CONFIRMED: UC to play in CBI against Bradley

[UCMarketing]

Wednesday night, time and opponent to be announced on Monday.

Game will be on the road.

[Thegreatone]

wow, it is good to be playing, we have a chance to end on a higher note.

[Cincycats93]

Anytime you can keep playing in the post season it helps with future recruiting, especially if you keep winning. Most importantly it shows that in the eyes of the basketball world that UC is definitely back to becoming a rising program.

[UCMarketing]

Bearcats Continue Season in Inaugural CBI
Cincinnati to play in first round game Wednesday night


CINCINNATI, OH – The University of Cincinnati will continue the 2007-08 men's basketball season this week as a participant in the inaugural postseason College Basketball Invitational (CBI), which will be begin with first round games Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18-19 on campus sites around the nation.

The Bearcats (13-18, 8-10 BIG EAST) will travel for a first-round game on Wednesday, March 19. The opponent will be announced Monday morning. UC student-athletes are in final exams this week and the UC Administration is working with the tournament management to secure travel that fits around the exam schedules.

The CBI features 16 teams and secures an important opportunity for deserving programs to have a postseason experience. Participating teams are being invited based upon their performance during their conference and non-conference schedules. All the games, which begin Tuesday, will be played on the campuses of the higher-seeded teams. The tournament’s champion will be determined by a best-of-three series scheduled for March 31, April 2, and April 4.

All of the games will be televised nationally by FOX College Sports.

“Obviously we are excited to be playing in the postseason” says second-year head coach Mick Cronin. “This is a tribute to the tough schedule that we played over the course of the season and to the strength of the BIG EAST. More than 40 percent of our games this season were played against NCAA Tournament teams. Our kids are excited for the opportunity to represent UC again on the floor and will make the most of this experience."

UC played 14 of its 31 games this season against teams that made the NCAA Tournament's field of 65. The Bearcats went 4-10 in those games, with the wins coming over Pittsburgh, Louisville, West Virginia, and Villanova. Nine of their 31 games were against teams that received a No. 4 seed or higher.

Cincinnati dropped its first-round game in the BIG EAST Tournament to eventual tournament champion Pittsburgh, 70-64, despite 30 points from first-team all-BIG EAST performer Deonta Vaughn.

The Gazelle Group, producers of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic, and the Legends Classic, is the sponsoring body for the new tournament. For more information please log onto the web at http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/index_main.htm.

[Thegreatone]

We have an advantage. I really believe we do, while other teams will be thinking they arent good enough for the other and are dissappointed, we are getting a breath of life and we are going to take advantage.

[mboston67]

wow..... ummm wow. This is pretty cool.

[catscratchfever]

That's awesome news! Can't wait to see the 'Cats on the court again!!
It will be interesting to see how they look playing some of these other teams after the last 2 months of the brutal Big East schedule..

[OhioFootball]

Here are the 16 teams in the CBI:
UC, Brown, Wagner,Bradley, Ohio, NC-Wilmington, IUPUI, Southern Miss, Houston, Richmond, Utah, Nevada, Seton Hall, UTEP, Washington, and Virginia

Alabama, Oklahoma State, and Missouri all said they wouldn't accept an invitation even before the NIT announced their field. Some BCS Division 1 coaches are boycotting this tournament because of the way their committee has pissed off the NCAA by undercutting the NIT and offering money to some schools. Some schools have privately said they are afraid of ruining future chances at the big tournament by accepting a bid to this non sanctioned tournament.

Here are some thoughts last week from both Mike Tranghese and the CBI creator:
"Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese said his schools "are free to go and play in any event. I just don't know if there's a market for a third tournament, but this is the land of opportunity."

"We would never tell our schools what to do or not to do in a situation like this," Tranghese said Wednesday. "Since this group produces some early-season events I could see that having something to do with certain decisions."

Giles said there are no plans to limit the field to teams with .500 records and better.

"We don't have that rule right now but I can't anticipate taking a team with a sub-.500 record," he said. "There are too many teams out there with good records."

[mboston67]

Where did you get that? And does it say yet where we go?

[OhioFootball]

Where did you get that? And does it say yet where we go?

Just went to the Houston board because I knew they were invited. They had a 3 page thread about the CBI and that's where the info came from. I'm not sure if all those teams have accepted but they said those teams have all accepted. They mentioned that ten teams had rejected a bid to the CBI. UC seems to have gotten a lucky break in that regard.

[mboston67]

I'll take it. Good find.

[Bp4thebest]

@ Bradley at 7 pm wed I guess on Fox?

[OhioFootball]

http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/cbi_bracket08.pdf

Another BUNCH of teams declined bids and now the tourney has Miami(Ohio), Tulsa, Rider, Old Dominion, and Valpo instead of UNC-Wilmington, IUPUI, Southern Miss, Seton Hall, and Wagner.

UC @ Bradley(17-15 overall- 9-9 conference-10-6 Home-9-6 last 15 games) in the first round game and the winner plays either the Ohio Bobcats or Brown. Hey, maybe this can be UC vs Obama in the 2nd round! Game time is 7:00 pm on 3/19 and televised on FCS. Final series is best 2 out of 3.

Bradley Braves- Best wins Drake, Iowa State, @Iowa, Illinois State, and Creighton.
Hey UC could be the kings of Iowa! This team looks pretty good on paper. Here are some other scores. Vanderbilt L 95-86, Michigan State L 66-61, Drake L 69-68.

Top players-
Jeremy Crouch-G- 6-4 Senior 15.5 pts 3.0 ast
Daniel Ruffin-G- 5-10 Senior 14.8 pts 4.8 ast
Andrew Warren-G- 6-2 Soph 13.1 pts 1.3 stls
Theron Wilson- F- 6-5 Junior 11.4 pts 6.4 rbs
Matt Salley-F/C- 6-7 Senior 5.9 pts 6.6 rbs
Sam Maniscalco-G-6-0 Freshman 7.8 pts 3.8 ast

Looks like a VERY guard orientated team. They shoot well from the line, their top five minute guys shoot amazing there overall. 86%, 85%, 82%, 77%, and 63% bringing up the rear. As a team they shoot 75% from the line. They also shoot well from behind the arc. They have 6 guys that shoot above 35% pct and four of those guys shoot above 40%. They have almost as many turnovers as assists though. UC should be able to get points off pressure. They have almost the same number of rebounds as their opponents and that is odd considering they have no size. They score 74 points a game compared to 70 for their opponents. Should be a good game but it's at their place. At home they have only lost to Drake, Vandy, Michigan State, a good VCU team, Northern Iowa, and Wichita State.

[Kindog202]

Wow, I just woke up this morning to see all of this. Great news for the 'Cats and good that Mick or the school didn't turn down the bid like some other schools. It's funny, I was going to post something yesterday about asking if anyone felt like we had a chance at the CBI but with the way we closed the season, I figured it was a moot point.
**
Fox Sports is Channel 43 for all of us Time Warner subscribers, correct?
**
I think this is great, we will see how far we have come since the beginning of the year. I wonder how much of a surprise it was to the team or how long the team had known this could happen. Hopefully they had not yet started to go into shut-down mode and will be ready to play on Wednesday. Does anyone know if they could get a second round home game if they beat Bradley?

[NorrisHopper30]

Good to hear, it'd be great to end the season on a winning note.

[loshow22]

what channel on direct tv? anyone know?

[NorrisHopper30]

http://www.gazellegroup.com/cbi/cbi_bracket08.pdf

@Bradley
7pm
Wednesday

Not too bad of a tourney, there are some solid teams in this.

[Justin Register]

It says the games are on Fox College Sports, not Fox Sports. This sounds like two different stations. Does Time Warner carry Fox College Sports?

[steelo]

Fox Sports Channel or whatever is a pay tier. On Time Warner Cable it is like channels 170-174 or something like that. It only costs about $5.00 a month and and you get a lot of games including PAC 10 games live late at night. If you are a b-ball fan (which you obviously are) I think it is worth it.

-lenny

[Lobot]

I'm curious as to who turned down the bids. Anyone know?

[SLMadiCat]

I hope the Seniors step forward and offer their playing time to the Freshman. It would be good experience for them. I doubt that will happen though.

[capcbk]

Also, looks to me like...if, we beat Bradley...we get a home game!

I think it would be fun to get into a 3 game series with someone!

[jplog]

nevermind.

[bubbachunk]

I want to see UC play OU!!!

[MikeInClifton]

Added "against Bradley" in Post title.

[ralph1950]

The goal is now simple, let UC win the last game of its season.

[ralph1950]

Will the game be on Warner Cable?

[Thegreatone]

I hope the Seniors step forward and offer their playing time to the Freshman. It would be good experience for them. I doubt that will happen though.


That is about as insane of an idea as I have ever heard. Come on SLM, seriously? We should be in it to win it regardless of what tournament it is. You expect John Williamson and Marcus Sikes to lay down and call it a career to get Kenny Belton a one and done game verse Bradley. This is a good chance to be one of 3 teams that go home happy, OK, OK it is the CBI, but that is the reality of the situation. I see you point, but I have to disagree.

If we win this that would be more good experience in my opinion than then getting the freshman more minutes. We win this it will send those same freshman into the off season with some good momentum and a good taste in their mouth. No I say play it like the Beast tourny, in it to win it.

[lt7784]

That is about as insane of an idea as I have ever heard. Come on SLM, seriously? We should be in it to win it regardless of what tournament it is. You expect John Williamson and Marcus Sikes to lay down and call it a career to get Kenny Belton a one and done game verse Bradley. This is a good chance to be one of 3 teams that go home happy, OK, OK it is the CBI, but that is the reality of the situation. I see you point, but I have to disagree.

If we win this that would be more good experience in my opinion than then getting the freshman more minutes. We win this it will send those same freshman into the off season with some good momentum and a good taste in their mouth. No I say play it like the Beast tourny, in it to win it.

I agree. They've got to play it like it's the NCAA Tournament.

[SLMadiCat]

That is about as insane of an idea as I have ever heard. Come on SLM, seriously? We should be in it to win it regardless of what tournament it is. You expect John Williamson and Marcus Sikes to lay down and call it a career to get Kenny Belton a one and done game verse Bradley. This is a good chance to be one of 3 teams that go home happy, OK, OK it is the CBI, but that is the reality of the situation. I see you point, but I have to disagree.

If we win this that would be more good experience in my opinion than then getting the freshman more minutes. We win this it will send those same freshman into the off season with some good momentum and a good taste in their mouth. No I say play it like the Beast tourny, in it to win it.

Read my post entirely, I don't expect it to happen. That is just what I would like to happen. I don't think winning the CBI really matters too much. Why would it. I think it'd be more important for the Freshman to get valuable playing time. Obviously Mick and the players are going to want to win it all, and who could blame them. I'd just like to see the Freshman. You think winning the CBI in March is going to carry momentum over into next October? I doubt it.

[ralph1950]

In it to win it!

[SLMadiCat]

That is the approach they should take, just not the approach I would like them to take.

[mboston67]

In reality. The more games they play, the more time the freshman get to see. Play to win. If you win, the freshman will get their experience and the seniors will get their " reward "

Also I loved this quote from Mick.

"To say that our guys are excited is an understatement," said UC coach Mick Cronin. "When I rounded them up to tell them, they were jumping through the phone

[Matt1982]

we got some anal people on this thing if its that big of a deal that someone rethreaded a topic.... there are bigger thins in life...

[cinmike]

I am glad they got selected. Looking at the field of this tournament, there is no reason that UC cannot win this. After playing the competition UC has played all year, they should have little problem beating the teams that are fielded. Most will think CBI? Big deal, but if they win it the final record will be 17-17, which looks a lot better than 13-17. 500 was my goal and expectations for this team at the beginning of the year and now they have a chance to acheive that.

[Boiiinng]

I am glad they got selected. Looking at the field of this tournament, there is no reason that UC cannot win this. After playing the competition UC has played all year, they should have little problem beating the teams that are fielded. Most will think CBI? Big deal, but if they win it the final record will be 17-17, which looks a lot better than 13-17. 500 was my goal and expectations for this team at the beginning of the year and now they have a chance to acheive that.

Try 18-17 or 18-18. The Championship is a best of 3.

[mboston67]

If we win... If.... Huge IF.... ( we very well could lose @ Bradley ) but if we were to win. The final record would be 18-18 or 18-19. But again, our final record could be 13-19. Cautiously optimistic.

[nolte50uc]

That is the approach they should take, just not the approach I would like them to take.

Fortunately for the team, the approach taken will be the one THEY like. It's all about the players getting to play in a tourney and hopefully winning it.

Who know, if this thing actually took off in 25 years (yea right), UC could be the answer to a trivia question.

[Lobot]

I have a feeling the team will be unprepared against Bradley. They are going through finals right now which means limited practice and travel time I would think.

[jeffto]

For you young ins out there, Bradley was once one of our most intense rivalries. It seemed like the games always went down to the wire. The last time the two teams played was the longest game in NCAA history. 7 overtimes in 1981.

[SLMadiCat]

Fortunately for the team, the approach taken will be the one THEY like. It's all about the players getting to play in a tourney and hopefully winning it.

Definitely.

[jlr1523]

I love UC and all Bearcat fans but there is no pride in this. The season ended on a dreadful note. I can't wait til next year but am more than ready for this one to be over. This isn't Bearcat basketball. The program is making a comeback but lets say goodbye to the seniors, forget this misery, and look forward to next year. Getting an invite to this new but irrelevant tournament is cool for the players and I'm happy for them but this is embarrassing.

[Thegreatone]

That is the approach they should take, just not the approach I would like them to take.

That is fair.

[GoCats1994]

Why am I not excited by this?

I love my Bearcats. I am a season ticket holder. I have supported them through good times and bad. Yet.... I can't help but think they should have declined this bid. If they win it, do they get to brag that they are #98??? Seriously.... IF the NCAA has already sactioned this....why don't they simply expand the regular tourney to 128? They are already letting 115 teams play in the post season.

I suppose another question is whether or not the games count. Meaning... Looks like Vaughn may get to 1,000 before the end of the season.

[shaunsimpson]

Getting an invite to this new but irrelevant tournament is cool for the players and I'm happy for them but this is embarrassing.

I have to disagree with you on this. Playing in this game is an oppertunity. I don't know what the rules are like in college hoops, but if they are like football then this is an oppertunity to practice more and play with the young players.

[SLMadiCat]

What is to gain by turning down the invite? I don't see much. Might as well except it and go play.

[Thegreatone]

I agree you must take this spot. We need to swollow our pride and take this as serious as possible. If we win we can really build on that. Declining would be wrong, the seniors and the team deserve better than that.

[nolte50uc]

This is good because the players get to play in more games. How in the world is this a bad thing? I know I'll be rooting for them on Wednseday. It doesn't have to be an NCAA game to be enjoyable.

BE A FAN!!! SUPPORT THE PLAYERS!!!

[mikedenman]

Anyone know what the DirecTV channel is for Fox College Sports?

[loshow22]

Anyone know what the DirecTV channel is for Fox College Sports?

I would like to know also.

[Irishbearcat]

I say play the game.....the more experience our team gets, the better. I would play the young guys especially.
Plus, it means more practices, which is always good.

[shaunsimpson]

Anyone know what the DirecTV channel is for Fox College Sports?

I looked for it and can not find it. I think that we are under the mercy of fox sports cincinnati. If they want to pick it up then it will be on FCN (fox sports cincinnnati).

[ralph1950]

For you young ins out there, Bradley was once one of our most intense rivalries. It seemed like the games always went down to the wire. The last time the two teams played was the longest game in NCAA history. 7 overtimes in 1981.


Bobby Austin set the single game minutes played record at 73.

[Corporateballa]

I love UC and all Bearcat fans but there is no pride in this. The season ended on a dreadful note. I can't wait til next year but am more than ready for this one to be over. This isn't Bearcat basketball. The program is making a comeback but lets say goodbye to the seniors, forget this misery, and look forward to next year. Getting an invite to this new but irrelevant tournament is cool for the players and I'm happy for them but this is embarrassing.

I feel the same way. This is embarrassing. 13-18 and looser of six in a row. There is not much upside to this as I see it. They can go out and lay an egg against a mid-major...Vaughn could blow out his knee...they could piss off the NCAA...does this tournament help the profile of the program in any for, shape or fashion??? I don't think so :-(

I can't wait until next year. No more Adam, no more line-drive Syke's threes, no more tortourous to watch offense...Please let-it-be-over!!!

[milfordcats]

It does help the program. It helps get them experience even if it is against mid-major programs. And why would this piss off the NCAA? If they dont want teams playing in it then come out and say it. Granted they haven't come out with open arms to the tournament but if they havent said the tournament isnt ok how can they hold it against us ethically for participating? Granted it is the NCAA...

[Catmandu]

I feel the same way. This is embarrassing. 13-18 and looser of six in a row. There is not much upside to this as I see it. They can go out and lay an egg against a mid-major...Vaughn could blow out his knee...they could piss off the NCAA...does this tournament help the profile of the program in any for, shape or fashion??? I don't think so :-(

I can't wait until next year. No more Adam, no more line-drive Syke's threes, no more tortourous to watch offense...Please let-it-be-over!!!


I agree, nothing to be "proud" of. and I agree, more games and more playing time helps the non seniors. I wouldn't turn it down... but as a fan.. being the THIRD tier tournament is NOT "Bearcat Basketball". I really just want this season to be OVER.

I mean really, beside playing time, there is nothing this can help. Those of you that say recruiting... LOL... yeah I bet every 5 star recruit is looking for a team that is in the "Couldn't Be Invited" tournament.... Not.

[Matt1982]

Ive never seen a more apathetic group of people in my life. Put yourself in a basketball uniform on a team that had its way ups and way downs, and tell me at the end of the season that if youre invited to a lower tourney that you would decline it. No way, every ball player regardless of what sport and what level wants to play as long as they can, and if they don't, then they shouldn't be playing in the first place.

To me, it would be a great accomplishment to win this CBI event, why? Because it would show that despite our unattractive record, a lot of that had to do with how tough our schedule and conference is, which someone else mentioned this, WILL help us in the tourney. GO CATS!!

[Lobot]

Did I just correctly in Bill Koch's blog that Mike Waddell turned down a chance to host Bradley? What was that about? Someone please tell me it was a scheduling problem.:mad:

[jeffto]

I agree, nothing to be "proud" of. and I agree, more games and more playing time helps the non seniors. I wouldn't turn it down... but as a fan.. being the THIRD tier tournament is NOT "Bearcat Basketball". I really just want this season to be OVER.

I mean really, beside playing time, there is nothing this can help. Those of you that say recruiting... LOL... yeah I bet every 5 star recruit is looking for a team that is in the "Couldn't Be Invited" tournament.... Not.It may not live up to our tradition, but it may help us get back to that tradition.

I assume they're getting some money too?

[Lobot]

It may not live up to our tradition, but it may help us get back to that tradition.

I assume they're getting some money too?

Baby steps folks. CBI this year, NIT next year, NCAA will return again in time.

[Carl]

Did I just correctly in Bill Koch's blog that Mike Waddell turned down a chance to host Bradley? What was that about? Someone please tell me it was a scheduling problem.:mad:

The home team had to guarantee a $60K gate.

[slimm]

Ive never seen a more apathetic group of people in my life. Put yourself in a basketball uniform on a team that had its way ups and way downs, and tell me at the end of the season that if youre invited to a lower tourney that you would decline it. No way, every ball player regardless of what sport and what level wants to play as long as they can, and if they don't, then they shouldn't be playing in the first place.


I couldn't agree more. Some people think that the team is playing for the fans satisfaction,not their own. Anyone that has played ANY sport at a competitive level knows you want to play anytime,anywhere. You want to win and hate to lose. Playing in the CBI may not meet the standards of some of you, but as Mick said, the KIDS are all excited to keep playing. Whether its about one last game for a senior or just more playing time for underclassmen, you play until you cant play anymore! And for the KIDS, thats what its all about.
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