02-22-2009, 06:19 PM
Bearcats still sink or swim with Vaughn
Posted by BKoch at 2/22/2009 4:39 PM EST on Cincinnati.com
Deonta Vaughn is no longer UC’s only offensive weapon, but UC’s arsenal has grown during the past few years one thing hasn’t changed all that much: Opponents still look at UC and figure – usually correctly – that if they can curtail Vaughn’s offensive production they’ll probably win.
In both of UC’s most recent losses – at Pittsburgh and at home Saturday vs. Louisville - Vaughn has been held to nine points, six below his average – and both times Cronin has dismissed Vaughn’s lack of production as a reason for the Bearcats’ defeat.
“The days of him shooting every ball for us are over,” Cronin said Saturday after the loss to the Cardinals. “He’s playing point guard. We have other guys that can score.”
Cronin pointed out correctly that the Bearcats lost to Pitt because they couldn’t stop the Panthers from scoring in the second half and they lost to Louisville because they got pounded on the boards.
That may be, but it’s also true that every UC opponent gears up to stop Vaughn, knowing that if it does, it has a good chance of winning.
All you have to do is look at the statistics to figure out why. The Bearcats are 0-5 in Big East games in which Vaughn scores fewer than 10 points. Marquette, Villanova, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Providence all figured out how to keep Vaughn in check and all walked away with convincing victories.
Against Louisville, Vaughn was expected to bring the ball up-court against the Cardinals’ zone press, get the Bearcats into their offense and lead them in scoring.
He scored all of his nine points in the first half, but was shut out in the second when Louisville took control of the game. To Vaughn’s credit, he did not attempt to force bad shots. When open looks didn’t present themselves, he was content to pass to open teammates, finishing with eight assists and only two turnovers.
For most point guards, that would have been considered a pretty good outing. But for Vaughn and UC, it wasn’t enough. The Bearcats still don’t have enough firepower to win beat a quality opponent when Vaughn is merely distributing the ball. He has to score.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...innati.com
Posted by BKoch at 2/22/2009 4:39 PM EST on Cincinnati.com
Deonta Vaughn is no longer UC’s only offensive weapon, but UC’s arsenal has grown during the past few years one thing hasn’t changed all that much: Opponents still look at UC and figure – usually correctly – that if they can curtail Vaughn’s offensive production they’ll probably win.
In both of UC’s most recent losses – at Pittsburgh and at home Saturday vs. Louisville - Vaughn has been held to nine points, six below his average – and both times Cronin has dismissed Vaughn’s lack of production as a reason for the Bearcats’ defeat.
“The days of him shooting every ball for us are over,” Cronin said Saturday after the loss to the Cardinals. “He’s playing point guard. We have other guys that can score.”
Cronin pointed out correctly that the Bearcats lost to Pitt because they couldn’t stop the Panthers from scoring in the second half and they lost to Louisville because they got pounded on the boards.
That may be, but it’s also true that every UC opponent gears up to stop Vaughn, knowing that if it does, it has a good chance of winning.
All you have to do is look at the statistics to figure out why. The Bearcats are 0-5 in Big East games in which Vaughn scores fewer than 10 points. Marquette, Villanova, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Providence all figured out how to keep Vaughn in check and all walked away with convincing victories.
Against Louisville, Vaughn was expected to bring the ball up-court against the Cardinals’ zone press, get the Bearcats into their offense and lead them in scoring.
He scored all of his nine points in the first half, but was shut out in the second when Louisville took control of the game. To Vaughn’s credit, he did not attempt to force bad shots. When open looks didn’t present themselves, he was content to pass to open teammates, finishing with eight assists and only two turnovers.
For most point guards, that would have been considered a pretty good outing. But for Vaughn and UC, it wasn’t enough. The Bearcats still don’t have enough firepower to win beat a quality opponent when Vaughn is merely distributing the ball. He has to score.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...innati.com