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Bill Koch offers the latest on the Cincinnati Bearcats


Bill Koch is a sportswriter covering the University of Cincinnati's athletics.

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

The booing of Adam Hyrcaniuk

Mick Cronin was visibly upset Wednesday night when fans booed the sight of Adam Hrycaniuk entering the game with two-and-half minutes left and the Bearcats clinging to a six-point lead.

And he was still bothered by it this afternoon.
"I was very upset about it,"Cronin said. "Boo me. Don' t boo him."

Why did he put Hrycaniuk back in the game at such a crucial juncture when Anthony McClain was playing so well? It seemed obvious at the time, but some people didn't get it. Hrycaniuk is a 80 percent free throw shooter, McClain 46 percent. Cronin knew that Syracuse was pressing and would foul whoever received the inbounds pass. He was proven right when the ball went to Hrycaniuk and he was promptly fouled. Hrycaniuk then went to the line and made both free throws.

"I should get booed if I don't put him in the game," Cronin said.

Moments later, with McClain back in the game, he, too, made two free throws, but you can't fault Cronin for going with the percentages when he did.


22 Comments:

at 4:41 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I completely agree that it was pretty low to boo Adam H. I was at the game and saw it happen. The first thing I said to my girlfriend that I was at the game with was, ‘he's putting him in for free throws’. Not only do I think it stinks that people drop to this level at times, the overall knowledge of the fans about basketball in general at the UC games is really bad and somewhat comical.

 
at 4:44 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

People wouldn't boo if Adam wasn't such a bad player. I personally didn't boo but I did cry inside.

 
at 4:48 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I absolutely agree. Booing college athletes isn't ok. Boo all the pro's you like but leave the student athletes alone...especially at home!

 
at 4:57 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was so disgusted to read about Adam H being booed. How low class can you get? I guess low class enough to boo someone who has worked as hard as Adam has to be a contributing member of the Bearcats.
Adam overcame alot to be at UC this year. Had I to face what he did I don't know that I wouldn't have given up.
Has he missed some unfortunate bunnies - you bet. But there isn't anyone who booed him that plays as hard as he does.

What losers.

Mick you are right to be upset with the bugwits who booed Adam. Guess they're really so awesome and amazing at their pick up bb games that they feel its their right and responsibility to do that.

Thanks for sticking with UC Mick and thanks for your efforts to get us back on track. I know it ain't been easy! Hang in there and tell Adam to ignore the bores. And do go over as it has been suggested and remind the student body that we're all Bearcats and we support each other.

 
at 5:58 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Absolutely! Adam shoots the free throws on technical fouls, which means Mick thinks Adam is the best shooter of free throws on the team.

And even if he wasn't, Adam deserves respect. Who is going to sub for Biggie next year? Belton or Aldridge? Adam is bigger and better at defending all the Hibberts and Padgetts in this conference. We would have won more games last year if Adam had been eligible.

 
at 6:31 PM Blogger Monclova Steve said...

I suppose people have a right to boo college kids. They've paid their money for a ticket. Of course they do this from afar, not face to face.
We also have the right to draw some conclusions about these people, based on this behavior.
Mine would be:
1) Not a true Bearcat fan, but only when they win. These people will brag and feel important when UC wins, but rip the team when UC loses.
2) Have very poor knowledge of how the game is played.
3) Either weren't good enough to play sports, or weren't successful doing so.
4)Don't appreciate effort, hard work, hustle, etc.
5) Love to insult others so that they can feel important. Of course, the insults are only hurled from afar -- not face to face.

Hey Adam H: Come to UC, work hard, get screwed by the NCAA, overcome the obstacles while trying to improve your game! And -- by a few cowards in the stands -- you'll get BOOED!
These people are a joke!

 
at 6:50 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mick, don't worry we are booing you too.

 
at 8:08 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't agree with booing either, but the message is that Adam H. needs to get more aggressive. How else can the crowd say 'please change your behavior'?

I'm certain that Adam is trying his heart out, but he is just too passive -- he has 1 year of college ball to play and he should be dunking those bunnies instead of missing them. It's just frustrating to watch as a fan.

 
at 8:32 PM Blogger Nate said...

IT IS NOT ABOUT BOOING COLLEGE KIDS...right or wrong...
IT IS ABOUT FREE THROWS!!!
Why people can't understand this i do not know. At least our coach understands.

 
at 8:34 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Monclova Steve, great post. You nailed the characteristics of some of the folks who just embarrass themselves with their behavior and their postings.

 
at 8:49 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

As others have said, booing college athletes is unacceptable. It's quite easy for all of us to sit back and criticize every minute thing they do, but I know first hand how difficult it is to be a student-athlete....not to mention a major sport, DI athlete.

Sure Adam isn't the best center in the world, but he clearly leaves it all on the floor and continually hustles on every play. I just wish people would understand all that he brings to the team. And any time in the future you aren't pleased with someone's play, silence is always an alternative to booing.

 
at 9:24 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, I finally get it. Although the booing was quite out of line, Adam H. is to college BB what Charlie Weis is to coaching at Notre Shame...Very Weak! Start Biggie, he's the future center and get him more experience.

 
at 9:27 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mick said it all. Let's not boo our own players, this guy does hustle and gives us valuable minutes on the floor. McCain is not going to play 40 minutes and Adam is better in some areas, particularly free throw shooting.

We did win against a team with a 12-3 record coming into the shoe.

 
at 9:47 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mick, don't worry we are booing you too.

Boy you really got him there. I bet Mick's crying all the way to the bank after that brilliant shot.

 
at 10:28 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

No doubt the person that BOOs a college athlete with a work ethic like Adam's, is the person who sits at home on mommy and daddy's computer(at age 28) and types up stupid blog posts. Maybe the basketball educated fans should boo you for being a loser!!

Mick is doing a great job and there is no dount UC is fortunate to have his abilities. Can't wait to take out Villanova!

 
at 9:49 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

It doesn't surprise me that hardly anyone can look at this objectively. Everything must be black and white, eh? Right or wrong?

It is what it is. Anon 8:08 pm hit the nail on its head, but no one else seems to understand.

I remember when I talked to Warren last year before the season started and Adam's eligibilty hadn't been decided yet. He told me Adam was so good that "He could go to the 'League' right now if he wanted to."

We all know Warren likes to talk, but this is the Adam I want to see!

Great win, anyway. I can't wait until Anthony is a junior. He's going to be 'Beast'y.

 
at 9:52 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Adam has very good form when he shoots the ball (except lay ups).

I bet he can dunk it like an animal, though.

Hey Adam, lay one down againt Villanova. I wanna see you posterize somebody!

 
at 10:42 AM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Adam does a lot of invisible things, like blocking out so someone else can get a rebond. As far as th bunnies, Adam has to do so much mauevering to get the shot, that he is at the edge of his ability when he shoots the shot, this causes him to sometimes rush the shot or in other cases he is not physically capable of finishing. happens to everyone, i once watched isaah thomas miss three layups in a row, when he was in his prime. a couple games ago adam made 4 out of 6 shots yet the only mention he got was the fact that he missed a layup. i watch a lot of times when adam is in position so he can make a simple move and lay it in, but he doesnt get the ball, then when he is actually out of position he does. give him the ball at the right time or take responsibility. i believe that the team does. Mick knows.

 
at 12:15 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

Always a few idiots, but I believe that most of the boos were directed at Coach Cronin's decision to put Adam H back in the game, even though it was the right decision at the time.

 
at 1:26 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't agree with booing college players.

In Adam H's case, isn't he a "freshman" at the college game for all practical purposes? Wasn't he in limbo in both Kennedy's last year and Cronin's first year?

I'm also guessing that a Polish background and language have their challenges for him, also.

 
at 3:07 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree also that college athletes shouldn't be booed for a lack of talent or ability. If D-1 BB is such a challenge though, shouldn't he be playing at the D-2 level? It only makes sense...

 
at 6:48 PM Anonymous Anonymous said...

College sports is a profession. Fans pay good money for the right to boo. Vocal opposition without threats of violence is fine. These athletes are adults and need to grow up. The sooner the better. The world will not hold their hands in the business world if they don't make their employer a profit. (Unless of course they are on the public dole)

 
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