CSNbbs

Anyone feel like taking a crack at which Bearcats team shows up? First noon tip of the year, this hasn't always worked well for UC the past few seasons. Anyone got any info on Shaka Smart's squad?

I'm thinking there will be a great turnout for this game after the big win the other night. The boys are starting to get some love nationally, hopefully the fans here at home can do the same. See you at Fifth Third!

I agree about getting a good crowd; should be 10,000 plus at a minimum. Of course many won't be there at tipoff but will be wandering in looking for seats and blocking views during game action. But that's another issue.

From the little I've seen of VCU this year, they look long, lean and appear to have a very fluid offense that can score early and often. I don't think our defense will allow them to run wild but I do believe VCU is more than capable of hitting threes with the shot clock expiring which could be devastating.

Still, I like the 'Cats in this one and expect another quality win. Go Bearcats!

(12-19-2014 10:30 AM)indycat Wrote: [ -> ]I agree about getting a good crowd; should be 10,000 plus at a minimum. Of course many won't be there at tipoff but will be wandering in looking for seats and blocking views during game action. But that's another issue.

From the little I've seen of VCU this year, they look long, lean and appear to have a very fluid offense that can score early and often. I don't think our defense will allow them to run wild but I do believe VCU is more than capable of hitting threes with the shot clock expiring which could be devastating.

Still, I like the 'Cats in this one and expect another quality win. Go Bearcats!

Their press will give our guys fits, and our half court defense will ruin what they like to do (lots of scoring in transition and quick offensive sets). Should be an interesting game between two defensive-leaning coaches.

(12-19-2014 10:52 AM)BearcatMan Wrote: [ -> ]

(12-19-2014 10:30 AM)indycat Wrote: [ -> ]I agree about getting a good crowd; should be 10,000 plus at a minimum. Of course many won't be there at tipoff but will be wandering in looking for seats and blocking views during game action. But that's another issue.

From the little I've seen of VCU this year, they look long, lean and appear to have a very fluid offense that can score early and often. I don't think our defense will allow them to run wild but I do believe VCU is more than capable of hitting threes with the shot clock expiring which could be devastating.

Still, I like the 'Cats in this one and expect another quality win. Go Bearcats!

Their press will give our guys fits, and our half court defense will ruin what they like to do (lots of scoring in transition and quick offensive sets). Should be an interesting game between two defensive-leaning coaches.

Honestly, the press might open things up for our guys, especially Shaq. Need to work as a team cracking it though.

Presses make me very nervous with KJ or Sanders handling the ball even occasionally. It has to be broken with passing not dribbling.

(12-19-2014 11:22 AM)BeerCat Wrote: [ -> ]Presses make me very nervous with KJ or Sanders handling the ball even occasionally. It has to be broken with passing not dribbling.

That's why MC has Sanders handle the inbounds,,"best passer":pissed:

(12-19-2014 10:18 AM)Jchuges7 Wrote: [ -> ]Anyone feel like taking a crack at which Bearcats team shows up? First noon tip of the year, this hasn't always worked well for UC the past few seasons. Anyone got any info on Shaka Smart's squad?

I'm thinking there will be a great turnout for this game after the big win the other night. The boys are starting to get some love nationally, hopefully the fans here at home can do the same. See you at Fifth Third!

Cobb being remotley consistent shooting as he did in the second half against SDSU will be a major factor in how well we perform IMO. He went off for 24 earlier in the year, but didn't do much in between. In fact, he did not score until the last 8 minutes of the game the other night which coincidentally was when we starting taking over the game.

With respect to turnout, it will be a good crowd. Our fans will show up and I believe VCU travels well. I was chatting with one of my co-workers today who played for XU back in the 90s(I know... I know...). He said when VCU came to Cintas a couple years ago they brought a lot of fans. No reason to think they won't again for this one.

Note: He noted they were extremely passionate fans.

I want the pep band to play "I Feel For You" every time Shaka Smart gets upset at a call.

I don't know much, but in know this: Shaka Smart looks like B-Real.

http://thecheatsmovement.com/wp-content/...ces-1.jpeg

http://www.siccness.net/wp/wp-content/up...e-2012.jpg

Other that the first few minutes of the second half I was pretty happy with how UC handled SD State's press. I think Troy and Cobb in particular were very good against it (Troy had one baffling behind the back turnover when trying to push into transition but other than that he was solid).

I wish Kevin Johnson could stay on the floor, because he's our most talented perimeter player, but he keeps making bonehead plays on both ends that find him a seat. When Cobb is on it makes sense that he plays (like the end of the SD State game), but Johnson seems like a more consistent offensive threat.

I like UC's chances against a team like VCU that depends on the press and depends on scheme. UC always played Louisville well with Mick I think largely because of the disciplined way UC plays. VCU will force some turnovers if nothing else because UC has been sloppy at times, but I think generally they'll make it hard for VCU to get in transition and score of the break / secondary break.

VCU starts 4 guards and an undersized forward, so should they employ it, we have the athletic big men to overcome a full court press.

It's a home game. Inexperienced and young players tend to do much better at home.

VCU doesn't have the size and talent inside to match us. We get the ball to our inside players on offense, and we control rebounding. We win.

Certain conditions and exceptions apply. I reserve the right to be wrong. Nothing I say can or will be held against me in a court of law.

UC playing tough minded basketball. Home game. VCU not exactly lights out away from home. I'm gonna say Win for the bearcats.

(12-19-2014 11:25 AM)BearcatBeta Wrote: [ -> ]

(12-19-2014 11:22 AM)BeerCat Wrote: [ -> ]Presses make me very nervous with KJ or Sanders handling the ball even occasionally. It has to be broken with passing not dribbling.

That's why MC has Sanders handle the inbounds,,"best passer":pissed:

At least he doesn't click his heels together on in bounds passes.

I think we win this one.

I think we see UC continue on from SDSU and pick up where we left off...

(12-19-2014 11:22 AM)BeerCat Wrote: [ -> ]Presses make me very nervous with KJ or Sanders handling the ball even occasionally. It has to be broken with passing not dribbling.

I feel that Mick will have to hand the starting guard position to Cobb very soon. kJ probably more comfy like last year of coming off the bench. I'm hoping it has similar effect that it did when Huggins put Nicky V into AD Jackson's spot. We've got to start cutting down the unforced turnovers at the guard position.

I want to see more of our bigs continue to develop and make a presence in the post. I like what I saw in the last game from Coreontae "Chuck Barkley" DeBerry. Sure miss what Yancey gave us. Hopefully, one of these guys can become consistent from a rebound and easy bucket standpoint.

Bearcats raring to run with Virginia Commonwealth
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 4:47 p.m. EST December 19, 2014

Ask any University of Cincinnati basketball player what the Bearcats’ identity is and you’re likely to get the same answer.

“A hard-working team,” said senior forward Jermaine Sanders, “a scrappy team that won’t give you anything easy on offense. We’re going to rebound the ball and we’re going to be a tough fight.”

“Hard-core,” said redshirt freshman guard Deshaun Morman. “We just go on the court and we leave it all on the court. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to come out on top.”

That’s the national perception of the Bearcats, too, with seldom a mention of their offensive capabilities. But UC coach Mick Cronin says labels don’t always tell the whole story and sometimes can be misleading, including the one that says he can’t coach offense as well as he does defense or that UC favors a deliberate half-court approach on offense.

“We just don’t let the other team score easily,” Cronin said. “The last time I checked that’s what you should do in any sport, not let the other team score easily. If it takes them 30 seconds to get off a good shot, that doesn’t mean we’re holding the ball.

“Just look at any other coach and they will tell you that his players dictate how good a coach he is. It’s amazing in our profession how you get smarter when the ball goes in the basket. So I’m oblivious to it all. I just worry about getting the team better every day. Who cares how you win?”

The Bearcats, who rank 10th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 53.8 points per game, will take on Virginia Commonwealth (7-3) at noon Saturday at Fifth Third Arena. Coached by Shaka Smart, VCU was ranked 15th in the Associated Press preseason media poll, but has since slipped out of the Top 25. The Rams, who were picked to win the Atlantic 10 Conference, received six votes this week.

UC (7-2) is coming off its best win of the season, a 71-62 overtime victory over No. 19 San Diego State in a game in which it played very well on offense in the second half when it shot 59.1 percent against one of the best defensive teams in the country.

The Bearcats’ primary task against the Rams will be to take care of the ball against their full-court pressure. Because both teams like to press, this promises to be a more wide-open game with more transition scoring opportunities than are usually seen in a UC game because most opponents try to focus on stopping the Bearcats from running.

VCU’s relentless pressing style, Cronin said, is one the UC players should embrace.

“Most teams against us try to get back on defense, take their time on offense, handle our pressure,” Cronin said. “This is the first time other than the times we play Louisville where we’ve got another team that’s going to try to pressure us and be on the attack. Our guys like playing these kind of games. Usually teams are trying to slow us down. We get a bad rap. People say that we don’t play fast but we’re tying to run at all times. It’ll be a great game for the fans because it’s going to be an up-and-down affair.”

Ultimately, if the objective is to win as many games as possible – which it is – do style and entertainment value really matter? The Bearcats have certainly won a lot of games under Cronin during the last four years despite their offensive limitations. They’re one of six teams during that period that have played in four NCAA Tournaments with 101 wins during that period.

“People just go with whatever is the predominant thought, whatever is the easiest label to slap on a team, and then never change it,” Cronin said. “It’s personnel-driven. It’s different from year-to-year. Each game is unique because of how your opponent can play.”

One thing’s for sure: The Bearcats certainly don’t apologize for their defensive prowess or their reputation.

“To win the game you’ve got to play defense,” Morman said. “Of course you’ve got to put points on the board, but it’s all about not letting the other team score more than you. I think our defense is good overall and as the season goes on our offense will get a lot better.”

Quote:UC vs. Virginia Commonwealth

When: Noon Saturday, Fifth Third Arena

Records: UC 7-2, VCU (7-3)

TV/Radio: ESPNU/WLW-AM (700)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../20656945/

(12-20-2014 02:50 AM)ctipton Wrote: [ -> ]Bearcats raring to run with Virginia Commonwealth
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 4:47 p.m. EST December 19, 2014

Ask any University of Cincinnati basketball player what the Bearcats’ identity is and you’re likely to get the same answer.

“A hard-working team,” said senior forward Jermaine Sanders, “a scrappy team that won’t give you anything easy on offense. We’re going to rebound the ball and we’re going to be a tough fight.”

“Hard-core,” said redshirt freshman guard Deshaun Morman. “We just go on the court and we leave it all on the court. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to come out on top.”

That’s the national perception of the Bearcats, too, with seldom a mention of their offensive capabilities. But UC coach Mick Cronin says labels don’t always tell the whole story and sometimes can be misleading, including the one that says he can’t coach offense as well as he does defense or that UC favors a deliberate half-court approach on offense.

“We just don’t let the other team score easily,” Cronin said. “The last time I checked that’s what you should do in any sport, not let the other team score easily. If it takes them 30 seconds to get off a good shot, that doesn’t mean we’re holding the ball.

“Just look at any other coach and they will tell you that his players dictate how good a coach he is. It’s amazing in our profession how you get smarter when the ball goes in the basket. So I’m oblivious to it all. I just worry about getting the team better every day. Who cares how you win?”

The Bearcats, who rank 10th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 53.8 points per game, will take on Virginia Commonwealth (7-3) at noon Saturday at Fifth Third Arena. Coached by Shaka Smart, VCU was ranked 15th in the Associated Press preseason media poll, but has since slipped out of the Top 25. The Rams, who were picked to win the Atlantic 10 Conference, received six votes this week.

UC (7-2) is coming off its best win of the season, a 71-62 overtime victory over No. 19 San Diego State in a game in which it played very well on offense in the second half when it shot 59.1 percent against one of the best defensive teams in the country.

The Bearcats’ primary task against the Rams will be to take care of the ball against their full-court pressure. Because both teams like to press, this promises to be a more wide-open game with more transition scoring opportunities than are usually seen in a UC game because most opponents try to focus on stopping the Bearcats from running.

VCU’s relentless pressing style, Cronin said, is one the UC players should embrace.

“Most teams against us try to get back on defense, take their time on offense, handle our pressure,” Cronin said. “This is the first time other than the times we play Louisville where we’ve got another team that’s going to try to pressure us and be on the attack. Our guys like playing these kind of games. Usually teams are trying to slow us down. We get a bad rap. People say that we don’t play fast but we’re tying to run at all times. It’ll be a great game for the fans because it’s going to be an up-and-down affair.”

Ultimately, if the objective is to win as many games as possible – which it is – do style and entertainment value really matter? The Bearcats have certainly won a lot of games under Cronin during the last four years despite their offensive limitations. They’re one of six teams during that period that have played in four NCAA Tournaments with 101 wins during that period.

“People just go with whatever is the predominant thought, whatever is the easiest label to slap on a team, and then never change it,” Cronin said. “It’s personnel-driven. It’s different from year-to-year. Each game is unique because of how your opponent can play.”

One thing’s for sure: The Bearcats certainly don’t apologize for their defensive prowess or their reputation.

“To win the game you’ve got to play defense,” Morman said. “Of course you’ve got to put points on the board, but it’s all about not letting the other team score more than you. I think our defense is good overall and as the season goes on our offense will get a lot better.”

Quote:UC vs. Virginia Commonwealth

When: Noon Saturday, Fifth Third Arena

Records: UC 7-2, VCU (7-3)

TV/Radio: ESPNU/WLW-AM (700)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../20656945/

It's quotes like that from Mick that make me cringe. I used to think it was just coach speak from him trying to convince his team (that was terrible offensively) that they can make a deep run in March. Now it seems like he really thinks they could win 6 games in a row in March by scoring in the 50's. Maybe it actually is possible, but it seems unbelievably difficult to me. I guess we're going to find out one way or another.

Ellis and Clark should have big days,if Ellis can stay under control and not turn the ball over.

(12-20-2014 09:41 AM)BcatMatt13 Wrote: [ -> ]Ellis and Clark should have big days,if Ellis can stay under control and not turn the ball over.

Ellis thinks too much when he gets the ball with his back to the basket and usually ends up traveling. I wish he'd turn and face the basket as soon as he gets the ball, a la Tim Duncan. The kid has a nice looking shot he should use it more.