DePaul 60, UC 54 - Postgame
Someone in the postgame asked Mick Cronin if it wasn't a sad thing that the seniors had to go out with a loss in their last home game. (It wasn't soft-hearted me who asked the question). Mick's proper response was the seniors should be disappointed and embarrassed over the way they played.
I don't know if this is the worst offensive team I've ever covered at UC but if it's not, last year's team was.
During those five minutes when UC didn't score late in the game, the Bearcats missed 10 straight shots and committed 10 turnovers.
"We're obviously a very inept offensive team right now," Cronin said.
That may be the greatest understatement Cronin has uttered since he arrived at UC.
posted by bill koch at 10:34 PM
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Post a Comment*Inept all right. Inept offense, inept team, inept coach, inept administration. And that's just putting it nicely!
AH misses way too many bunnies
Bearcatjack
OK and Bill and Hillary are power hungry.
Come on Bill, they are playing 5 Juco players who shouldnt be playing in the MAC (with the exception of maybe Williamson) let alone the Big East. Of course they aren't going to be as powerful offensively when they play as long as they do.
Well it's looks like the team has just plain quit on Super Coach. Realizing that the talent level is average at best and not expecting too much is one thing. But effort has nothing to do with talent. It has to do with two things. What is inside the players and what can be motivating from without, i.e. coaching. And both are very sadly lacking on this team.
Another year UC fans won't have to be concerned about exiting in the second round of the only postseason tournament that counts. This team is coached so well that they look progressively worse with each passing game.
Yeah, looks like Sippin' and all those genius TV sports announcers were right about mentioning UC as a potential NCAA bubble team - 2 years from now.
Watching Kennedy's well-oiled offense last night made me long for his high-quality coaching.
Tonight's game was the exact opposite offensively.
ll:43 Said: Well it's looks like the team has just plain quit on Super Coach.
That is an excellent comment if taken in the context of a weak offensive team to begin with.
I truly wish I knew what the Alvin Mitchell issue was. This team lost some level of heart about the same time as Mitchell departed. Maybe it's just coincidence, but that's hard to evaluate when we've read nothing about what caused Mitchell's departure.
Silence makes it LOOK like something's there.
Honestly, I truly wish they weren't in post-season anything, and that this would just be over.
Since they are going to play a game in the BE Tourney, they should play those who will be here next year, EXCEPT for JUCO Williamson. He's shown a level of desire that would've been much better if supported by a better team around him. Might as well start building for next year.
Mick showed improvement over the beginning of the season, but then there was this terrible destruction of what they'd gained. He lost everything he'd gained....and some.
I don't think Cronin earned his return as head coach next year. He'll stay....just because that's the polite thing to do. If I were the decison maker, it's something I'd have to agonize over, rather than have it be an easy "retain Mick" decision.
Honestly, there was nothing stellar about his coaching. There was nothing stellar about these recruits OR about those 3.5 stars who've been picked up for the future IN COMPARISON to the 4.5 star recruiting of the other BEAST teams.
It makes no more sense to retain Cronin as to release him.
People talk about the JUCO players without Big East talent, but I am much more concerned about the almost total lack of contribution from the freshmen. They have been pretty much a complete disaster. What does that (lack of freshmen contribution) tell us about Mick's recruiting skills?
Also, remember Mick complaining about not having Adam H? Yes, he has contributed on defense and rebounding, but this offense has been just awful. This year, he has been pleading that Mike Williams would have made such a difference and that Aldrich will be such an important addition. Really? I hope so, but you can fool me once but not twice. They had better perform. Yates is very good, but I am interested in how good Cashmere is. His stats are suspect due to the competition he plays against. Remember, Alvin Mitchell had great stats at a good school and he gave us about 2 good games.
I am going to watch the quality of the new players very closely next year and it had better get a lot better. If not, I say give Mick 4 years to produce a strong team and, if he doesn't do it, find someone else who can.
Bearcat Tom
I was booing at the end of the game. Not at the players, but at Mick. The players were dead. If there was no one to spell them, whose fault is that?
Mick loves AH but Vaughn lost the game because he went 3-12. Please...without DV this team is 0-29. I think I would pick my friends a little better.
Truly,
Mick + AH 4ever
No joy in Mudsville. The team's play says it all. See you next year......or the year after.
MC admitted that his team "mailed in" their effort again Thursday.
At least its comforting to know that Mike Thomas believes "all UC BB pointers are in the right direction".
When you have such a lack of experience and depth it finally takes it toll late in the year when these guys break down emotionally and physically from the season and the conference grind.
But it should also be noted that UC hasn't won a game since Cronin opened his mouth about NCAA consideration. Hope he's learned a lesson.
Williamson should be exempt from those comments, he has stepped it up.
Marcus Sikes, Jamual Warren and Marvin Gentry haven't improved at all since coming to UC.
This will be one senior class that I can't really say that I will be sorry to see leave. And probably the same with next year's class.
UC is going to need some time to recover from that disaster a couple years ago.
Theyve had to play twice as hard because they're only half as good. And then they have to listen to their coach say how terrible they are and then they read the electronic paper (as most college kids like to read their own press) and see comments on this blog about how terrible they are. You people dont realize that just like some of us like to see our name in print, so do they. How do you think it makes em feel to read the constant trashing for two years straight?
On a related note, Florida won't make the tournament this year after winning back to back championships. I guess Donovan forgot how to coach all of a sudden. Perhaps you really do need talented players to win in a big time conference? Just a thought.
Reality sets in...
Thanks Nancy!
I hope Sippin Mick doesn't use the "4 of our starters are first year starters" this year excuse for 2009-09.
What kind of excuses are we now going to hear for Mick? And from Mick? Four losses in a row. Two at home against very bad teams in Providence and DePaul. The last victory we had was by only 1 point, also at home, against weakling South Florida. Be patient though, boys and girls, there's only two more losses to go this season.
One question remains: Are the Mick Lovers going to follow him and cheer for his next mid-major coaching job as Huggins and Kennedy lovers are accused of doing?
But don't be a hater and angry at the BOT and Nancy for all of this!
Sincerely,
President of the 'We Love Mick No Matter What' Fan Club
"This will be one senior class that I can't really say that I will be sorry to see leave. And probably the same with next year's class."
What an asinine comment. Brandon Miller is the only senior leaving for sure after next year. What the hell will his departure do to make this better? Hopefully Mike Williams gets another year after next, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
at 8:32 AM Anonymous said...
No joy in Mudsville. The team's play says it all. See you next year......or the year after.
*** Or the year after we have a REAL coach again! ***
Just doesn't this all make us so proud these days to be UC fans as we approach March Madness? This is what happens when you play in the Big East with mid-major players and a video coordinator coach. When will the bleeding end? Thank BOT and Nancy!! And, don't forget this: "All the arrows are pointing in the right direction." Yeah, all the UConn arrows Saturday. Anyone care to guess how many points UConn will win by? Twenty or thirty? Or more? It's likely to get very ugly for the COY frontrunner and his UC jersey wearers.
8:38 said - At least its comforting to know that Mike Thomas believes "all UC BB pointers are in the right direction".
I agree. Thomas' flip comment about not caring about a big loss in attendance worries me. (“Am I concerned?,” said UC athletic director Mike Thomas. “No, I’m not.)
3000 people per game has to represent something in the neighborhood of over a million in lost revenue. That money has to hurt someplace: salary, equipment, recruiting, ....something.
I hope someone's paying attention, since Thomas is in denial.
Anon 8:26......Mick has done a great job with this years team. He has recruited quality kids but not immediate impact freshman because he's trying to build a program. I think saying Mick can't coach or recruit is absolutly crazy! This guy is about to bring in Scotty Hopson and already has Cash$, Yancy, and Dixon. Come on, give Mick a break.
So the UC allotment of 500 tickets to the Big East tournament are all gobbled up already. I wonder if NZ and MT bought 400 of them. The rest will likely show up on eBay soon with a starting bid of 99 cents. And they're worth every penny of that!!
Mick made great points and was dead on his comments post game, except he totally avoided taking any responsibility for the teams performance.
He said he can't make the layups for them - true. How about transition defense? Or 3 point defense? Or defense period?
No wonder these kids want to play for Mick - they don't have to hustle on D. Typical AAU mentality.
Maybe I'll call him AAU mick.
After 2 seasons, he should have them playing better. It is not happening. And his blame game is past irresponsible.
Oh well - XU is doing well, maybe thats the team to support now.
Just dawned on me that maybe next year you will have to buy basketball tix to get football tix.
lol lol lol lol
At this point, I've about lost patience with the whole basketball situation at UC. As a long time fan - all the way back to the 60s, this is the most ridiculous situation that I can recall. And, that includes Yates, Badger and Catlett. Some of these players have not progressed in two long years and that HAS to be the coaching, or lack of it. Does anyone else wish that Cronin was still a video coordinator and we had an accomplished D-1 coach? And I'm not necessarily referring to Huggins and living in the past.
I can hear it now -
next years team is the only one without a 4 year scholly player.
And thats why it will be ok to not do defense or run a decent offense.
Seriously, other than the defense and the offense, they played well this year.
Looks like even the "positive posse" is struggling to find their shining light after Mick's team's latest performance down the stretch.
And now even saying they won't miss most of the seniors after all those "thank-you for coming and showing effort" comments in the "goodbye" seniors post.
Pretty humorous.
Wow, yeah fire Cronin after two years. That's a great idea. Do you not remember the situation he came into? It was as bad as it gets for an incoming coach. And the first year he actually got to recruit he brought in consensus four star guys to a decimated program. Yeah, terrible. But I'm sure we'll see all you bandwagon fans singing his praises next year when the team turns it around with the guys he has coming in.
-Jack
It's a rebuilding program. They were a bottom feeder last year. They are a also-ran this year. They will likely be an NIT team next year. And then the year after that will be back in the big dance.
I think McClain's foot injury has hurt them a lot. When he was able to play more they were winning games against 'Cuse and Pitt. It wasn't an issue of effort, they held a high-scoring Depaul team to 60 points. They played tight, are very limited offensively and if Vaughn goes 3 for 12 they can't win.
Look at it this way: OUT (Williamson, Gentry, Sikes, Warren and Hrycaniuk) IN (Gates, Wright, Aldridge, Dixon and Williams).
The end of to this season is disappointing but that doesn't mean the team won't be better next season.
Sportsmania,
Just for the record, there will be only one senior next year: Brandon Miller.
9:34am.....will Florida be in the NCAA next year or will it take a 4-5 year rebuilding program? Please Advise.
It looks like CSA, SMMM and others are right. Not much improvement this year. Where is that crow stew? If the Cats lose the last two games, then they will finish 13-18. That's only 1 1/2 games better than last year at 11-19. Time for a reality check.
I've seen to many UC recruits labeled the next coming of JC, and result in failure. I want to see Gates, Cashmere, Dixon, Williams, and Aldridge on the court before I call them an upgrade. Is this class of Freshmen throw aways? Each had the opportunity to claim a starting position from low talent upper classmen and failed. BB at UC is not looking good!
Thank you Brian Kelly for UC football. Let's start Spring Practice.
I agree with 12:30 anonymous, I'll reserve judgment on the new players next year by what they do on the court. Period. I know Yates is very good, but I have a lot of questions about the rest.
I don't know anything about Dixon, but why was he available so late in the signing season?
Cashmere is putting up big numbers, but his school doesn't even report some of their scores. Apparently, it is a small school and doesn't play the best competition. Is he another Alvin Mitchell? I have to say, after this freshmen class, I am suspicious. His early success is absolutely critical to UC's success. Warren was a decent point guard.
Mike Williams is supposedly really good and his loss this year hurt UC badly. But we were told the same thing about Adam H. last year. We'll see.
Nick Aldrich is touted as being a great transfer. If he was so good, why did he play at Western Carolina, not exactly a hotbed of NCAA basketball.
If these players disappoint next year, Mick will be on the hot seat, and for that matter, so will Mike Thomas. I say that Mick should get 4 years to turn this ship around. In year 4, I want to see a Top 25 team, and an NCAA 3,4, or even 5 seed team. If we are not close to that, then Thomas will need to find another coach.
Bearcat Tom
Bearcat in Atlanta: It is a sad but true tale. I am glad that you have finally accepted reality. I too am a Bearcat fan and have been for many, many years. I just do not accept this crap which the current administration is trying to pass off as UC basketball. The more fans that realize this, the sooner we can get it fixed.
12:30 -
They aren't throw-aways at all. They're a top-15 class. Didn't you hear? Mick told you Mitchell would provide instant offense...and he sure has. Just hasn't been "offense"... more "offensive."
UC won 2 BE games last year and they won 8 BE games this year. Listen folks are program was gutted and Mick had to start from scratch. Mick beat his mentors Pitino and Huggins on the road with an inferior team. AK and Ole Miss will most likely miss the NCAA's and the SEC is very weak this year, look at UK's SEC record. Hicks, Martin, Stokes, and Brannen struggled as Freshman. Davis, Wilks, McClain, and Bishop will be much better nex year. Coach Huggs is not coming back and AK is not coming back, GET OVER IT!
Funny how Mick seems to sidestep any responsibility for the loss. Instead of saying "we should be embarrassed", he said "the seniors need to be embarrassed" how they played.
For Pete sake, good someone please teach Adam H. how to make a frickin layup!! There are at least 4 games that UC would have won if Adam H. would have made 50% of his missed layups.
Bearcat in Atlanta,
Actually it was I that was preparing the crow stew. But, it is reserved only for those who think Mick is the absolutely greatest coach ever.
Good to see that you are seeing a dud as a dud. For a while I thought maybe you were going to just blindly follow the Pied Piper coach.
We have in common the fact that we want to see UC at the top again. I just firmly believe that Cronin is not the coach that can do it. Time may prove that I am wrong, but I seriously doubt it. The sooner we have a coach that can do it the better. If I'm right, then time's a wastin'!
Sincerely,
President of the 'We Love Mick No Matter What' Fan Club
Are you guys serious? The comments on this blog are insane. This was a bad team last year, and here is a news flash, it is the same team, and it is just as bad this year.
What did you whiners expect this year? Cronin cant wish talent on these kids. They have won more games than they should have, can we not see that as a sign of things to come. Freshmen are not going to step in and save a program, remember UConn last season? No, because they had a bunch of freshmen and they were terrible. They look pretty good now.
Havin said all this, I listened to Cronin's post game show (for the first time this season) and it is disheartening to hear Cronin throw his kids under the bus. Why would they want to play hard for this guy. It starts and ends with the coach, period.
Regarding Adam H.,
Since it is apparent that Adam cannot make layups, why isn't someone telling him to dunk the darn ball.
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