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(03-21-2024 12:23 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 10:53 AM)Cal1362 Wrote:  I've found it interesting that so many UC fans have expressed the amount and level of frustration they have. We were a middling team in the AAC for the past several years and when we moved up to unquestionably the best conference in college hoops we were supposed to just magically waltz in and be a middle of the pack team? Our fanbase is spoiled... both on the gridiron and the basketball court... both of which are much more of a testament to the highly successful teams and coaches we've had than to any other factor. Could UC have won 2 or 3 of the close ones we just missed on? Absolutely. But UC could just as easily have lost 2 or 3 of the close games we won, including last night, and finished dead last in the league.

IMO we have one of the more talented up and coming coaches who has growing and learning of his own to do. We have a very talented roster by UC standards that still needs to be upgraded to be a B12 top 1/3 team. We have a team that never ever quits and seldom will blow anyone out but also will even less seldom be out of a game. Our top players were used to being able to get by in the AAC and on their prior teams purely on talent... this season they learned and are learning that everyone is talented at the level they are at. There aren't any cupcakes now. Teams that used to take UC for granted as an AAC school, now have the Bearcats circled on the schedule as a B12 scalp to hang in their gym. See Howard, and X and UD.

I'm more excited to see this team continue thru the NIT and into next season than any team I can remember in the last 15 years. When Cronin was still here it was can we win a 2nd game in the tourney but not we are dynamic or exciting enough. Now we legit players that have a shot at The League and that's with CWM just getting started from a recruiting standpoint. Now we see if the players are for real: Can Dan play under control and play D? Can Simas produce when teams legit game plan for him? Can Jizzle develop an outside shot and the ability to be a distributor first and a dynamic dribbler/scorer second? Can Aziz put on some weight and develop a solid base to hold his ground? What will Rayvon bring? Can Reed fill JNIII's defensive role and find a more consistent shot? What will Vik be? Who will be the offset to Simas from long distance so that scoring doesn't evaporate when Simas is off the floor? Can CWM recruit or develop a better offensive scheme especially against a zone. This team, unlike teams that tend to finish in the top 4 in their leagues, has far far more questions than answers... and that is what will make them so much fun to watch and root for - and scream at out of frustration too - as they grow and develop.

My mindset is on par with yours and I'm very happy with the way this program is being run. That said that's only because of where we came from when Wes took over. We are historically one of the top 10-20 programs of all time, we have an awesome arena and play in the best program in the country. We should not go 30+ years without making the final four.

The way I look at it Wes recruited Dan and Josh to the AAC. Dan is going to be an all B12 level player and borderline NBA prospect. We'll see on Josh. Jizzle is going to be a high level NCAA point guard and when Betsy and McKinley join next year we're going to have 4 of our top recruits of all time on the same roster with only Jizzle having used any eligibility.

Importantly the players seem to love each other and love Wes. That tells me we should be able to keep the players who we want to keep. I'll never argue for running someone off but if someone is a couple years in and doesn't look like they'll ever get starter minutes you might lose them elsewhere. However if they decide to sacrifice like Ody has this year we'll embrace them as Bearcats.

One of the things I love about Wes is him acknowledging our history and talking about getting this back to where it belongs. To me that means Final 4s at least every decade and competing for B12 championships regularly. Don't want to put a figure on that because you can be a top 5 team and not win but we should be in the mix regularly. Wes believes that's who we should be and I believe he's going to do everything in his power to get there.

But we are going 30+ years without making the final four.

UC hasn't made the tournament since 2019.

UC was the oldest team in college basketball this season.

Iowa State went 2-22 in 2020-21 and are a 2-seed in the tournament this year.


I'm happy with the trajectory of UC, and I'm happy for some of you on your high horse, but the frustration with the performance of the program is warranted.

Like, I'm taking the over on wins next year but I can still be pissed that IMO they under achieved this year.

(03-21-2024 04:27 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 12:23 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 10:53 AM)Cal1362 Wrote:  I've found it interesting that so many UC fans have expressed the amount and level of frustration they have. We were a middling team in the AAC for the past several years and when we moved up to unquestionably the best conference in college hoops we were supposed to just magically waltz in and be a middle of the pack team? Our fanbase is spoiled... both on the gridiron and the basketball court... both of which are much more of a testament to the highly successful teams and coaches we've had than to any other factor. Could UC have won 2 or 3 of the close ones we just missed on? Absolutely. But UC could just as easily have lost 2 or 3 of the close games we won, including last night, and finished dead last in the league.

IMO we have one of the more talented up and coming coaches who has growing and learning of his own to do. We have a very talented roster by UC standards that still needs to be upgraded to be a B12 top 1/3 team. We have a team that never ever quits and seldom will blow anyone out but also will even less seldom be out of a game. Our top players were used to being able to get by in the AAC and on their prior teams purely on talent... this season they learned and are learning that everyone is talented at the level they are at. There aren't any cupcakes now. Teams that used to take UC for granted as an AAC school, now have the Bearcats circled on the schedule as a B12 scalp to hang in their gym. See Howard, and X and UD.

I'm more excited to see this team continue thru the NIT and into next season than any team I can remember in the last 15 years. When Cronin was still here it was can we win a 2nd game in the tourney but not we are dynamic or exciting enough. Now we legit players that have a shot at The League and that's with CWM just getting started from a recruiting standpoint. Now we see if the players are for real: Can Dan play under control and play D? Can Simas produce when teams legit game plan for him? Can Jizzle develop an outside shot and the ability to be a distributor first and a dynamic dribbler/scorer second? Can Aziz put on some weight and develop a solid base to hold his ground? What will Rayvon bring? Can Reed fill JNIII's defensive role and find a more consistent shot? What will Vik be? Who will be the offset to Simas from long distance so that scoring doesn't evaporate when Simas is off the floor? Can CWM recruit or develop a better offensive scheme especially against a zone. This team, unlike teams that tend to finish in the top 4 in their leagues, has far far more questions than answers... and that is what will make them so much fun to watch and root for - and scream at out of frustration too - as they grow and develop.

My mindset is on par with yours and I'm very happy with the way this program is being run. That said that's only because of where we came from when Wes took over. We are historically one of the top 10-20 programs of all time, we have an awesome arena and play in the best program in the country. We should not go 30+ years without making the final four.

The way I look at it Wes recruited Dan and Josh to the AAC. Dan is going to be an all B12 level player and borderline NBA prospect. We'll see on Josh. Jizzle is going to be a high level NCAA point guard and when Betsy and McKinley join next year we're going to have 4 of our top recruits of all time on the same roster with only Jizzle having used any eligibility.

Importantly the players seem to love each other and love Wes. That tells me we should be able to keep the players who we want to keep. I'll never argue for running someone off but if someone is a couple years in and doesn't look like they'll ever get starter minutes you might lose them elsewhere. However if they decide to sacrifice like Ody has this year we'll embrace them as Bearcats.

One of the things I love about Wes is him acknowledging our history and talking about getting this back to where it belongs. To me that means Final 4s at least every decade and competing for B12 championships regularly. Don't want to put a figure on that because you can be a top 5 team and not win but we should be in the mix regularly. Wes believes that's who we should be and I believe he's going to do everything in his power to get there.

But we are going 30+ years without making the final four.

UC hasn't made the tournament since 2019.

UC was the oldest team in college basketball this season.

Iowa State went 2-22 in 2020-21 and are a 2-seed in the tournament this year.


I'm happy with the trajectory of UC, and I'm happy for some of you on your high horse, but the frustration with the performance of the program is warranted.

Like, I'm taking the over on wins next year but I can still be pissed that IMO they under achieved this year.

UC has made 23 NCAA and 6 NIT tournaments since 1990. It’s a been a remarkable run of consistently good basketball. I think the next step is to get back to that 1992 to 2002 level where UC was considered at top 10 program. I think we undersell what the this programs has done over the last 30 plus years.

It’s sobering AF watching Oregon salt away this game vs SCAR with an 11 point and 4 minutes to go compared to watching our dumb ass team try to hold a 9 point lead with 2 minutes to go at home last night

We're sure getting the crap times and tv schedule......Sat. at 2pm on ESPN+.....

Nevada pulled a Nevada? UC wins at the buzzer. Must be a bizarro March.

If Wes doesn't make the tourney next season who should UC target for a HC?

We won the game, correct? LOL. Hopefully, the Cats can win Saturday defending home court. If they can win it would be their fourth in a row at 5/3rd...KSU, WVU, SF and Bradley. Something to build on for next season.

(03-21-2024 07:48 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  We won the game, correct? LOL. Hopefully, the Cats can win Saturday defending home court. If they can win it would be their fourth in a row at 5/3rd...KSU, WVU, SF and Bradley. Something to build on for next season.

I'm hoping they win a couple more. Hinkle is a short drive from my house.

(03-21-2024 07:02 PM)513Alex Wrote:  If Wes doesn't make the tourney next season who should UC target for a HC?

It is so premature to even ask this question...both from a UC standpoint and from a potential candidate position. Who the heck knows who will be available or desirable a year from now?

Besides which, we just signed an extension with Wes Miller. "Next season" his seat is cool... "The Trajectory" has been "up" and, so far, "each year" has been "better than the last." So, barring an epic collapse next season or an epic scandal, we're not going to be looking to "move on" from Wes Miller. It's just an absurd idea. All this, "If we don't make the tournament next year" stuff... it's nonsense.

Wes Miller has got at least two more seasons before his seat warms up.

(03-21-2024 08:15 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 07:48 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  We won the game, correct? LOL. Hopefully, the Cats can win Saturday defending home court. If they can win it would be their fourth in a row at 5/3rd...KSU, WVU, SF and Bradley. Something to build on for next season.

I'm hoping they win a couple more. Hinkle is a short drive from my house.

(03-21-2024 08:46 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 07:02 PM)513Alex Wrote:  If Wes doesn't make the tourney next season who should UC target for a HC?

It is so premature to even ask this question...both from a UC standpoint and from a potential candidate position. Who the heck knows who will be available or desirable a year from now?

Besides which, we just signed an extension with Wes Miller. "Next season" his seat is cool... "The Trajectory" has been "up" and, so far, "each year" has been "better than the last." So, barring an epic collapse next season or an epic scandal, we're not going to be looking to "move on" from Wes Miller. It's just an absurd idea. All this, "If we don't make the tournament next year" stuff... it's nonsense.

Wes Miller has got at least two more seasons before his seat warms up.

I agree that he will get two more years, but I think the expectation for next season is to make the tournament and be a Top 25 team. Fair or not, year 4, it is time to deliver. I'm hoping he does, and we've certainly seen progress thus far, just maybe not as much as some fans would like.

For me, this season has been incredibly frustrating because they clearly have the talent of a tourney team, but they just couldn't consistently put it together.

Note: I haven't ran the numbers, but if we just shot 70% from the free throw line we would probably have 4 or 5 more wins. Correct one thing and the team is there.

(03-21-2024 08:56 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 08:46 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 07:02 PM)513Alex Wrote:  If Wes doesn't make the tourney next season who should UC target for a HC?

It is so premature to even ask this question...both from a UC standpoint and from a potential candidate position. Who the heck knows who will be available or desirable a year from now?

Besides which, we just signed an extension with Wes Miller. "Next season" his seat is cool... "The Trajectory" has been "up" and, so far, "each year" has been "better than the last." So, barring an epic collapse next season or an epic scandal, we're not going to be looking to "move on" from Wes Miller. It's just an absurd idea. All this, "If we don't make the tournament next year" stuff... it's nonsense.

Wes Miller has got at least two more seasons before his seat warms up.

I agree that he will get two more years, but I think the expectation for next season is to make the tournament and be a Top 25 team. Fair or not, year 4, it is time to deliver. I'm hoping he does, and we've certainly seen progress thus far, just maybe not as much as some fans would like.

For me, this season has been incredibly frustrating because they clearly have the talent of a tourney team, but they just couldn't consistently put it together.

Note: I haven't ran the numbers, but if we just shot 70% from the free throw line we would probably have 4 or 5 more wins. Correct one thing and the team is there.

I totally agree. But over and over again, I have been told that it's NOT the Coach's job to fix technical and skill problems.

I'm a bit of a relic... I prefer "small ball" over the flashy "dunk" ball that many others prefer. Free throws...lay ups...those little "bunnies" that we don't seem to be able to consistently get...reliable post play and being able to drive into the paint. That's not "this team's" forte.

(03-21-2024 09:03 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 08:56 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 08:46 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 07:02 PM)513Alex Wrote:  If Wes doesn't make the tourney next season who should UC target for a HC?

It is so premature to even ask this question...both from a UC standpoint and from a potential candidate position. Who the heck knows who will be available or desirable a year from now?

Besides which, we just signed an extension with Wes Miller. "Next season" his seat is cool... "The Trajectory" has been "up" and, so far, "each year" has been "better than the last." So, barring an epic collapse next season or an epic scandal, we're not going to be looking to "move on" from Wes Miller. It's just an absurd idea. All this, "If we don't make the tournament next year" stuff... it's nonsense.

Wes Miller has got at least two more seasons before his seat warms up.

I agree that he will get two more years, but I think the expectation for next season is to make the tournament and be a Top 25 team. Fair or not, year 4, it is time to deliver. I'm hoping he does, and we've certainly seen progress thus far, just maybe not as much as some fans would like.

For me, this season has been incredibly frustrating because they clearly have the talent of a tourney team, but they just couldn't consistently put it together.

Note: I haven't ran the numbers, but if we just shot 70% from the free throw line we would probably have 4 or 5 more wins. Correct one thing and the team is there.

I totally agree. But over and over again, I have been told that it's NOT the Coach's job to fix technical and skill problems.

I'm a bit of a relic... I prefer "small ball" over the flashy "dunk" ball that many others prefer. Free throws...lay ups...those little "bunnies" that we don't seem to be able to consistently get...reliable post play and being able to drive into the paint. That's not "this team's" forte.

Yep, it is easy for us fans to focus on those negatives, free throw shooting, erratic play for stretches, inability to finish at the rim, poor 3PT shooting for stretches, etc, but there were a lot of positives, we were/are an elite rebounding team, the defense took a huge step forward (Top 20), and IMO the offensive shot selection and sets improved but still have plenty of room to improve (we didn't start every game with a Davenport 3 this year).

(03-21-2024 01:41 PM)levydl Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 12:44 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  If Day Day can’t go then it’s going to be good test for this staff’s ability to manage a game shorthanded. I think you need CJ Anthony to give you 4 to 8 minutes or about 1 segment each half.

Newman has to better on offense but I think he bounces back. Crowd needs to be rowdy and the players focused and ready to go from the tip.

Much prefer to use one of SGs/wings as the lead guard for the 10-12 minutes that James needs a rest than to play Anthony.

Anthony is not going to play. This is one time where Mark has no idea what he’s talking about.

(03-21-2024 04:22 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I think it was 9 games that we lost by 5 points or less.

So if just two of the multitude of missed 3's in each of those games go in, we would have been 27-4.

Twenty seven... and... four. We're probably at least a 2 seed. THIS team.

And we're a spoiled fan for being frustrated???? Come on, man.

I respectfully disagree. If we are playing a little bit better, the other team clamps down and also focuses better. We were inferior than several of those teams so I could see us winning two of them but the other ones it would be a crapshoot.

(03-21-2024 09:16 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 08:43 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 08:24 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I feel like some folks just like to make themselves miserable. If you don't enjoy watching this team, I don't know what to tell you. So many thrilling games. They are a bunch of fighters. Inexperienced at PG. Missing a true 2 guard, but they have repeatedly played incredibly entertaining basketball.

And what a performance by Simas last night. Dude has been so damn clutch all season, often even in defeat (see the Texas game). With the jump these guys can make this offseason and hopefully a couple key portal additions, the future looks very bright in Cincinnati.

It's awfully funny following comments. If we have terrible players and terrible coaching it would have been impossible to win 7 big 12 games and really be in a position to win almost every night.

It's okay to be disappointed we're still building but be excited for the future. To me the biggest concern on this team is we didn't have a go to offensive option which it now looks like will be in place next year with Simas. You mentioned it in another post but although the overall PG production has been good inexperience has killed us. Day Day is the best player on the court sometimes and has 7 TOs last night. That combo should improve their consistency game to game a lot next year. If Dan can get a little stronger to finish through contact and a little more control on his handle he could be an all conference player. One more dynamic offensive option and I think we have a change to be an upper half of the league team next year which would make you a second weekend capable team

I don't think Simas is a go-to guy, but he is a very good #2 option and kills it in catch-and-shoot. We do need a couple of guys taking the load of shot creation....that may be Dan and Jizzle, could be a guy we get out of the portal, but I don't think we're very far off from have a very nice season next year if the core remains in Red and Black.

I hope you are right. I see too many coaching mistakes, substitution and strategy mistakes. I also don’t see any help coming from his assistant coaches.

(03-21-2024 10:19 PM)ZCat Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 04:22 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I think it was 9 games that we lost by 5 points or less.

So if just two of the multitude of missed 3's in each of those games go in, we would have been 27-4.

Twenty seven... and... four. We're probably at least a 2 seed. THIS team.

And we're a spoiled fan for being frustrated???? Come on, man.

I respectfully disagree. If we are playing a little bit better, the other team clamps down and also focuses better. We were inferior than several of those teams so I could see us winning two of them but the other ones it would be a crapshoot.

Wait, ...what??

Isn't that what they already did???

Are you the guy who once said that missed free throws don't affect the outcome of a game because it would change the flow of the game from there on if you made them???

What's interesting about the NIT, is UC is basically playing in two 5/12 equivalent matchups to start it (with UC in the role of the 5 seed). San Francisco and Bradley are basically NCAA tourney 12 seed caliber teams. Bradley is 60 KP, San Fran is 63 KP. The 12 seeds this year are:

Grand Canyon 53 KP
James Madison 59 KP
McNeese St. 66 KP
UAB 106 KP (Big drop)

And because these are small conference teams, you know they will be hungry. Good tests for these guys in tournament basketball, and the kind of team they could be facing next year in the NCAA tourney if they have the kind of success we hope they have.

(03-21-2024 09:23 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 09:03 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 08:56 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 08:46 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 07:02 PM)513Alex Wrote:  If Wes doesn't make the tourney next season who should UC target for a HC?

It is so premature to even ask this question...both from a UC standpoint and from a potential candidate position. Who the heck knows who will be available or desirable a year from now?

Besides which, we just signed an extension with Wes Miller. "Next season" his seat is cool... "The Trajectory" has been "up" and, so far, "each year" has been "better than the last." So, barring an epic collapse next season or an epic scandal, we're not going to be looking to "move on" from Wes Miller. It's just an absurd idea. All this, "If we don't make the tournament next year" stuff... it's nonsense.

Wes Miller has got at least two more seasons before his seat warms up.

I agree that he will get two more years, but I think the expectation for next season is to make the tournament and be a Top 25 team. Fair or not, year 4, it is time to deliver. I'm hoping he does, and we've certainly seen progress thus far, just maybe not as much as some fans would like.

For me, this season has been incredibly frustrating because they clearly have the talent of a tourney team, but they just couldn't consistently put it together.

Note: I haven't ran the numbers, but if we just shot 70% from the free throw line we would probably have 4 or 5 more wins. Correct one thing and the team is there.

I totally agree. But over and over again, I have been told that it's NOT the Coach's job to fix technical and skill problems.

I'm a bit of a relic... I prefer "small ball" over the flashy "dunk" ball that many others prefer. Free throws...lay ups...those little "bunnies" that we don't seem to be able to consistently get...reliable post play and being able to drive into the paint. That's not "this team's" forte.

Yep, it is easy for us fans to focus on those negatives, free throw shooting, erratic play for stretches, inability to finish at the rim, poor 3PT shooting for stretches, etc, but there were a lot of positives, we were/are an elite rebounding team, the defense took a huge step forward (Top 20), and IMO the offensive shot selection and sets improved but still have plenty of room to improve (we didn't start every game with a Davenport 3 this year).

Bolded, good assessment of Bearcat improvements this year.

Watching the NCAA so far, we're already seeing plenty of double digit leads blown so it's not just with our Bearcats. It's always happened but sure seems more prevalent today than ever. I can only speculate on what might be happening and I'm curious what others see...

- more talented players on more college teams than ever before--camps, advances in high school training/conditioning, AAU play and players aiming for scholarships plus NIL; money that is no longer under the table from an elite few, but widely dispersed even at some mid-majors,
- more of a mercenary mindset from some players who are now well compensated and enjoy free agent status with the portal. Among those, are some unwilling to yield to coaching structure and discipline? The kind of team discipline we saw in the Jucker era, or even more recently during the Huggins years, is it gone forever?
- the 3 point field goal that enabled large margins to be erased quickly for come from behind victories?

(03-21-2024 10:19 PM)ZCat Wrote:  

(03-21-2024 04:22 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  I think it was 9 games that we lost by 5 points or less.

So if just two of the multitude of missed 3's in each of those games go in, we would have been 27-4.

Twenty seven... and... four. We're probably at least a 2 seed. THIS team.

And we're a spoiled fan for being frustrated???? Come on, man.

I respectfully disagree. If we are playing a little bit better, the other team clamps down and also focuses better. We were inferior than several of those teams so I could see us winning two of them but the other ones it would be a crapshoot.

It's not just that. It's also that his statistics are ignoring the close games we won.

In regular season games that were within one possession (3 points) at the end of regulation, we went 5-3.

Howard - won in OT
Texas - lost by 1
Baylor - lost by 3
TCU - won in OT
Texas Tech - won by 3
UCF - won by 2
Kansas State - won by 2
Oklahoma - lost in OT