Cronin speaks at Chicken On The Run

[MikeInClifton]

Mick Cronin spoke at the restaurant/bar Chicken On The Run in Deer Park Thurs night. (The Gregor Chicken Club is excellent) He covered the returning players and the recruits, the Deveroes League, the future of Midnight Madness and style of play amongst other topics.

Many of the recruits will be arriving on campus as soon as this weekend and will play for the Slats team in the Deveroes League. They will not play this Sunday though.

He spoke highly of all the signed recruits and talked about their individual style of play. This was helpful since most folks (including myself) have only seen Jason Henry play.

He spoke of the possible starters and mentioned some names, but quickly followed with "just because they start early in the season doesn't mean they will be starters on January 1st."

He continued by mentioning Adam H and Mike Williams, then Deonta and Alvin. He hadn't decided on the 5th starter but mentioned John Williamson and his surgery. If he develops strong the fifth starter could be big John. There is a lot of time between now and the first game in Nov though.

Marcus Sikes is healthy for the most part after minor surgery but had a small setback Weds night because he played a lot of games and was very sore Thurs morning. Its impressive Sikes wants to come back quickly and play, but he has to be smart and take it slow.

Midnight Madness is a thing of the past. Cronin says he wants to make it more family friendly (aka: not at 12Mid) and probably a Saturday afternoon event "after a week of practice." (Oct 21?) It will likely be a mens basketball only event allowing the women to have their own event.

He also spoke highly of new coach J. Kelley Hall for the womens team and Brian Kelley for football. Cronin knows Hall from when they were both assistants at Louisville. "Hall works real hard for players."

He reiterated how all the former guys like Corie, Ruben, DerMarr, Maxiell and others have been great to talk to and work with.

The place was packed. Its unclear if the event would occur again.

[Thegreatone]

Hey Mike I was wondering if you were going to be there I was there standing in the Reds hat. It was really cool for Cronin to do. He said what everyone was thinking about Jason Henry, that he is on the fence and he will only be a bearcat if it is in the best interest of the University. One thing Coach Cronin said which I thought was interesting was Steve Logan was now in classes trying to finish his degree which he didnt earn after four years on the team. He was a wife and two kids ( also said he didnt have any elgibilty! Damn) He stayed for a while I know at least past 930 and he got there around 730. It was neat to hear him talk about each player.

He loves Alvin Mitchell and at one point if I heard correctly he said Larry Davis is could be better than field williams. I thought it was cool that he came in and really tried to shake hands and talk to everyone. He was personable and funny. He is an excellent ambassodor for the University.

[schottjy]

Thanks for the coverage guys.

[Mick's Da Man]

I've heard that Larry Davis is another diamond in the rough. Mick has already shown that he can uncover guys like this, so I don't doubt it.

[Kindog202]

In response to Mick talking about the starters, what about adding Sikes at small forward w/H., Williams, Vaughn and Mitchell? Also, if Henry is eligible, does he start at the "3" right away? Finally, anybody heard anything about Bishop, given his college-ready body and the type of stats he put in high school, would make him a good candidate at the "3" as well, yet no one seems to talk about him that much? what's up?

[The real Bearcat Fan]

Thank you for the update it is appreciated.

[solomon33]

JMO, I hope that Sikes is not our starting "3" man, don't get me wrong I think he can contribute to next year's team but in more of a complimentary role. Providing a little scoring off the bench...

[BigDaddyCornHusker]

I'd like to see Logan have some sort of role with the team. He was a competitor and a leader. Could he be a coach?

[MikeInClifton]

I'd like to see Logan have some sort of role with the team. He was a competitor and a leader. Could he be a coach?

He would not be allowed to be a coach in a formal sense, but simply being around the guys would help.

[Bearcat82]

Midnight Madness is a thing of the past. Cronin says he wants to make it more family friendly (aka: not at 12Mid) and probably a Saturday afternoon event "after a week of practice." (Oct 21?) It will likely be a mens basketball only event allowing the women to have their own event.

"It was a thing of the past" last year and is known as "Bearcat Madness"...it was on Friday the 13th at 7pm with Chad Johnson, Bronson Arroyo, etc....it was over well before Midnight there was a decent crowd and the highlight was probably Ronald Allen crooning during "Bearcat Idol", unfortunately, that was probably Ronald's highlight of the season.

[The real Bearcat Fan]

I for one am going to miss Midnight Madness or Bearcat Madness. I had some fond memories. I was at the first midnight madness with Tony Yates was coach, and Tyrone Hill and the X players were there to watch. I was there the year the student made the basket and **** Vitale had to buy his books. I was there the time The Helicopter", Melvin Levett jumped over the car and dunks the basketball. I seen James white put the ball through his legs and dunk the basketball. It was fun.

After one midnight madness my son called on the telephone and told me my daughter n law was about to give birth to my first grandchild. My daughter, my wife, my son n law and I drove to Columbus Ohio that night and waited in the family waiting room until my grandson was born that next morning. I thought there was nothing better than watching Bearcat Basketball start a new season and the birth of my grandson. I will miss midnight madness. It was a tradition, but I guess it is time to start a new tradition. Go Bearcats!!!