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(03-25-2019 09:43 AM)levydl Wrote:  

(03-24-2019 10:29 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  I think last season’s disappointment has really fractured this program/fanbase.

I think this is right. Cronin had several years with teams that were between the 20th and 40th best in the country. Last year was his first that was a top 10 title contender. Had they just played to their seed, the program would look much better. To implode with a huge lead in round 2 was a massive step backwards. That was particularly so after Evans went pro, which blew any chance that this year's team could be a real contender.

I don't think it's actually a thing that a coach can't win in March. Pretty much every one of the he-can't-win-in-the-tournament guys end up winning in the tournament, because the more you get back there with good teams the more likely it is both that you'll play to your seed and that you'll get an unlikely run. It's just super frustrating that Cronin has failed in the tournament, and that UC hasn't gotten it done in March in nearly 25 years.

I thought before the season started that the situation had become so toxic that it might be good for everyone if Cronin moved on. I think it's much, much, much more likely that his replacement would not be as good as he is, but maybe it's time for a high risk/high reward play. It would be an emotional and not a rational decision, but maybe it would work out, and at least it'd be something different, which would be exciting in itself.

I had fun this year fighting with all the Bearcats depressives around here. Cheers to you.

Bolded, my philosophy as well. Just keep getting there, the higher seed you are the better and eventually the wins will come. The NCAA tournament, especially as a non-protected seed is largely getting lucky - either in matchups or in the games themselves - and winning against an equally good team. We've been on the unlucky end quite a bit, but keep going and eventually that will turn around.

I'm not sure how toxic it really is. The message board has definitely been more toxic, but the stadium still filled up with fans. As long as people are still filling the seats, I don't think the Mike Bohn is really going to take notice. Next year we will have a top 25 team and fans will still show up, if we fail to make an NCAA tournament run next year, then 2020 is when we might see fewer fans showing up (since the team won't be as good).

(03-25-2019 10:00 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 09:43 AM)levydl Wrote:  

(03-24-2019 10:29 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  I think last season’s disappointment has really fractured this program/fanbase.

I think this is right. Cronin had several years with teams that were between the 20th and 40th best in the country. Last year was his first that was a top 10 title contender. Had they just played to their seed, the program would look much better. To implode with a huge lead in round 2 was a massive step backwards. That was particularly so after Evans went pro, which blew any chance that this year's team could be a real contender.

I don't think it's actually a thing that a coach can't win in March. Pretty much every one of the he-can't-win-in-the-tournament guys end up winning in the tournament, because the more you get back there with good teams the more likely it is both that you'll play to your seed and that you'll get an unlikely run. It's just super frustrating that Cronin has failed in the tournament, and that UC hasn't gotten it done in March in nearly 25 years.

I thought before the season started that the situation had become so toxic that it might be good for everyone if Cronin moved on. I think it's much, much, much more likely that his replacement would not be as good as he is, but maybe it's time for a high risk/high reward play. It would be an emotional and not a rational decision, but maybe it would work out, and at least it'd be something different, which would be exciting in itself.

I had fun this year fighting with all the Bearcats depressives around here. Cheers to you.

I think you're exactly right on the there's no such thing as a coach that can't win in March. But then you advocate firing Cronin to please the mob.

Look the program is really on stable ground. We've got a brand new arena and the conference is improving yet we've finished 2, 1, 2 in the regular season and won 2 tournament titles. Cronin is a good coach who's vastly outperformed being the 49th highest paid coach in the country. If we try to replace him the odds of getting someone as good good or better is small; maybe 10-15%. If you factor in the current salary it's closer to 0. I'm not sacrificing 4 months every year of good entertaining basketball for a low percentage play.

I wish we had taken advantage of our opportunity last year and unified around the program but that didn't happen. If people want to dream big and play the coaching lottery that's their choice; but I'll never be on board.

Agreed. I'd say 15-20% of getting someone as good or better, but about the same odds. Less then 5% of getting someone as good or better who is willing to stay long-term and not bolt to the first big school that offers him a lot more money. If we play the coaching lottery once and win, then we will being playing again a few years down the line.

(03-25-2019 10:00 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  I think you're exactly right on the there's no such thing as a coach that can't win in March. But then you advocate firing Cronin to please the mob.

Look the program is really on stable ground. We've got a brand new arena and the conference is improving yet we've finished 2, 1, 2 in the regular season and won 2 tournament titles. Cronin is a good coach who's vastly outperformed being the 49th highest paid coach in the country. If we try to replace him the odds of getting someone as good good or better is small; maybe 10-15%. If you factor in the current salary it's closer to 0. I'm not sacrificing 4 months every year of good entertaining basketball for a low percentage play.

I wish we had taken advantage of our opportunity last year and unified around the program but that didn't happen. If people want to dream big and play the coaching lottery that's their choice; but I'll never be on board.

I'm definitely not advocating it. I'm just saying that I'd be resigned to it. As I said, I think it'd be a low percentage gamble, though probably higher than 15% and especially 0%, LOL. Coaching college basketball isn't exactly heading up the Manhattan Project. UC could find another star. We might have to find another one 4 years later, but that could be exciting too.

One thing that I wish Cronin would do--and that Bohn would suggest that he do--is to take some media training. He makes enemies out of people who would otherwise be fans.

I'm not worried about next year as far as the regular season is concerned. It will likely be us, Wichita State, and Memphis competing for the conference title, with us being the clear favorite...I'm far more concerned about 2020-21 season. I think that's the year that this all starts falling apart...and may be the last season of Mick.

(03-25-2019 10:01 AM)skyblade Wrote:  I'm not sure how toxic it really is. The message board has definitely been more toxic, but the stadium still filled up with fans. As long as people are still filling the seats, I don't think the Mike Bohn is really going to take notice. Next year we will have a top 25 team and fans will still show up, if we fail to make an NCAA tournament run next year, then 2020 is when we might see fewer fans showing up (since the team won't be as good).

You might be right that it's not that toxic, but it's not just the message board. I'd say a very large percentage of UC fans that I know doesn't like Cronin. It's not an insignificant problem.

(03-25-2019 11:17 AM)levydl Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 10:01 AM)skyblade Wrote:  I'm not sure how toxic it really is. The message board has definitely been more toxic, but the stadium still filled up with fans. As long as people are still filling the seats, I don't think the Mike Bohn is really going to take notice. Next year we will have a top 25 team and fans will still show up, if we fail to make an NCAA tournament run next year, then 2020 is when we might see fewer fans showing up (since the team won't be as good).

You might be right that it's not that toxic, but it's not just the message board. I'd say a very large percentage of UC fans that I know doesn't like Cronin. It's not an insignificant problem.

I think a majority of casual Bearcat fans are ready to move on.

(03-25-2019 10:24 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  I'm not worried about next year as far as the regular season is concerned. It will likely be us, Wichita State, and Memphis competing for the conference title, with us being the clear favorite...I'm far more concerned about 2020-21 season. I think that's the year that this all starts falling apart...and may be the last season of Mick.

Ignore the defending champs at your own peril. UH will be just as good if not better. The record won't be as gaudy, but as long as Sampson is the coach the team will compete for a title.

(03-25-2019 11:41 AM)Mademen Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 10:24 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  I'm not worried about next year as far as the regular season is concerned. It will likely be us, Wichita State, and Memphis competing for the conference title, with us being the clear favorite...I'm far more concerned about 2020-21 season. I think that's the year that this all starts falling apart...and may be the last season of Mick.

Ignore the defending champs at your own peril. UH will be just as good if not better. The record won't be as gaudy, but as long as Sampson is the coach the team will compete for a title.

I think you are right and Houston will be among the top teams as well. Congrats on the current run. Houston and UCF have earned some much needed respect for the AAC.

(03-24-2019 12:14 PM)Former Lurker Wrote:  Buffalo, St. Bonnie's and WKU are not the schools UC should be competing against for recruits.

I understand the sentiment and agree generally, but on the flip side, Mick has shown himself to be a top notch identifier of talent. People weren't banging down the doors to get SK either. Troy Caupain was rated as number 212 nationally. Ironically, that was also the year of our 5* recruit, the illustrious Jermaine Lawrence. Tre Scott only had offers from UAB and FAU and has turned out to be a good player. I could easily see Hardnett having a Scott like career trajectory. There is no coach in the country that is going to walk into UC and start competing against the likes of UK or even your upper tier P5 teams.

(03-25-2019 11:44 AM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 11:41 AM)Mademen Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 10:24 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  I'm not worried about next year as far as the regular season is concerned. It will likely be us, Wichita State, and Memphis competing for the conference title, with us being the clear favorite...I'm far more concerned about 2020-21 season. I think that's the year that this all starts falling apart...and may be the last season of Mick.

Ignore the defending champs at your own peril. UH will be just as good if not better. The record won't be as gaudy, but as long as Sampson is the coach the team will compete for a title.

I think you are right and Houston will be among the top teams as well. Congrats on the current run. Houston and UCF have earned some much needed respect for the AAC.

Understandable...I just think they take a step back losing Davis, his impact on both offense and defense was incredible. They really need Jarreau and Hinton to grow quick this off-season to fill that void.

(03-25-2019 11:41 AM)Mademen Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 10:24 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  I'm not worried about next year as far as the regular season is concerned. It will likely be us, Wichita State, and Memphis competing for the conference title, with us being the clear favorite...I'm far more concerned about 2020-21 season. I think that's the year that this all starts falling apart...and may be the last season of Mick.

Ignore the defending champs at your own peril. UH will be just as good if not better. The record won't be as gaudy, but as long as Sampson is the coach the team will compete for a title.

Can't you see that we could give two fat ***** about Houston right now?? I know you felt slighted by the post....But you're the one going out of your way to browse a BEARCATS message board, where there are 5 open threads simultaneously going with people freaking about the state of the program and our head coach...And you think you can come in here all " durr durr durr, don't forget about us next year! " and not expect anybody to flip **** on you?? I got a whole bunch of pent up rage ready to unleash on the next person that looks at me funny and you think it's all kosher to just COME INTO OUR HOME AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT YOUR REMODELED KITCHEN IS AND HOW WE SHOULD REALLY GIVE TWO *****. ASDLFJSLDJFASLDKGJASFL

(03-25-2019 01:46 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 11:41 AM)Mademen Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 10:24 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  I'm not worried about next year as far as the regular season is concerned. It will likely be us, Wichita State, and Memphis competing for the conference title, with us being the clear favorite...I'm far more concerned about 2020-21 season. I think that's the year that this all starts falling apart...and may be the last season of Mick.

Ignore the defending champs at your own peril. UH will be just as good if not better. The record won't be as gaudy, but as long as Sampson is the coach the team will compete for a title.

Can't you see that we could give two fat ***** about Houston right now?? I know you felt slighted by the post....But you're the one going out of your way to browse a BEARCATS message board, where there are 5 open threads simultaneously going with people freaking about the state of the program and our head coach...And you think you can come in here all " durr durr durr, don't forget about us next year! " and not expect anybody to flip **** on you?? I got a whole bunch of pent up rage ready to unleash on the next person that looks at me funny and you think it's all kosher to just COME INTO OUR HOME AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT YOUR REMODELED KITCHEN IS AND HOW WE SHOULD REALLY GIVE TWO *****. ASDLFJSLDJFASLDKGJASFL

Welcome to our board, Mademen!

You will no doubt find it full of exhilarating, intelligent talk, deft perspectives, gracious and happy fans, and all your dreams will come true posting here. Please enjoy your stay and if you need anything, anything at all, just let us know.

Cincinnati will definitely be better next year. Jarron is going to have a similar season and I expect good improvement from Williams, Scott, and Brooks. The frontcourt depth will be deeper as well with the continued progression of Nsoseme and Diarra. There are two main questions heading into next season:

- Can Logan Johnson handle ~20 mpg at the point to move Jarron off-the-ball for at least half the game?
- Can one of our wing players step up into a starter or 6th man role?

Between Moore, Hardnett, and Curtis we need one of them to make a consistent impact and average ~8ppg. I still think we need to add a grad transfer like Jaevin Cumberland to improve the competition and add shooting ability at that 5th/6th spot before I feel comfortable.

(03-25-2019 02:25 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 01:46 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 11:41 AM)Mademen Wrote:  

(03-25-2019 10:24 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  I'm not worried about next year as far as the regular season is concerned. It will likely be us, Wichita State, and Memphis competing for the conference title, with us being the clear favorite...I'm far more concerned about 2020-21 season. I think that's the year that this all starts falling apart...and may be the last season of Mick.

Ignore the defending champs at your own peril. UH will be just as good if not better. The record won't be as gaudy, but as long as Sampson is the coach the team will compete for a title.

Can't you see that we could give two fat ***** about Houston right now?? I know you felt slighted by the post....But you're the one going out of your way to browse a BEARCATS message board, where there are 5 open threads simultaneously going with people freaking about the state of the program and our head coach...And you think you can come in here all " durr durr durr, don't forget about us next year! " and not expect anybody to flip **** on you?? I got a whole bunch of pent up rage ready to unleash on the next person that looks at me funny and you think it's all kosher to just COME INTO OUR HOME AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT YOUR REMODELED KITCHEN IS AND HOW WE SHOULD REALLY GIVE TWO *****. ASDLFJSLDJFASLDKGJASFL

Welcome to our board, Mademen!

You will no doubt find it full of exhilarating, intelligent talk, deft perspectives, gracious and happy fans, and all your dreams will come true posting here. Please enjoy your stay and if you need anything, anything at all, just let us know.

LOL! This response might be my favorite post here in quite a while...well done.

As has been noted repeatedly we have a PG problem and we may have a depth problem. i'm not as high on LoJo as some of you on here. His athleticism is impressive and he's a dog on D, which i appreciate. He needs to shoot more and get some makes. He also needs to be 75%+ from the FT line. Can't give away points. Playing offense for defense end of games sux. if he can become a reliable two way player, it helps immensely. He also doesn't need to bomb from three but he needs to get us some buckets (10 pts or so). if his handle is tight enough to run pick and roll/pop with Tre, i'd encourage him to do so so that he can get to the rim or pull up for mid-range. Too many players see a wide open trey and think they have to pull the trigger. if he doesn't have that shot in his arsenal he needs to take one that is. i'm OK with him starting. He doesn't have to handle the ball. Jarron can do that. Honestly, i would like for us to go full Harden with Jarron. He's our best passer. Admittedly that's a very low bar, especially now that Jenifer has graduated but we might as well go triple threat with the Jarron. i'm also OK getting Curtis sixth man status ahead of Moore/LoJo (whoever starts). We need buckets and he seems to know how to get buckets. The fact that he was the man on his team already gives him an edge on Moore, mentally. When Jarron sits, which hopefully he'll be able to do more of this season, i'm OK green lighting shots for Curtis. We'll need the fire power for the tourney.

i'm as big a fan of Trevor as anyone on this board. i am pulling for him but right now he's not giving us much. He's going to have to make a gargantuan leap from this season. He needs to get us 5 pts minimum off the bench. 10 pts if he starts. And it doesn't have to be from three. He needs to develop a pull up and get more confidence going to the rim. Dig in on the offensive boards and get some put backs. Just see the effing ball go through the hoop. it seems like he only thinks in terms of threes. He needs to think in terms of scoring. i'm pulling for him the way i pulled for Jenifer. And get some new effing shoes. i've never seen someone slip so much on D.

i know Diarra has some fans on here but he's still one tier up from walk-on minutes imo. i had not seen a lot of him previously and it seems like whenever he was in he was just trying to get his on offense. i'm higher on Nsoseme then most on here. Setting aside the injury, which i wasn't aware of, he works hard on D and on the boards. Hopefully with some time to fully recover he'll be more of a contributor in those areas. Honestly, a lot of that is BBall IQ. Knowing how to play without fouling. When to contest and when to play position defense. Getting position without going over the back. i realize he has no offensive game but if he can get us 10 boards, a put back or two, or some second chances on offense, and plays good D, i'd be satisfied with that. i'd take Nsoseme over Diarra right now because Nsoseme understands his role and does it well enough. Diarra doesn't play big enough for my taste on defense and on the boards. And it would also help if Nsoseme improved his FT shooting. Making 70% from the FT line should be mandatory to even get a scholly.

i think Rashawn will get better on D. i don't know if he'll get all that much better on O. He's going to be a glue guy/defense/rebounding/setting screens. i'm OK with that. The bar was fairly low. Similar to Nsosome/Diarra, i would actually take Rashawn over Diarra as well for the exact same reason. That said, if he shoots a trey, i'd pull him in a second. Get boards and play D.

As far as Laquill or Prince goes, i look forward to seeing what they bring to the table.

Nysier, Tre and Jarron are strong contributors. if Keith continues to develop we are in really good shape.

As far as Cronin goes. i like him and i hope he stays. i want Cincinnati to succeed and i want him to be the driver of that success. i think he's a good game prep coach; however, i don't believe in his in-game coaching. Hopefully he'll take some time in the off season to seek out some guidance and mentoring to continue to develop. i realize we'll never play an attractive brand of basketball and that's fine. Not ideal but i'll take winning ugly over losing pretty.

I love LoJo, but I don’t think he’s ready. Nor do I think Mick does.

A few months ago weren’t we looking at some transfer PG (juco??). Then AZ got interested. Not sure what happened, but a true PG would do wonders for us. I know they are about as easy to get as a skilled big.

Anyhow, mick going after him told me he doesn’t feel LoJo is ready. Even with Cumberland playing some point, we are going to need another guard.