Freshman Grades after 6 games

[Thegreatone]

Rashad Bishop
Grade-A
He has been about as good as you can hope for a freshman. He is a smooth lefty that understands the game. He is going to be about as solid of a player as it gets if he continues to progress. He can play defense.

Larry Davis
Grade- B
Started off pretty good and got on Micks bad side for a game or two and looks like he is back now. We have seen his ability to knock down the three. He will be able to contribute.

Darnell Wilks
Grade- C
He has shown incrediable atheletic ability and his length gives him the ability to attack the hoop. We havent seen him being able to shoot. I gave him a C because his defensive postition is so bad. He stands tall and if we play a team that uses the backdoor he will be beat 100 out of 100 times. I am confident this will change.

Anthony McClain
Grade- C
He has looked pretty good and terrible. He has the base but we need to build him up still. He can block a shot and alter shots but he isnt aggressive on the boards and doesnt look comfortable with the ball. He is getting much needed time that will help speed up the learning curve.

Alvin Mitchell
Grade- D
I dont believe we have seen the true Alvin but what we have seen isnt too good. I believe some people come from a high school program where they stress the fundamentals and stress discipline, I have a feeling Rashad Bishop came from that type of program and Alvin didnt.... maybe that unfair but it seems like he is behind.

Kenny Belton
Grade- D
I hope he remains patient because I think he is valuable for this team. Although he may not get much time this year I think he could help us later. Hopefully he gets a chance and some time where he can hustle around out there and help us out.

What are your guys thoughts?

[Bp4thebest]

You are a really smart guy. I think Davis is a diamond in the ruff. I think Wilks will get even better. I think Alvin will get better as well. You make great points but I just think he is not confident yet. When he gets confident on the offensive end, watch out. He can drive and shoot. I know a close friend of a basketball player this year. I have heard stuff about Anthony and Alvin that gives me a better understanding of why they are playing th way they are right now. It's not my place to post this information but i can tell you that your accurate in describing the way they are playing. And what i know supports this. As for Bishop, going to be a stud. He plays beyond his years and is ready for the Big East. NBA potential if he continues this trail.

[GoCats1994]

I think we all agree that the hope of this team is with its youth (aka Freshman). I believe we should encourage them root for improvement. I think we underestimate the power we have as fans to make a difference with our cheering (or even booing).

With this said... I think you are being extremely generous with your grading scale. Don't grade on a curve simply because the expectations for the team are low.

I believe the only Freshman "A's" we have seen recently include: Wingfield, Satterfield, Fortson, and Downey. Perhaps an argument could be made for Dermarr Johnson...although I always thought his potential outweighed his actual production.

[Thegreatone]

I understand you point and it might be fair, I just believe that Rashad has totally exceeded expectations and is will get 10 points a game. I would never consider Kenny S an A, he was a clown.

[CincyBeerCo]

I understand you point and it might be fair, I just believe that Rashad has totally exceeded expectations and is will get 10 points a game. I would never consider Kenny S an A, he was a clown.

Man, a couple of folks have bashed Satt in the last couple of days. I don't get it. If he would have stayed 4 years, he would be one of our all-time greats!

In my life only Nick and Lo have been better guards for us and again, both of them had their best years as Juniors and Seniors, something Satt never got to showcase.

As far as the grades....the order seems about right and I agree w/ the comments, but I don't think we can hand out any "A"s yet.

[bearcated]

OGreatOne... I can't give any player on this team an A, much less young Mr. Bishop (who I like quite a bit actually). I continue to be puzzled by how everyone is so enamored with Larry Davis. I guess people focus on the box score. I'm more just looking at what is happening on the floor. Davis is not that quick, not that big, not that athletic (no hops, can't dunk), not an exceptional ball handler (he made a prayer scoop shot last night, but is he really going to break down anyone on the dribble?), not exceptional defensively, and I'm unconvinced that he is a great shooter. In 2 or 3 years he might be a competent BE guard, I just see him as role player, not a difference maker.

[CincyBeerCo]

By the end of the year, I think Wilks will be the player everyone is talking about. He seems to have the most hustle and confidence of any of the newcomers. He played within the offense and even though he is skinny, he went up strong inside and took some good contact.

[Thegreatone]

OGreatOne... I can't give any player on this team an A, much less young Mr. Bishop (who I like quite a bit actually). I continue to be puzzled by how everyone is so enamored with Larry Davis. I guess people focus on the box score. I'm more just looking at what is happening on the floor. Davis is not that quick, not that big, not that athletic (no hops, can't dunk), not an exceptional ball handler (he made a prayer scoop shot last night, but is he really going to break down anyone on the dribble?), not exceptional defensively, and I'm unconvinced that he is a great shooter. In 2 or 3 years he might be a competent BE guard, I just see him as role player, not a difference maker.

Are you kidding me? First of all I am the one that has been bashing Kenny.... He has got to be the most overrated player in UC history. Any way you lost a lot of credability to me by saying Larry Davis is just a "box score" player. I gave Bishop an A because he is playing the smartest basketball on the team! He understands the game, although he might not have insane hops or athletic ability but dude can play. He can shoot, pass, dribble, and defend. Not great in any but solid in all. I am saying this for a freshman and not a senior, I am not saying he is Durant but he is as solid as it gets. He will do more for us the Kenny ever did because he could very easily be a 4 year starter. He is a true "basketball" player that we rarely see in this program, we always will have the atheletes and he will be someone who understands the game. That is something that people rooting for this program need to see. The 5 best atheletes dont always win the National Championship. Appreciate a freshman who knows how to defend and pass the ball correctly, they seem small but play a huge factor.

Oh and Larry David can jump and he can dunk very well. Just because it isnt like Wilks he can still get up. I have seen him put down some very impressive dunks before the games in the Deveroes league.

[CincyBeerCo]

"greatone", I think you lumped multiple replies together as one. The Davis and Satt posts were by 2 different folks. I agree Davis will be a very strong 4 year player for us by the time he leaves, but calling Satt the most over rated Bearcat ever, is way off base. I stick by my guns that if he would have stayed (even 1 more year), he would have been held in as high regard as Lo and Nick. Possibly more so if Kenyon hadn't broken his leg and Satt was a PG for a National Champ.

His 355 career assists in two seasons tie him for fourth place on the school's all-time list.
Named Third Team All-Conference USA and Second Team NABC All-District 10 as a sophomore.
His 178 assists as a freshman is the fifth-highest single season total in school history.
Recorded 60 steals this year, fifth-highest single season total in Bearcat history.
Named to Conference USA All-Freshman Team, after leading the conference in assists (5.4 apg).

As a sophomore, finished second on the Bearcats in scoring (14.4 ppg) and first in assists (5.1 apg).
Also averaged 4.7 rebounds.
Became the fourth Bearcat in school history to record a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Tulane.
Was the team's leading scorer in six of the first 10 games, topping the 20-point mark five times.
Named MVP of the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic after averaging 17.7 points in three victories.
. Scored 23 points in Holiday Classic championship game win over Alabama.
Scored a season-high 27 points against Boise State.
Averaged 19.7 points in three C-USA Tournament games and was named All-Tournament.
Scored 24 points, 22 in the second half of the C-USA tourney semifinal win over Memphis.
Averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in three NCAA Tournament games to earn a spot on the West Regional All-Tournament Team.
Had 24 points, six assists and seven rebounds vs. Stanford.
In the final C-USA statistics, ranked second in assists and third in steals.

As a freshman, moved into the starting lineup for the January 27 win over Louisville and responded with 11 points and 10 assists.
Led Conference USA in assists (5.4 apg) to go along with 9.2 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Had seven or more assists 11 times.
Had 10 assists in back-to-back games at the Big Island Invitational and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Scored a season-high 23 points in victory over DePaul, going 10-for-12 from the field.
Scored 16 points against Oklahoma.
Scored 16 points against St. Louis in the C-USA Tournament.
Recorded 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists in an NCAA Tournament second-round loss to Tulsa.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Mick Cronin was a primary factor in recruiting Satterfield to UC. I think he was a capable player who left (for the NBA) far too soon. His coaches told him that.

[bearcated]

C'mon. I said I liked Bishop.

Who cares about the Deveroes league? No one. The world is full of guys great in the Deveroes league or in high school. We're talking high D1 Big East level now.

I'm not saying Davis is washout, I just don't see him as exceptional. I think he will be a solid role player and probably pretty decent by the time he is a senior. Not a star.

[Thegreatone]

I am saying before the games in the summer league he was doing impressive dunks to counter you saying he couldnt dunk. He can and he can dunk well.

As for Kenny..... I apprecaite the facts and you did some good research that I can not argue. All I can say is, we all have players we seem to love and some we seem to hate. For me he is one of the ones I hate. I never liked the style or brand of basketball he played. It is the same reason I have a serious man crush on Donald Little. I believe he is the most underrated player. I wont go into facts or reasons, although I could but I loved the man. As LivingLegend about that.... but Kenny always bothered me and thats all. You made some excellent points.

[CincyBeerCo]

Can't take too much credit for the reseach...good ol' copy and paste from the Bearcat News Alumni page. And yeah, if Little wouldn't have been clinically insane, he could have been great.

[TheLivingLegend]

Kenny was an amazing player, and it is very unforunate that he wasnt there for four years. He would have been a UC great if he did. As for the TheGreatOne and Donald Little, yea your a clown for liking a player that has 0 offensive skill, and rarely did anything positive outside of the court. Decent defensive player, and thats about it....

As for TheGreatOnes grades, I seem to think there fairly accurate, only time will tell what these players can amount to. I clearly believe that Rashad is best freshman on the team at this point. I think others such as Alvin and Wilks, have more potential, just baised on pure athleticism.

[STKohls]

As for the TheGreatOne and Donald Little, yea your a clown for liking a player that has 0 offensive skill, and rarely did anything positive outside of the court. Decent defensive player, and thats about it..

I have fond memories of the 6 footer Donald Little sunk at the final second to beat Marquette. As he grabbed the rebound and rose to shoot, my brother said, loudly enough for those around us to hear, "no, not him".

Of course, after the pandemonium we were all laughing because we'd all been thinking the same thing.

[shaunsimpson]

What are you comparing the grades to???? Vs other freshman in the country??? Vs other starters in the country??? Vs other players in the country???

I think the grades for many of our freshman are low here considering they are freshman. If you are grading them on their role on the team vs players in the same role on other teams then this is fair.

[bearcatfan93]

compare to past uc players-how i think theyll turn out like-

Larry Davis-Field Williams
Darnell Wilks-James White
Alvin Mitchell-Armien Kirkland-not really sure havent seen much
Anthony Mcclain-Donald Little-not sure either havent really seen a uc player like him
Kenny Belton-Kareem Johnson
Rashad Bishop-Pete Mickeal

[#1cat]

I'm not ready to jump on the Larry Davis bandwagon yet, and I still think Mitchell will be the best of the freshman before the year is out.

I dont think Larry Davis-Field Williams is a very good comparison though. He is much more versatile, Field was a spot up perimeter shooting and nothing more.

Alvin Mitchell - Armein Kirkland, I hope it turns out alot better than that and I think it will once he learns the college came and the confidence that he displayed in the summer league returns.

[bearcatfan93]

agreed about the kirkland hopefully mitchell will put up a huge number in the next couple of games

[Mick's Da Man]

Wilks will be better than James White. Wilk shows no fear going inside. White preferred hanging around the perimeter.

I see no reason that Wilks, Davis, Mitchell and Bishop won't all turn out to be very good players down the road......oh, and Biggie too. They are freshmen. The biggest dividends will be seen in their junior seasons.

[Irishbearcat]

Davis and Wilks showed me that they, along with Bishop, are going to be pretty darn good within 2 years.

[BasketBySteveLogan]

The arguments on this post are so ridiculous that I can't even contribute. Let's grade the freshmen after the entire non-conf season, after they got hrough this possible winless December.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

The arguments on this post are so ridiculous that I can't even contribute. Let's grade the freshmen after the entire non-conf season, after they got hrough this possible winless December.

There is no reason to expect a Winless December. UC ought to be able to win 1 or 2 games anyway. Anything less than 6-6 going into 2008 would be very disappointing. UC will win December game(s).