UCLA

[JackBauer151]

More coaching speculation.....

1. Minnesota coveted VCU’s Shaka Smart, but his former boss, current Golden Gophers athletic director Norwood Teague, couldn’t convince Smart to come to the Twin Cities (he should know Smart is loyal to VCU) for the head-coaching job from which Tubby Smith was just fired. According to sources, the Gophers have now turned their attention to Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg and Butler’s Brad Stevens. We’ll see, but I’ll be shocked if either were to go to Minnesota. Hoiberg is the Mayor in Ames (it's his alma mater) and has Iowa State in a good place after back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. If Hoiberg were to leave for Minnesota, the NBA's Timberwolves, not the Gophers, would make more sense. I can’t see Stevens bolting, either, with how much he loves the Butler way and working for AD Barry Collier. Stevens can have a lifetime contract at Butler, much like Mark Few has at Gonzaga. If they can't convince either of these two, the Gophers may make a play for Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin. But Cronin is from Cincinnati and loves his gig, too. The only reason he might listen is if he sees the need to go to a school in a more stable conference.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...d/82017/3-point-shot-coaching-carousel-whirls

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

He also went to one with Cincy with his own recruits. Mick hasn't. Just a fact.

Maybe Mick needs an assistant coach to beg and plead him to recruit someone that can put the ball in the basket. It is, after all, the whole objective of the game.

Would you like to go through the list of Cronin's recruiting misses? All coaches have them.

CincyPaw if you read the article I linked above you may come away with a little different perspective. most recruits come in knowing how to put the ball in the hole. What they don't kow is how to play defense. Lots of successful coaches stress defense over offense. Huggins did and so did Pitino. One thing I loved about Bob is that if you don't guard you don't play. A player could miss a shot but if he gave up the baseline or didn't box out he would be on the bench before the buzzer quit sounding.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

More coaching speculation.....

1. Minnesota coveted VCU’s Shaka Smart, but his former boss, current Golden Gophers athletic director Norwood Teague, couldn’t convince Smart to come to the Twin Cities (he should know Smart is loyal to VCU) for the head-coaching job from which Tubby Smith was just fired. According to sources, the Gophers have now turned their attention to Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg and Butler’s Brad Stevens. We’ll see, but I’ll be shocked if either were to go to Minnesota. Hoiberg is the Mayor in Ames (it's his alma mater) and has Iowa State in a good place after back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. If Hoiberg were to leave for Minnesota, the NBA's Timberwolves, not the Gophers, would make more sense. I can’t see Stevens bolting, either, with how much he loves the Butler way and working for AD Barry Collier. Stevens can have a lifetime contract at Butler, much like Mark Few has at Gonzaga. If they can't convince either of these two, the Gophers may make a play for Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin. But Cronin is from Cincinnati and loves his gig, too. The only reason he might listen is if he sees the need to go to a school in a more stable conference.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...d/82017/3-point-shot-coaching-carousel-whirls

Jack saw this as well. Don't think Mick leaves for the gophers job. He will roll the dice that we end up in ACC. If not other opportunities will come along.

 

[Bearcat04]

CincyPaw if you read the article I linked above you may come away with a little different perspective. most recruits come in knowing how to put the ball in the hole. What they don't kow is how to play defense. Lots of successful coaches stress defense over offense. Huggins did and so did Pitino. One thing I loved about Bob is that if you don't guard you don't play. A player could miss a shot but if he gave up the baseline or didn't box out he would be on the bench before the buzzer quit sounding.

Almost all of the best coaches are defensive minded. The only top coach that I can think of that is more offensive minded is Roy Williams.

 

[L-T]

Thanks L_T. I went to the games when coach Huggins roamed the sideline and I go now that Mick is the coach. I can honestly say I've never rooted against the Cats. Hell, my Kids went to other Universities and they still root for the Cats. I was disappointed when Bob was fired but I still follow and root for the home team. If people out there want Mick to fail they are not true fans of the program.

There is no true Bearcat fan that would want Mick to fail, including myself. I could care less who coaches this team. It can be a woman for all I care. Just win, win championships, graduate players, keep our reputation strong (both as a clean program, and as a basketball power), recruit strong, be a great teacher of the fundamentals, and fill the stands with enthusiastic fans. The attendance got better this year. the recruiting got better this year. The scheduling is improving. Let's hope this all leads to fulfilling all the other things I listed.

We have a great basketball tradition at this school and that should never be minimalized, especially by anyone calling themselves a fan. Minimalizing Huggs years is also minimalizing Mick, because he was a big part of those teams. And, he should get credit for Huggs success as well, because he was a dynamic recruiter. It all runs together and hopefully the future here is as bright under Mick as it has been in the past.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Almost all of the best coaches are defensive minded. The only top coach that I can think of that is more offensive minded is Roy Williams.

Bearcart04 one thng most coahes understand is that you can have a off night shooting. That is a given. Defense is built on effort and postioning. No reason to have a off night playing Defense.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

There is no true Bearcat fan that would want Mick to fail, including myself. I could care less who coaches this team. It can be a woman for all I care. Just win, win championships, graduate players, keep our reputation strong (both as a clean program, and as a basketball power), recruit strong, be a great teacher of the fundamentals, and fill the stands with enthusiastic fans. The attendance got better this year. the recruiting got better this year. The scheduling is improving. Let's hope this all leads to fulfilling all the other things I listed.

We have a great basketball tradition at this school and that should never be minimalized, especially by anyone calling themselves a fan. Minimalizing Huggs years is also minimalizing Mick, because he was a big part of those teams. And, he should get credit for Huggs success as well, because he was a dynamic recruiter. It all runs together and hopefully the future here is as bright under Mick as it has been in the past.

absolutely on the money

 

[TheLongHaul]

why again is this a Cronin vs. Huggins debate? Both were good for UC basketball. How about we leave it at that.

 

[UCBearcats]

Almost all of the best coaches are defensive minded. The only top coach that I can think of that is more offensive minded is Roy Williams.

There is nothing wrong with being defensive minded. What has made Mick's teams even remotely successful is that he has his teams playing some of the best defense in the country.

I really wish Mick would hire someone to focus on the offensive side of our game. We have an off-season ahead of us, we are graduating some core guys and bringing in some new blood. Now is the time to install a new scheme. At some point this team has to be able to score, defense will only take you so far.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

why again is this a Cronin vs. Huggins debate? Both were good for UC basketball. How about we leave it at that.

sounds good

 

[JasonS]

Jack saw this as well. Don't think Mick leaves for the gophers job. He will roll the dice that we end up in ACC. If not other opportunities will come along.

I agree. Plus, in college basketball, conference affiliation is not nearly as important as it is in football. The administration is beefing up the non conference schedule (read the Bearcats Breakfast today by Paul Dehner Jr if you haven't: good perspective and insight) and really, these kids want an opportunity to play against good competition and in the NCAA Tourney. Sure, the Big East was a nice recruiting tool but it wasn't the only recruiting tool.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

There is nothing wrong with being defensive minded. What has made Mick's teams even remotely successful is that he has his teams playing some of the best defense in the country.

I really wish Mick would hire someone to focus on the offensive side of our game. We have an off-season ahead of us, we are graduating some core guys and bringing in some new blood. Now is the time to install a new scheme. At some point this team has to be able to score, defense will only take you so far.

Many coaches will tell yuo defense wins Championships.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I agree. Plus, in college basketball, conference affiliation is not nearly as important as it is in football. The administration is beefing up the non conference schedule (read the Bearcats Breakfast today by Paul Dehner Jr if you haven't: good perspective and insight) and really, these kids want an opportunity to play against good competition and in the NCAA Tourney. Sure, the Big East was a nice recruiting tool but it wasn't the only recruiting tool.

Saw it. Nice read. We will end up in a good conference. jason here is another article on JC players transitioning to D1. Really give some good numbers comparing Rubles.

http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2013/03/titus-rubles-and-junior-college-learning-curve.html

 

[L-T]

why again is this a Cronin vs. Huggins debate? Both were good for UC basketball. How about we leave it at that.

Bingo! You might want to talk to Ralph. He is even bashing Huggs for his WVU years.

Huggs is long gone, yet fondly remembered. Remember, there were no Bearcat fans before him. I went to every game in the 80s when you could stretch out your legs over the seat in front of you because there was nobody in front of you....or behind you for that matter. It was me and one or two thousand more, sitting in Riverfront Coliseum and then in Xavier's home court having to look at their disgusting banners hanging all over the place. Huggs built this program from scratch. Mick must now build on that success and make it even better.

I think we're all on the same page.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

There is nothing wrong with being defensive minded. What has made Mick's teams even remotely successful is that he has his teams playing some of the best defense in the country.

I really wish Mick would hire someone to focus on the offensive side of our game. We have an off-season ahead of us, we are graduating some core guys and bringing in some new blood. Now is the time to install a new scheme. At some point this team has to be able to score, defense will only take you so far.

UCBearcats, if any of these guys intend to see major minutes they better no how to guard. That isn't just micks rule that is most coaches rule.

 

[UCBearcats]

Many coaches will tell yuo defense wins Championships.

That's fine but I think we can all agree that Mick's teams haven't played the type of offense that is capable of winning you a championship. Look at Louisville, yeah they get deflections and press and have guys that hustle for an entire game but they also can put the ball in the basket. If Louisville wins the championship it will be because they played the best combination of offense and defense of anyone in the country. Louisville scored less than 60 points only 3 times this season. I'm willing to bet UC held their opponents to a lower average point total than Louisville did but that was by design. You don't have to win games 53-47 to be considered a great defensive team, you can win 75-67 and still be a great defensive team, I think that's where Mick needs to be willing to change.

Mick has to improve his offense, either he needs to be willing to change what he's been trying to do or he needs to go out and hire someone to who can be that offensive expert while he continues to focus on the defense.

 

[UCBearcats]

UCBearcats, if any of these guys intend to see major minutes they better no how to guard. That isn't just micks rule that is most coaches rule.

I agree 100%, I just posted the same thing the other day. Mick will not play guys if they can't guard.

 

[bearcat1]

There is no true Bearcat fan that would want Mick to fail, including myself. I could care less who coaches this team. It can be a woman for all I care. Just win, win championships, graduate players, keep our reputation strong (both as a clean program, and as a basketball power), recruit strong, be a great teacher of the fundamentals, and fill the stands with enthusiastic fans. The attendance got better this year. the recruiting got better this year. The scheduling is improving. Let's hope this all leads to fulfilling all the other things I listed.

We have a great basketball tradition at this school and that should never be minimalized, especially by anyone calling themselves a fan. Minimalizing Huggs years is also minimalizing Mick, because he was a big part of those teams. And, he should get credit for Huggs success as well, because he was a dynamic recruiter. It all runs together and hopefully the future here is as bright under Mick as it has been in the past.

I think most on here feel exactly like this, but not everyone. I have read a post from a poster on this site stating that they root for Cronin to fail harder than for the team to win. They root for both, but root more for Cronin's failure. Are you saying that you would not consder this to be a true Bearcat fan.

 

[L-T]

I think most on here feel exactly like this, but not everyone. I have read a post from a poster on this site stating that they root for Cronin to fail harder than for the team to win. They root for both, but root more for Cronin's failure. Are you saying that you would not consder this to be a true Bearcat fan.

I would absolutely say that this is not a true Bearcat fan. Nobody wants Mick to fail. But nobody wants a Mid-major program either. Listen, I know there are many fans out there who will never forgive Mick for leaving to go to our No. 1 rival. I've heard that complaint from many. That was only a notch below leaving for Xavier. It is what it is. The people who still hold that grudge will never move on I guess. I look at it as a positive that he got to study under Pitino, then got some hands-on experience coaching Murray St. He was ready for this job. And, for the most part, he has done well. For me, I'm just looking for more improvement "on the court"

 

[bearcat1]

I would absolutely say that this is not a true Bearcat fan. Nobody wants Mick to fail. But nobody wants a Mid-major program either. Listen, I know there are many fans out there who will never forgive Mick for leaving to go to our No. 1 rival. I've heard that complaint from many. That was only a notch below leaving for Xavier. It is what it is. The people who still hold that grudge will never move on I guess. I look at it as a positive that he got to study under Pitino, then got some hands-on experience coaching Murray St. He was ready for this job. And, for the most part, he has done well. For me, I'm just looking for more improvement "on the court"

I agree 100% on the entirety of your post.