Before I Forget

[richard k.]

Chuck Machok said today that AT LEAST one of the newbies Cronin has signed for next year will be in the 7 man rotation - and it could very easily be 2, and possibly even 3; with Gates, Wright and Dixon and Jackson as the other 4. He thinks next year's team will be better than this year's squad - and that Cronin has UC on the verge of moving from a middle of the pack BEast team into the upper echelon.

Sorry - I left out Kilpatrick as the "5th" returnee.

[boxout]

Chuck Machok said today that AT LEAST one of the newbies Cronin has signed for next year will be in the 7 man rotation - and it could very easily be 2, and possibly even 3; with Gates, Wright and Dixon and Jackson as the other 4. He thinks next year's team will be better than this year's squad - and that Cronin has UC on the verge of moving from a middle of the pack BEast team into the upper echelon.

Nice!!! He should know, he's been around it forever!!!

[loshow22]

I hope Kilpatrick is in that mix...didn't see him mentioned

[GoBearcats31]

Mick's used 10 guys all year, not sure I'd anticipate a 7 guy rotation.

Obvious: Dixon, Gates, Kilpatrick, Jackson Wright (obvious)
Freshmen: Sanders and Shaq Thomas seem to be the contenders (based on what we've heard as far as scouting reports, Mick's comments)
Also: Parker could get Larry Davis' minutes, and Gaines will get PT (without depth in the post) if he's any good, or a potential late signee

[Kindog202]

I hope Kilpatrick is in that mix...didn't see him mentioned

Me too, I bet it was an oversight by Richard. Can't see why he wouldn't be...

[Kindog202]

Mick's used 10 guys all year, not sure I'd anticipate a 7 guy rotation.

Obvious: Dixon, Gates, Kilpatrick, Jackson Wright (obvious)
Freshmen: Sanders and Shaq Thomas seem to be the contenders (based on what we've heard as far as scouting reports, Mick's comments)
Also: Parker could get Larry Davis' minutes, and Gaines will get PT (without depth in the post) if he's any good, or a potential late signee

We will sign a "big" late...

[richard k.]

Me too, I bet it was an oversight by Richard. Can't see why he wouldn't be...

See my amendment above - just an oversight. :o

[richard k.]

We will sign a "big" late...

Machok said that is what Cronin is working on - but nothing definitive.

[richard k.]

OK - since I forgot "Killa" I'll simply add some of the other Machok comments here - though they don't have anything to do with new recruits - before I completely forget everything:

UC lost the Notre Dame game in the last minute of the first half - they struggled to cut the lead down to 35-30, but did not handle the ball/shots well in the last 45 seconds or so, and ended up down 10. As they moved along in the in the second half the only player who was up and kept saying we gotta keep playing - we can beat these guys - was, ta da - Yancy Gates.

In analyzing the players on this year's team he commented that the only player who can beat someone and get into the paint is Wright, and with a bum shoulder and a bad knee (which came about as a result of the achilles tear) he can't do it against top level opponents. He likes Wright - says he works hard on his game, and wants to learn. One thing he could do - is work on a "lateral" move which Chuck said Van Excel excelled at. Neither Dixon nor Parker are quick enough to get in to the paint against almost anybody.

Gates needs to practice making his moves to the basket more quickly. He takes too long and allows other teams double him. He is unselfish, almost to a fault.

As someone up ahead said - Cronin believes in a 10 man rotation - Chuck would like to see him cut it to 7, 8 at the most - his comment was you were not going to beat ND with Davis, Wilkes and Thomas standing outside the 3 point line and chucking up 3's. If we do that against Missouri we will get beat. By the way, he thinks Missouri was under seeded, since along with K. State, with whom they split, they were the 3rd best team in the Big 12.

Talking about 3's, he's not thrilled with our ability to hit 3's unless the shooter has time, and is wide open. His comment was that when you watch really good outside shooters they can score, getting their shot of quickly and even with a hand in their face. We don't have anyone right now who can do that with any sort of consistency.

He likes Jackson a lot - great hops, which Yancy does NOT have - but you can't have a guy playing who shoots less then 38% from the free throw line.

He really believes that Mick is on the cusp of moving the team into the upper echelon (top 5 or so) of Big east teams. And yes, at this point in time, there doesn't appear to be any great love lost between Mick and Calhoun.

If I remember, and at my age that's a long shot, anything else, I'll just keep adding.

[weez1414]

We will sign a "big" late...

Hopefully Gods Gift Achiuwa. Rivals now has UC and like 3 others with UC and Niagra the only offers. I know I said Niagra, but he averages 15pts.-15rebs.-2blks. in Junior college. He's built like Omeka Okafur and that worked out well for UCONN.

[anbuc88]

OK - since I forgot "Killa" I'll simply add some of the other Machok comments here - though they don't have anything to do with new recruits - before I completely forget everything:

UC lost the Notre Dame game in the last minute of the first half - they struggled to cut the lead down to 35-30, but did not handle the ball/shots well in the last 45 seconds or so, and ended up down 10. As they moved along in the in the second half the only player who was up and kept saying we gotta keep playing - we can beat these guys - was, ta da - Yancy Gates.

In analyzing the players on this year's team he commented that the only player who can beat someone and get into the paint is Wright, and with a bum shoulder and a bad knee (which came about as a result of the achilles tear) he can't do it against top level opponents. He likes Wright - says he works hard on his game, and wants to learn. One thing he could do - is work on a "lateral" move which Chuck said Van Excel excelled at. Neither Dixon nor Parker are quick enough to get in to the paint against almost anybody.

Gates needs to practice making his moves to the basket more quickly. He takes too long and allows other teams double him. He is unselfish, almost to a fault.

As someone up ahead said - Cronin believes in a 10 man rotation - Chuck would like to see him cut it to 7, 8 at the most - his comment was you were not going to beat ND with Davis, Wilkes and Thomas standing outside the 3 point line and chucking up 3's. If we do that against Missouri we will get beat. By the way, he thinks Missouri was under seeded, since along with K. State, with whom they split, they were the 3rd best team in the Big 12.

Talking about 3's, he's not thrilled with our ability to hit 3's unless the shooter has time, and is wide open. His comment was that when you watch really good outside shooters they can score, getting their shot of quickly and even with a hand in their face. We don't have anyone right now who can do that with any sort of consistency.

He likes Jackson a lot - great hops, which Yancy does NOT have - but you can't have a guy playing who shoots less then 38% from the free throw line.

He really believes that Mick is on the cusp of moving the team into the upper echelon (top 5 or so) of Big east teams. And yes, at this point in time, there doesn't appear to be any great love lost between Mick and Calhoun.

If I remember, and at my age that's a long shot, anything else, I'll just keep adding.

Thanks for the synopsis. Some great comments from Machok. Just an FYI, Cashmere Wright tore his ACL, not his Achilles tendon. Great job though in providing us this info.

[loshow22]

I love Jackson...I think he is going to be a special player at UC. He will never be anything flashy or wow the stat sheets, but that guy is a solid, unselfish Bearcat...I look forward to watching him progress....Justin, if you read this, work on the ft's man!

[MicksTheGuy]

Actually Gates would be very dangerous if he works on his FT's as well. You can see when he really focuses that he can make them. We need a deadly 3pt shooter for next year but couldn't everyone. I'm amazed when I watch the tournament how many of those guys are actually out there on the smaller teams.

[righthook]

Hopefully Gods Gift Achiuwa. Rivals now has UC and like 3 others with UC and Niagra the only offers. I know I said Niagra, but he averages 15pts.-15rebs.-2blks. in Junior college. He's built like Omeka Okafur and that worked out well for UCONN.

I think the reason Niagara's on his list is they are the "hoemtown" team. It's not a measure of his talent.

[Cats for Life]

We are getting a dead eye shooter next year in Sanders. He is going to be a major weapen and IMO will contribute the most as a frosh. St. John's worries me with God's Gift. They need a big and have one scholorship left. God's Gift lives in New York which also helps a ton.

[Kindog202]

We are getting a dead eye shooter next year in Sanders. He is going to be a major weapen and IMO will contribute the most as a frosh. St. John's worries me with God's Gift. They need a big and have one scholorship left. God's Gift lives in New York which also helps a ton.

I think it will be interesting, his recruitment. St.Johns is having a Cinderella season but (as everyone knows) they lose everyone but Pollee. God's Gift only has 2 years of eligibility. I think St.Johns will be way down next year as they will be basically playing freshman and their class is not loaded with multiple Top 10 freshman (ala UK). I don't see them making the tourney next year but will steadily be on the rise the following year.
**
With the Top 4 scorers returning, mixing with a very solid, promising freshman class, as Machock has alluded too, this team (UC) is pushing for the BE upper echelon.
**
If you are God's Gift, would you rather stay closer to home and maybe not make the tourney in your 2 remaining years or go to a school further away from home where you can come in and get starters minutes right away and maybe be the piece that pushes the team deep into the tourney the next 2 years.
**
Out of every unsigned "big" left, I want God's Gift the most. He would slid right in at the 4 and play/split minutes with JJ. He is a junior and would help balance the classes and he has the coolest name I've seen in quite some time. :)

[FBBBUCfan]

Out of every unsigned "big" left, I want God's Gift the most. He would slid right in at the 4 and play/split minutes with JJ. He is a junior and would help balance the classes and he has the coolest name I've seen in quite some time. :)

Uh, how 'bout Cashmere Wright?

Frickin' awesome!

[psax889906]

We need a deadly 3pt shooter for next year but couldn't everyone.

I'm not sure we'll have a Jon Diebler/Field Williams type shooter- in fact I'm certain we won't next season. But I think these guys can get it done (at a better percentage than this year (which was improved over last year)) by committee. Cash is a streaky shooter and when he's aggressive in looking for his shot he can can a decent %. It will be interesting to see how his game progresses from his soph. to junior year. Will he plateau or will he make a leap in performance anywhere near what Kemba was able to? SK should continue to improve and he will be solid from 3. Same with Dixon. The wild card has to be Jermaine Sanders- if he can shoot in the 40's from 3 he will see some serious immediate playing time one would think.

[OCASCM07]

I'm not sure we'll have a Jon Diebler/Field Williams type shooter- in fact I'm certain we won't next season. But I think these guys can get it done (at a better percentage than this year (which was improved over last year)) by committee. Cash is a streaky shooter and when he's aggressive in looking for his shot he can can a decent %. It will be interesting to see how his game progresses from his soph. to junior year. Will he plateau or will he make a leap in performance anywhere near what Kemba was able to? SK should continue to improve and he will be solid from 3. Same with Dixon. The wild card has to be Jermaine Sanders- if he can shoot in the 40's from 3 he will see some serious immediate playing time one would think.

Hopefully they get Cash fixed and rehabbing that knee and shoulder as soon as possible so he has time to get in the gym this summer and work on his shooting consistency and defense because we'll need him again most of the year next year with no proven consistent experienced Point Guards backing him up. But hopefully Guyn can fill that need.