Coach Cronin

[slimm]

If this win doesn't put an end to questions about Micks coaching ability, nothing will. The man has coached his butt off with nothing more than average upperclassmen and talented (but inexperienced) underclassman. Assuming .500 the rest of the way, we should have some sort of post season and Cronin Big East COY.
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[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Assuming .500 the rest of the way, some sort of post season and Cronin Big East COA.

Aim HIGHER. Don't settle for .500 or BEast COY.

12 BEast W and 2 or 3 in BE Tourney = NCAA bid.

[iamspen]

If the 'Cats get better consistency (which I doubt, considering the experience levels), we have a shot, IMO, at winning the BEast tourney. It's a long shot, but this team is showing me that it's at least a remote possibility.

[Kindog202]

If the 'Cats get better consistency (which I doubt, considering the experience levels), we have a shot, IMO, at winning the BEast tourney. It's a long shot, but this team is showing me that it's at least a remote possibility.

I think this team has a better shot at winning the regular season title than the conference tourney. It would take a lot to win 3 games in 3 days.

[CatsClaw]

I think this team has a better shot at winning the regular season title than the conference tourney. It would take a lot to win 3 games in 3 days.

As a matter of fact, if the Cats don't finish in the top half of the conference they may have to win FOUR game! It'll be tough, but I have seen crazy things happen in conference games.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

As a matter of fact, if the Cats don't finish in the top half of the conference they may have to win FOUR game! It'll be tough, but I have seen crazy things happen in conference games.

Saw it in 1994 Great Midwest tourney. Cats had to W it for NCAA bid. And they did just that.

[bcatwilly]

I don't think anybody should anoint Mick as the next John Wooden or anything, BUT as a college basketball fan (one who even had my doubts before about Coach Cronin) it is nice to see how well we seem to be scouting and getting prepared for each opponent lately. That is very interesting to watch as a basketball fan in general and certainly that much more fun to watch when it works out for a Bearcat win :D

[cincycpaw]

Cronin has done a tremendous job with this team.

Great win.

One question though, why the **** didn't Cronin just have Warren hold the ball outside with 4 minutes to play and a big lead? I think it was a mistake to not ensure running more time off the clock.

A small error (though it almost cost them) but a great overall gameplan and coaching again. He is coming into his own.

[Irishbearcat]

Wow, all I can say.

[Kindog202]

Cronin has done a tremendous job with this team.

Great win.

One question though, why the **** didn't Cronin just have Warren hold the ball outside with 4 minutes to play and a big lead? I think it was a mistake to not ensure running more time off the clock.

A small error (though it almost cost them) but a great overall gameplan and coaching again. He is coming into his own.

If you're talking about the alley-oop to Bishop, Mick commented that Jamual was trying to give him a heart attack at age 36. Sounds like Warren tried to improvise, don't think Mick knew that was coming

[Bearcat Revival]

I wish it would end the crybaby crap about Mick, but it won't. People just REFUSE to let the past go. Just wait...next game they lose, the whiners will be back in full force.

MT made the RIGHT choice. He saw the long-term and made the correct call.

[shadyo]

Rivals.com had picked the Bearcats to upset Pitt. Huge win for their confidence. If they can take care of business at home, steal a few on the road and play well in BE Tourney the Dance is not out of the picture.

[jkwuc89]

All threads containing a personal insult thrown at AD Mike Thomas have been removed. Personal attacks are not acceptable on this forum. No exceptions.

[cincycpaw]

If you're talking about the alley-oop to Bishop, Mick commented that Jamual was trying to give him a heart attack at age 36. Sounds like Warren tried to improvise, don't think Mick knew that was coming

That and about 4-5 other possessions.....

[Kindog202]

That and about 4-5 other possessions.....

I don't think you should stop running your offense because you are up and I would assume that is what Mick believes as well. I really didn't see any issues with the way they ran the offense the last 4 minutes outside of the botched alley-oop attempt. Pitt stepped up and made one last run and we were resourceful enough to hang on and get the W.

[ucjay99]

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents.... Mick is da man! I love that in only his second year, he is showing his doubters what basketball knowledge he truly has. A man of faith, a man of moral fortitude and obviously a man who DOES know what he is doing and DOES not take his role of coach for granted.

I'm sure as fans we are in for ups and downs the rest of this season and next,,,, but be patient boys...... quality runs in the NCAA's are just around the corner... and the best part is we have a young Cincinnatian to lead the way for decades to come!

Go 'Cats!

[tophat]

I see every BE win as an accomplishment against the odds for MC and the team. I still see 8-9 BE wins as the most likely outcome. They have to scrap and claw their way to win each one by a few points at home. We stunned UL there but will have a hard time getting any more road wins. We could easily lose the next 5, or we could win a couple of them. I'll be satisfied to get to NY with 7-9 wins, a tremendous feat for this team.

The important thing is, MC is silencing the doubters -- FINALLY -- and people are starting to believe in the program again.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Mick Cronin is 89-52 (63%) in 4.5 years as HC and is a marvelous recruiter.

Billy Gillispie is 107-67 (62%) in 5.5 years as HC and is an excellent recruiter.

I'd pick Mick.

[Irishbearcat]

Mick by a landslide. He sounds pretty tough, but I'm guessing it's better received by his players.

[jeffto]

Mick Cronin is 89-52 (63%) in 4.5 years as HC and is a marvelous recruiter.

Billy Gillispie is 107-67 (62%) in 5.5 years as HC and is an excellent recruiter.

I'd pick Mick.Mick Continues to track pretty well with Billy Donovan - a bit better actually.

Donovan was 13-17 his first year at Florida and 14-15 his second year (NIT). Now, if Mick can (and it seems quite possible) match Donovan's 3rd year - 22-9 (NCAA Sweet 16), that would be quite nice.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Mick Continues to track pretty well with Billy Donovan - a bit better actually.

Donovan was 13-17 his first year at Florida and 14-15 his second year (NIT). Now, if Mick can (and it seems quite possible) match Donovan's 3rd year - 22-9 (NCAA Sweet 16), that would be quite nice.

I see Gillispie as a better (more appropriate) comparsion because both MC and Billy G(UI) are from the same era (2000's) as young coaches.

[SLMadiCat]

All threads containing a personal insult thrown at AD Mike Thomas have been removed. Personal attacks are not acceptable on this forum. No exceptions.

Thank you. Totally unnecessary.

[STKohls]

Just a question about Coach Cronin at today's game:

At one point in the game MSG (Yes, I live in NY) showed him punching his fist and screaming about something, and even though I'm not a lip reader, it wasn't hard to know exactly what he said. The announcers didn't say anything, but the Coach looked good and ticked off, and it seemed like it was at one of the Pitt players. Now that may just be my interpretation, but I'm fairly sure he wasn't yelling at one of UC's players, and I think he would have be T'd up if he'd been yelling like that at one of the refs. It happened right after Pitt took (and missed) a free throw. Does anyone who was at the game or listened to WLW have a clue as to what he was all worked up about? I didn't see any bad missed calls or poor conduct, but then I only had the TV view.

And I concur with all those who have chimed in here - today was a masterful job of coaching and motivation.

[Kindog202]

I saw that too, I believe it was after they at first called the fourth foul on Deonta when he wasn't close to the play, then made the change to Williamson, when he and Adam doubled Young in the post and Young traveled but got bailed out by the call. Very questionable fould call and they cut away to Mick and showed him ranting on the sidelines. I remember reading his lips and yelling at the TV (something I don't normally do) for him to stop or knock it off. I think one there wasn't a ref near him to hear what he said and the crowd was so loud at that point that the refs didn't hear him. I kind of cringed after seeing that waiting to hear another whistle for his "T".

[slimm]

The "air fist pump" came after an offensive rebound and score for UC, resulting in Pitt calling a timeout.
Its nice to finally start looking forward to the games and how Mick prepares the team. Instead of hoping for the best (don't get blown out or try to resemble a team), Mick has done a great job of keeping the team in the game, sticking with the game plan and motivating these young kids to believe they can compete. So far the results are better than I ever would have expected! Mick has already done more than the pessimists said he would do in 5 years.
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[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

The "air fist pump" came after an offensive rebound and score for UC, resulting in Pitt calling a timeout.
Its nice to finally start looking forward to the games and how Mick prepares the team. Instead of hoping for the best (don't get blown out or try to resemble a team), Mick has done a great job of keeping the team in the game, sticking with the game plan and motivating these young kids to believe they can compete. So far the results are better than I ever would have expected! Mick has already done more than the pessimists said he would do in 5 years.

I don't know what "Ist" that I am but I thought 15 W last year and 20 W this year. Inexperience cost them 15 W last year and Williams' injury might cost them 20 W this year.

Always did think Year 3 was the test of where UC was headed. 20+ W and NCAA bid (like 1992 or 1975) or Not Exactly (like 1981 or 1986). I THINK the former will happen.

[jeffto]

I see Gillispie as a better (more appropriate) comparsion because both MC and Billy G(UI) are from the same era (2000's) as young coaches.
The only problem with comparing him to Billy G is that both he and Mick's future are unknowns. Comparing Mick's progress versus Billy D. gives us a benchmark with a known outcome. And, Billy D. started at Fla. just ten years ago. It's certainly not like comparing Mick to Tony Yates or even Bob. H.

I'm trying to imagine the future, not track the present. Donovan's track record is a better gauge.

[Irishbearcat]

I think the jury on Billy G has got to be still out. This is not his team, and it is evident.

[CincySuperFan]

I'm glad to see that people are starting realize that Coach Cronin is the real deal. I feel like Mick makes good in-game decisions and adjustments as well as being a darn good recruiter. This is this guy's dream job, he's leaving it on all the table every day. Shame on you if you're not on board yet.

[bearcatfan93]

coach cronin should be a canidate for big east coach of they year...i dont think people around the nation realize how tough of a situation he was brought into. to be where he is right now is remarkable and i have so much respect for him right now i cant even explain it.. GO CATS

[bearcatmark]

coach cronin should be a canidate for big east coach of they year...i dont think people around the nation realize how tough of a situation he was brought into. to be where he is right now is remarkable and i have so much respect for him right now i cant even explain it.. GO CATS

If UC continues to play like this and stays over .500 in conference play I think Mick will certainly get consideration for Big East coach of the year.

[jkwuc89]

I thought we were going to talk about Coach Cronin on this thread. If you want to talk about the past, please go to the where are they now thread where I will be moving a lot of the recent posts.

[cincycpaw]

I don't think you should stop running your offense because you are up and I would assume that is what Mick believes as well. I really didn't see any issues with the way they ran the offense the last 4 minutes outside of the botched alley-oop attempt. Pitt stepped up and made one last run and we were resourceful enough to hang on and get the W.

I disagree...you slow it down to a crawl and limit Pitt's touches. The 'Cats left the door wide open for the Pitt comeback...thankfully Bishop slammed it shut. What a great win.

[Bearcat Cafe]

coach cronin should be a canidate for big east coach of they year...i dont think people around the nation realize how tough of a situation he was brought into. to be where he is right now is remarkable and i have so much respect for him right now i cant even explain it.. GO CATS

The coaches in the conference vote for that award. They fully understand what he started with and what kind of job he is doing.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I think the jury on Billy G has got to be still out. This is not his team, and it is evident.

Not so with Mick - it's his team entirely. Good to see him get some W over BEast teams.

[jeffto]

Let's talk about the past: The enrollment of Ron Bonham and George Wilson at the University of Cincinnati has been called by one basketball magazine "the greatest one-two recruiting 'coup in basketball history."
Both were unanimous high school All-Americans, and Dell Magazine's 1959·60 pre-season All·Americans had both rated in the top five among the nation's high schoolers.

The program that Oscar built!
Now that you've read that here's an illustration of how little things have changed.
Following the loss to Wichita a few disgruntled fans began to second guess Jucker, figuring that sophomores George Wilson and Ron Bonham should be in the starting line-up. Commenting on this the UC head coach felt that "The people sitting in the stands don't realize that a sophomore has to learn the game and must be brought along carefully. All-American high school ratings mean little in college basketball ... Sophomores are prone to make mistakes and there is no substitute for experience." UC News Record 3/15/62

"Disgruntled" fans the year after they won the first NCAA championship. Geeesh!

[bearcatmark]

I thought we were going to talk about Coach Cronin on this thread. If you want to talk about the past, please go to the where are they now thread where I will be moving a lot of the recent posts.

I am fine with that, but you might want to remove the post that provoked a response. Specifically belittling the former coach saying "Under a previous coach, one who was here for several years, we were often out coached in big games (except for an incredibly talented final four team, terrible NCAA tourney record). Previously, we relied on recruiting and strength to win."

Sorry that was not what I percieved and it was responded to.. My post specifically noted that you don't have to belittle the accomplishment of a former coach, to talk about the great things going on with Mick right now.

Please be consistent

[Irishbearcat]

Not so with Mick - it's his team entirely. Good to see him get some W over BEast teams.

Agreed. This would be the main reason why they don't look like they did early on (aside from Warren).

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I am fine with that, but you might want to remove the post that provoked a response. Specifically belittling the former coach saying "Under a previous coach, one who was here for several years, we were often out coached in big games (except for an incredibly talented final four team, terrible NCAA tourney record). Previously, we relied on recruiting and strength to win."

Sorry that was not what I percieved and it was responded to.. My post specifically noted that you don't have to belittle the accomplishment of a former coach, to talk about the great things going on with Mick right now.

Please be consistent

Well stated - good points.

[jkwuc89]

I agree. The post in question has been edited.