Cronin's expectations

[cincycpaw]

When Vaughn is a senior and the current freshmen are juniors joined by recent signees Yancy Gates and Cashmere Wright, Cronin said, the Bearcats will be equipped to compete in the Big East. - from the enquirer (or post don't remember)

I agree, though it better be more than just compete..we better win, a win a bunch.

While I do find it tough to read his comments about the team and program (he's the leader and shouldn't set such low expectations), I gotta admit, I love the honesty. And, when we are back to being a power, I'll love that honesty even more.

[Bp4thebest]

completely agree with everything... shouldnt have low aspectations but i appriciate being honest oven listening to a coach talk about winning a campionship when his team is poor.. not because of faulse hope but because i cant stand listening to those coaches.. then again.. i feel for these seniors who dont know what its like to play on a great bearcat team and they are not about to give up on us... the coaches honesty may not help motivate his young players who need to be tought through this year.. but like you said on paper that senior year of vaughn is good enough for atleast 22 wins.. that doesnt seem alot but thats like 25 wins in c usa.. they will be better then that but playing a hard game day in and day out in the big east is tough so thats pretty good... but yeah they better be a lagit contender.. atleast be in the big east championship talk and be well equipt to make a tourney run that year! Cronin's comments are honest and lagit but are also a direct reflection of his lack of intensity. Coaches who hate losing never want to lose regardless of the team and that results in success when u demand wins..

[nolte50uc]

Let me pose a question: Does anybody here think they are equiped to compete in the BEast right now?

Don't confuse lack of intensity with low aspirations/expectaitions. He knows this year will be rough. Losing takes a toll on players...more so than us fans. His job as a coach is to keep them motivated and keep them confident. When a team is going to struggle (like everyone knows we will) it will do more harm than good to be in their faces sreaming and yelling constantly. He'll be 'coaching' this year.

I bet we see some progress as the year goes on and qwouldn't be surprised by an upset or two later in year. Trust me, he's not giving up, nor does he lack the fire to compete.

[CincyBeerCo]

I don't think Cronin lacks intensity, and I guarantee he hates the Bearcats losing more than anyone posting on this site. I think those expectations are realistic, but I would welcome some good wins before we hit that time frame.

[tophat]

I basically agree with what Mick said, as I've been talking since last year about the limitations of the seniors on this team. I have to say, though, that I don't like the idea of waiting till Vaughn is a senior. I would have preferred to hear him talk about next year as the year we can compete with the best teams in the BE. I know we'll still be very young, but this year's class will have a full year to learn and mature, and it's the jump from freshman to soph that usually brings the most improvement. Also, Wright and Gates are precocious enough to play well as freshmen. So, honestly, I'm a little disappointed that he said 2 years from now, and I'm going to hope they come sooner than that.

[Cats4Ever]

I guess the ucats pay increase can wait until vaughn is a senior too. If you order a filet, and they serve you a hamburger, it seems to me the bill ought to be reflective of what you got.

[Bearcat Jeff]

When Vaughn is a senior and the current freshmen are juniors joined by recent signees Yancy Gates and Cashmere Wright, Cronin said, the Bearcats will be equipped to compete in the Big East. - from the enquirer (or post don't remember)

I agree, though it better be more than just compete..we better win, a win a bunch.

While I do find it tough to read his comments about the team and program (he's the leader and shouldn't set such low expectations), I gotta admit, I love the honesty. And, when we are back to being a power, I'll love that honesty even more.
I think he is trying to keep the fans expectations where they should be as much as anything. The staff knows what they are dealing with. It would be different if this were 5 freshmen and a group of 4 year seniors. I guarantee that losing is killing him.

[tophat]

I guess the ucats pay increase can wait until vaughn is a senior too. If you order a filet, and they serve you a hamburger, it seems to me the bill ought to be reflective of what you got.

Remember, you're investing in the future. :)

Seriously, I think the talent pool we'll have next year in our first 10 players (based on what we know now) is outstanding. I think anyone "investing" now will be well rewarded in the future, and the returns should start coming next year, not the year after. Eight players will have at least 1 year of experience, and I expect MAJOR improvement then. The only thing I objected to is I understand lowering expectations for this year; I don't feel they need to be lowered for next year.

[nolte50uc]

I think he is trying to keep the fans expectations where they should be as much as anything. The staff knows what they are dealing with. It would be different if this were 5 freshmen and a group of 4 year seniors. I guarantee that losing is killing him.

__Exactly.

[cincycpaw]

I think he is trying to keep the fans expectations where they should be as much as anything. The staff knows what they are dealing with. It would be different if this were 5 freshmen and a group of 4 year seniors. I guarantee that losing is killing him.

Oh I agree.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Vaughn is a senior and how Mick reacts and speaks about things then.

I guarantee losing is killing him now, and I also guarantee that if they are losing with the team with Vaughn as a senior, Mick's 'rebuilding' will have been a failure. It should not take any longer than that. If it does, we're behind schedule and Mick will certainly be in the hot seat.

I have high hopes for the 2009-2010 Bearcats. Win in the Big East (top 4 finish), make the NCAA tournament, advance to the Sweet 16. We're back.

[London 'Cat]

I don't think Cronin lacks intensity, and I guarantee he hates the Bearcats losing more than anyone posting on this site. I think those expectations are realistic, but I would welcome some good wins before we hit that time frame.

Keep one thing in mind about Cronin. He is a UC alum and grew up a UC fan. He wants to bring the program back to national prominence more than anything. Think of him as one of us, only much better paid and much better suited to realize our common goal. Give him time and keep the faith. he will deliver.

[ralph1950]

Mick is "The Man".

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Let me pose a question: Does anybody here think they are equiped to compete in the BEast right now?

Don't confuse lack of intensity with low aspirations/expectaitions. He knows this year will be rough. Losing takes a toll on players...more so than us fans. His job as a coach is to keep them motivated and keep them confident. When a team is going to struggle (like everyone knows we will) it will do more harm than good to be in their faces sreaming and yelling constantly. He'll be 'coaching' this year.

I bet we see some progress as the year goes on and qwouldn't be surprised by an upset or two later in year. Trust me, he's not giving up, nor does he lack the fire to compete.

I have a better question. Does anyone in here know how to spell the word equipped?

[james jr]

Let me pose a question: Does anybody here think they are equiped to compete in the BEast right now?

Don't confuse lack of intensity with low aspirations/expectaitions. He knows this year will be rough. Losing takes a toll on players...more so than us fans. His job as a coach is to keep them motivated and keep them confident. When a team is going to struggle (like everyone knows we will) it will do more harm than good to be in their faces sreaming and yelling constantly. He'll be 'coaching' this year.

I bet we see some progress as the year goes on and qwouldn't be surprised by an upset or two later in year. Trust me, he's not giving up, nor does he lack the fire to compete.

I just wonder if telling kids they are not good enough to compete is a good motivational tool. How about trying to maximize what they CAN do instead of ALWAYS pointing out their talent deficiences?

[CincyBearcat95]

I just wonder if telling kids they are not good enough to compete is a good motivational tool. How about trying to maximize what they CAN do instead of ALWAYS pointing out their talent deficiences?

Remember, that what Mick says on the air is being talked about in the locker room too. These guys, while much younger than me, aren't children. They understand or had better understand what is ahead of them. I for one would never question Mick's desire to win or to make UC great. As an Alum you love seeing one of your own steering the ship.

I think people are worried about his coaching, because even after a year, he's still new to us in that regard. Which probably isn't fair either. But it is what it is. I've been on this board just about everyday since a couple years ago (maybe a slight exaggeration) but I've seen what people have posted. "We may win 20 games next year, yah, BE tourney or its a disapointing year." Now, we're starting to see what Mick already knew - its not that easy to build a powerhouse. Its going to take longer than any fan, player or coach want it to.

On the other hand, as a fan, his honesty is sometimes bitter-sweet as everyone else is saying.

Now, one more comment. Everyone here knows how great of a recruiter Mick is, but think about the conversations he has had to have with these kids. They are great ball players, used to winning, and to have to tell them "its going to be a couple years before we're good." but still getting them to sign, when they are also looking at the UConns, KU's, UK's, etc. Now that is impressive even with the promise of immediate playing time.

[nolte50uc]

I have a better question. Does anyone in here know how to spell the word equipped?

Thanks for poynting that out. I'll run my posts threw spell-chek nxet time.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Thanks for poynting that out. I'll run my posts threw spell-chek nxet time.

Did you mean thyme?