UC, Cronin ready to hit gas again
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 2:08 p.m. EST January 23, 2016


Maybe this is it. After a thrilling, fast-paced 76-72 win over Memphis, perhaps the University of Cincinnati basketball team will play more of the freewheeling offense it showed earlier this season.

UC (14-6, 4-3 American Athletic Conference) next plays Tulane (8-12, 1-6 AAC) on Sunday at noon at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats delighted their home crowd in racing past Memphis on Thursday, but the tempo derived partially from the frenetic style favored by the Tigers.

Will that continue against Tulane, a more offensively challenged but respectable defensive team?

“It’s easier when a team wants to run with you like Memphis,” UC coach Mick Cronin said. “We’ve got to continue to play that way.”

UC was a running, gunning machine when the season began, albeit against teams such as Western Carolina and Arkansas Pine-Bluff. The Bearcats averaged 96.3 points during their first four games but have settled into a 74.2 norm, with most of their AAC games being defensive grinders.

The lower scores were expected in league play, but UC players clearly enjoyed the quicker pace against Memphis. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../79144958/

“I think it’s very good for us,” said UC junior point guard Troy Caupain, who scored a career-high 25 points against Memphis. “When you can match a team’s energy, it kind of helps us out.”

Cronin said that UC also was able to play faster because the Bearcats were relatively fresh, having had a four-day break since a 67-65 double overtime loss at Temple last week.

“We could just worry about us and improving, instead of getting rest and trying to get ready for the next game all the time,” Cronin said. “That allowed us to get back to playing faster on offense. I think we’re a better team when we do that on the offensive end.”

LONG MEMORIES: UC players certainly recall Tulane’s last visit to Fifth Third Arena. The Green Wave upset UC 50-49 on Feb. 14, 2015, on a last-second 3-point shot by guard Jonathan Stark. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../23323453/ Stark since has transferred to Murray State.

“We just can’t come in with a lackadaisical mindset,” Caupain said. “We’ve got to be ready to play to the best of our ability.”

TULANE GLANCE: Tulane is led by 6-3 senior guard Louis Dabney, who averages 13.1 points. LSU transfer Malik Morgan (6-4 junior guard) averages 11.1 points, and 6-8 sophomore forward Dylan Osetkowski averages 10.5 points.

Coach Ed Conroy is in his sixth year at Tulane (88-93).

UC LEADERS: Caupain and senior shooting guard Farad Cobb are tied for the UC team scoring lead at 11.5 ppg each. Next are senior forward Octavius Ellis (9.9), sophomore forward Gary Clark (9.8) and senior forward Shaq Thomas (7.4).

STAT CORNER: Tulane ranks 10th in the 11-team AAC in scoring, 10th in field goal percentage and 10th in 3-point percentage. The Green Wave are No. 7 in the league in offensive rebounding.

Tulane is a respectable fourth in the AAC in scoring defense, but No. 9 in both field goal percentage defense and 3-point defense. Tulane is No. 7 in the AAC in defensive rebounding.

UC ranks No. 6 in the AAC in both scoring and field goal percentage, No. 3 in 3-point percentage and No. 5 in offensive rebounding.

UC is No. 1 in the AAC in scoring defense, No. 2 in defensive rebounding and No. 3 in field goal percentage defense. But, UC ranks only 10th in the AAC in 3-point percentage defense. Some of that has been shooters simply being hot, but UC also sometimes fails to find or pressure 3-point shooters.

ONE MORE: Cronin needs one win for 200 in his UC career, standing 199-124 in his 10th year as Bearcats coach. Cronin is second to Bob Huggins (399-127) on the UC career coaching win list.

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Quote:Cincinnati vs. Tulane

When: Sunday, noon

Where: Fifth Third Arena (13,176)

TV/Radio: ESPNU/700 WLW-AM

Records: UC 14-6 (4-3 AAC), Tulane 8-12 (1-6 AAC)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../79222764/

The team definitely plays better on offense when they push the tempo. I'll believe it when I see it. Usually they are putting around with the parking break on...