Bradley 70, UC 67
OK, this time it's really over, although someone suggested after the game that maybe the CBI has something similar to wrestle-backs, where the Bearcats would play Brown next and then keep playing until they lose again. No such luck. There is no consolation bracket in the CBI. In the end, as Mick Cronin said after the game, it was the same story, UC was just too limited offensively with too small of a margin for error. There are many who believe that UC didn't belong in the postseason with its record and I understand that. It's hard to make a case for a team with a 13-18 record and a six-game losing streak, but I don't blame Cronin or his team for wanting to play. As Cronin said, these seniors, while they may not be the most talented, gave him everything they had the last two years. If they wanted to play another game, who was he to say no? So now you can look ahead to next year, presumably with a little more offensive firepower and a little more margin for error. May the CBI, bless its good intentions, be a one-time experience for the UC basketball program.
posted by bill koch at 9:10 PM
11 Comments:
at 9:27 PM 
'WLMNMW' Prez said...
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MsUC said...
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BearcatsFan said...
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54655465 said...
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Monclova Steve said...
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Cheviot Sports Authority said...
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Ben said...
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UCLaw/A&S said...
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CanMickCoach? said...
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Post a Comment*Got to hand it to them. This cute, little, petite, what’s its name tournament gave them one last chance to embarrass themselves and us. And thankfully, they took full advantage of the opportunity and lost to perennial powerhouse Bradley!
What a coach! What a team! And Adam H. is the greatest of them all! Misses a lay up with no one within eight feet of him! Even Chuck and Dan went off on him. And at the end of the game, down three with eight seconds to go and they let the ball be dribbled by Bradley and don’t even foul!
Oh well, there’s good news and bad news. Good news – The seniors will depart. Good news – Vaughn returns. Bad news – So does the coach. When will we have both a good coach and a good team again? Kind of makes you wish that you had an opportunity to worry about going out in the second round of the NCAA again, doesn’t it?
Per MC... As Cronin said, these seniors, while they may not be the most talented, gave him everything they had the last two years.
Which is it? MC said they gave it their all for two years. Then,during the loses and postgame interviews, MC complains that his team did not hustle and did not show up to play.
MC has yet to demonstrate that he is a big East coach. Yes, he had a few major upset wins. But then he had 5-8 very ugly loses without team hustle. And worst, he complains his players don't pay attention to in-game instruction. MC needs to demonstrate leadership and the ability to recruit D1 for himself (as opposed to recruiting for Pintino and Huggins). We true UC Fans are waiting and losing interest.
UC really is the hundred and something ranked team in the nation.
But, it's over. Shoulda played the freshmen.
Bill, is the team's PR department telling you to say some of the above??
Geez.
And how can Mick, with a straight face, say the seniors gave everything they had? The team once again showed inconsistent defensive EFFORT on the game tonight and didn't appear into it until near the end when they had little chance to win.
Sorry, but I don't see that the seniors showed they "wanted" to play this game. They didn't demonstrate that strong desire.
And why do you presume more offensive firepower already? The recruiting class at this point is ranked LOWER than this year's class, and none of them showed any signs they will be a consistent offensive threat next year.
Also, please don't say Mike Williams as one of the reasons you think we can "presume" the offense will be better. He might improve the offense, but so far he's looked anything but impressive in his two years playing at this level.
I think part of the team's problem is Mick usually lacks fire on the sidelines. He doesn't seem to demand discipline from the players, and it shows. He just tis there on the sideline with a blank look on his face while he (you know the word) on his water.
All I can say is that this season was the most enjoyable in the past 30 years. Quality play, hustle, fabulous coaching, and NBA level talent.
God Bless Coach Cronin, Mike Thomas, and Dr. Zimpher.
GO CATS!
Bill,
My CBI fever turned out to be just the flu after all.
Bill Koch is right on this one. Lets be sure that the CBI is a one and done thing. Lose to a middle of the pack Missouri Valley team, impressive.
Well, the Bearcats managed to lose 19 games (same as last season) and end with a 7 game losing streak. OK, now let me hear how they won 8 games in conference this year. Marvelous! They managed to sneak up on a few people early in the season. If they played Louisville, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Villanova and Syracuse now, how many do you think they would win? This team ended up being just as bad as last seasons.
There really is no argument to the contrary.
Worst part is: It looks like more to come. OK, I am done for this season (as are the Bearcats). I am off to the sports bar to watch some real basketball. Just a few short years ago, I could have been watching the Bearcats.
ST CSA
May the CBI, bless its good intentions, be a one-time experience for the UC basketball program.
Amen.
After watching last night, I am so glad some of these seniors are gone. I am happy they chose to come here under less than ideal circumstances, but if I had to watch a 6'10 dude miss a wide open lay-up one more time, I was going to scream loud enough for them to hear me in Peoria (CAN HE NOT DUNK?)Also, if you haven't hit from beyond the arc all year - i.e. Sikes, why would you continue to force the issue when Vaughn was obviously on fire. I am a big Mick fan and I cannot wait for the incoming class to get in here. Next year, the offense should not be an issue and if the young guys keep buying in defensively, there should be no more CBIs.
Oh well, UC lost, the tournament was worth a shot, but in the end UC just did not have the talent or the depth. Interesting that UC really struggled early in the year without Warren and late in the year without Gentry and Mitchell. I am not saying any of the players are great, nor do I believe Mitchell needs to come back, but the lack of depth at guard and at the wings really showed. Davis, Bishop, and Wilks were not ready to step in and be stars. Altought Bishop became a solid role player. Next year the sophmores need to improve, which they will. Williams, Aldrige, Gates, Wright, Dixon....plus however, joins them we be much better than Adam, Gentry, Warren, Sikes, and John Williamson. Basically UC is trading JUCOs with experience for TALENTED newcomers. The end result should be a winning season and post season birth santcioned by the NCAA (NCAA or NIT)
mick can recruit. best thing he can do is to build the talent base.
the team rpi prior to the bradley loss was 117. last year they ended at 125.
the long term answer is for mick to fill up the roster with talent and then bring in an experienced, winning coach. how about Kruger from UNLV?
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