In Cronin we trust . . .

[bearcatn8]

How about the job that Cronin has done recruiting? If you had asked me after the huggins/kennedy debacles that there was any way that Cronin (or almost any coach) could have put together a top 20 recruiting class for the 2007 season I would have told you that you are crazy (in fact, I think I actually may have posted something to that effect on this board before.) I am now ready to eat crow.

Hats off to Cronin on coming in and putting the cats -- at least personnel wise -- in a position to be competitive in the Big East only one year after his arrival and far sooner than I think reasonably could have been expected. Truly amazing. Perhaps a few years from now, for whatever reasons, we may all be calling for Cronin’s head. But given the recent signings, as I sit here today, it feels awfully good to be a bearcat fan. Hadn’t been able to say that with a whole lot of conviction for a while now . . .

[Kindog202]

I have a pretty good feeling we won't be anywhere close to calling for Mic's head in the next few years. I see this as only the beginning of a very bright future and the '08 class is going to be even better. I really do believe that next year's team has a legitimate chance to be .500 in the BE w/18-20 wins and a definite NIT berth w/a good chance of making that a NCAA berth.

[UCnut]

I have a pretty good feeling we won't be anywhere close to calling for Mic's head in the next few years. I see this as only the beginning of a very bright future and the '08 class is going to be even better. I really do believe that next year's team has a legitimate chance to be .500 in the BE w/18-20 wins and a definite NIT berth w/a good chance of making that a NCAA berth.

Right on, we got Yancy coming in, hopefully he can talk some of his buddies that are in the top 150 to come with him.

[cincycpaw]

Just unbelievable. Already proven he can recruit at this level.

Now I hope he goes out and proves he can coach at this level.

I wanted Huggs to stay around (still do actually) but this appears to have been the BEST of a bad situation.

I'm very impressed.

[waterhead]

I think 08' is the first true measuring stick of his ability to recruit. So if I had to give him a grade for what he has done so far I would give it a b+ for what he had to work with. I really think Mick can get us in the top 10 recruits on a yearly basis from what we have seen so far. 06' he did a wonderful job of filling holes and fileding a team in complete chaos and with very little time to work with. 07' just got a whole lot better with McClain and we still have to recognize that many recruits were already off the board and unavailable to Mick when he got started.

08' he will have almost complete access to all recruits with plenty of time to not feel rushed to sign players. He already has a great start with Gates and Wilkes and three more scholarships to go. 09' he has another good start with McElroy and one more to give.

That brings up another question. How long will it take to get us back to a normal amount of turnover. Our 4 year cycle based on no abnormal turnover like quitting or transferring or jail would look like this:

2 scholarships in 09'
0 scholarships in 10'
6 scholarships in 11'
5 scholarships in 12'

I would rather it be 3-4 each year rather than 5 or 6.

[ME80]

One thing to remember is that when you have quality recruiting classes back to back there will most probably be someone (s) leaving due to playing time etc. Also, while I prefer the recruiting 4 year players there will be a time when an occational JC transfer (or a transfer from another school) will help balance the classes. Depending on JC transfer or two to help plug a hole as compared to depending on them to fill a whole roster is a totally different discussion.

[CincyBeercat]

And don't forget about early NBA entrants. The better the recruit, the more likely they won't be around for 4 years, which will affect the balance of classes.

[shaunsimpson]

I can't imagine that all of these kids will stay the entire time. Either lack of playing time for older players and possible talent leaving early will free something up.

Aren't your years off by 1?

[Corporateballa]

I have a pretty good feeling we won't be anywhere close to calling for Mic's head in the next few years. I see this as only the beginning of a very bright future and the '08 class is going to be even better. I really do believe that next year's team has a legitimate chance to be .500 in the BE w/18-20 wins and a definite NIT berth w/a good chance of making that a NCAA berth.

.500 in the BEast and the NIT!?!?!? Talk about low expectations? This team has everyone back with a year of experience. I expect them all to be greatly inproved if the team is working 1/2 as hard as the coaching staff. Mike Williams and Adam H., plus the other freshmen. I expect this to be an NCAA tournament team. Who in the BEast worries you? This team will be VERY deep! Look for running, trapping, and pressure with the BIGs protecting the rim. I think that Loisville will be the favorite. After that...

PF - Mike Williams
SG - Deonta Vaughn

The only two certain starters. After that it's wide open.
C
PG
SG

[waterhead]

I can't imagine that all of these kids will stay the entire time. Either lack of playing time for older players and possible talent leaving early will free something up.

Aren't your years off by 1?

I agree it will happen but will it be 3 years 5 years 10 years?

As for being off a year I was looking at 07' having 6 recruits with McClain, 08' having 5 recruits when jucos leave and Gates and Wilkes are frosh. Then McElroy in 09' and I was wrong before McElroy would be the only one in 09 when M. Williams leaves. Vaughn will be the year after so we will have 1 scholarship in 10' as well.

So it would look like this:

07' (6)
08' (5)
09' (1)
10' (1)
11' (6)
12' (5)
13' (1)
14' (1)

etc. Of course it won't go exactly like this but for a while there will be a cycle of two big years of recruits followed by two lean years until enough time has passed for it to even out.

[shaunsimpson]

I think we might see one of the recruits who signed in the early period be here for one or two years since they are playing a position that will be highly populated. This is based 100% off opinion, but when they signed it was a different team.

[eseeskin]

Yesterday during Lance's show, Gregg Doyle mentioned that Pitino was confident that Mick would be successful at UC...Not that I'm a U of L fan, but I'll take a comment like that from a future Hall of Fame coach---for what its worth to anyone.