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(03-12-2019 07:48 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-11-2019 06:17 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  Simply this is a young team, with regard to floor experience, playing a college game ruled by guard play. They have clearly overachieved and both the players and Mick should be proud.

I would not be surprised to see this team win just one more game this season. If we make it to the second weekend, it will be one of the best coaching efforts in UC history.

We are starting 1 senior, 3 juniors, and a sophomore. I don't know that I consider that a young team. Cronin has only played one freshman and has done that very sparingly.

Strongly agree. Never have bought this as a rebuilding year. My position is more that last year as an anomaly with higher level talent. I never expected this team to be last year's team. This team is in line with nearly all of Mick's other past teams in terms of experience and talent. It has the advantage of having a true star in Cumberland as well.

(03-12-2019 07:48 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-11-2019 06:17 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  Simply this is a young team, with regard to floor experience, playing a college game ruled by guard play. They have clearly overachieved and both the players and Mick should be proud.

I would not be surprised to see this team win just one more game this season. If we make it to the second weekend, it will be one of the best coaching efforts in UC history.

We are starting 1 senior, 3 juniors, and a sophomore. I don't know that I consider that a young team. Cronin has only played one freshman and has done that very sparingly.

word. underclassman become upperclassmen. it happens to most teams. players graduate and folks gotta step up. mick whiffed a bit with the bigs. love those guys though

(03-12-2019 08:31 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 07:48 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-11-2019 06:17 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  Simply this is a young team, with regard to floor experience, playing a college game ruled by guard play. They have clearly overachieved and both the players and Mick should be proud.

I would not be surprised to see this team win just one more game this season. If we make it to the second weekend, it will be one of the best coaching efforts in UC history.

We are starting 1 senior, 3 juniors, and a sophomore. I don't know that I consider that a young team. Cronin has only played one freshman and has done that very sparingly.

word. underclassman become upperclassmen. it happens to most teams. players graduate and folks gotta step up. mick whiffed a bit with the bigs. love those guys though

I think its safe to say Mick whiffed with the bigs...the entire bigs group is underwealming top to bottom.

Nas: He has actually come on the last several games and I'm encouraged about his future here.
Scott: Up and down...not a stiff but not great either.
Ssesemmeseselkjae;l: Not seeing anything from him. Good athlete, that's about it.
Diarra: clueless on the court...he's a good athlete, that's about it.


Just don't see this as a strong group. But when have we had a really strong bigs group/rotation under Mick? Last year's was probably the best as a group but outside of that year, we just have not have had a lot of good bigs rotations any given year under Mick. IMO.

Gone are the days of having rotations like: Kmart, Mikeal, Fletcher, Tate, Little (the 1999-2000 team's bigs) or Kmart, Patterson, Brannon, Fletcher (1997-98), or Fortson, Long, Brannon, Monroe, Julson, Gregor, Fletcher (1995-96).

I like Nas a lot, and would like Scott if he was the first big off the bench. The whiff was not finding a dynamic 4.

(03-12-2019 08:40 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I like Nas a lot, and would like Scott if he was the first big off the bench. The whiff was not finding a dynamic 4.

Yup

(03-12-2019 08:45 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:40 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I like Nas a lot, and would like Scott if he was the first big off the bench. The whiff was not finding a dynamic 4.

Yup

To clarify a bit. I think Mick has consistently been great at finding guys that contribute and can make a difference on NCAA tournament caliber teams. The big difference between last year and every other year is that last year Mick had 3 guys who were big time, dynamic players (Clark, Evans, Cumberland) mixed in with those guys. This year we're back down to 1.

(03-12-2019 08:49 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:45 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:40 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I like Nas a lot, and would like Scott if he was the first big off the bench. The whiff was not finding a dynamic 4.

Yup

To clarify a bit. I think Mick has consistently been great at finding guys that contribute and can make a difference on NCAA tournament caliber teams. The big difference between last year and every other year is that last year Mick had 3 guys who were big time, dynamic players (Clark, Evans, Cumberland) mixed in with those guys. This year we're back down to 1.

Mick has consistently found and developed guys that would be terrific role players and 6th/7th men off the bench on final four type teams. Mick's problem is, he never has the guys in front of them that are the difference makers. This is at all positions for the most part. Obviously there are exceptions (Cumberland, SK, Gates, etc.). Im talking generally.

So most years we have had a team of really good 6th men. This is why we are good, not great and never get anywhere in March.

Call it what you want. Rebuilding year or down year. This year has 3 new starters, yes they are upperclassmen, but they son't have starting experience. Next year should be an up year with 3 seniors and a junior starting - plus a senior, junior or sophomore depending who wins the final starting spot. It's unrealistic to expect to be top 10-15 every year unless you are Duke.

In a down year I expected a ncaa tournament bid and hoped to be a top 25 team. We have accomplished that. Next year I expect a protected seed and to be a top 15 team. Year after that will like be expecting ncaa bid and top 25 team again.

As long as mick can maintain that standard - ncaa tournament in all years and a top 10-15 team every 2-3 years I consider him successful.

(03-12-2019 11:13 AM)skyblade Wrote:  Call it what you want. Rebuilding year or down year. This year has 3 new starters, yes they are upperclassmen, but they son't have starting experience. Next year should be an up year with 3 seniors and a junior starting - plus a senior, junior or sophomore depending who wins the final starting spot. It's unrealistic to expect to be top 10-15 every year unless you are Duke.

In a down year I expected a ncaa tournament bid and hoped to be a top 25 team. We have accomplished that. Next year I expect a protected seed and to be a top 15 team. Year after that will like be expecting ncaa bid and top 25 team again.

As long as mick can maintain that standard - ncaa tournament in all years and a top 10-15 team every 2-3 years I consider him successful.

How is it a down year? Compare this team to every Mick tournament team besides last year and this team is right in line. Last year was an exceptional year because we had 3 elite college basketball players. This year's team is more in line with every other Mick team.

(03-12-2019 11:15 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 11:13 AM)skyblade Wrote:  Call it what you want. Rebuilding year or down year. This year has 3 new starters, yes they are upperclassmen, but they son't have starting experience. Next year should be an up year with 3 seniors and a junior starting - plus a senior, junior or sophomore depending who wins the final starting spot. It's unrealistic to expect to be top 10-15 every year unless you are Duke.

In a down year I expected a ncaa tournament bid and hoped to be a top 25 team. We have accomplished that. Next year I expect a protected seed and to be a top 15 team. Year after that will like be expecting ncaa bid and top 25 team again.

As long as mick can maintain that standard - ncaa tournament in all years and a top 10-15 team every 2-3 years I consider him successful.

How is it a down year? Compare this team to every Mick tournament team besides last year and this team is right in line. Last year was an exceptional year because we had 3 elite college basketball players. This year's team is more in line with every other Mick team.

It's a down year because we were better the last year and will be better next year. I expect gradual improvement as our consistent ncaa tournament presence and improved facilities help bring in better recruits. That has happened so far. I don't care about ratings.

Last years overall ratings are low for example because we brought in gillam. But his low rating is because he reclassified. Hardnett and Johnson were both good recruits.

(03-12-2019 08:36 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:31 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 07:48 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-11-2019 06:17 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  Simply this is a young team, with regard to floor experience, playing a college game ruled by guard play. They have clearly overachieved and both the players and Mick should be proud.

I would not be surprised to see this team win just one more game this season. If we make it to the second weekend, it will be one of the best coaching efforts in UC history.

We are starting 1 senior, 3 juniors, and a sophomore. I don't know that I consider that a young team. Cronin has only played one freshman and has done that very sparingly.

word. underclassman become upperclassmen. it happens to most teams. players graduate and folks gotta step up. mick whiffed a bit with the bigs. love those guys though

I think its safe to say Mick whiffed with the bigs...the entire bigs group is underwealming top to bottom.

Nas: He has actually come on the last several games and I'm encouraged about his future here.
Scott: Up and down...not a stiff but not great either.
Ssesemmeseselkjae;l: Not seeing anything from him. Good athlete, that's about it.
Diarra: clueless on the court...he's a good athlete, that's about it.


Just don't see this as a strong group. But when have we had a really strong bigs group/rotation under Mick? Last year's was probably the best as a group but outside of that year, we just have not have had a lot of good bigs rotations any given year under Mick. IMO.

Gone are the days of having rotations like: Kmart, Mikeal, Fletcher, Tate, Little (the 1999-2000 team's bigs) or Kmart, Patterson, Brannon, Fletcher (1997-98), or Fortson, Long, Brannon, Monroe, Julson, Gregor, Fletcher (1995-96).

Bolded is wrong and pretty harsh tbh given the FRESHMAN's limited minutes on a team that doesn't play through its bigs. Diarra's shooting touch is top 4 on the team, and he's maybe the most athletic guy on the team, and he's a freshman. So kill it with the "clueless and only an athlete" BS. That's lazy and just plain wrong. Especially if you're gonna talk about being encouraged about Brook's future. Brooks is a junior.

God I wish you had the balls to look any one of those kid's in the eye and say half to smart guy, tough guy BS you ramble on about incessantly, you retired old fart. At least I hope you're retired.

Also, it's important to note that gone are the days of any teams in college basketball having good bigs rotations. Every other center thinks he's a point guard.

(03-12-2019 12:11 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:36 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:31 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 07:48 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-11-2019 06:17 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  Simply this is a young team, with regard to floor experience, playing a college game ruled by guard play. They have clearly overachieved and both the players and Mick should be proud.

I would not be surprised to see this team win just one more game this season. If we make it to the second weekend, it will be one of the best coaching efforts in UC history.

We are starting 1 senior, 3 juniors, and a sophomore. I don't know that I consider that a young team. Cronin has only played one freshman and has done that very sparingly.

word. underclassman become upperclassmen. it happens to most teams. players graduate and folks gotta step up. mick whiffed a bit with the bigs. love those guys though

I think its safe to say Mick whiffed with the bigs...the entire bigs group is underwealming top to bottom.

Nas: He has actually come on the last several games and I'm encouraged about his future here.
Scott: Up and down...not a stiff but not great either.
Ssesemmeseselkjae;l: Not seeing anything from him. Good athlete, that's about it.
Diarra: clueless on the court...he's a good athlete, that's about it.


Just don't see this as a strong group. But when have we had a really strong bigs group/rotation under Mick? Last year's was probably the best as a group but outside of that year, we just have not have had a lot of good bigs rotations any given year under Mick. IMO.

Gone are the days of having rotations like: Kmart, Mikeal, Fletcher, Tate, Little (the 1999-2000 team's bigs) or Kmart, Patterson, Brannon, Fletcher (1997-98), or Fortson, Long, Brannon, Monroe, Julson, Gregor, Fletcher (1995-96).

Bolded is wrong and pretty harsh tbh given the FRESHMAN's limited minutes on a team that doesn't play through its bigs. Diarra's shooting touch is top 4 on the team, and he's maybe the most athletic guy on the team, and he's a freshman. So kill it with the "clueless and only an athlete" BS. That's lazy and just plain wrong. Especially if you're gonna talk about being encouraged about Brook's future. Brooks is a junior.

God I wish you had the balls to look any one of those kid's in the eye and say half to smart guy, tough guy BS you ramble on about incessantly, you retired old fart. At least I hope you're retired.

Also, it's important to note that gone are the days of any teams in college basketball having good bigs rotations. Every other center thinks he's a point guard.

relax, skippy

It's a message board...not everybody has the same opinion. I disagree with you, on most everything actually, but I digress.

I think Diarra is athletic and that's about it. Maybe he proves me wrong, maybe he proves me right. No need to get your panties in a wad. You seem like the type that would slap his kid for spilling his milk...amirite?

(03-12-2019 12:11 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:36 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:31 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 07:48 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-11-2019 06:17 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  Simply this is a young team, with regard to floor experience, playing a college game ruled by guard play. They have clearly overachieved and both the players and Mick should be proud.

I would not be surprised to see this team win just one more game this season. If we make it to the second weekend, it will be one of the best coaching efforts in UC history.

We are starting 1 senior, 3 juniors, and a sophomore. I don't know that I consider that a young team. Cronin has only played one freshman and has done that very sparingly.

word. underclassman become upperclassmen. it happens to most teams. players graduate and folks gotta step up. mick whiffed a bit with the bigs. love those guys though

I think its safe to say Mick whiffed with the bigs...the entire bigs group is underwealming top to bottom.

Nas: He has actually come on the last several games and I'm encouraged about his future here.
Scott: Up and down...not a stiff but not great either.
Ssesemmeseselkjae;l: Not seeing anything from him. Good athlete, that's about it.
Diarra: clueless on the court...he's a good athlete, that's about it.


Just don't see this as a strong group. But when have we had a really strong bigs group/rotation under Mick? Last year's was probably the best as a group but outside of that year, we just have not have had a lot of good bigs rotations any given year under Mick. IMO.

Gone are the days of having rotations like: Kmart, Mikeal, Fletcher, Tate, Little (the 1999-2000 team's bigs) or Kmart, Patterson, Brannon, Fletcher (1997-98), or Fortson, Long, Brannon, Monroe, Julson, Gregor, Fletcher (1995-96).

Bolded is wrong and pretty harsh tbh given the FRESHMAN's limited minutes on a team that doesn't play through its bigs. Diarra's shooting touch is top 4 on the team, and he's maybe the most athletic guy on the team, and he's a freshman. So kill it with the "clueless and only an athlete" BS. That's lazy and just plain wrong. Especially if you're gonna talk about being encouraged about Brook's future. Brooks is a junior.

God I wish you had the balls to look any one of those kid's in the eye and say half to smart guy, tough guy BS you ramble on about incessantly, you retired old fart. At least I hope you're retired.

Also, it's important to note that gone are the days of any teams in college basketball having good bigs rotations. Every other center thinks he's a point guard.

Diarra is a redshirt freshman who practiced with the team all last season and actually played in a couple games early on last year. He is not a true freshman. He does show flashes where you can see talent and hopefully he is much improved next year but if you look at where he was last season to where he is this year he hasn't improved as much as they need him to. Some players take longer.

(03-12-2019 12:49 PM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 12:11 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:36 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:31 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 07:48 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  We are starting 1 senior, 3 juniors, and a sophomore. I don't know that I consider that a young team. Cronin has only played one freshman and has done that very sparingly.

word. underclassman become upperclassmen. it happens to most teams. players graduate and folks gotta step up. mick whiffed a bit with the bigs. love those guys though

I think its safe to say Mick whiffed with the bigs...the entire bigs group is underwealming top to bottom.

Nas: He has actually come on the last several games and I'm encouraged about his future here.
Scott: Up and down...not a stiff but not great either.
Ssesemmeseselkjae;l: Not seeing anything from him. Good athlete, that's about it.
Diarra: clueless on the court...he's a good athlete, that's about it.


Just don't see this as a strong group. But when have we had a really strong bigs group/rotation under Mick? Last year's was probably the best as a group but outside of that year, we just have not have had a lot of good bigs rotations any given year under Mick. IMO.

Gone are the days of having rotations like: Kmart, Mikeal, Fletcher, Tate, Little (the 1999-2000 team's bigs) or Kmart, Patterson, Brannon, Fletcher (1997-98), or Fortson, Long, Brannon, Monroe, Julson, Gregor, Fletcher (1995-96).

Bolded is wrong and pretty harsh tbh given the FRESHMAN's limited minutes on a team that doesn't play through its bigs. Diarra's shooting touch is top 4 on the team, and he's maybe the most athletic guy on the team, and he's a freshman. So kill it with the "clueless and only an athlete" BS. That's lazy and just plain wrong. Especially if you're gonna talk about being encouraged about Brook's future. Brooks is a junior.

God I wish you had the balls to look any one of those kid's in the eye and say half to smart guy, tough guy BS you ramble on about incessantly, you retired old fart. At least I hope you're retired.

Also, it's important to note that gone are the days of any teams in college basketball having good bigs rotations. Every other center thinks he's a point guard.

Diarra is a redshirt freshman who practiced with the team all last season and actually played in a couple games early on last year. He is not a true freshman. He does show flashes where you can see talent and hopefully he is much improved next year but if you look at where he was last season to where he is this year he hasn't improved as much as they need him to. Some players take longer.

lol be careful...you may get called a 'retired old fart' from a guy who is clueless as to whether that is true or not hahaha.

(03-12-2019 12:50 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 12:49 PM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 12:11 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:36 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:31 AM)Lush Wrote:  word. underclassman become upperclassmen. it happens to most teams. players graduate and folks gotta step up. mick whiffed a bit with the bigs. love those guys though

I think its safe to say Mick whiffed with the bigs...the entire bigs group is underwealming top to bottom.

Nas: He has actually come on the last several games and I'm encouraged about his future here.
Scott: Up and down...not a stiff but not great either.
Ssesemmeseselkjae;l: Not seeing anything from him. Good athlete, that's about it.
Diarra: clueless on the court...he's a good athlete, that's about it.


Just don't see this as a strong group. But when have we had a really strong bigs group/rotation under Mick? Last year's was probably the best as a group but outside of that year, we just have not have had a lot of good bigs rotations any given year under Mick. IMO.

Gone are the days of having rotations like: Kmart, Mikeal, Fletcher, Tate, Little (the 1999-2000 team's bigs) or Kmart, Patterson, Brannon, Fletcher (1997-98), or Fortson, Long, Brannon, Monroe, Julson, Gregor, Fletcher (1995-96).

Bolded is wrong and pretty harsh tbh given the FRESHMAN's limited minutes on a team that doesn't play through its bigs. Diarra's shooting touch is top 4 on the team, and he's maybe the most athletic guy on the team, and he's a freshman. So kill it with the "clueless and only an athlete" BS. That's lazy and just plain wrong. Especially if you're gonna talk about being encouraged about Brook's future. Brooks is a junior.

God I wish you had the balls to look any one of those kid's in the eye and say half to smart guy, tough guy BS you ramble on about incessantly, you retired old fart. At least I hope you're retired.

Also, it's important to note that gone are the days of any teams in college basketball having good bigs rotations. Every other center thinks he's a point guard.

Diarra is a redshirt freshman who practiced with the team all last season and actually played in a couple games early on last year. He is not a true freshman. He does show flashes where you can see talent and hopefully he is much improved next year but if you look at where he was last season to where he is this year he hasn't improved as much as they need him to. Some players take longer.

lol be careful...you may get called a 'retired old fart' from a guy who is clueless as to whether that is true or not hahaha.

Name calling doesn't bother me so I guess that means I am an old fart, just not old enough to retire.

Brooks is at least as good as Washington was so a junior and I'd argue better now then senior Washington.

Diarra was brought in as a 2-3 year project. Great athlete who can shoot but has played little organized basketball. If anything he is farther along then expected as he can be on the court and not be a disaster. He will be a star here and has a good shot at the nba.

Nsoseme is an excellent athlete with incredible movement. Has dealt with injuries all season - first finger now ankle - I expect better from him next year.

Scott had been a disappointment, continues to flash ability but hasn't done it every night. Hoping he gets a consistent 3 by next season. Having a more reliable backup should help him, I think playing 30+ minutes a night has worn on him.

Hardnett was a big time scorer and very good athlete in high school. Hoping he can take some minutes next year.

(03-12-2019 02:14 PM)skyblade Wrote:  Brooks is at least as good as Washington was so a junior and I'd argue better now then senior Washington.

Diarra was brought in as a 2-3 year project. Great athlete who can shoot but has played little organized basketball. If anything he is farther along then expected as he can be on the court and not be a disaster. He will be a star here and has a good shot at the nba.

Nsoseme is an excellent athlete with incredible movement. Has dealt with injuries all season - first finger now ankle - I expect better from him next year.

Scott had been a disappointment, continues to flash ability but hasn't done it every night. Hoping he gets a consistent 3 by next season. Having a more reliable backup should help him, I think playing 30+ minutes a night has worn on him.

Hardnett was a big time scorer and very good athlete in high school. Hoping he can take some minutes next year.

Brooks is better on the defensive side but Washington was a better offensive player.

I like Nsoseme and I think if they can develop him offensively he could be very effective.

No argument on Scott.

Hopefully he can. We'll see next season.

(03-12-2019 02:14 PM)skyblade Wrote:  Brooks is at least as good as Washington was so a junior and I'd argue better now then senior Washington.

Diarra was brought in as a 2-3 year project. Great athlete who can shoot but has played little organized basketball. If anything he is farther along then expected as he can be on the court and not be a disaster. He will be a star here and has a good shot at the nba.

Nsoseme is an excellent athlete with incredible movement. Has dealt with injuries all season - first finger now ankle - I expect better from him next year.

Scott had been a disappointment, continues to flash ability but hasn't done it every night. Hoping he gets a consistent 3 by next season. Having a more reliable backup should help him, I think playing 30+ minutes a night has worn on him.

Hardnett was a big time scorer and very good athlete in high school. Hoping he can take some minutes next year.

Brooks is light years better than Washington on defense and light years behind him on offense. I don't see that Brooks is "light years better" than Washington on the whole.

I don't see Diarra ever being more than a deep bench player. Hope I'm wrong. I have been wrong before.

Who knows on Nsoseme but I'm not seeing anything beyond some athleticism and maybe a rebounder. Again, bench strength on a good team.

Scott is Scott at this point...a good 6th or 7th man on a Top 20 team.

No idea about Hardnett so not able to comment.

UCLA is waiting for Mickey's season to end. It will be done about half time of the first game.

(03-12-2019 05:25 PM)doss2 Wrote:  UCLA is waiting for Mickey's season to end. It will be done about half time of the first game.

I just don't think UCLA goes after Mick. Why would they?