CSNbbs

Voicing My Bearcat Frustrations
Posted by Dave Lewis February 9th, 2010, 5:42 pm

It’s been almost a week since the Notre Dame game. It’s been a couple days since the Syracuse meltdown. I know I’m supposed to have something to say. I know I’m expected to give an opinion. The problem is I’m completely at a loss for words. I have spent much of the past few days trying to come up with a new way to express my frustrations. Nothing.

I can rehash all the issues that have been problems not only all season but really for all of Mick’s tenure. No halfcourt offense, No rhyme or reason to substitution patterns, No hustle, and on and on.

The reasons have become excuses in year four. The coaches show could have been recorded in 2008. Trust me I listen to all of them. I like Mick and I really want him to succeed but he’s not helping his own cause. As a hometown guy I expected someone who related to us on a fan level. I’m not naive I didn’t think we’d be emailing in plays but the lack of respect on his part towards fans who are pissed about the lack of progress is insulting. After the St. Johns game He told Mo Egger(who probably would have rather gouged his own eyes out than host that particular show) a lifelong UC fan that he shouldn’t be losing sleep when they lose. That we should leave that to him. Well Coach, If it were up to me none of us would lose any sleep but it’s not. It’s up to you and you’re not getting it done.

I have been the guy in my group of friends and on this blog who has defended Cronin from day one. I have taken heat for it but always said “Just give it time. He’ll turn things around. ” My confidence has been wavering for a while and it’s at the breaking point now. I no longer know what to think or say about this team. If the talent is there it’s the coaches job to harness it. To keep them focused. To increase their basketball knowledge.

I’m not the kind of guy who will call for anyone to be fired. I am aware that his is a very difficult job. I WILL however say this. I’m done. Never again will I tell a friend that he is overreacting when he says negative things about Mick. I will no longer blindly accept that he will turn things around. I will express my opinions positive or negative without giving him any slack.

I guess I had more to say than I thought

Now come on coach. Make me regret this post.

Please.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/shoutout/201...strations/

Couldn't have said it better myself. Pretty much summed all of my thoughts and opinions on the matter.

I defended Mick his first two years because I believed he deserved some time.

He lost me last year with the debacle at the end of the season and his constant excuses.

My first warning was when he continually said "we don't have enough talent to play in the Big East". Basically gave his players an excuse NOT TO SUCCEED. A good or great coach gets his players to overachieve. That may not translate into beating the big boys every meeting, but it translates into great effort that occasionally results in possibly an upset or atleast competing and beating the teams on your level.

I do look at Scott Drew and where he is now. It's taken him since 2003 (without looking to confirm that) to get where they are now. If Mick had more fire and seemed to hate losing more than he shows, I might be willing to give him more time. But he seems to lack passion and accepts losing too easily for me.

(02-09-2010 09:46 PM)Vottomatic Wrote: [ -> ]My first warning was when he continually said "we don't have enough talent to play in the Big East". Basically gave his players an excuse NOT TO SUCCEED. A good or great coach gets his players to overachieve. That may not translate into beating the big boys every meeting, but it translates into great effort that occasionally results in possibly an upset or atleast competing and beating the teams on your level.

I do look at Scott Drew and where he is now. It's taken him since 2003 (without looking to confirm that) to get where they are now. If Mick had more fire and seemed to hate losing more than he shows, I might be willing to give him more time. But he seems to lack passion and accepts losing too easily for me.

1. Couldn't agree more. When you tell your players they're not good enough, they believe it and play accordingly.

2. He took over in 2003-2004, but the rebuilding process really started after their shortened season of 2005-2006. His record for the past seven years are: 8-21, 9-19, 4-13, 15-16, 21-11, 24-15, and 17-5 this year. That includes an NIT runner-up, NCAA Tournament bid, and they're projected to be in the NCAA Tournament right now (obviously work left to do). Pretty damn good job for a program in a worse situation than what Mick Cronin walked into IMO.

So he went 15-16 in his 4th year and then went to the NIT in year #5? Might not be the poster child for wanting Mick canned in his 4th year. Just saying'.

(02-09-2010 10:49 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: [ -> ]So he went 15-16 in his 4th year and then went to the NIT in year #5? Might not be the poster child for wanting Mick canned in his 4th year. Just saying'.

The 2005-2006 year was when they could only play conference games, so that's where it makes sense to start his clock. The years prior he was just waiting for the penalties to be sorted out. It took him 2 years to get to the NCAA Tournament after that season, followed up with the NIT, and now is in good position for an NCAA bid. Seems like pretty damn good coaching to me. And yes, he's succeeding while still having to deal with recruiting penalties.

Hell, look at USF. They're turning the corner without their 2nd best player in Stan Heath's 3rd year. The thought of them making the NCAA Tournament before Cincinnati makes me want to puke.

(02-09-2010 10:49 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: [ -> ]So he went 15-16 in his 4th year and then went to the NIT in year #5? Might not be the poster child for wanting Mick canned in his 4th year. Just saying'.

In defense of Scott Drew, Baylor's situation was worse than UC's, by a mile.

How long did it take John Thompson III to turn Georgetown's program around after they fired Craig Esherick? 2 years. How long has it taken Virginia to turn its program around after they fired Dave Laitao at the end of last year? They are competitive in the ACC already even with the same players that Laitao had.