It’s an intriguing game for the UC Bearcats tonight. They all are, from now to March, each a resume builder or killer. Memphis is in town, but the Bearcats shouldn’t worry about who they’re playing. They really need to take care of their own business.

Their year has been disappointing to this point. A team with three senior starters and a junior point guard should be winning more close games than it loses. Especially when the fifth starter, sophomore Gary Clark, is arguably its most complete player.

Kevin Johnson, a junior, told gobearcats.com that UC has to be “more mature with our decision making. Then I think we’ll be in business winning those tight games.’’

That’s not a good thing to say about a team with UC’s experience.

“We need to start focusing in on what winning teams do, all the small things,’’ Johnson added. “I don’t think it’s like we’re not competing and I don’t feel like the talent is the problem. We’ve just got to string along those small things in a game whether it’s boxing out, getting rebounds, limiting our turnovers.’’

Early in the year, UC ran and shot and Mick Cronin wasn’t pleased with the defense. Now, the defense is better and the scoring is down.

Cronin said he wants more from senior Shaq Thomas. The numbers suggest that won’t happen. Thomas’ line has been about the same for three years. He has been UC’s biggest unopened package.

Octavius Ellis’ numbers are similar to last year, but he’s averaging five fewer minutes a game. Farad Cobb’s numbers are up, and he’s killing it from 3 (45%), but three-shooters are streaky shooters. Cobb is no exception.

Troy Caupain has not had a good year shooting. He’s already tried more threes and made fewer of them than last year. He’s the key to the offense, though.

The schedule hasn’t helped. Six of UC’s wins are over teams whose RPIs are 200 or below. The Bearcats beat Morgan State (348 out of 351), SE La. (344), Robert Morris (328), Ark-Pine Bluff (275), Norfolk State (230) and Bowling Green (200).

Without those six Ws, they’re 7-6. Their best win, at least according to the RPI, is over George Washington (33). UC itself is No. 82. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has them in the Madness at the moment, an 11 seed in a First Four play-in game.

Not exactly a glistening resume.

They’ve played good teams close, but close doesn’t impress the committee.

But there are nearly six weeks before conference tournaments. A world of time to be the team some of us thought they would be.

Gotta turn it around, though.


http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../79110524/

"Cronin said he wants more from senior Shaq Thomas."

Be afraid. Very afraid.

They absolutely have to get more from Thomas/Evans/Johnson. Those guys have collectively been nonexistent in conference play. Thomas played one really good game (UC won), Johnson played one really good game (UC won), Evans has yet to perform in conference play. It they continue to get nothing from those guys the offense will suffer. Getting consistent offense from Evans and enough good offensive days from Shaq/KJ in the non-conference was a big reason UC's offensive numbers were actually really in the nonconference slate.

The way to get more out of Thomas is to put him in the front of the full court press and tell him to try and trap if the ball is close to him. That gets him into the flow of the game more. Get him more energized. The only problem is Cornin will not run that full press. The one game he did was the one game that Thomas did good.

(01-21-2016 12:08 PM)gerhard911 Wrote:  "Cronin said he wants more from senior Shaq Thomas."

Be afraid. Very afraid.

Push the ball, push the ball and push the ball. You have athletes, not basketball players, give them a chance in the open floor.

we're fooked

These same guys were great on rebounding and defense last year. Regain that.

Unless I am mistaken all we lost from last year was Jermane Sanders. So new comers and increased experience have not made up for that huge loss and we regressed? WTF?

(01-21-2016 01:37 PM)doss2 Wrote:  Unless I am mistaken all we lost from last year was Jermane Sanders. So new comers and increased experience have not made up for that huge loss and we regressed? WTF?

Well the results have regressed more than the level of play due to last second finishes and a front-loaded schedule, but that doesn't mean I disagree.

FWIW 2015 Cincinnati 34th in Kenpom
2016 Cincinnati 32nd in Kenpom

Even if you take that as gospel, I would've expected more of a step forward this year with that much returning.

The reality is UC really does not have a leader on the court. Cobb is quiet. Ellis is not a leader and is prone to fits of immaturity that we have seen over the last two years. Shaq is Shaq, a mystery wrapped inside an enigma. Clark is quiet and not anywhere close to being a dominant presence on the court. Caupain is the glue to the team but a guy that averages just 11 points a game and walks the ball up the court is not a true point guard and is unlikely to lead you to championships. Evans and Jenifer need to get more minutes if this team is to achieve more this year. Give Shaq a comfortable seat on the bench. We know what we're going to get from him on the court which is not much, particularly when the game is on the line. Let Jenifer run the point some and put Caupain at the 2 guard slot that might allow Troy to get more open looks at the basket rather than launching threes with just a few seconds left on the shot clock. Unfortunately there is not a player on this team that has surprised this year by playing beyond expectations. So how the season plays out is very much in doubt. There is not a remaining game on the schedule that UC can't win, but, unfortunately, there also is no remaining road game that we can't lose.

(01-21-2016 06:58 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  Ellis is not a leader and is prone to fits of immaturity that we have seen over the last two years.

Let Jenifer run the point some and put Caupain at the 2 guard slot that might allow Troy to get more open looks at the basket rather than launching threes with just a few seconds left on the shot clock.

When does Ellis start to get credit for controlling his emotions this year? I know he's had a couple techs but has not let his emotions out of control this year.

Troy Caupain has played point guard his entire life. He leads the conference in assist to TO ratio and Jenifer is a TO machine. I'm not in favor of playing them together or playing Jenifer at all.

gotta give kudos to Shaq Thomas tonite. Possibly his best game ever as a Bearcat. When he plays as he did tonite, it gives UC an extra scorer. He brought great energy tonite. Ditto for Troy Caupain. He would not be denied tonite. He is capable of that kind of offensive performance every game. All in all, a very nice victory for the Bearcats. Always satisfying to beat a good Memphis team. Just wish we had Louisville, Pitt, WVU, Syracuse, et al back on the conference sked. Time to bring the old band back together.

(01-21-2016 07:33 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(01-21-2016 06:58 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  Ellis is not a leader and is prone to fits of immaturity that we have seen over the last two years.

Let Jenifer run the point some and put Caupain at the 2 guard slot that might allow Troy to get more open looks at the basket rather than launching threes with just a few seconds left on the shot clock.

When does Ellis start to get credit for controlling his emotions this year? I know he's had a couple techs but has not let his emotions out of control this year.

Troy Caupain has played point guard his entire life. He leads the conference in assist to TO ratio and Jenifer is a TO machine. I'm not in favor of playing them together or playing Jenifer at all.

Agree on both points. Amazed at the number of people that don't consider troy a pg. The offense is so much better with him running the show. No shock his assist to turnover ratio is so good.

They are the same people who wanted Troy to start at the 1 his freshman year. Now they want him off the ball

Troy is our guy, but if Quadri can see the floor, surely we can find 5 minutes for Jenifer. I know foul trouble plays a part, but still... if he's the future at the point, I'd like to get a look at him in conference play.

(01-22-2016 01:30 AM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  Troy is our guy, but if Quadri can see the floor, surely we can find 5 minutes for Jenifer. I know foul trouble plays a part, but still... if he's the future at the point, I'd like to get a look at him in conference play.

5 minutes max then, I like Jennifer, but in no way is he ready for these battles. I just do not get all those people wanting him out there in place of Troy, not sure what games you all are watching, but on this point Mick is correct.

Troy cannot play 35-37 minutes and maintain competiveness. Jennifer has to learn to play, and of all the UC guards, is the only one who know how to push the ball and dish. He has to play to learn to grow ( or we will screw around and get a transfer).

honestly I wish Troy was the 2guard....would take Jenifer being 'starter ready' which he's not. But Troy as the 2guard would be better for the team. Bring Cobb off the bench as an 'instant offense' guy.

I wish Evans was up to snuff to start and then we could take down Shaq's minutes too.

(01-22-2016 07:01 AM)ctipton Wrote:  Troy cannot play 35-37 minutes and maintain competiveness. Jennifer has to learn to play, and of all the UC guards, is the only one who know how to push the ball and dish. He has to play to learn to grow ( or we will screw around and get a transfer).

I agree any player starts to lose effectiveness when they play 35+ minutes. But Jenifer isn't the answer. If there's 80 minutes between the two guard spots it needs to be Troy 30-35 with KJ/Cobb playing 50-55 combined.

Someone else mentioned if you can find time for Quad you can find it for Jenifer. The fourth big guy gets called into action occasionally because of foul trouble; that rarely happens for the fourth guard. But I feel the same way about both; accidents waiting to happen. I give Quad credit though he's been able to give us some minutes without hurting us the last few weeks(until last night). Haven't seen the same from Jenifer.

I think Jenifer will start seeing more time as we face the dregs of the league (He just isn't quite ready against elite teams, though he has shown some flashes). Mick keeps worrying about Caupain wearing down (Which I think may be some of the walk it down we see), so I think he will try to steal more minutes against the lesser teams. I also think we get back to pushing it more against those teams as the defense seems to at least be starting to get back on track (Still got to fix that 3 pt defense).