What we are... in year 6

[Who Dey Time]

As much as I blame Mick for tonights game and frankly the season as a whole, the team isn't going to go anywhere with UC's veterans playing so terribly inconsistent. Dixon has been terrible all year. Wright is good for a few minutes each game and is bad for the rest. Gates just isn't good enough to put a team on his shoulders. He should have dominated today. Part of that was on the coach, but eventually the players have to quit sucking. Cash is your only PG, Dixon can be good when he takes good shots but he kills the team when he doesn't, and that's a lot. Parker airballed a freaking layup for christs sake.

The talent level on this team just isn't good enough. As much as everyone on here likes to think UC's roster is made up of all-stars, it isn't. Every player is limited in certain ways. SK isn't quick enough and has trouble handling the ball as well as being a liability on defense, Dixon can't shoot worth crap, Parker is slow and is a terrible passer, Cash is weak, injured, and can't finish if he gets touched at all. It goes on and on. If this team is going to win, it's going to come from sticking to their roles and out hustling their opponents. That's not happening now.

This is an extremely flawed argument considering that no one in the Big East, with the exception of Syracuse, has played consistent basketball over the course of the season. Go down the standings and you will see mixed results all over the place even with teams like Marquette, Georgetown and Louisville.

At the end of the season you want to be in a position to be in the top third of the league which will guarantee an NCAA spot. If UC does what it should over the last 6 they will be in a good position. But, per usual, many are going to overreact to a road loss to a very good team and try to claim that it is not just a tough day but an indictment as to where the program has been, is at and where its going under Cronin. Those who do this are reaching badly.

 

[TheLongHaul]

This is an extremely flawed argument considering that no one in the Big East, with the exception of Syracuse, has played consistent basketball over the course of the season. Go down the standings and you will see mixed results all over the place even with teams like Marquette, Georgetown and Louisville.

At the end of the season you want to be in a position to be in the top third of the league which will guarantee an NCAA spot. If UC does what it should over the last 6 they will be in a good position. But, per usual, many are going to overreact to a road loss to a very good team and try to claim that it is not just a tough day but an indictment as to where the program has been, is at and where its going under Cronin. Those who do this are reaching badly.

None of those teams have been even close to as inconsistent as UC. Even so, the problems go well beyond consistency...And your argument is incredibly weak. "If UC does what is should over the last 6 games.." - well yea, and if they would have done what they should have done against Presbyterian, Marshall, Xavier, St. Johns, WVU, etc.. then we wouldn't be having this argument.

I jokingly said at the beginning of the year that if UC doesn't make the tournament this year then he should be fired. I said it because this team was plenty talented enough to make it. Yes, I know I've stated their issues above, but they are still good enough to make the tournament and right now they are firmly on the bubble. IF they do not make the tournament it will be a failure of a season. And the worst part is that next year could be even worse. Look at our big men for next year.....scary isn't it?

 

[Who Dey Time]

None of those teams have been even close to as inconsistent as UC. Even so, the problems go well beyond consistency...And your argument is incredibly weak. "If UC does what is should over the last 6 games.." - well yea, and if they would have done what they should have done against Presbyterian, Marshall, Xavier, St. Johns, WVU, etc.. then we wouldn't be having this argument.

I jokingly said at the beginning of the year that if UC doesn't make the tournament this year then he should be fired. I said it because this team was plenty talented enough to make it. Yes, I know I've stated their issues above, but they are still good enough to make the tournament and right now they are firmly on the bubble. IF they do not make the tournament it will be a failure of a season. And the worst part is that next year could be even worse. Look at our big men for next year.....scary isn't it?

How exactly is the argument weak? I've maintained since the start of league play that 11-7 was the number to get in. They need a 4-2 mark down the stretch and, in looking at the remaining schedule, there is no reason to think that they cannot do at least that. Considering how the league as a whole has played I'd argue that UC is no more or less inconsistent than a majority of BE teams. Where I will agree with you is that not making the NCAA would be incredibly disappointing but no one is going to get fired over it (yes I know you said you were joking).

As for next season, the big man situation is not as dire as you proclaim. JJ already is and will be better. Ellis will be able to contribute. Who the hell knows what Mbodj will or will not do and UC is in play for some legit big men in the remaining 2012 recruiting class.

 

[thebeast]

over react much? lol
Did I want them to win? Of course. Was I super pissed that they played like shit and got ran out of the building? Of course. But at the end of the day this was a tough game that was not going to go in our favor unless we got some lucky bounces. So you take from this game what you can, you learn from it, you motivate your players for round 2 with Marquette and you go beat Providence.
And to replay to the original post how can one game or the last 6 or so games be an indictment on the last 6 years. It stupid and foolish to post after a loss to the #19 team on the road that the program sucks. You didn't see anyone post after we beat the #11 team on the road how perfect of a program we are. Wait till after the season and until then grow up a little. How can you enjoy the season when every game you can't wait till they lose so you can post a anti-Mick thread on 2 sepreate boards.

Peace

 

[ready2go]

The inconsistency has been an issue over 6 years, not the past couple of games.

Micks philosophy is play hard on D and spread it out offensively. If they don't make jumpers they don't win.

Where exactly is the coaching in that?

I dont see sets that help this team put up points. We continue to see extended scoring droughts. I don't see a change of pace during the games. We see guards dribble the air out of the ball well beyong the 3 point line. We see little ball movement and little off the ball screening.

Defensively I havent seen them get out of that match up zone too often. Marquette was able to make quick passes and dribble drive penetration to hit the WIDE open man for a 3. No adjustments

 

[UCBearcats]

Mick vs Buzz, two coaches who came into the ranks of the BEAST at the same time. Two guys who are a pretty good barometer for eachother's development and success. Mick got his $hit handed to him yesterday. Out coached in every way. Buzz knew we'd run the matchup zone and devised a game plan to counter it. We went on a big run early and Buzz called a time out and collected his squad. Buzz knew Mickey Mouse would try to press so he countered with pressure of his own.

Instead of adjusting as Marquette was ripping our zone apart stubborn old Mick decided once again to watch as the game spiraled out of control, as if in some way proving yet another point to his team is more important than winning the game. We couldn't figure out the press and Mick calls a timeout. Instead of Mick calming the guys down and getting them refocused we come right back out and turn it over three more times in a row.

Mick got exposed again tonight yet some people still can't take their blinders off. Amazing, I said I'd give him the rest of the season and I will, but I don't see this ending well. It's hard not to bash the guy when HIS team plays this way. Totally out classed by a coach who he should be doing a better job than.

 

[BearcatMick]

You are retarded. People have a right to b*tch about Cronin. I don't see how you can type that garbage with a straight face and say A) 'Losing wasn't Mick's fault' B) 'We are in good position' and C) Next year looks promising

Your ad hominem attack proves how wrong you are. You are getting desperate

I think 3-1 against ranked BE teams on the road is pretty damn good.

This was by far the toughest game left on the schedule. It would have been great to get it, but if not you have three straight and four of the next five games at home. Four more wins is still well within reach.

Time to regroup for Providence.

Exactly

How many times have we heard....

" This game was not Micks fault"???? To many.

Look. Im not here to throw Mick under the bus, but sports are sports. When a team isnt reaching is potential for WHATEVER reason it comes back on the coach. Period. Right or wrong, a team winning or losing always resorts back to the coach.

It was not micks fault and you know it. They did not stick to the gameplan

I'll just post the same thing I did at BCN...

I couldn't possibly disagree more with any of this. Where this program has been to where it is today is not even comparable and to even suggest, even indirectly, that Mick has not done a very good...no, an excellent job here is just turing their back to any logical thought.

I'm not going to address each of your points TLL because I think this discussion is tired and so 2008. However, I do take exception with your comment about the freshman class. First and foremost, they really haven't played much (as expected since we had our four top guys back). Second, if you look at how our program was built both in the Huggs years and now under Mick, young players really do take a back seat to the vets. Over time, the young players become the vets and, over four years, prove their worth. I like what I have seen at times especially from Guyn and Davis. To state that they have done nothing is really dishonest. If you truly do think that then your idea of their roles on this current team is extremely misguided.

In the end, though, this discussion will go back to whence it came in mid March WHEN the Cats are in the NCAA. And as a side note (and I'm definitely not stating this about TLL) but I do find it odd that some of our favorite bash Mick posters have returned today to spew their nonsense. I'd say I missed some of you guys but that would be a lie.

It was one bad loss today. But just one. And, oh yeah, Marquette is pretty damn good especially at home.

2nd best post behind mine

 

[mplebanon]

At what point do we stop giving Mick credit for taking a decimated program back from the brink and at what point do we start looking at what he's done lately?

It's season 6, for God's sake. When he's been to the NCAA tournament twice in 15 years are you Mick apologists going to still be saying "but, but, but........he took a decimated program back from the brink".

Sheesh. This current team is underachieving. Underachievement is the fault of the coach, not the players. And if he can't get them to overachieve, there are PLENTY of coaches out there who can.

 

[mplebanon]

Your ad hominem attack proves how wrong you are. You are getting desperate

Exactly

It was not micks fault and you know it. They did not stick to the gameplan


2nd best post behind mine

Classic Mick Cronin apologist. No wonder attendance sucks and interest in UC basketball is at a 25 year low. Apathy and excuses are becoming the death of UC basketball.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

And to replay to the original post how can one game or the last 6 or so games be an indictment on the last 6 years. It stupid and foolish to post after a loss to the #19 team on the road that the program sucks. You didn't see anyone post after we beat the #11 team on the road how perfect of a program we are. Wait till after the season and until then grow up a little. How can you enjoy the season when every game you can't wait till they lose so you can post a anti-Mick thread on 2 sepreate boards.

Can you read? Obviously not.

My post has nothing to do with a loss to the number 19 team in the country.

We have lost 4 of 6. With 6 remaining games.

Last year we went 6-4 down the stretch. Not terrible. Not Great.

The year before that we ended the season 3-7 (this should have been a very good team)

The year before that we ended the season 4-6

Claim Im a Mick hater. Im not, hes got my full support. But im tired of being inconsistent.

Mick has done wonders for this program... But can he bring us to being an elite team? Ill accept nothing less.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

The inconsistency has been an issue over 6 years, not the past couple of games.

That was my point of the entire thread... People are to moronic to figure that out.

Losing to The 19 team on the road isnt the reason for the post. Losing 4 of 6 is... common theme over 6 years.

 

[mplebanon]

Can you read? Obviously not.

My post has nothing to do with a loss to the number 19 team in the country.

We have lost 4 of 6. With 6 remaining games.

Last year we went 6-4 down the stretch. Not terrible. Not Great.

The year before that we ended the season 3-7 (this should have been a very good team)

The year before that we ended the season 4-6

Claim Im a Mick hater. Im not, hes got my full support. But im tired of being inconsistent.

Mick has done wonders for this program... But can he bring us to being an elite team? Ill accept nothing less.

Me either. I was totally behind hiring Mick at the beginning. Hometown guy that would stay for years and not be looking to move on. I thought it was a good marriage. I fully support him to get the job done, but I question whether he is or not.

Seems like alot of fans are content with mediocrity. Sign me up on the list of fans that expects more.

Recruiting is mediocre. Coaching is mediocre. Results are mediocre.

Give me something more.

 

[Bearcat04]

This overreaction to a road loss against a ranked team is ridiculous. I have no problem with any fan that wants to rip the effort because it was poor, but trying to project the future success of the program on the outcome of one game is just silly. How soon we forget that this team beat the previous three ranked BE teams on the road.

Outside of a handful of a few elite teams every team in the country has been inconsistent, but yet we have fans that claim it's only us. UConn, UL, Pitt, and Marquette were all picked ahead of us in the preseason BE poll. UConn has lost six of their last seven games. UL lost five of seven games at one point and got beat by the worst team in the league by 31 points. Pitt lost eight games in a row. Marquette lost four of six games and scored only 59 points in a blowout loss to ND last weekend. I guess it's just us.

What's wrong with letting the season play out before we already call it a failure? Do we already forget that we made the tournament last year when we were just 6-6 in the BE?

 

[TheLivingLegend]

This overreaction to a road loss against a ranked team is ridiculous. I have no problem with any fan that wants to rip the effort because it was poor, but trying to project the future success of the program on the outcome of one game is just silly. How soon we forget that this team beat the previous three ranked BE teams on the road.

Outside of a handful of a few elite teams every team in the country has been inconsistent, but yet we have fans that claim it's only us. UConn, UL, Pitt, and Marquette were all picked ahead of us in the preseason BE poll. UConn has lost six of their last seven games. UL lost five of seven games at one point and got beat by the worst team in the league by 31 points. Pitt lost eight games in a row. Marquette lost four of six games and scored only 59 points in a blowout loss to ND last weekend. I guess it's just us.

What's wrong with letting the season play out before we already call it a failure? Do we already forget that we made the tournament last year when we were just 6-6 in the BE?

1. Learn to read, please.
2. I dont care about any other teams in the country, I want ONE team to be elite.
3. Learn to read, Never said the season was a failure. I stated OVER and OVER there is plenty of time to make the NCAA. Its definalty heading the wrong direction losing 4 of 6

 

[Bearcat04]

1. Learn to read, please.
2. I dont care about any other teams in the country, I want ONE team to be elite.
3. Learn to read, Never said the season was a failure. I stated OVER and OVER there is plenty of time to make the NCAA. Its definalty heading the wrong direction losing 4 of 6

Well you might want to start watching other teams around the country because your expectations are way out of whack if you thought this team was going to be elite. I love the fact that you question Mick's ability to coach, but yet you expect him to avoid bad stretches in the season that not even HOF coaches with future NBA players can avoid.

 

[thebeast]

You talk about losing four of six which is bad I agree until you look at who we play.
@West Virginia
Syracuse
@Rutgers
Depaul
@St. Johns
@Marquette
The Rutgers game we should have won no doubt about that but the others aren't easy games. Teams are going to have stretches like this in the Beast it just happens. And I know your going to comeback with your patented "are we going to settle with being just as good as other teams". Honestly right now we are very similar to other teams we are an average team that can explode for a number of games and beat just about anyone in the country.

 

[thebeast]

Well you might want to start watching other teams around the country because your expectations are way out of whack if you thought this team was going to be elite. I love the fact that you question Mick's ability to coach, but yet you expect him to avoid bad stretches in the season that not even HOF coaches with future NBA players can avoid.

This. This is a team very capable of getting to the sweet 16 but if your expectations were final 4 then of course you will be disappointed and pissed.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Well you might want to start watching other teams around the country because your expectations are way out of whack if you thought this team was going to be elite. I love the fact that you question Mick's ability to coach, but yet you expect him to avoid bad stretches in the season that not even HOF coaches with future NBA players can avoid.

Resort to 2.

A top three finish in the big east isn't aiming to high

 

[Bearcat04]

Resort to 2.

A top three finish in the big east isn't aiming to high

Of course it's not. I thought they had a decent chance to get a double-bye before the season. They were picked to finish 6th and I'm guessing they finish no worse than 6th. Outside of Syracuse they either have beaten or still have a chance to beat every team that is currently ahead of them in the standings.

 

[User Name:]

Your ad hominem attack proves how wrong you are. You are getting desperate

Exactly

It was not micks fault and you know it. They did not stick to the gameplan


2nd best post behind mine

Ad Hominem attack? Here's the problem with Mick apologists like you. You always credit him on a big win. ALWAYS. On a crappy loss, you always blame the players just like he does.

Like TLL, I too am appreciate of Mick stepping up to coach a program that literally had nothing. But this isn't some mid major school. We are in the Big East. We have a national reputation. We need to start seeing results. We need to start seeing players develop. We need to start seeing players go to the NBA again

Last year he was on the hot seat and would have most likely been gone had he not made the tourney. This year, with all the talent coming back and a preseason top 25 team, they may not make the tourney. Not only that, this team played like garbage until after the crosstown shootout at full strength. Why did it take him so long to realize the talents of this team and utilize it? Had he instituted this offense earlier, there's no way we lose to Marshall, X, or Presbyterian.

I know your response is going to be 'look at indiana' or some school like that...Indiana beat the #1 team in the country. Indiana has 2 top 10 recruiting classes coming in. Indiana is on the rise. Can we say the same for UC under Mick Cronin?