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In the sense of national perception? being 30 years old I grew up with the Bearcats being in the top 10, winning thrilling games and also dealing with heartbreaking defeats, but the general feeling was we were an elite level program amongst the big boys. Fast forward to 2018, with yet ANOTHER letdown when it matters most, it seems as though we've regressed to a 2nd tier program. K state, Texas Tech, Tennessee level. We don't get any high recruits, we don't sellout games anymore. The renovated Shoemaker will have been for nothing if we don't perform next year. I understand conference affiliation is hurting the prestige factor,but that didn't stop a team like Loyola Chicago making it to the sweet 16.

Maybe I need to lower my expectations until I see different.

(03-19-2018 01:30 PM)UCinNKY Wrote:  In the sense of national perception? being 30 years old I grew up with the Bearcats being in the top 10, winning thrilling games and also dealing with heartbreaking defeats, but the general feeling was we were an elite level program amongst the big boys. Fast forward to 2018, with yet ANOTHER letdown when it matters most, it seems as though we've regressed to a 2nd tier program. K state, Texas Tech, Tennessee level. We don't get any high recruits, we don't sellout games anymore. The renovated Shoemaker will have been for nothing if we don't perform next year. I understand conference affiliation is hurting the prestige factor,but that didn't stop a team like Loyola Chicago making it to the sweet 16.

Maybe I need to lower my expectations until I see different.

We're a top 25 program that's one of like 8 schools to make the NCAA tournament the last 8 years. We should aspire to be a top 15 program that is getting protected seeds around half the time. We're not likely to be UNC, Duke, Kansas, but we can get to the next tier. This year despite the second round loss was a step in the right direction, but Mick needs to sustain it and get to that level more often.

(03-19-2018 01:30 PM)UCinNKY Wrote:  In the sense of national perception? being 30 years old I grew up with the Bearcats being in the top 10, winning thrilling games and also dealing with heartbreaking defeats, but the general feeling was we were an elite level program amongst the big boys. Fast forward to 2018, with yet ANOTHER letdown when it matters most, it seems as though we've regressed to a 2nd tier program. K state, Texas Tech, Tennessee level. We don't get any high recruits, we don't sellout games anymore. The renovated Shoemaker will have been for nothing if we don't perform next year. I understand conference affiliation is hurting the prestige factor,but that didn't stop a team like Loyola Chicago making it to the sweet 16.

Maybe I need to lower my expectations until I see different.

I think to get an appropriate answer you would have to poll people outside out of our fan base. I think the national perception of us is not as strong as we believe it to be.

Depends who you ask. I bet if you ask your average dude in a sports bar in New York or Texas, they probably wouldn't have great things to say about us. Everyone I talk to around here locally and aren't a UC fan says we play nobody all year and then lose in the tournament early. That is our reputation, whether it is fair or unfair, thsts what people say.

Remember, most fans around the country dont even pay attention to college basketball until March. No talking head ever picks us to go far in the tournament because of the choking reputation. We don't get respect, fair or unfair.

(03-19-2018 01:47 PM)jarr Wrote:  Remember, most fans around the country dont even pay attention to college basketball until March. No talking head ever picks us to go far in the tournament because of the choking reputation. We don't get respect, fair or unfair.

Then why did several publications project UC to go to the Sweet 16 / Elite 8 this year and pick us as a contender for the National Championship?

(03-19-2018 01:44 PM)jarr Wrote:  Depends who you ask. I bet if you ask your average dude in a sports bar in New York or Texas, they probably wouldn't have great things to say about us. Everyone I talk to around here locally and aren't a UC fan says we play nobody all year and then lose in the tournament early. That is our reputation, whether it is fair or unfair, thsts what people say.

Agreed. Gets modest respect for being consistently decent, but not feared by anyone.

(03-19-2018 01:44 PM)jarr Wrote:  Depends who you ask. I bet if you ask your average dude in a sports bar in New York or Texas, they probably wouldn't have great things to say about us. Everyone I talk to around here locally and aren't a UC fan says we play nobody all year and then lose in the tournament early. That is our reputation, whether it is fair or unfair, thsts what people say.

If they're local and aren't a UC fan, then they're probably...

An X fan (notorious hate for UC)
An OSU fan (is of the opinion that nothing worthwhile exists outside of Franklin County)
A UK fan (see above, except insert Lexington for Franklin)

Consider the source.

(03-19-2018 02:08 PM)crex043 Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 01:47 PM)jarr Wrote:  Remember, most fans around the country dont even pay attention to college basketball until March. No talking head ever picks us to go far in the tournament because of the choking reputation. We don't get respect, fair or unfair.

Then why did several publications project UC to go to the Sweet 16 / Elite 8 this year and pick us as a contender for the National Championship?

Because they were incorrect?

(03-19-2018 01:47 PM)jarr Wrote:  Remember, most fans around the country dont even pay attention to college basketball until March. No talking head ever picks us to go far in the tournament because of the choking reputation. We don't get respect, fair or unfair.

Before yesterday, UC was not considered chokers in the NCAAs. They lost to Harvard as a 5 seed in 2014 (And Harvard was much better than a 12 seed) and then yesterday's debacle which is a choke job. I have talked to plenty of other fans over the years and they seem to respect our program. We aern't at the level we once were (The era of one and dones doesn't help our cause), but I think we can see it.

Other than that, they have always lost to lower seeds. Lots of 2s and 3s, plus UK as the top #1. St. Joes was an 8 and Creighton was the 7. They have always been in those games until late and often lost in the last minute.

Look at some of the big name schools that continue to lose often with protected seeds, frequently to 13 seeds, etc. Duke and Michigan State have taken really bad losses. Arizona continues to choke often. UC needs to keep rolling and continue to get those protected seeds and good things can happen.

Trust me, I'm still boiling about yesterday and I wanted more. This was a special team that had a clear path to at least the Elite 8 and had a decent chance at cutting down the nets. Hopefully they learn from this and next time they are in this position, they slam the gas pedal to the floor and turn 22 into 30. Still have to give Nevada some credit for not quitting like Virginia, UNC, Auburn and other teams did. Instead it was the Bearcats who coasted and had a "Hold my beer" moment.

An IU fan (whose team hasn't even been to the tournament the last two years) asked me today, "So what would have made UC fans happy?"

Small sample size, but I told him most UC fans I know would have been very happy with another Sweet Sixteen banner following the AAC championship.

Our bar isn't set as high these days as many programs surrounding Cincinnati. Heck, I'd settle for Mack's results in postseason play. Steve Lavin made five Sweet Sixteens at UCLA and got fired. Every school has different expectations. But I believe there is a growing pessimism that UC's style of play will deliver deep runs in March and our history supports that with just one exception.

The list of excuses grows each year but has included: officiating, poor seed/bracket, disadvantageous matchup, wrong city, wrong regional, wrong time zone, a really "hot" opponent. Up 22, with 11 minutes to go you could almost hold the ball, force them to defend for the entire shot clock and then drive or dish for a score or foul. Forcing up long jumpers early in the clock, played right into Nevada's dwindling hope until the unthinkable happened. If our coach didn't order the players to let some air out of the ball, it cost UC a Sweet Sixteen. If he did and the players didn't execute; well I guess that's on him too.

As an old friend often said, the quality of our problems has improved significantly. I do keep that in mind with a #6 ranking, AAC season/tourney championships and a #2 seed--it was a successful campaign for players and coaches. This was a great group of Bearcats. Most here feel badly for them not to have a chance to play on a bigger stage next weekend.

(03-19-2018 01:41 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 01:30 PM)UCinNKY Wrote:  In the sense of national perception? being 30 years old I grew up with the Bearcats being in the top 10, winning thrilling games and also dealing with heartbreaking defeats, but the general feeling was we were an elite level program amongst the big boys. Fast forward to 2018, with yet ANOTHER letdown when it matters most, it seems as though we've regressed to a 2nd tier program. K state, Texas Tech, Tennessee level. We don't get any high recruits, we don't sellout games anymore. The renovated Shoemaker will have been for nothing if we don't perform next year. I understand conference affiliation is hurting the prestige factor,but that didn't stop a team like Loyola Chicago making it to the sweet 16.

Maybe I need to lower my expectations until I see different.

I think to get an appropriate answer you would have to poll people outside out of our fan base. I think the national perception of us is not as strong as we believe it to be.

I think polling recruits would be more appropriate. What do D1 prospects think of the program. Our recruiting just seems to lag what we think we are.

(03-19-2018 04:05 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 01:41 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 01:30 PM)UCinNKY Wrote:  In the sense of national perception? being 30 years old I grew up with the Bearcats being in the top 10, winning thrilling games and also dealing with heartbreaking defeats, but the general feeling was we were an elite level program amongst the big boys. Fast forward to 2018, with yet ANOTHER letdown when it matters most, it seems as though we've regressed to a 2nd tier program. K state, Texas Tech, Tennessee level. We don't get any high recruits, we don't sellout games anymore. The renovated Shoemaker will have been for nothing if we don't perform next year. I understand conference affiliation is hurting the prestige factor,but that didn't stop a team like Loyola Chicago making it to the sweet 16.

Maybe I need to lower my expectations until I see different.

I think to get an appropriate answer you would have to poll people outside out of our fan base. I think the national perception of us is not as strong as we believe it to be.

I think polling recruits would be more appropriate. What do D1 prospects think of the program. Our recruiting just seems to lag what we think we are.

Apparently, we don’t pay them enough shoe money, though they’re not going to say this in a poll. I do believe that Mick has an understanding with the administration that he is to stay on the right side of the NCAA and run a squeaky-clean program, and he will have some, not unlimited, latitude to underperform. That’s why other fan bases get to watch NBA talent, while we ***** and gripe about how dirty they are and how clean we are.

Never in our lifetimes (certainly not mine) will the stars align over the yellow brick road to the Elite Eight and beyond like they did this year and UC screwed it up. Sad.

(03-19-2018 07:08 PM)chatcat Wrote:  Never in our lifetimes (certainly not mine) will the stars align over the yellow brick road to the Elite Eight and beyond like they did this year and UC screwed it up. Sad.

Yep, and we'll get to hear the excuses next time about him owner always get screwed with the matchups. Everything was there for the taking this year, location, matchups, an 11 seed waiting on the sweet 16. Good lord!

My general impression (as someone who lives on the West Coast 3/4 of the year) is that UC basketball is very well-respected.

I have friends who are Purdue, Illinois, and Seton Hall fans. They treat UC basketball as a peer (the Seton Hall fans even look up to us a bit). UCLA fans look down on us, but they look down on everyone except Kansas, Duke, and UNC.

On the other hand, UC football? Not so much respect there, except from SEC fans back when we were winning Big East titles.

(03-19-2018 07:08 PM)chatcat Wrote:  Never in our lifetimes (certainly not mine) will the stars align over the yellow brick road to the Elite Eight and beyond like they did this year and UC screwed it up. Sad.

still in shock from yesterday, but pretty much this. it was literally right there in front of us.

nothing much left to say that hasn't already been said in the other threads. what could have been

saw a lot more ******* UK gear around town today and on the drive back. the next 2 weeks should be fun with the toothless fan base out in full force.

completely devastated is an understatement. man.

(03-19-2018 02:28 PM)Not Duane Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 02:08 PM)crex043 Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 01:47 PM)jarr Wrote:  Remember, most fans around the country dont even pay attention to college basketball until March. No talking head ever picks us to go far in the tournament because of the choking reputation. We don't get respect, fair or unfair.

Then why did several publications project UC to go to the Sweet 16 / Elite 8 this year and pick us as a contender for the National Championship?

Because they were incorrect?

Logical. Well it would seem that nationally UC is held in a higher esteem than our own fan base.

Also, Duane > Not Duane.

(03-19-2018 08:10 PM)crex043 Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 02:28 PM)Not Duane Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 02:08 PM)crex043 Wrote:  

(03-19-2018 01:47 PM)jarr Wrote:  Remember, most fans around the country dont even pay attention to college basketball until March. No talking head ever picks us to go far in the tournament because of the choking reputation. We don't get respect, fair or unfair.

Then why did several publications project UC to go to the Sweet 16 / Elite 8 this year and pick us as a contender for the National Championship?

Because they were incorrect?

Logical. Well it would seem that nationally UC is held in a higher esteem than our own fan base.

Also, Duane > Not Duane.

But the championship did NOT run through Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Your prognosticator was in egregious error.

(03-19-2018 07:08 PM)chatcat Wrote:  Never in our lifetimes (certainly not mine) will the stars align over the yellow brick road to the Elite Eight and beyond like they did this year and UC screwed it up. Sad.

Heartbreak is apart of the game.
At least you guys have been dancing for 8 years straight.