Cronin may use football players to help practice
Cats may tap Tuberville's team to add a little depth
Nov. 22, 2013 7:42 PM


UC basketball coach Mick Cronin says his most-fun seasons have been the ones when football players like Connor Barwin have played with the team. Enquirer file

Written by
Bill Koch

With freshman guard Deshaun Morman sidelined with a broken foot and freshman center Jamaree Strickland still trying to gain his eligibility from the NCAA, University of Cincinnati basketball coach Mick Cronin is hoping for some help from the football team after it finishes its season in a few weeks.

Cronin, who first broached the subject on his post-game radio show after the Bearcats’ victory over Campbell on Wednesday night, said Friday he was serious about finding a football player or two who can help the basketball team practice more efficiently.

UC currently has 11 scholarship players plus walk-on guard Zack Tobler available to practice.

“You’ve got to get some guys some rest,” Cronin said. “When you’ve got a two-hour practice you can’t have Sean Kilpatrick, Titus Rubles and Justin Jackson practicing the whole two hours.”

Having football players bolster the basketball team is nothing new at UC, where Connor Barwin crossed over to play two seasons of basketball – one under interim coach Andy Kennedy in 2005-06 and another under Cronin during his first year as head coach in 2006-07.

Barwin, now a linebacker for the NFL Philadelphia Eagles, was not just a practice player. He played in 18 games, averaging 9.9 minutes per game in 2005-06. The following year he played in 23 games and averaged 10.3 minutes.

“Connor’s a legend,” Cronin said.

Then there were linebacker Brad Jackson and wide receiver Brent Petrus, who played on the UC basketball team in 1997-98.

And in 1989-90 – Bob Huggins’ first year at UC – wide receiver Steve Sanders made the winning 3-point shot at the buzzer over Minnesota in the Bearcats’ first game at Shoemaker Center. Sanders, who started 34 games, led the Metro Conference in 3-point shooting.

“Some of the most fun times I’ve ever had are when you’ve got some of those guys around,” said Cronin, who was a UC assistant coach in 1997-98. “Brad Jackson is still a close friend of mine. He was the best. Him and Brent Petrus, those guys were great. Their attitude is great because they’re just happy to be there.”

One possibility from the football team is 6-foot-6 wide receiver Mekale McKay, who averaged 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds during his senior year at Moore High School in Louisville, where he was a finalist for Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball award. He was recruited both as a football player and a basketball player and has expressed an interest in playing college basketball.

Cronin said he has not contacted football coach Tommy Tuberville yet because he doesn’t want to be a disruption.

“I’m not bothering him now,” Cronin said. “I just tell him get the ‘W’ in Houston. We’ll worry about it after the Louisville game (Dec. 5). Academically, it would have to fit and Tubs and everybody would have to be OK with it. But we’re going to look into it and see if he’s got somebody that he thinks it would be good for. But they’re his guys.”

HOPE FOR STRICKLAND: Cronin said the NCAA is taking another look at Strickland’s case after receiving new information. Strickland has been ruled ineligible to this point because the NCAA has questioned some of his high school courses.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131...p-practice

Quote:“Connor’s a legend,” Cronin said.

Amen

Dear Lord please don't let it be Mekale McKay. I can see it now...McKay blows out a knee in bball practice or in garbage time during a game. He is an absolute stud wide receiver in the making and there is too much risk IMO. Mick needs another Connor Barwin type that can bang with the body, post up and occasionally go to the glass. If I'm CTT I do my best MC Hammer to Mick and say "You can't touch this" if you want McKay.

He better start recruiting some BB players that can shoot the damn ball.

(11-23-2013 10:36 AM)CincyBro Wrote:  He better start recruiting some BB players that can shoot the damn ball.

.472 from the floor and .360 from behind the arc as a team is not good enough for you?

Shooting has been pretty nice so far.

(11-23-2013 11:06 AM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  Shooting has been pretty nice so far.

Shot selection has been great so far.

(11-23-2013 10:50 AM)subflea Wrote:  

(11-23-2013 10:36 AM)CincyBro Wrote:  He better start recruiting some BB players that can shoot the damn ball.

.472 from the floor and .360 from behind the arc as a team is not good enough for you?

Against who???? All those easy shots of the press and around the basket are going away at the end of next week.

You can see into the future? Please tell me what stocks I should buy!!!!

We might not shoot quite as good as the 47% all year but I like the offense. I anticipate that we will continue to try to get the ball into the post. If that isn't open, I think our shooters will knock down the open shots.

Maybe UC football can use a basketball player to kick field goals?

Eric Lefeld was a pretty good hoops player in high school. A little muscle and five available fouls.

Cincinnati doesn't need them for the games. It is all about practice. I hope Strickland can at least get eligible to practice for the second semester.

Didn't Shakim Alonzo play HS basketball? He'd especially come in handy if a fight broke out.

He can have Miliano right now.

(11-23-2013 11:06 AM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  Shooting has been pretty nice so far.

It helps when they're not launching everything at the rim and making shots more difficult than they need to be ala Armein Kirkland.

(11-23-2013 01:50 PM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  You can see into the future? Please tell me what stocks I should buy!!!!

We might not shoot quite as good as the 47% all year but I like the offense. I anticipate that we will continue to try to get the ball into the post. If that isn't open, I think our shooters will knock down the open shots.

We both know when we start playing against the better teams and get into league there will be much better game planning done and we are not going to be able to drive to the basket at will. Really don't know how well Jackson or Lawrence will do down low against competent big men who are taller than them and most teams we play starting with N.M. should have the ability to break our press rather easily , I would think. Sooner or later someone other than S.K. will have to show the ability to knock down mid range or 3-balls consistently, I just hope they can do it, haven't shown it yet.