Cronin still confident in revamped UC offense
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 2:36 p.m. EST November 15, 2014


Cincinnati Bearcats guard Deshaun Morman takes a shot during the second half. (Photo: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

After watching his team so frequently grapple to score last season, University of Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin was determined to make sure he improved the offense for 2014-15.

He recruited an abundance of strong, physical players who could score inside and a guard who could light it up from the perimeter in Farad Cobb. Combined with increased output from returning guards Ge'Lawn Guyn, Kevin Johnson and Troy Caupain, scoring would not be a problem.

Cronin remains confident that his plan will succeed, but there was scant evidence of that in the Bearcats' season-opening 52-37 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday night.

"I think we have a chance to evolve into a team that can score inside and has shot makers and two point guards that can make plays," Cronin said, "but again you've got guys, that A, they haven't played together and B, they haven't played in this system, so it's just going to take some time."

UC scored 52 points or fewer only four times last season. Two of those were losses.

Against the Red Flash, the Bearcats shot only 36.4 percent in the second half after shooting 54.2 percent in the first, when they made 8 of their first 11 shots. They scored only 23 points after intermission.

Shaq Thomas and Jermaine Sanders – two of UC's three most experienced players – were shut out. The Bearcats committed 17 turnovers and had only two players score in double figures.

UC was able to win fairly comfortably despite the lack of offensive production thanks to outstanding defensive play, which Cronin was pleased to see given that defense was his biggest concern during the preseason.

Perhaps most disturbing was the fact that the Bearcats made only 2 of 14 shots from 3-point range. That comes on the heels of a 2-for-16 performance in their last exhibition game.

"I think we made two 3's super early in the game," Cronin said. "Probably the last 35 minutes we didn't make a perimeter shot. When that happens the defense just collapses more and more. It's just so hard to get the ball inside."

Getting the ball inside is crucial to making this offense work at peak efficiency. The Bearcats didn't do a very good job of that Friday night, with Cronin citing the lack of touches for 6-9, 275-pound Coreontae DeBerry as one example.

"When he checks in the game we've got to get him the ball," Cronin said. "That's why he's in. You can't stop him down there. When he gets in the game and he's spreading out, he's hard to miss, but we don't have guys looking for him. But we will. We'll clean it up."

As Cronin pointed out several times, one game does not equal a trend. The Bearcats will get another chance to tune things up offensively Wednesday night when they play Morehead State at Fifth Third Arena.

"As we get better and as time goes on," Cronin said, "we've got to make sure we're figuring out ways to put the ball in our playmakers' hands, which would be Troy and Farad and make sure we've got our shooters spotted up and our big guys in the low post and get into that in different ways."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../19089727/

Pretty fair summary by Bill. But, the only thing I would really argue with him about is this:

Quote:Perhaps most disturbing was the fact that the Bearcats made only 2 of 14 shots from 3-point range. That comes on the heels of a 2-for-16 performance in their last exhibition game.

17 turnovers against a non-pressing mid-major is a MUCH bigger concern from where I sit.

And, Bill correctly pointed out that one game does not equal a trend. Need crisper passing in general (especially when Deberry is in), and to find rhythm on their shots. Bunch of new guys who haven't played much together. Games like this will happen.

One of the things UC has seemingly never done well in the Cronin era is throw post entry passes. Seems like they miss the window to throw them all the time. He talked a little about that in the post game with Chuck. UC seems to have some guys that can finish around the rim, need to find ways to get them the ball in position to score.

(11-16-2014 11:26 AM)BJUnklFkr Wrote:  Pretty fair summary by Bill. But, the only thing I would really argue with him about is this:

Quote:Perhaps most disturbing was the fact that the Bearcats made only 2 of 14 shots from 3-point range. That comes on the heels of a 2-for-16 performance in their last exhibition game.

17 turnovers against a non-pressing mid-major is a MUCH bigger concern from where I sit.

And, Bill correctly pointed out that one game does not equal a trend. Need crisper passing in general (especially when Deberry is in), and to find rhythm on their shots. Bunch of new guys who haven't played much together. Games like this will happen.

Some of those 3's were waaay off. Total airballs. Those aren't usually bad shooting, just looked like guys that were way too amped up to me.

I think we need to expect some sloppiness from all the young guys, but Thomas had 4 to's that's something he absolutely cannot do.

(11-16-2014 11:32 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  One of the things UC has seemingly never done well in the Cronin era is throw post entry passes. Seems like they miss the window to throw them all the time. He talked a little about that in the post game with Chuck. UC seems to have some guys that can finish around the rim, need to find ways to get them the ball in position to score.

I agree they've always struggled with that entry pass. It is also on the big men to get position to make the pass easier.

I think we have some bigs that have great touch, I'd really like to see a high low game with a combination of Moore, Ellis and Clark.