Biggie a Bearcat

[Thegreatone]

As all of us know it is official. So now that he is a bearcat how much help can he provide? He looks like he will give us credibiity on the defensive end. Offensively he may be a project but he needs to put on weight. He has been listed at a 7' footer in some places and I am wondering when/if we have had a 7 footer. Does he start? I know he runs the court very well for a man his size so Mick can keep his up tempo style of game. I am looking on thoughts for any of these topic or any other regarding Biggie.

[jplog]

Wans't the Rock a seven footer? Rickenecker (sp?)

[Kindog202]

I gotta think that every starting position is up for grabs except for Vaughn at PG and Williams at the "4". If you ask me now for a starting five, I will go big w/Vaughn, Mitchell, Adam H., Williams and McClain. I think H and Williams are versaltile enough to play the "3", if Mick wants a little more traditional "3", look for Bishop or Henry if he is eligible. I think Williamson will come off the bench given his limited offensive game. Also, with all the new bodies, I wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few different starting lineups at the beginning of the year until Mick sees what works and what does not work.

[Thegreatone]

I guess a lot of it depends on if Mike Williams has the skill and athleticism to play a three, that would be awesome. IF he does that this year then when gates comes in he can play the 4 and Biggie and Mike can stay 3 and 5. Have Wilks come off the bench to give breaks. I really like Alvin and I think he can play, but lets remember Gentry is going to be back and healthy. We will have some serious depth and I expect everyone to get some time. This team will make the BE tournement and will be able to compete with all. Not beat anyone, but should be able to compete. Mick has this thing back on track and I am really excited about how well he has done.

[cspeed]

I agree that the starting line ups are up for grabs, except for Williams at either 3/4 and Vaughn. I would almost have to think that Adan H is your 5. McClain, don't get me wrong, is still going to play, but maybe not start right off the bat. If he does , then he has proven he is a 'player ' and he would have worked enought to desreve the spot. If that's the case, then Williams is your 3. I haven't seen Williams enough to see if he can handle the ball well enough to take someone off the dribble. You need that in your 3 man. It's going to be a good situation. If you need to got big, you start McClain at 5 and Williams at 3, or if you want to go with more of a 3 guard , start williams at 4 and Henry and Mitchell.

[james jr]

I realllly like kindogs starting lineup. Although McClain will be just a frosh you absolutely need a defensive presence in the middle to compete in the BE. Also, having back line defense is one of the tenets that Mick expressed when he first arrived on campus. I don't recall hearing that Adam H. was a shot blocking intimidator type. A front line of H., "Biggie" and Mike would be BE ready. I also can't decide between Gentry and Mitchell at "2". Whoever the starters, the depth will be there. Now we get to find out whether Mick can "coach" in the BE. GO CATS!

[waterhead]

I don't think we need to much out of him offensively other than a put back here or there and an occasional spin and dunk. Defensively is where he will make us so much better. We need an eraser down low like we are use to having with Martin, Max, and Hicks. If Mick can take a page out of the Huggins book for weight lifting and building muscle mass I think we can expect a bigger Biggie (and others) this year or the year after.

I expect Hyranciuk will start the year as Biggie gets comfortable and takes over the job. I have Williams and Williamson at 4 and 3 or vice versa. The 2 is a big question mark but I think Gentry may start the year with Mitchell winning the job before the years end. Vaughn at PG for now with Warren backing him up.

Also getting a lot of time will be Sykes at 4, and Henry at 3 (if qualifies), and Davis at 2. Not sure if Bishop or Belton will see time at 3 and 4 but at least one of them will surprise. Crowell won't see the light of day unfortunately for him. Of course one of these guys will lose a scholarship and the only one I can see right now would be Crowell. The rest of them had their moments last year.

I don't think Mick is into playing head games like Huggs so I would expect him to play the best players as soon as they are ready.

[cspeed]

I can see Bishop get time at PG, he's been playing PG all year. We can't forget about Belton getting time at the 4 and Davis at the 2. Depth is a nice thing, but a lot of things change when the ball is on the court and guys are competing. A bunch of people thought D.Tilford was going to be a star ....

[cincycpaw]

I gotta think that every starting position is up for grabs except for Vaughn at PG and Williams at the "4". If you ask me now for a starting five, I will go big w/Vaughn, Mitchell, Adam H., Williams and McClain. I think H and Williams are versaltile enough to play the "3", if Mick wants a little more traditional "3", look for Bishop or Henry if he is eligible. I think Williamson will come off the bench given his limited offensive game. Also, with all the new bodies, I wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few different starting lineups at the beginning of the year until Mick sees what works and what does not work.


I'm not so sure Williamson has 'limited offensive game'...I think it looked that way when he was posting up on true 4's and 5's because he was our only inside presence. Going up against 3-4's with other bigs in the paint will open things up for him nicely. I look for a solid year out of him.

[Kindog202]

james jr, I had a tough time deciding between Gentry and Mitchell at the "2" as well, I went with Mitchell based on his scoring ability and strength, but I could easily see Gentry getting the start if he is healthy and because he has a year experience in the system, but in the end, I too, think Mitchell will overtake him for the starting spot. I still think Mick needs to address the PG position in the '08 class. I know guys like Henry and Bishop have played it in the past and even some reports that Wilks from '08 has some PG experience as well, however, I would like to see them land a true point guard in '08. Theodore or Walker would be nice to groom as Vaughn's eventual replacement.

I can't wait for the summer league games this year, they are going to be at Woodward's new gym, right? I'm sure the house will be packed when Slats is playing.

[gtjr921]

Wans't the Rock a seven footer? Rickenecker (sp?)

Yes he was, but he was not a basketball player per say:D

[Kindog202]

cincycpaw, I think John's game is a "4" stuck in a "3's" body. I see him as a very solid 6th man for us next year who can come in and given solid minutes w/solid production. In saying that he is limited offensively, I meant as a "3", how many airballs did he put up last year. I don't knock the kid because he consistently put forth the effort in every game last year no matter the score. I just think he will be better suited coming off the bench, somebody will have to.

[cincycpaw]

james jr, I had a tough time deciding between Gentry and Mitchell at the "2" as well, I went with Mitchell based on his scoring ability and strength, but I could easily see Gentry getting the start if he is healthy and because he has a year experience in the system, but in the end, I too, think Mitchell will overtake him for the starting spot. I still think Mick needs to address the PG position in the '08 class. I know guys like Henry and Bishop have played it in the past and even some reports that Wilks from '08 has some PG experience as well, however, I would like to see them land a true point guard in '08. Theodore or Walker would be nice to groom as Vaughn's eventual replacement.

I can't wait for the summer league games this year, they are going to be at Woodward's new gym, right? I'm sure the house will be packed when Slats is playing.

Good thoughts. I'm not sure Vaughn is really a point, I think that will hurt us this year. Mick has done an outstanding job with this class and getting Gates though, so I have gone from a negative outlook with guarded optimisim to just waiting for the top '08 PG to sign with UC!!!

Sure would be nice to have Downey right about now, that kid was exciting. Too bad he got caught up in all the surrounding BS.

[cincycpaw]

cincycpaw, I think John's game is a "4" stuck in a "3's" body. I see him as a very solid 6th man for us next year who can come in and given solid minutes w/solid production. In saying that he is limited offensively, I meant as a "3", how many airballs did he put up last year. I don't knock the kid because he consistently put forth the effort in every game last year no matter the score. I just think he will be better suited coming off the bench, somebody will have to.

I understand, you make good points. I think his inside game will open up dramatically and he won't have ot shoot the ball outside. And crashing the boards alongside the other bigs??? I think he'll have a good year if healthy.

Don't forget, he is 1 of a very few players on the team next year that actually showed he could compete with the BE players....he wasn't as consistant as he needed to be but he gained a year of that growth. That's a big plus over the new guys.

[Kindog202]

Agreed, it also wouldn't surprise me to see John bump someone out of the lineup given his experience in the system and the fact that he was able to compete.

[solomon33]

First off, props to Coach C for bringing in another top notch recruit, now Kindog can let out a big relief, his lancer bagged another good one! Just in case anyone had any worries that "Biggie" was gonna be another one of our 6'11 bigs who shows up on campus and then is suddenly only 6'8 or 6'9, well let me assure you his height is legit, I saw him in TUC on campus today and he is large! Just my stab at next year's beginning of the season starting lineup: Vaughn and Gentry in the backcourt with Williams, Adam H. and Biggie up front. If Henry or Mitchell(who I think will be my favorite from this class) work their way into the lineup then they have shown that they are for real, I hope that is the case! Regardless of anything else, Cronin has made me think sooner over later for the big dance, next year would be great!

[Thegreatone]

Yeah, although it seems he has shrunk from 7'0 according to scout now he is 6'10? I understand people embelish but what do you think he will be listed at if he is 6'11 they will list him at 7'0. I just hope he doesnt shrink as fast as Henry!

[Thegreatone]

Yeah, although it seems he has shrunk from 7'0 according to scout now he is 6'10? I understand people embelish but what do you think he will be listed at if he is 6'11 they will list him at 7'0. I just hope he doesnt shrink as fast as Henry!

HAHAHA shrink as fast as henry... where do you come up with this stuff????

[BeastUC]

HAHAHA shrink as fast as henry... where do you come up with this stuff????

Why did you bump this and quote yourself?

[Thegreatone]

what!>? STEP YO GAME UP

[MDW79]

Wtf?................................