7-5 in the Big East? How has this happened?

I was thinking back to the preseason and what was expected of this team, which was not much. UC was picked to finish 12th in the league by the coaches. Obviously, the Bearcats have exceeded those expectations to this point, with seven conference wins to their credit already, so they’ve been one of the surprise teams in the league.

You would have thought that of the Bearcats to be where they are one or two of their freshmen would have had to produce big years, but that hasn’t happened. So how have they reached this point where they appear headed to the Big East Tournament, possibly with a decent seed?

Of course, you start with the play of Deonta Vaughn, who has elevated his game well beyond where it was last year when he made the Big East all-rookie team. Then you factor in the play of point guard Jamual Warren, who in my mind has been the biggest surprise of all. Warren has been more valuable running the UC offense than I would have ever imagined. And I think he has surprised Mick Cronin, too. Remember, Cronin originally planned to use Vaughn a lot more at the point this year.

And although many UC fans don’t want to admit it, Adam Hrycaniuk has been an asset in the middle because of his ability to play post defense against some of the bigger players in the league. Unlike last year, UC has depth at that position with Hrycaniuk, Anthony McClain and Kenny Belton.

The freshmen haven’t been great, but they have made contributions. More importantly, they have given Cronin more options so that he can rest the other players. On the down side, I expected more out of Alvin Mitchell, who has been a non-factor and is currently suspended. And I thought McClain would be more productive, although he has been hindered by a foot injury.

Add it all up and somehow it’s working. Give Cronin and his coaches credit for that.