(03-19-2016 07:47 PM)bearcat65 Wrote:  Guards who can create offense for themselves and their teammates by breaking down defenses off the dribble win games. 4 and 5 men are only as good as the guards who get them the ball.

I strongly agree with this. I think it's why we were really inconsistent this year. Of all our 2-3 guys Evans was the only one who was a capable driver. Next year with him more confident and Cumberland well be a much harder team to defend.

(03-19-2016 07:47 PM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 04:44 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  I believe the conference situation hurts and the arena is ten years older than when Mick first started, his health situation probably hurt recruiting too over the last year.

There really isn't a need to replace Deberry other than finding another big man to fill the rotation, same thing with Ellis. Today's college basketball game is won with skills at the four and five spots. Cincinnati was one of a handful of teams that played through the low post and in my view that was probably based on personal not on what the this staff feels is the best type of team for the future.

The Bearcats defense really struggled with athletic, undersized teams, that used their quickness. The team was built to win brawls with UConn and SMU and not win up and down scoring contests with Iowa State, Butler, Xavier, Houston, and St. Joe's. Once again next years schedule has the Bearcats playing a bunch of really skilled offensive teams in the non-conference. How UC does against this group should tell us a lot about their chances of advancing in March. I would argue that losing the two current bigs gives UC a better chance to compete against the highly skilled teams that typically advance in March.

Guards who can create offense for themselves and their teammates by breaking down defenses off the dribble win games. 4 and 5 men are only as good as the guards who get them the ball.

Ultimately you need balance but on the whole I prefer stronger guard play in the tourney and it would seem deeper runs often result. Ball handling skills late in close games is key and presents more options to score with penetrating the lane or passing to an open teammate. Also, most of your better free throw shooters are guards that comes in handy late in games. I think a great example is the guard play of UConn in their 4 championship seasons - El-Amin/Hamilton (1999), Gordon/Anderson (2004), Walker/Napier (2011) and Napier/Boatright (2014).

Raise your hand if you're happy Ellis is gone...

<hand raised>

(03-19-2016 08:23 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  Raise your hand if you're happy Ellis is gone...

<hand raised>

Not me. It was disappointing he didn't raise his game as a senior but he was a solid player and great defender for two years. Not to mention the improvement in his on court anger issues. He's been through a lot and you can tell the coaches really care for him. Hope he's able to make a good life for himself in an overseas league.

(03-19-2016 08:30 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:23 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  Raise your hand if you're happy Ellis is gone...

<hand raised>

Not me. It was disappointing he didn't raise his game as a senior but he was a solid player and great defender for two years. Not to mention the improvement in his on court anger issues. He's been through a lot and you can tell the coaches really care for him. Hope he's able to make a good life for himself in an overseas league.

This

I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I'm disgusted by people who are saying that Jenifer is worthless and will never be a contributor on this team. At least we have a sample size with Moore that we shouldn't expect too much from him, but c'mon! Jenifer didn't play very much behind Caupain this year so how can anyone be so confident that he isn't ever going to make a contribution?

(03-19-2016 08:35 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:30 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:23 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  Raise your hand if you're happy Ellis is gone...

<hand raised>

Not me. It was disappointing he didn't raise his game as a senior but he was a solid player and great defender for two years. Not to mention the improvement in his on court anger issues. He's been through a lot and you can tell the coaches really care for him. Hope he's able to make a good life for himself in an overseas league.

This

he was soft around the rim, sulked, and didn't play smart

other than that, he was a great kid

(03-19-2016 08:44 PM)crex043 Wrote:  I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I'm disgusted by people who are saying that Jenifer is worthless and will never be a contributor on this team. At least we have a sample size with Moore that we shouldn't expect too much from him, but c'mon! Jenifer didn't play very much behind Caupain this year so how can anyone be so confident that he isn't ever going to make a contribution?

I'm actually on the other side of this. As long as the criticisms are based on play and not personal that's what message boards are for.

I'm one who doesn't see a future for a guy who is a scoring and defensive liability. If he's going to be a starter when Troy leaves we should have been able to get 5-10 minutes from him last night, especially considering we were playing 4 guards most of the half.

(03-19-2016 08:44 PM)crex043 Wrote:  I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I'm disgusted by people who are saying that Jenifer is worthless and will never be a contributor on this team. At least we have a sample size with Moore that we shouldn't expect too much from him, but c'mon! Jenifer didn't play very much behind Caupain this year so how can anyone be so confident that he isn't ever going to make a contribution?

He's not worthless, but he's certainly got a lot of work to do.

I think most of the people displaying their displeasure with him is because of the expectations he had when he was recruited and arrived on campus. A lot of people had been talking him up and he didn't add much of anything as a freshman.

(03-19-2016 08:35 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:30 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:23 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  Raise your hand if you're happy Ellis is gone...

<hand raised>

Not me. It was disappointing he didn't raise his game as a senior but he was a solid player and great defender for two years. Not to mention the improvement in his on court anger issues. He's been through a lot and you can tell the coaches really care for him. Hope he's able to make a good life for himself in an overseas league.

This

This X2.
Ellis contributed, managed his demons and will graduate.
His teammates love him and so do his coaches.

Considering where he came from, what he's been through and what he's seen in his life, he is better for having been a Bearcat. His daughter's life will be better for it.

I am proud that my alma mater gave him a chance not once but twice. Other schools passed on him the first time or wouldn't have given him the chance to return.

Life is more than Ws and Ls.
I wish Tay nothing but the best and thank him for his contributions.

(03-19-2016 08:54 PM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:44 PM)crex043 Wrote:  I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I'm disgusted by people who are saying that Jenifer is worthless and will never be a contributor on this team. At least we have a sample size with Moore that we shouldn't expect too much from him, but c'mon! Jenifer didn't play very much behind Caupain this year so how can anyone be so confident that he isn't ever going to make a contribution?

He's not worthless, but he's certainly got a lot of work to do.

I think most of the people displaying their displeasure with him is because of the expectations he had when he was recruited and arrived on campus. A lot of people had been talking him up and he didn't add much of anything as a freshman.

He's a freshman. He was built up as the next best thing before he arrived and that might have been more the coaches blowing smoke up our a$$e$ than the kid's fault He deserves the chance to work on his game and get better.

Kmart was a pretty sucky freshman too. All he did when he came into a game was foul.He got better with coaching and his own will and effort.

I guess the UK game last year in the tourny is what I will remember him for: fighting against all odds of perception, having success and showing he's capable despite flaws. Obstacles are what we all share.

Kansas has this. up 12 with 3 to go

(03-19-2016 09:01 PM)mptnstr@44 Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:54 PM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:44 PM)crex043 Wrote:  I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I'm disgusted by people who are saying that Jenifer is worthless and will never be a contributor on this team. At least we have a sample size with Moore that we shouldn't expect too much from him, but c'mon! Jenifer didn't play very much behind Caupain this year so how can anyone be so confident that he isn't ever going to make a contribution?

He's not worthless, but he's certainly got a lot of work to do.

I think most of the people displaying their displeasure with him is because of the expectations he had when he was recruited and arrived on campus. A lot of people had been talking him up and he didn't add much of anything as a freshman.

He's a freshman. He was built up as the next best thing before he arrived and that might have been more the coaches blowing smoke up our a$$e$ than the kid's fault He deserves the chance to work on his game and get better.

Kmart was a pretty sucky freshman too. All he did when he came into a game was foul.He got better with coaching and his own will and effort.

Kmart was really one of a kind but probably an extreme example to use in terms of talent progression and work ethic. I agree that the jury is out on Jenifer and he deserves more time to develop his game before we render final judgments.

Kmart wasn't a sucky freshman. He was a good player early on. Just unpolished on offense. He always belonged in the game.

(03-19-2016 09:18 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Kmart wasn't a sucky freshman. He was a good player early on. Just unpolished on offense. He always belonged in the game.

Agree Mark. The dude could play dee and jumped out of the gym as a frosh but couldn't hit a free throw if he was given four tries at a time. What is amazing is how he progressed from his frosh year to his first team All-American Senior season:

Frosh Per Game Avg. (22 games)
2.8 PTS
3.4 TRB
1.1 BLK

Soph Per Game Avg. (30 games)
9.9 PTS
8.9 TRB
2.8 BLK

Junior Per Game Avg. (33 games)
10.1 PTS
6.9 TRB
2.4 BLK

Senior Per Game Avg. (31 games)
18.9 PTS
9.7 TRB
3.5 BLK

He also was ineligible first quarter which limited his development that year.

(03-19-2016 08:50 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:44 PM)crex043 Wrote:  I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I'm disgusted by people who are saying that Jenifer is worthless and will never be a contributor on this team. At least we have a sample size with Moore that we shouldn't expect too much from him, but c'mon! Jenifer didn't play very much behind Caupain this year so how can anyone be so confident that he isn't ever going to make a contribution?

I'm actually on the other side of this. As long as the criticisms are based on play and not personal that's what message boards are for.

I'm one who doesn't see a future for a guy who is a scoring and defensive liability. If he's going to be a starter when Troy leaves we should have been able to get 5-10 minutes from him last night, especially considering we were playing 4 guards most of the half.

You can base your criticism on actual play, but don't be surprised when someone questions your opinion because it's so drastic and based on an extremely small sample size.

(03-19-2016 10:04 PM)crex043 Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:50 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-19-2016 08:44 PM)crex043 Wrote:  I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I'm disgusted by people who are saying that Jenifer is worthless and will never be a contributor on this team. At least we have a sample size with Moore that we shouldn't expect too much from him, but c'mon! Jenifer didn't play very much behind Caupain this year so how can anyone be so confident that he isn't ever going to make a contribution?

I'm actually on the other side of this. As long as the criticisms are based on play and not personal that's what message boards are for.

I'm one who doesn't see a future for a guy who is a scoring and defensive liability. If he's going to be a starter when Troy leaves we should have been able to get 5-10 minutes from him last night, especially considering we were playing 4 guards most of the half.

You can base your criticism on actual play, but don't be surprised when someone questions your opinion because it's so drastic and based on an extremely small sample size.

Yes

Fair point on the small sample size but I'd argue the coaches see him every day and chose not to use him in a game where were playing 4 guards with no subs.

Hope I'm wrong I just think if you're going to be a starter caliber guy as an upper class man you would be capable of playing 5-10 minutes as an underclassmen