
 
I'd love to see SK step up and play a bit better D, but I don't think he's strong enough to guard him at this point.
 
I'd love to see SK step up and play a bit better D, but I don't think he's strong enough to guard him at this point.

SK's defense has been much better this year and I think will only continue to get better over the next couple years. That said, he doesn't have the size or length that a Rashad Bishop had. Asking SK to guard a 6'8" guy at this point in his career is a bit of a reach.
 
Looking for the Trifecta this weekend. Cats make it 8 in a row, Crosstown rivals continue the slide, Bengals win first Playoff game in 20 years. The icing on the cake would be Hometown Barry Lakin making the HOF which will be annouced Monday at 03:00 HRS
 
SK's defense has been much better this year and I think will only continue to get better over the next couple years. That said, he doesn't have the size or length that a Rashad Bishop had. Asking SK to guard a 6'8" guy at this point in his career is a bit of a reach.

Totally agree Jason, and also agree with your point on the 82 team reunion. Just making examples of things they could do.
 
I think you will see Parker and Justin play on Harkless. Parker may be a bit small but he is strong and can keep him out of the lane. Justin will depend on fouls.

Agree 100%.

Honestly, I'll take Parker guarding most players, EXCEPT (1) gigantic post players, like Yancy Gates, and (2) jet quick PGs.

I think Parker will be adequate against Harkless. JJ will def. get his chance too, but will likely pick up 5 fouls in 12 minutes of play.
 
Looking for the Trifecta this weekend. Cats make it 8 in a row, Crosstown rivals continue the slide, Bengals win first Playoff game in 20 years. The icing on the cake would be Hometown Barry Lakin making the HOF which will be annouced Monday at 03:00 HRS

3:00 hours or 15:00 hours? I hope its not 3am.
 
I look for JJ and JP to guard Harkless too. Can't wait to get to 5/3rd today. Looking forward to a Bearcat win and the watching the Bengals beat the Texans. If LaSalle beats X that'll make it a trifecta.
 
I look for JJ and JP to guard Harkless too. Can't wait to get to 5/3rd today. Looking forward to a Bearcat win and the watching the Bengals beat the Texans. If LaSalle beats X that'll make it a trifecta.

well then your 1-0... lasalle beat xu already ;) they got fordham today
 
I was at the game. It was a double edge sword. I want to be mad at Cronin because that was a terrible time for him to "send a message" by sitting every one of our scorers in the 2nd half. At the same time, our players were not driving to the basket and trying to get points. They settled for 3's. It was a team effort in the loss today. I hope they realize their mistakes.
 
If you liked the 4 guard offense while they won 7 in a row you cannot complain about a loss on a bad shooting day. The vast majority of the 3's were open looks, 10 shots within 4 feet of the basket were missed, the Bearcats were 13-44 shooting 2 point shots.
 
If you liked the 4 guard offense while they won 7 in a row you cannot complain about a loss on a bad shooting day. The vast majority of the 3's were open looks, 10 shots within 4 feet of the basket were missed, the Bearcats were 13-44 shooting 2 point shots.

So when your team has an off night shooting, youre just going to chalk it up as a loss? Unacceptable.

Too often I saw guys settling for 3's. They may have gone 13-44 from 2, but most of those were contested. I didnt see the same type of play offensively that I had seen the previous 7. Ball movement was around the 3 point line. Penetration ended up with a guy who didnt know what to do next. Little transition game

Terrible day in the Queen City
 
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