binturong Wrote:When was the last time UC looked efficient or crisp on offense, or overall for that matter?  They do it for short stretches, but usually they have us frustrated that watching our team is like a dental appointment.

Clearly, "Huggs' way" is what we see -- game after game, year after year.  I think this prevents UC from being a truly elite team each year.  The elite teams look/play efficient far more often than we do.

Right, Bin. Lets get rid of the bum.

:rolleyes:

Rathskeller_Crew Wrote:

binturong Wrote:When was the last time UC looked efficient or crisp on offense, or overall for that matter?  They do it for short stretches, but usually they have us frustrated that watching our team is like a dental appointment.

Clearly, "Huggs' way" is what we see -- game after game, year after year.  I think this prevents UC from being a truly elite team each year.  The elite teams look/play efficient far more often than we do.

Right, Bin. Lets get rid of the bum.

:rolleyes:

Maybe he has a point there! Our offense has sucked the last few years!

Rath-
If "getting rid of the bum" was my point, I'd say that. I'm not calling anyone a bum -- looks like you used that word, not me. And I'm not recommending getting rid of anyone.

I'm merely pointing out that UC basketball is what we see most of the time. It's not pretty -- we often win in spite of ourselves (which is kind of a backhanded compliment). Our program is built on defense, athleticism and attitude, which leads to plenty of "ugly wins" (and occasionally losses).

Very often, the offense doesn't appear to be very well conceived and/or well executed. We win because of blue collar work most of the time, and that's a fine thing to be known for. As we discuss this, we talk about our frustration that the team isn't showing any offensive flow, and we debate lineups that will fix this problem. I'm saying that this is the norm. Players come and players go, and we continue to look uneven and "play uphill," relying on our grit and strength and heart to pull us through -- which isn't such a bad thing!

I do think, however, there's a correlation between what I'm talking about and what happens each March when the competition is sharper, the coaching is universally better, and the margin for error is less.

Don't get me wrong ... I say "Go Bearcats!" just as much as anyone. But I watch teams like UConn, North Carolina, Illinois, Arizona, etc... They just look different -- more organized and prepared, at least on offense.

I think rational fans can and should examine what we have and what that can mean. All of us want very much for this program to reach the very top level along with those dozen or so programs that are seen as the real elite. I think the Big East affiliation will help a great deal, but I'm just saying that things often look like they come real hard for UC. Coach chalks up lots of our wins to outworking our opponents, and that's probably true. In March, however, there aren't any slackers in the brackets, and the elite teams I'm talking about don't work any less hard than UC does.

So ... we have what we have. It's "Huggs' way," and I want it to take us as far as possible.

Well said Bin...
Putting the ball in the hole has been a major problem most years under Huggs. Sometimes it's the players, sometimes it seems to be the scheme and sometimes it's the lack of players in the proper role (like a true PG). IMO, the "do it my way" comment was pointed more at the fact that Coach wasn't as demonstrative as he usually is and didn't yank people either (a positive in my book). But then again, he doesn't have as deep a bench as usual AT THIS POINT.

BTW, was I the only one who heard the announcers mention that Jihad had an injured thumb? And I also thought that I saw a wrap on it late in the game. I know Nick has one but I could have sworn I heard them talking about Jihad too. Just wondering.

Cal1362 Wrote:BTW, was I the only one who heard the announcers mention that Jihad had an injured thumb? And I also thought that I saw a wrap on it late in the game. I know Nick has one but I could have sworn I heard them talking about Jihad too. Just wondering.

He hurt his shooting thumb a while back ago and has been wearing a wrap on it.

It was tongue in cheek.

"Great win, but..." "Glad we won, but..." "We better improve or..." What is wrong with (inset player's name here) ...."

With some people the question is not whether the glass is half full or half empty....I think some people believe the glass is twice as big as it is supposed to be. (FYI...that was meant as a joke so please do not get all hot and bothered).

This isn't the most talented team we have had in Clifton. Huggs knows this. I think some people are going to need to come to grips with that this season or they are going to be miserable when we get into the meat of the schedule.