Some thoughts on Aldridge

Some of you have wondered if Nick Aldridge, because he had problems with Larry Hunter at Western Carolina, might also be a problem for Mick Cronin. I don't think so. I talked to a reporter from the Ashland paper last night and he told me that he didn't think Aldridge's transgressions, whatever they were, were anything major. He said Hunter was very complimentary when talking about Aldridge last year. He was suspended before the Elon game this season for violating unspecified team rules and after that decided to leave the program.

This seems like a good pickup for UC. I know that Mick has passed on some players that he could have had because he thought they might be a problem, so if he's' taking Aldridge, he must be convinced that he won't be a problem. Remember, this guy was recruited by Bob Huggins, who didn't take a lot of players who couldn't play. He gives UC another offensive weapon, more depth and some badly needed experience - albeit at a mid-major program - for next year. What's more, he has nearly three years of eligibility remaining.

This has been a very good week for Mick and UC, beginning with the win over Louisville and then with the decision by Aldridge to transfer. If the Bearcats win at St. John's tomorrow - and that shapes up as a winnable game - they will be in the enviable position of starting their Big East season with two road wins and four of their next five games at home. Any team in the league would love to be in that position.