How did this team get worse?

[juckerrules]

I don't get it - was McGowan that much of a force? Last year, after 9 games, the team was 7-2, in 5 of the 7 wins the team won by double figures, they beat X by 10.
After 12 games, they were 9-3 and had defeated NC State

Is the competition that much better this year?

Is it the loss of Warren (so far) that big a factor?



Granted they pretty much belly-flopped the rest of the season, but I expected improvement this year - they seem to have regressed - I guess this year, the 2nd year of lost recruiting is being felt more - also the wasted spot on the roster because of the Williams injury..and not having Jamual in the game is bigger than most have discussed...I think he's a crucial cog in the wheel.

Other than Jamual, I'm mystified...I can only surmise that the loss of McGowan was huge, as none of the freshman have adequately replaced him - other than that it's basically the same team, with an extra year's experience...shouldn't they be better?

[jeffto]

Last year most of the team arrived together. They were all new. This year you've added several new, on-paper better, players to the nucleus from last year. It will take a while for the chemistry to sort itself out.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

It's easier to get 7 or 8 guys on the same page than 12 or 13.

[daaphearthrob]

Dude there are a million freshman on this roster... its going to take some time... this team is better than last years you'll really be able to tell later in the season.

Patience is a virtue.

I wish some people on here would just calm down. This team will be better than last year's by far and in a year or two we're going to be seeing a team that looks like Bearcat teams of old.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

[Bearcat Jeff]

I have come to the conclusion that there are people that just see what they want and ignore all circumstance and facts. They ignore the situation of the program. Even the fact that every announcer, coach, etc. that speaks to the U.C. situation acknowledges that it will take years to rebuild and acknowledges the great job this staff has done under these circumstances that they did not create. They see only negatives because it justifies their bitterness at the situation. They ignore the fact that all over the country, even top 25 teams are struggling against mid major teams because the mid major teams are made up of experienced players. They ignore the fact that young teams are bad (worse) early than they will be later in the season. They live in the past not the truth of the present. They think if a past coach was here that we would go to the final four even under these circumstances. They ignore the part that past coach played in creating the current circumstances. They see and believe the worst because that is what they hope for. It is pay back to an administration that screwed up in their timing of taking care of a problem that needed taken care of 2 years earlier. This team will suffer their wrath and when they do start playing well and winning many will jump on the wagon and talk about what a wonderful job Mick and Co. did rebuilding this program from the ashes. The negativity surrounding this program is unjustified and simply shows a great deal of ignorance to the facts and circumstance that surrounds the program presently. In '08 - '09 this team will be competing at a top level. To judge it prior to then is unfair to any coach or player that is currently here. They all deserve better than they get on this or any forum. Just my opinion.

[jeffto]

Dude, you make really good points, but your posts are hard to read. Could you please make some paragraphs.

I agree with you. There's still a lot of anger among fans that's being transfered to Mick. I do believe that, slow but sure, more and more people are letting it go. Like everything, a very vocal minority is making it seem worse than it is.

It's been a long time since I've heard rantings about withholding financial support for UC sports. That's good.

As more people realize it's more productive to discuss the present and the future rather than rehash the past, we'll all come together again.

[vabearcat]

Sikes has not improved offensively, although he appears to be rebounding somewhat better. Gentry is a liability defensively, and is very inconsistent offensively. He cannot stay in front of people, as was demonstrated in the Belmont, BG and Western Carolina games, where his man continually took him right to the basket. Williamson is a solid player, but is prone to fouls because he often playing out of position. Vaughn is a solid Big East player, but he is being asked to do too much. His lack of speed makes it more difficult for him to get his own shot. There is obviously great inconsistency from the freshman and while they will get better, they are not going to make much, if any, impact in the Big East or against teams like Memphis, NC State, Xavier and even Miami, each of which is filled with experienced returning players and, except for Miami, better athletes.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Dude, you make really good points, but your posts are hard to read. Could you please make some paragraphs.

I agree with you. There's still a lot of anger among fans that's being transfered to Mick. I do believe that, slow but sure, more and more people are letting it go. Like everything, a very vocal minority is making it seem worse than it is.

It's been a long time since I've heard rantings about withholding financial support for UC sports. That's good.

As more people realize it's more productive to discuss the present and the future rather than rehash the past, we'll all come together again.

It takes a minimum of 5 years to build a program from scratch. That's where UC was in March 2006 because the administration delayed naming a coach until then.

It may take 7 or 8 years to build a BEast caliber team.

Not Mick's fault. Not any coach's fault.

[Bp4thebest]

I have come to the conclusion that there are people that just see what they want and ignore all circumstance and facts. They ignore the situation of the program. Even the fact that every announcer, coach, etc. that speaks to the U.C. situation acknowledges that it will take years to rebuild and acknowledges the great job this staff has done under these circumstances that they did not create. They see only negatives because it justifies their bitterness at the situation. They ignore the fact that all over the country, even top 25 teams are struggling against mid major teams because the mid major teams are made up of experienced players. They ignore the fact that young teams are bad (worse) early than they will be later in the season. They live in the past not the truth of the present. They think if a past coach was here that we would go to the final four even under these circumstances. They ignore the part that past coach played in creating the current circumstances. They see and believe the worst because that is what they hope for. It is pay back to an administration that screwed up in their timing of taking care of a problem that needed taken care of 2 years earlier. This team will suffer their wrath and when they do start playing well and winning many will jump on the wagon and talk about what a wonderful job Mick and Co. did rebuilding this program from the ashes. The negativity surrounding this program is unjustified and simply shows a great deal of ignorance to the facts and circumstance that surrounds the program presently. In '08 - '09 this team will be competing at a top level. To judge it prior to then is unfair to any coach or player that is currently here. They all deserve better than they get on this or any forum. Just my opinion.

you get it sir! im one of the fans that are here to support this team right now... i understand the situation we are in comletely.. Lets say Bob huggins had the coaching talent he has, and mick has the talent he has, yet the rolls were reversed. Say Bob was the no named coach that came in this exact situation to replace mick cronin, the coach that returned the team to prominence.. could he do a better job? also have to consider that mick is taking over a program use to winning and is following a legendary coach. Yes bob returned the team to prominence, but he didnt follow after a big named coach. The expectations were not as high, and he had time to recruit right away. He was not thrown into the flames like mick has been. On top of that, Mick has to turn it around in perhaps the deepest con ever. Bob took over in I wanna say the Metro con. Not to take away from Bob, not to say Mick is or will no dought be the coach Bob is, but to not treat the guy will full respect and not give him a chance shows me that alot of so called fans just dont understand. But it doesnt matter to me, I get it and it will make me that much more proud when they do turn it around.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

you get it sir! im one of the fans that are here to support this team right now... i understand the situation we are in comletely.. Lets say Bob huggins had the coaching talent he has, and mick has the talent he has, yet the rolls were reversed. Say Bob was the no named coach that came in this exact situation to replace mick cronin, the coach that returned the team to prominence.. could he do a better job? also have to consider that mick is taking over a program use to winning and is following a legendary coach. Yes bob returned the team to prominence, but he didnt follow after a big named coach. The expectations were not as high, and he had time to recruit right away. He was not thrown into the flames like mick has been. On top of that, Mick has to turn it around in perhaps the deepest con ever. Bob took over in I wanna say the Metro con. Not to take away from Bob, not to say Mick is or will no dought be the coach Bob is, but to not treat the guy will full respect and not give him a chance shows me that alot of so called fans just dont understand. But it doesnt matter to me, I get it and it will make me that much more proud when they do turn it around.

Sorry, your facts are wrong. Huggins was named UC coach in March 1989. Yates had been unable to recruit that whole year (0 signees) as a lame duck.

Huggins had 6 returning scholarship players and signed 2 more - Michael Joiner and Tarrice Gibson - that spring (1989) for a total of 8 on 1990 roster.

UC was in the midst of NCAA probation (from Yates era) with restrictions on scholarships, etc.

The Metro Conference - Louisville, Memphis, etc - was one of the nation's top conferences in the 1980's.

Huggins chose the JuCo (recruiting) route because it was his best route to success (1992 FF, 1993 E8).

[Bp4thebest]

how does JUCO in 1989 affect the 1992 and 1993 year? And you are right I was wrong about the situation coming in. But i would also like to add that it was not as bad as this situation. Also, I know who was in that con but it was nothing like the competition
UC faces in the Big East today. I also feel that competition today is more even, evident of the upsets this year all around college basketball. It's getting tougher to dominate now a days. But then again, UC should have more talent then little schools. I dont wanna take anything away from Bob, but to be negative about Mick and to think Bob could do better in this situation is ignorant. Not pointing out anyone in particular, but to alot of fans.

[Irishbearcat]

I think we are truly two years away from what some of us expected. Mike Williams would have added scoring inside, which we still don't have. I see us being really good in '09, when our inside and outside game is going to be deadly.
Next year should be pretty good as well, but it's hard to expect too much from sophs, especially when they aren't named Mayo or Gordon. Good things will happen, we just need patience.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

how does JUCO in 1989 affect the 1992 and 1993 year? And you are right I was wrong about the situation coming in. But i would also like to add that it was not as bad as this situation. Also, I know who was in that con but it was nothing like the competition
UC faces in the Big East today. I also feel that competition today is more even, evident of the upsets this year all around college basketball. It's getting tougher to dominate now a days. But then again, UC should have more talent then little schools. I dont wanna take anything away from Bob, but to be negative about Mick and to think Bob could do better in this situation is ignorant. Not pointing out anyone in particular, but to alot of fans.

No JuCo were signed in 1989. Several were signed in 1990 and 1991 (the first 2 recruiting years) who played on 1992 FF and 1993 E8 teams.

Agree, Mick Cronin faced a tougher start in 2006 than Huggins in 1989. But not THAT much tougher.

[Bp4thebest]

i think the difference is the hustle and that last years players played more. They had no choice but to play through the mistakes. I think that the players now, even the second year players have the mind set with the exception of a couple guys, that if they make a mistake they will come out. Last year they new they would be staying in or atleast get another chance. Confidence is everything. You can have the talent, but if your not confident to do what you do, it doesnt matter.

Prime example, Alvin Mitchell. He is one of our better scores we have and has a big east body, but when he gets the ball he looks to pass first. Alot of times thats a good thing, but some times, thats not good (especially when he has an open shot). When he does take a shot you can just tell he isnt confident. He is pushing everything. Its hard to keep a player in when they struggle and when they are so deep, but its going to be hard to get that swagger when your getting pulled out right away. Taking a player out when they ate struggling is something that must be done, but to not bring them back in is just not what you need to do.

Its hard to explain what I mean but I have seen Alvin play 3 min twice this year, and thats it. The second game it happen and yesterday it happen. What does that do for a frosh who realizes the competition he is facing, and who realizes he is competing for playing time. It has also happened to Davis twice and is the reason along with the foot injury, that anthony is not playing more. Mick chose experience over Anthony even though i dont think it makes the team better. If this team was competing for the title it would be different. But these freshman are your future and the future is what matters right now. Adam will be here for one year, thats it. Anthony is the future of this team and experienc is huge as a freshman. Its not always something that can happen, but when your in a situation where your looking for the future, take advantage of it. Same goes for Alvin. He will get better yes, but being confident is a must, and getting experience early can make him that much better. He is going to be a big part of the bearcats success in the future.

I wanna win yes, but this team needs to improved for next year and the future which everyone here knows this. Confident players will also help this team as well. Even though last year they were not as talented, they still had individual confidence, and thats why they were better early on. On top of that, the hustle was better last year. We are more talented then any of the first 5 teams we played and if we played harder we would of won. There would of been more forced turnovers, our opponents wouldnt of shot as high of a percentage, and we would of been more confident to knock down more shots b/c more things would of gone our way. There would of been no pressure the first few games when they were close.

As for the earlt season success, Gentry said it best after the Bowling Green game when he said las years team knew what it took. Talent doesnt matter when you cant utalize it. With more confidence, this team will win more games and the debth will eventually help us.

[Bp4thebest]

No JuCo were signed in 1989. Several were signed in 1990 and 1991 (the first 2 recruiting years) who played on 1992 FF and 1993 E8 teams.

Agree, Mick Cronin faced a tougher start in 2006 than Huggins in 1989. But not THAT much tougher.

oh I got ya know. And I also agree with your other point. My biggest point is, could Bob really do better in this situation like alot of fans seem to think? And... Is it fare to critisize Mick? Not you but the alot of fans

[jeffto]

Sorry, your facts are wrong. Huggins was named UC coach in March 1989. Yates had been unable to recruit that whole year (0 signees) as a lame duck.

Huggins had 6 returning scholarship players and signed 2 more - Michael Joiner and Tarrice Gibson - that spring (1989) for a total of 8 on 1990 roster.

UC was in the midst of NCAA probation (from Yates era) with restrictions on scholarships, etc.

The Metro Conference - Louisville, Memphis, etc - was one of the nation's top conferences in the 1980's.

Huggins chose the JuCo (recruiting) route because it was his best route to success (1992 FF, 1993 E8).

Your twist on the facts is wrong too. Huggins had much better players in a much lesser conference. Louisville was the ONLY quality team in 1989-90 in the metro. Memphis had down year. The Metro had 2 teams in the dance. S. Miss lost in the 1st round, Louisville in the 2nd. Even back then the BEAST had 6 teams, 2 of which made the elite 8. I don't think the 2006-2008 BEAST is much less a conference than it was then.

Even non-conference was easier then. There was very little parity in 89-90.

Mick was dealt a MUCH more difficult situation.

[Kindog202]

Mick was dealt a MUCH more difficult situation.[/QUOTE]

With much more pressure, scrutiny and expectation on him than back in '89.

[khrens76]

Is it the loss of Warren (so far) that big a factor?



I think the factor on this team that needs the most work is the cohesion of the unit as a whole (and I truly believe that this will come as they progress through the season). However, I also think there is no doubt that not having a player who is possibly the team's best preimeter defender and point guard has had a huge impact.

[jkwuc89]

Who really cares which coach was dealt a tougher situation. Is this some type of Tough Man Competition? The only purpose I can see for having this conversation is to start an argument. It certainly has absolutely no impact whatsoever on how well Coach Cronin will do. I would prefer to focus on this year's team and the prospects for the future.

[doc]

I agree this will only start an argument comparing Mick to Huggs. Most of us appreciate Huggs and always will, and everyone should be thankful to where we are today in not only basketball but football as well by being in the big east. We were selected by the big east conference because of a successful basketball program rebuilt by coach Huggs. Lets look forward instead of backwards and appreciate the fact that Mick has and will bring in talented players. I feel that the best outcome for this year's squad is to get better as a team and have the freshmen become confident leaders for next year. Each game I want to see improvement and next year we will see a competitive big east caliber team but not a championship type team yet. This is year #1 in the rebuilding process last year has to be written off. This year will tell us a lot about the type of coach Mick is because we all know he is an outstanding recruiter. Winning is what its all about, but this year its not, it is about getting improvement from the freshmen for next year. By year 3 and 4 of the rebuilding process we should be able to compete for an NCAA tourney bid because Mick will have the type of athletes were used to having that he also helped bring in the 90's. Be patient with Mick and support the program even though it might be a tough season for us Mick will have us back either next year or the year after, which will be fairly quick for any program that had to go through a total rebuilding process such as we are going through. Mick will get the job done give him some time to coach these freshmen and they will improve throughout the year. There is no reason to compare Huggs and Mick. Huggs is gone and respect what he did. Mick is here, respect what he is doing and in the long run the fans that stuck through the rebuilding process will be able to enjoy winning that much more cause we were there through the tough times. Go Bearcats!

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Your twist on the facts is wrong too. Huggins had much better players in a much lesser conference. Louisville was the ONLY quality team in 1989-90 in the metro. Memphis had down year. The Metro had 2 teams in the dance. S. Miss lost in the 1st round, Louisville in the 2nd. Even back then the BEAST had 6 teams, 2 of which made the elite 8. I don't think the 2006-2008 BEAST is much less a conference than it was then.

Even non-conference was easier then. There was very little parity in 89-90.

Mick was dealt a MUCH more difficult situation.

Please read what I posted. The Metro was one of the nation's best conferences in the 1980's (not 1989).

The new UC coach in 1989 faced 3 year NCAA probation and scholarship restrictions in 1990 (11 total) and 1991 (12 total).

Tht situation in 1989 was tough. UC had not been a factor in national prominence since mid 1970's. Only 1 NIT appearance in prior 12 seasons.

The situation in 2006 was tougher. Weaker AD and much weaker President.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Who really cares which coach was dealt a tougher situation. Is this some type of Tough Man Competition? The only purpose I can see for having this conversation is to start an argument. It certainly has absolutely no impact whatsoever on how well Coach Cronin will do. I would prefer to focus on this year's team and the prospects for the future.

It's a message board where people debate different opinions and offer facts in support of theirs or rebuttal of others. That's what people do on message boards.

[BigDaddyCornHusker]

It's a message board where people debate different opinions and offer facts in support of theirs or rebuttal of others. That's what people do on message boards.

Yes, but thread after thread of Mick vs. Huggins, Huggins vs. Mick... gets old. You guys need to rise above each other and not get sucked into retried arguements.

[Mick's Da Man]

Agree, Mick Cronin faced a tougher start in 2006 than Huggins in 1989. But not THAT much tougher.


I nominate this for most stupid statement of the year!

I went to the games at the coliseum and SURVIVED the Yates era. I watched Glover and McMillan and McClendon in the 80's.

Huggins took over a program with zero expectations from the fans. Mick inherited a program with zero patience and high expectations from the fans, including a much tougher conference.

Plus, Huggins inherited a good core of players in Lou Banks, Levertis Robinson, Keith Starks, and others, and played in a less difficult conference.

Please quit distorting the facts. It makes you look ignorant.

[Mick's Da Man]

Please read what I posted. The Metro was one of the nation's best conferences in the 1980's (not 1989).

The new UC coach in 1989 faced 3 year NCAA probation and scholarship restrictions in 1990 (11 total) and 1991 (12 total).

Tht situation in 1989 was tough. UC had not been a factor in national prominence since mid 1970's. Only 1 NIT appearance in prior 12 seasons.

The situation in 2006 was tougher. Weaker AD and much weaker President.

........and none of the fans gave a hoot because UC basketball was abysmal for so long...........NOBODY CARED. No pressure at all on Huggs.

[Mick's Da Man]

I have come to the conclusion that there are people that just see what they want and ignore all circumstance and facts. They ignore the situation of the program. Even the fact that every announcer, coach, etc. that speaks to the U.C. situation acknowledges that it will take years to rebuild and acknowledges the great job this staff has done under these circumstances that they did not create. They see only negatives because it justifies their bitterness at the situation. They ignore the fact that all over the country, even top 25 teams are struggling against mid major teams because the mid major teams are made up of experienced players. They ignore the fact that young teams are bad (worse) early than they will be later in the season. They live in the past not the truth of the present. They think if a past coach was here that we would go to the final four even under these circumstances. They ignore the part that past coach played in creating the current circumstances. They see and believe the worst because that is what they hope for. It is pay back to an administration that screwed up in their timing of taking care of a problem that needed taken care of 2 years earlier. This team will suffer their wrath and when they do start playing well and winning many will jump on the wagon and talk about what a wonderful job Mick and Co. did rebuilding this program from the ashes. The negativity surrounding this program is unjustified and simply shows a great deal of ignorance to the facts and circumstance that surrounds the program presently. In '08 - '09 this team will be competing at a top level. To judge it prior to then is unfair to any coach or player that is currently here. They all deserve better than they get on this or any forum. Just my opinion.

I nominate this for most intelligent post of the year!

Dude, good to see someone who GETS IT.

Nobody is saying that Mick will be a great coach. But intelligent posters are saying he was handed a far worse situation than Huggins or probably 80% of any other jobs taken over. To come to a program with 1 returning player (McGowan) and have zero time to recruit Big East caliber players, and even field a team is amazing in itself.

As for this year, it seems like some of the returning players aren't exactly playing as well as last season. I think Williamson, Vaughn, and Gentry are, but Warren is hurt and Sikes seems to be mostly nonexistent. Factor in a much needed but missing Mike Williams, and the fact that Adam Hrycaniuk is a JUCO fill-in that people expected way too much from..............this team is probably right where it should be.

The schedule is much tougher this year than last year. Xavier is going to clock us.

But Warren being hurt right now, is giving the young guys playing time.

If Mike Williams returns healthy next season and gets an extra season........we will have 2 years of Mike Williams added to a returning corps of talented players. I still think it will be the 2009-2010 season that you will see a good team.

[Bearcats_Rule]

I dont think that Ced was anything but a mediocre player. Losing him has nothing to do with a worse start. The difference from this year to last is that all the Jucos are not playing the WHOLE game and we have freshman learning the ropes. Warren has hurt but not as much as people seem to think. I agree with previous posts that this team will be better then last year with some more experience.

[jeffto]

The situation in 2006 was tougher. Weaker AD and much weaker President.
Last I checked presidents don't suit up. I don't think she's weak. She certainly didn't back down from pressure when she wanted to make a change. She and her advisers screwed up the transition big time though.

I think MT is doing a fine job. What would you have him do differently?

Back to the thread topic: Sometimes in life you need to take backward steps to make the big forward steps later on. That's where we are, no need to panic.

[Bearcat_DF]

oh I got ya know. And I also agree with your other point. My biggest point is, could Bob really do better in this situation like alot of fans seem to think? And... Is it fare to critisize Mick? Not you but the alot of fans

I don't think anyone is arguing that Huggins would have done better. I think we all just bemoan the fact that the situation was handled so poorly that we loss a whole years worth of recruiting.

If Huggins was here - we would not have gone through the awful transition.

Could a young Bob Huggins coming from Akron into the 2006 situation have done as well - hard to say. One thing that has to be mentioned is that the recruitment of JUCO players has dramatically changed. Now everyone recruits JUCOs so it more competitive and the Prep Schools have added a different dimension.

Go Cats!
df

[Bearcat Jeff]

I don't think anyone is arguing that Huggins would have done better. I think we all just bemoan the fact that the situation was handled so poorly that we loss a whole years worth of recruiting.

If Huggins was here - we would not have gone through the awful transition.

Could a young Bob Huggins coming from Akron into the 2006 situation have done as well - hard to say. One thing that has to be mentioned is that the recruitment of JUCO players has dramatically changed. Now everyone recruits JUCOs so it more competitive and the Prep Schools have added a different dimension.

Go Cats!
df

The point is that he has been gone for 3 years now and people still hold on to the situation. Nobody has ever said it was handled properly, just that it's time to let go and move on. It's time to put the anger and bitterness in the past and support this team and this coach.

[Thegreatone]

Micks da man just laid down the law. nice

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Last I checked presidents don't suit up. I don't think she's weak. She certainly didn't back down from pressure when she wanted to make a change. She and her advisers screwed up the transition big time though.

I think MT is doing a fine job. What would you have him do differently?

Back to the thread topic: Sometimes in life you need to take backward steps to make the big forward steps later on. That's where we are, no need to panic.

They don't suit up but they screwed up.

They fumbled the change in 2005 and delayed its completion until 2006, costing UC 1 or 2 years of recruiting classes.

The coaching changes in 1978 (severe NCAA probation), 1983 (depleted roster), and 1989 (more NCAA probation but not as harsh) were equally stressful. Two changes failed, one succeeded.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I nominate this for most stupid statement of the year!

I went to the games at the coliseum and SURVIVED the Yates era. I watched Glover and McMillan and McClendon in the 80's.

Huggins took over a program with zero expectations from the fans. Mick inherited a program with zero patience and high expectations from the fans, including a much tougher conference.

Plus, Huggins inherited a good core of players in Lou Banks, Levertis Robinson, Keith Starks, and others, and played in a less difficult conference.

Please quit distorting the facts. It makes you look ignorant.

And NCAA probation with scholarship restrictions plus 12 years of being nowhere near the radar screen nationally. One NIT appearance in 12 years.

The Metro was a quality conference. The Great Midwest was also. Revisionist history to say anything else.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

........and none of the fans gave a hoot because UC basketball was abysmal for so long...........NOBODY CARED. No pressure at all on Huggs.

Balderdash.

(Look it up)

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I nominate this for most intelligent post of the year!

Dude, good to see someone who GETS IT.

Nobody is saying that Mick will be a great coach. But intelligent posters are saying he was handed a far worse situation than Huggins or probably 80% of any other jobs taken over. To come to a program with 1 returning player (McGowan) and have zero time to recruit Big East caliber players, and even field a team is amazing in itself.

As for this year, it seems like some of the returning players aren't exactly playing as well as last season. I think Williamson, Vaughn, and Gentry are, but Warren is hurt and Sikes seems to be mostly nonexistent. Factor in a much needed but missing Mike Williams, and the fact that Adam Hrycaniuk is a JUCO fill-in that people expected way too much from..............this team is probably right where it should be.

The schedule is much tougher this year than last year. Xavier is going to clock us.

But Warren being hurt right now, is giving the young guys playing time.

If Mike Williams returns healthy next season and gets an extra season........we will have 2 years of Mike Williams added to a returning corps of talented players. I still think it will be the 2009-2010 season that you will see a good team.

Extremely unlikely Williams gets a 6th year. Rarely does a transfer get that.

Ronald Allen is playing professional basketball (NBDL) this winter. He returned along with Cedric McGowan last year.

UC had several Big East caliber recruits in their 2006 recruiting class. They were recruited by other BEast schools.

[Mick's Da Man]

Extremely unlikely Williams gets a 6th year. Rarely does a transfer get that.

Ronald Allen is playing professional basketball (NBDL) this winter. He returned along with Cedric McGowan last year.

UC had several Big East caliber recruits in their 2006 recruiting class. They were recruited by other BEast schools.


Knowing that you think Ronald Allen was a Big East caliber player tells me alot about you. :D

Cedric McGowan showed his true stripes last year when not playing with ultra-experienced James White, Jihad Muhummed, Armein Kirkland, and First Team All-BE Eric Hicks. If you think McGowan was Big East caliber, that tells me even more about you. :D