Jason Henry Information Please

[Thegreatone]

I have a good understanding on all of our recruits for the most part:

Biggie: Defensive shot blocker, legit 7 footer, little raw on offense, good on the boards.

Mitchell: 3 point shooter, college ready body, can contribute from day 1.

Davis: 3 point shooter, perhaps a Field Williams type.

Belton: Big, Strong, not much for offense but can rebound and play defense. Your classic bearcat.

Bishop: Left, can shoot but an all around solid player.

Henry: Highly ranked out of H/S. Is he a James white or Leonard Stokes?
Does he rely on athletic ability? Can he shoot? Will he contrbute? I dont even know about his grades. I dont know anything about his high school career. He is our highest rated player and i dont know much about him. Will he be a 2 or a 3 at this level. When will he contribute this season or later.

People seem to be more excited about Mitchell and that is fine but why is Henry rated so much higher? I dont take these sites for gospel but they must have seen something right

[bcatwilly]

I believe that Coach Cronin has compared Jason Henry to Francisco Garcia from Louisville in terms of being tall and lanky with very good ball skills and passing ability.

[UCbball21]

He is quite a player, he's an elite athlete who like many players like him really just needs to work on his perimeter shot. What seperates him from the rest is he's really a combo guard in a SF's body, like Darnell Wilks he possesses good court vision and ball handling skills for a player of his height. He is downright intimidating in transition as well, and can pretty much take it to the hoop whenever he wants. His perimeter shot still has room for improvement but if he develops a solid, consistent stroke from deep he will be extremely dangerous. He also could use a year in the weight room because he has James White's thin build. Tremendous prospect who will see most of his time at the SF position next year but once Darnell Wilks gets here the year after I could see him starting at SG, especially if his perimeter game improves after a year. What a scary line-up this will be...
1. Vaughn-6'0
2. Henry-6'7
3. Wilks-6'8
4. Gates-6'9
5. McClain-7'0

[nachoman91]

What a scary line-up this will be...
1. Vaughn-6'0
2. Henry-6'7
3. Wilks-6'8
4. Gates-6'9
5. McClain-7'0

It sure will be nice to get some size back. UC hasn't had that kind of size since the 99/00 team.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Do you guys really think that Williams won't be starting at PF?

[JR71]

That is what I was thinking oldtimer. Mike Williams will be a senior so he will have the experience and the starting PF spot. If Gates wants to start it will probably have to be at the C position even though he has said he doesn't want to play that in college.

[Kindog202]

In 2 years from now, I see this as the starting lineup (given what we know right now)
1. Vaughn - Jr.
2. A. Mitchell - Soph
3. Henry - Soph.
4. M. Williams - Sr.
5. McClain - Soph
**
I think guys like Bishop, Belton and especially Wilks and Gates will see plenty of time on the court, I just give the edge to experience as far as the starting lineup. That's not to say that one of those guys will completely blow everyone away and force their way into the starting lineup, this is just how I see it right now. Remember, Williams is still the only MCDAA on the roster right now. I really believe that it will be hard to move Mike out of the starting power forward spot the next 2 years.
**
I have been thinking about this for awhile but a position that Mick really seems to have stockpiled is the SF. Over the next 2 years, at the SF there is Henry, Bishop and Wilks and quite possibly T. Mitchell. It seems like all can play, so it will be interesting to see how Mick well Mick is able to keep them happy. It would not surprise me to see Henry spell Vaughn at the point sometimes.
**
Finally, I hope this not the case, but I can't help but feel like we may lose 1-2 guys to transfer due to playing time. The most likely candidates would seem to be Bishop, Belton or Davis. It just seems like these guys, especially Davis are not as talented as the kids Mick is now recruiting and will continue to recruit and may become upset over lack of playing time and decide to transfer. Only time will tell I guess...

[Inchickinkick]

here are my projected bearcat
STARTING 5 for 2008>
warren
vaughn
williamson
williams
hrycaniuk
=============
askmewhatithink

[Inchickinkick]

if you remember last seasons top
bearcat proformers, were only
worth there their salt were,
vaughn williamson and warren
everbody else are just role
players
========================
ordont

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Do you read what you type before sending it? Wow!!

[lt7784]

here are my projected bearcat
STARTING 5 for 2008>
warren
vaughn
williamson
williams
hrycaniuk
=============
askmewhatithink

You must mean 2007/08. I'd agree with that starting lineup, but I wouldn't be surprised to see warren taken out and Vaughn moved to point. I also wouldn't consider Warren anything more than a role player.

[waterhead]

KingDog, I think you're right about experience being the main factor in the beginning of the year when considering starters. Talent will overide that as the season progresses and new kids gain experience. I don't think starters and positions matter a whole lot. To me playing time is the only thing you need to worry about. If we have two PF's who need 25-30 minutes Mick will find a way. Same goes for all positions. I was a big fan of bringing one of your best players off the bench as the 6th man Burton style. Psychologically that can wear out another team knowing that you are getting beat and when the 6th man comes in it's only going to get worse. It seems to me we might be 8-10 deep with starting talent after the 08' class arrives. Of course there is no telling how quickly freshman will become Beast ready D1 players...some will be ready some won't.

[Kindog202]

I agree with you waterhead, I was thinking that it looks like we will be 8-10 deep starting in '08. I also think there will be an adjustment period as someone who is used to starting all of his life is going to have to come off the bench. Hopefully someone will embrace that role ala Burton and Bobbit (later in his career) because that is where you can put a run together during a course of a game that could be the difference in the game.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

You must mean 2007/08. I'd agree with that starting lineup, but I wouldn't be surprised to see warren taken out and Vaughn moved to point. I also wouldn't consider Warren anything more than a role player.

I think you'll see McClain in there either at the start, or, very shortly after. I'm also hoping that one of the freshman guards will claim the SG spot, and move Vaughn back to PG. McClain would be much more of a defensive presence......I don't believe Hrycaniuk is anything special offensively either, from what I've read.

[levydl]

I think you'll see McClain in there either at the start, or, very shortly after. I'm also hoping that one of the freshman guards will claim the SG spot, and move Vaughn back to PG. McClain would be much more of a defensive presence......I don't believe Hrycaniuk is anything special offensively either, from what I've read.

Mick seemed pretty high on Alvin Mitchell, saying he was the most BEast ready of all the incoming freshmen. I think right now he's the starting SG, though that's certainly subject to change (god, I can't wait to see these boys in the summer league).

Mick also has already said that Vaughn will start at PG and that it's his natural position.

I'll have to disagree with you about Adam H. I haven't see a lot of him, but he's very skilled with the ball, has a nice jumper, and looks very fundamentally sound. Mick has also said he's not a soft Euro, that he likes to get inside and bang for rebounds. I think he'll have a very solid year as his only season as a Bearcat.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Mick seemed pretty high on Alvin Mitchell, saying he was the most BEast ready of all the incoming freshmen. I think right now he's the starting SG, though that's certainly subject to change (god, I can't wait to see these boys in the summer league).

Mick also has already said that Vaughn will start at PG and that it's his natural position.

I'll have to disagree with you about Adam H. I haven't see a lot of him, but he's very skilled with the ball, has a nice jumper, and looks very fundamentally sound. Mick has also said he's not a soft Euro, that he likes to get inside and bang for rebounds. I think he'll have a very solid year as his only season as a Bearcat.


You may be right. I'm here in St. Louis, so, I haven't had an opportunity to see Adam H. play. I'm only judging by his scoring averages in JC. I think both he and McClain will split time. He was one of the JC recruits from last year, and based on the production we got from most of them........well, you draw your own conclusion. But, I hope you're right.

[waterhead]

I think you'll see McClain in there either at the start, or, very shortly after. I'm also hoping that one of the freshman guards will claim the SG spot, and move Vaughn back to PG. McClain would be much more of a defensive presence......I don't believe Hrycaniuk is anything special offensively either, from what I've read.

I don't think you have to worry about Vaughn being at SG. Mick has stated that Vaughn will be back at his natural position of PG. I agree with you on McClain...he has the same amount of D1 experience as Adam H and Mick will want to develop the 4 year guy over the now 1 year guy. Judging by the schools interested in Adam H. I would say Biggie is our man.

[JR71]

I don't expect much from Adam or McClain on the offensive side next year. From what I have heard McClain will be like most freshman big guys and Adam didn't even start on his juco team. It will be nice to have their tall bodies on the defensive side though. I think Williams and Williamson will be our best post scoring options next year.

[levydl]

I don't think you have to worry about Vaughn being at SG. Mick has stated that Vaughn will be back at his natural position of PG. I agree with you on McClain...he has the same amount of D1 experience as Adam H and Mick will want to develop the 4 year guy over the now 1 year guy. Judging by the schools interested in Adam H. I would say Biggie is our man.

I thought Adam H was on his way to Kansas before we got him. They got Darrell Arthur late and then didn't have a scholarship for Adam, I believe. His JC averages were not very good, but Mick thinks he's a good player and I've seen with my own eyes that he's pretty skilled for a 6'9", 6'10" guy. I think he'll be solid if unspectacular. I also remember Clark Kellogg saying he was the best player he saw at UC's practice when he was there before the OSU game (not that that says much or matters much - doesn't it seem like the guys that are sitting out a year are always the best players in practice? I remember hearing that about Vince Banks and James White - but it doesn't hurt either).

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I thought Adam H was on his way to Kansas before we got him. They got Darrell Arthur late and then didn't have a scholarship for Adam, I believe. His JC averages were not very good, but Mick thinks he's a good player and I've seen with my own eyes that he's pretty skilled for a 6'9", 6'10" guy. I think he'll be solid if unspectacular. I also remember Clark Kellogg saying he was the best player he saw at UC's practice when he was there before the OSU game (not that that says much or matters much - doesn't it seem like the guys that are sitting out a year are always the best players in practice? I remember hearing that about Vince Banks and James White - but it doesn't hurt either).

Perhaps Adam just had a good practice that day.

[Josh Rexhausen]

I agree with you on McClain...he has the same amount of D1 experience as Adam H...

I believe Adam has the edge, he did practice with the team last year and went up against Hernol Hall for a while too.

[waterhead]

I believe Adam has the edge, he did practice with the team last year and went up against Hernol Hall for a while too.

I hope you're right! I hope Clark Kellog was right! I hope Adam H and Mike W are ready to play. It will be nice to have the freshman competing for playing time rather than playing by default. I think Cronin will be able to get max effort out of his players since he has learned from the best.

[james jr]

here are my projected bearcat
STARTING 5 for 2008>
warren
vaughn
williamson
williams
hrycaniuk
=============
askmewhatithink

I like these five to start:
Vaughn
Mitchell/Gentry
Henry
Williams
McClain

I don't think Warren has much of a chance to start after his erratic play last year; especially the way Mick has been touting Vaughn's point guard skills this offseason. Given MIck's expressed penchant for having "eraser" type players at the back end of the pressure defense, I believe McClain will be given every opportunity to start. "H"'s experience may win out but I don't think so. Finally I believe that Henry with his better ball skills and perimeter scoring abilities will be a more likely candidate to start at SF.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I like these five to start:
Vaughn
Mitchell/Gentry
Henry
Williams
McClain

I don't think Warren has much of a chance to start after his erratic play last year; especially the way Mick has been touting Vaughn's point guard skills this offseason. Given MIck's expressed penchant for having "eraser" type players at the back end of the pressure defense, I believe McClain will be given every opportunity to start. "H"'s experience may win out but I don't think so. Finally I believe that Henry with his better ball skills and perimeter scoring abilities will be a more likely candidate to start at SF.

It would be nice to think that Henry can beat out Williamson at SF. But, Williamson is a pretty decent scorer. I just wish he could shoot FT's. I agree with you regarding McClain. If he's as good defensively as they say, he can erase a lot of mistakes.

[General Woundwort]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the starting lineup change quite a bit as the season wears on. I expect the opening night lineup to be Hrycaniuk, Williams, Williamson, Mitchell or Gentry, and Vaughn. By the end of the season, however, I would expect McClain to have an excellent chance to move into the lineup, as well as Henry. I think Williamson is best suited to being a 6th man (he's a "tweener" with no real position, a high energy guy, and has had some knee problems and would likely benefit from fewer minutes), but it is hard to imagine benching one of only 2 effective scorers from a year ago for an unproven freshman.

[lt7784]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the starting lineup change quite a bit as the season wears on. I expect the opening night lineup to be Hrycaniuk, Williams, Williamson, Mitchell or Gentry, and Vaughn. By the end of the season, however, I would expect McClain to have an excellent chance to move into the lineup, as well as Henry. I think Williamson is best suited to being a 6th man (he's a "tweener" with no real position, a high energy guy, and has had some knee problems and would likely benefit from fewer minutes), but it is hard to imagine benching one of only 2 effective scorers from a year ago for an unproven freshman.

I saw John last week on crutches... probably knee problems. Hopefully he'll be good to go for the whole season next year.