Ucf

[waterhead]

Some thoughts on the possibility CJB is/was losing the locker room. In a couple of the last pressers I was listening for some signals. But instead I heard DD say he would "run through a brick wall for that guy". I heard Davenport saying "Coach B" this and "Coach B" that. Hearing on social media that Tari's mom is squashing transfer rumors as well.

So I guess you find what you are looking for. Rumors are rumors and unless you can authenticate them...just don't put that crap out there. If Tari's mom feels the need to address rumors then I guess whoever was circulating them was not only wrong but working against the program. Get on the train unless or until it derails. Don't be fair weather fans...get behind the team and coach to help them do what you want to see.

Also I thought this moment with DD when asked about how did they come together after the Covid layoff and win games. He pointed to the "Cincinnati" on his jersey and said something to the effect of "that's why". Swagger and pride. The point (I think) was we are playing for Cincinnati...it's a storied program...big tradition...we gotta work hard to not let that down. I haven't heard that in a presser until I heard it from DD and that stuck with me.

I heard Brannen say it could be a different guy every night having success. But you have to express to your teammates that you are happy for their success. I get the sense that Brannen communicates team success is success for everyone. Everyone gets to eat when we do well. No pouting...only cheering and making the right play for your teammates etc. You can have a great season and guys can go pro even if they only average 13 pts a game. You will get noticed by scouts if you win...just from the exposure. But you can't do great things as a program with selfish individualism.

 

[cincyguy13]

Starting to really wonder what we got with Mason. In HS he played PG and focused on distributing more than he probably would have if his brother wasn't on the same team. If he was a feature player would his ranking be a lot higher? Gabe certainly has the height advantage and some other play making ability. Mason was second fiddle to Gabe but what if he wasn't?

So anyway he was able to gain some valuable ball handling skills by playing point. He's got the shot, quick trigger, good FT's, pretty decent athleticism, fire, competitiveness, cockiness, good BB IQ, good work ethic, etc etc.

Fast forward to college and he is now a SG with some ball skills and all the rest to go with it. That makes for a pretty damn good shooting guard. I think he will (over time) be able to make more drives to the lane as he gets comfortable with his ability. Heard a lot about the Madsens being gym rats and that is going to pay off. He's off to a better start than most would have expected so he is WAY ahead of the curve already.

But he's gonna have heavy competition. Next year we have to play Eason at the 4 which means Davenport will play some 3 and back up the 4. Gabe, Harvey and MAW will be looking for minutes on the wing as well. That is going to be one hell of a log jam with DD at point and Mikey as back up. Something has to give here.

If we can manage to get 2 bigs...hell even 3 bigs. Two transfers and maybe one HS...that will be a good set up. I don't see any need to recruit guards at all right now.

If mason was a 3 star, or no one knew his recruiting ranking, no one would have an issue with him. I’m not saying ranking don’t matter but they aren’t 100% fact either. The whole argument was started to reinforce the idea that brannen can’t recruit at this level.

 

[waterhead]

If mason was a 3 star, or no one knew his recruiting ranking, no one would have an issue with him. I’m not saying ranking don’t matter but they aren’t 100% fact either. The whole argument was started to reinforce the idea that brannen can’t recruit at this level.

I was convinced myself after hearing all the talk that we were going to have at best 12 of 13 good roster players. It was supposedly a monumental error to make it a package deal.

But I also remember a time when Cronin would have only 11 roster spots filled or 12. So I was like...we can't play 13 guys so who cares?

Even if he just does what he is doing now as a frosh he will be a positive roster spot. But there is more potential here so that is a very big win win.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I was convinced myself after hearing all the talk that we were going to have at best 12 of 13 good roster players. It was supposedly a monumental error to make it a package deal.

But I also remember a time when Cronin would have only 11 roster spots filled or 12. So I was like...we can't play 13 guys so who cares?

Even if he just does what he is doing now as a frosh he will be a positive roster spot. But there is more potential here so that is a very big win win.

He may and very well could be a bigger get than Gabe who isn't even on the roster...

Dude shoots it. Plays within himself. Understands basketball and is pesky defender. Sign me up.

 

[waterhead]

If mason was a 3 star, or no one knew his recruiting ranking, no one would have an issue with him. I’m not saying ranking don’t matter but they aren’t 100% fact either. The whole argument was started to reinforce the idea that brannen can’t recruit at this level.

I think some fans think we can get 13 highly rated players on the roster. That is hard to do in the AAC. The last couple of guys on the roster can be complete experiments and not really hurt the team that much. Even with one injury you would still have at least 10 average to above average players. We have played a lot of seasons with only 6-7 guys getting over about 13 mpg. That was a result of Cronin's recruiting philosophy of not recruiting over players.

It's hard to land 4 star talent if they see talent on the team already. But I think CJB has figure out how to do it. You grab the under rated players first and then go after the studs. Now you have studs and role players. Cronin would go all out on his biggest needs first and then fill in with role players (mainly defensive) because he would not recruit over veterans or studs. That is backwards. Get the role players and then fill in with studs.

 

[waterhead]

He may and very well could be a bigger get than Gabe who isn't even on the roster...

Dude shoots it. Plays within himself. Understands basketball and is pesky defender. Sign me up.

It very well could turn out that way. I think Gabe will eventually fulfill his potential but it could take a year or two to get there. Meanwhile Mason is fully functional as is. Weird!

 

[waterhead]

You are recruiting a 3 star guy...he sees no players on the roster that are intimidating. You sign him up with no promises made. You then get a 4 star guy after the fact and make no promises to him either...but he also sees no impediment to his playing time.

If you land the 4 star guy first....then the quality of 3 star guys (or 2 star guys) who will commit to the same position goes down. That was Cronins problem.

Now it doesn't always work out this way...but that is the type of philosophy you have to use. If someone ends up transferring out...they usually won't be the player that is playing better and getting the minutes anyway. Even if that player ends up being the 4 star guy.

 

[cincyguy13]

It very well could turn out that way. I think Gabe will eventually fulfill his potential but it could take a year or two to get there. Meanwhile Mason is fully functional as is. Weird!

I really hope gabe comes back. You can’t have enough shooters, especially at 6’4-6’5.

 

[skyblade]

Winning cures a lot, but I'm still not convinced. Let's see how we do against quality teams. We've dropped ~15 spots in kenpom over the last 4 games. It's the question of if we look good because of us or because of the bad teams we are playing.

We looked better this game, but UCF also looked horrible on defense. They had guys getting beat 1v1 over and over.

I'm still worried about next year, guys coming back and also the recruits. I'm more worried about next year than I am about this year, because we have already been eliminated from the NCAA tournament barring a miracle run in the conference tournament.

Hopefully waterhead is right that guys are committed. But I could see guys like Harvey, Tari and/or Diarra transferring at the end of the year. Especially if/when we start losing again when we start playing quality teams (and a loss or two to a bad team is not impossible, not like we've been blowing teams out).

Looking at the remaining schedule, I'm expecting 2-4. But I'm hoping for at least 3-3. I think the string of close wins to bad teams is making fans overestimated how good we actually are.

Onto Houston, unless we sneak a mid-week game in. I'm expecting a blowout loss, but let's hope I'm being pessimistic.

 

[cincyguy13]

Winning cures a lot, but I'm still not convinced. Let's see how we do against quality teams. We've dropped ~15 spots in kenpom over the last 4 games. It's the question of if we look good because of us or because of the bad teams we are playing.

We looked better this game, but UCF also looked horrible on defense. They had guys getting beat 1v1 over and over.

I'm still worried about next year, guys coming back and also the recruits. I'm more worried about next year than I am about this year, because we have already been eliminated from the NCAA tournament barring a miracle run in the conference tournament.

Hopefully waterhead is right that guys are committed. But I could see guys like Harvey, Tari and/or Diarra transferring at the end of the year. Especially if/when we start losing again when we start playing quality teams (and a loss or two to a bad team is not impossible, not like we've been blowing teams out).

Looking at the remaining schedule, I'm expecting 2-4. But I'm hoping for at least 3-3. I think the string of close wins to bad teams is making fans overestimated how good we actually are.

Onto Houston, unless we sneak a mid-week game in. I'm expecting a blowout loss, but let's hope I'm being pessimistic.

Convinced of what exactly?

 

[cincyguy13]

Winning cures a lot, but I'm still not convinced. Let's see how we do against quality teams. We've dropped ~15 spots in kenpom over the last 4 games. It's the question of if we look good because of us or because of the bad teams we are playing.

We looked better this game, but UCF also looked horrible on defense. They had guys getting beat 1v1 over and over.

I'm still worried about next year, guys coming back and also the recruits. I'm more worried about next year than I am about this year, because we have already been eliminated from the NCAA tournament barring a miracle run in the conference tournament.

Hopefully waterhead is right that guys are committed. But I could see guys like Harvey, Tari and/or Diarra transferring at the end of the year. Especially if/when we start losing again when we start playing quality teams (and a loss or two to a bad team is not impossible, not like we've been blowing teams out).

Looking at the remaining schedule, I'm expecting 2-4. But I'm hoping for at least 3-3. I think the string of close wins to bad teams is making fans overestimated how good we actually are.

Onto Houston, unless we sneak a mid-week game in. I'm expecting a blowout loss, but let's hope I'm being pessimistic.

Diarra should leave. If he thinks he could play at another school, I wish him well. Seems like a great person. I’m guessing he doesn’t have as many options as you think he does. He could probably go to a Georgia state type school and play.

 

[waterhead]

Winning cures a lot, but I'm still not convinced. Let's see how we do against quality teams. We've dropped ~15 spots in kenpom over the last 4 games. It's the question of if we look good because of us or because of the bad teams we are playing.

We looked better this game, but UCF also looked horrible on defense. They had guys getting beat 1v1 over and over.

I'm still worried about next year, guys coming back and also the recruits. I'm more worried about next year than I am about this year, because we have already been eliminated from the NCAA tournament barring a miracle run in the conference tournament.

Hopefully waterhead is right that guys are committed. But I could see guys like Harvey, Tari and/or Diarra transferring at the end of the year. Especially if/when we start losing again when we start playing quality teams (and a loss or two to a bad team is not impossible, not like we've been blowing teams out).

Looking at the remaining schedule, I'm expecting 2-4. But I'm hoping for at least 3-3. I think the string of close wins to bad teams is making fans overestimated how good we actually are.

Onto Houston, unless we sneak a mid-week game in. I'm expecting a blowout loss, but let's hope I'm being pessimistic.

I don't think anyone is over estimating the wins. But coming off the layoff we are happy it's 4 wins and not something else. Not sure what Kenpom matters at this point. We aren't an at large team...just hope we can potentially sneak in with a tourney win or it's on to next year.

As for next year I think we are pretty well stacked from 1-4...so we need to find some impact bigs. We need more than 1.

 

[skyblade]

Convinced of what exactly?

Of a lot of things.

That we are any good.

That guys will still look good when we play a quality team. That Brannen is a good coach. That we've won games because we have improved and not because we've gotten a little bit luckier and played worse teams. The difference between a 2 point win or loss is a couple of plays, which could just be more luck more than anything.

For example, We beat Tulane because in the last seconds they had two guys fight each other for the offensive rebound, that would have resulted in an easy game winning layup if either one of them had backed off and just let the other guy have it. You have to put yourself in a position to get lucky, but sometimes the difference between a win and a loss is one bounce of a ball.

That we are in good shape for next year. That Harvey and Eason are happy and won't transfer at the end of the year.

That half the guys we've had look good will be any good when we face a quality team.

We've pulled out close wins against the relatively cupcake part of our schedule. I'd be happier to have gotten a blowout or two. But much like when we face cupcakes to start the year (in a normal year), the real test comes when we face good teams.

We will be a favorite in one or two of the next six (vs Tulane and maybe @ECU). Let's see how we do against the top half of the AAC before we start throwing any parties.

 

[waterhead]

I don't think anyone is over estimating the wins. But coming off the layoff we are happy it's 4 wins and not something else. Not sure what Kenpom matters at this point. We aren't an at large team...just hope we can potentially sneak in with a tourney win or it's on to next year.

As for next year I think we are pretty well stacked from 1-4...so we need to find some impact bigs. We need more than 1.

4...Eason/Davenport
3...Davenport/Harvey/Gabe
2...MAW/Harvey/Gabe/Mason
1...DD/Mike/MAW/Mason

We are good to go for at least 2 years 1-4 with no transfers. We all know we need some bigs to defend. So let's see what happens

 

[cincyguy13]

Of a lot of things.

That we are any good.

That guys will still look good when we play a quality team. That Brannen is a good coach. That we've won games because we have improved and not because we've gotten a little bit luckier and played worse teams. The difference between a 2 point win or loss is a couple of plays, which could just be more luck more than anything.

For example, We beat Tulane because in the last seconds they had two guys fight each other for the offensive rebound, that would have resulted in an easy game winning layup if either one of them had backed off and just let the other guy have it. You have to put yourself in a position to get lucky, but sometimes the difference between a win and a loss is one bounce of a ball.

That we are in good shape for next year. That Harvey and Eason are happy and won't transfer at the end of the year.

That half the guys we've had look good will be any good when we face a quality team.

We've pulled out close wins against the relatively cupcake part of our schedule. I'd be happier to have gotten a blowout or two. But much like when we face cupcakes to start the year (in a normal year), the real test comes when we face good teams.

We will be a favorite in one or two of the next six (vs Tulane and maybe @ECU). Let's see how we do against the top half of the AAC before we start throwing any parties.

Has anyone said we are good? I haven’t seen it.
Has anyone said brannen is a good coach? I’ve seen people say it’s too early to tell but I don’t think anyone has said, “this guy is great”.

The majority seem to think it’s a positive that they won some games, guys are showing some signs, and hopefully it continues.

Seem like you’re arguing with your self on some of these topics. No one is under the impression that these are groundbreaking victories.

 

[waterhead]

4...Eason/Davenport
3...Davenport/Harvey/Gabe
2...MAW/Harvey/Gabe/Mason
1...DD/Mike/MAW/Mason

We are good to go for at least 2 years 1-4 with no transfers. We all know we need some bigs to defend. So let's see what happens

I would add here that even if Eason and Harvey both transferred we would still be in decent shape. Not that we should be entertaining rumors like this.

Davenport would play the 4 if Eason left. We have a lot of guards right now and Harvey is 8th on team in mpg right now

 

[cincyguy13]

I would add here that even if Eason and Harvey both transferred we would still be in decent shape. Not that we should be entertaining rumors like this.

Davenport would play the 4 if Eason left. We have a lot of guards right now and Harvey is 8th on team in mpg right now

How did Harvey get in the transfer rumors? Are people just making things up at this point? I get that anyone could transfer in today’s game but all the sudden half our team is transferring?

 

[waterhead]

Has anyone said we are good? I haven’t seen it.
Has anyone said brannen is a good coach? I’ve seen people say it’s too early to tell but I don’t think anyone has said, “this guy is great”.

The majority seem to think it’s a positive that they won some games, guys are showing some signs, and hopefully it continues.

Seem like you’re arguing with your self on some of these topics. No one is under the impression that these are groundbreaking victories.

Noone:

Critics: I guess CJB is the 2nd coming now right?

Noone: Excuse me??

Critics: We aren't a NC caliber team this year

Noone: Same??

Critics: I guess Vogt is your idol now

Noone: Say what??

Critics: What about those potential transfers next year (Eason/Harvey)?

Noone: huh??

Critics: Diara?

Nonone: Well let's not get ahead of ourselves...

Critics: Why is everyone so overjoyed??

Everyone: ?? ?? What now??

 

[cincyguy13]

Noone:

Critics: I guess CJB is the 2nd coming now right?

Noone: Excuse me??

Critics: We aren't a NC caliber team this year

Noone: Same??

Critics: I guess Vogt is your idol now

Noone: Say what??

Critics: What about those potential transfers next year (Eason/Harvey)?

Noone: huh??

Critics: Diara?

Nonone: Well let's not get ahead of ourselves...

Critics: Why is everyone so overjoyed??

Everyone: ?? ?? What now??

This is The exact conversations we have on this board.

 

[waterhead]

How did Harvey get in the transfer rumors? Are people just making things up at this point? I get that anyone could transfer in today’s game but all the sudden half our team is transferring?

Well he is not playing as much as he would like so...so...transfer is on the table I guess. Maybe it hasn't been verified (at all like Eason) but we all see the writing on the wall I think? I mean there was a rumor spread about it so we have to consider it to be true at the very least.

The more we repeat the rumor the more likely it becomes. That's how it works I think. Facts aren't important...

But someday someone will be right and we will have to hear about their 10% accuracy on predictions. I told you so...