The Million Dollar Question

[bearcatn8]

Can Mick get these guys to play the rest of the season with the same level of intensity they played with last night? If yes, no reason they can't squeak out enough wins in Big East play to make the conference tourney. On the flip side, I can just as easily see this team (especially the seniors) mail it in as the season progresses and the losses mount.

I guess we'll see . . .

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Can Mick get these guys to play the rest of the season with the same level of intensity they played with last night? If yes, no reason they can't squeak out enough wins in Big East play to make the conference tourney. On the flip side, I can just as easily see this team (especially the seniors) mail it in as the season progresses and the losses mount.

I guess we'll see . . .

I'd say Yes. Why not? Players hate losing worse than fans do.

[Mick's Da Man]

Can Mick get these guys to play the rest of the season with the same level of intensity they played with last night? If yes, no reason they can't squeak out enough wins in Big East play to make the conference tourney. On the flip side, I can just as easily see this team (especially the seniors) mail it in as the season progresses and the losses mount.

I guess we'll see . . .

Of the seniors, the only one I think that has mailed it in is Marcus Sikes. He looks completely unmotivated and useless out there. And I hate saying that because I appreciated his effort and play last season.

Williamson and Gentry are still battling. Williamson is struggling to convert his shots, but he still hustles and rebounds. Gentry is valuable as a perimeter threat and tries on defense. Warren is the most valuable of all of them. He is the only true PG.

But I am more interested in seeing the newcomers as they are the future of the program. The current freshmen are going to set the groundwork for this new coaching regime and are our foundation to competing at a top level down the road in the Big East.

[Bearcat Revival]

You have to be encouraged by what you saw last night from Bishop, Davis, and for small spurts McClain and Wilks

[BasketBySteveLogan]

Uh yeah but Marv just isnt very good... and our front line is so soft... hey 6 foot 10 Adam H... ummm... GO TRY TO DUNK THE BALL DUDE, enough of this fundamental 5th grade layup weak stuff... go hard... I thought I read that he plays TOO hard and is very physical???

The rotation should be: Jamual, Deonta/Alvin, Larry/Rashad, Darnell, Biggie... sit the rest of the seniors and only give them 15 min at the most... they're basically "replacement players," as in NOBODY ELSE wanted them

[cincyjmax54]

I'd say Yes. Why not? Players hate losing worse than fans do.

Losing becomes easier to accept after each one. What you are talking about is hitting rock bottom. If they do hit rock bottom, all they can do is go up. If I was cronin, I would be playing my future the most minutes as possible. Williamson is a solid player so he should play regardless. Vaughn is a part of the future and is a young good player. But after that, why arent our best athletes getting the most minutes. Anthony McClain should never get taken out. Rashad Bishop and Larry Davis are about the same in my book (Both have lots of upside and show signs of athleticism). Alvin Mitchel should have been starting from the beginning of the year (the best combination of athleticism and scoring ability). Jamal Warren and sikes, and gentry are all decent ball players but will they ever see the court when these fabulous recruiting classes that everyone talks about are coming in. I feel bad for Adam H cause he deserves a chance after last year. But the bottom line is the future is Wilks, Vaughn, Mitchel, Bishop, Davis, and McClain. If you want to turn the program around quit wasting time right now. This season is a total loss when talking about success. As many have said wake me up when its over. Get the future more minutes.

[GoCats1994]

The new guys already get minutes. Specifically... about 180 per day.

We have to assume that the coaches are playing the guys who they feel give them the best chance of winning.

The difference between 5 and 10 minutes per game is not that much if you are getting beat by your man. If the coaches felt they were ready to play...they would be playing. Game experience does not make the player. Practice makes the player.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Losing becomes easier to accept after each one. What you are talking about is hitting rock bottom. If they do hit rock bottom, all they can do is go up. If I was cronin, I would be playing my future the most minutes as possible. Williamson is a solid player so he should play regardless. Vaughn is a part of the future and is a young good player. But after that, why arent our best athletes getting the most minutes. Anthony McClain should never get taken out. Rashad Bishop and Larry Davis are about the same in my book (Both have lots of upside and show signs of athleticism). Alvin Mitchel should have been starting from the beginning of the year (the best combination of athleticism and scoring ability). Jamal Warren and sikes, and gentry are all decent ball players but will they ever see the court when these fabulous recruiting classes that everyone talks about are coming in. I feel bad for Adam H cause he deserves a chance after last year. But the bottom line is the future is Wilks, Vaughn, Mitchel, Bishop, Davis, and McClain. If you want to turn the program around quit wasting time right now. This season is a total loss when talking about success. As many have said wake me up when its over. Get the future more minutes.

My stepdaughter was UCLA All-American in 2 sports and 10-year pro basketball player so I speak from experience knowing athletes personally.

They HATE to lose (the great majority of them anyway). They much prefer to WIN games.

UC athletes are no different. Football was a lot more fun in 2006 and 2007, for example.

[tophat]

McClain's foot injury is keeping him off the floor. MC said he would play him 20' a game if his foot would permit it. Unless or until it heals it will be a major issue for the rest of the season. Based on what they've both shown so far, I believe we could already get more out of Mac if he could play. He provides more defense inside, more rebounds and he finishes better. I hate to think of going the rest of the season having to rely so heavily on Adam inside.

[bearcated]

Uh yeah but Marv just isnt very good... and our front line is so soft... hey 6 foot 10 Adam H... ummm... GO TRY TO DUNK THE BALL DUDE, enough of this fundamental 5th grade layup weak stuff... go hard... I thought I read that he plays TOO hard and is very physical???

The rotation should be: Jamual, Deonta/Alvin, Larry/Rashad, Darnell, Biggie... sit the rest of the seniors and only give them 15 min at the most... they're basically "replacement players," as in NOBODY ELSE wanted them


That play drove me NUTS!!! Wide open, no one around. 6' 10" guy can't get 3 inches off the ground to dunk it? Arrghhhhhh!!!

[jeffto]

That play drove me NUTS!!! Wide open, no one around. 6' 10" guy can't get 3 inches off the ground to dunk it? Arrghhhhhh!!!What's disappointing is that he looks like he's giving his all. I think had he dunked all those opportunities last night we'd be praising him. That's coachable I think, unless he just can't get off the ground.

[bearcated]

What's disappointing is that he looks like he's giving his all. I think had he dunked all those opportunities last night we'd be praising him. That's coachable I think, unless he just can't get off the ground.

I can't figure it out. A 6' 10" guy should almost be able to touch the rim without having to really hop. I don't get it.

[SLMadiCat]

What's disappointing is that he looks like he's giving his all. I think had he dunked all those opportunities last night we'd be praising him. That's coachable I think, unless he just can't get off the ground.

It's not coachable if you can't dunk. Really, how do you coach someone to dunk it? If you've seen the guy run the floor and just move in general, you can tell that he is very UN-athletic. My guess is he can't stand still and dunk it. Maybe with a running start.

It's the same reason he is so bad on defense.

[vabearcat]

Adam H. missed 4 layups at point blank range. If he makes 3 of them, the Cats win the game.