Bearcats Also Have 2 Among RSCI Top 100 For 2008

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

http://home.nc.rr.com/rsci/RSCI_100_Summer_2008.htm

Gates #31 and Wilks #63 on the early list for 2008.

Notice how the low (83) rating from Rivals skews Gates lower than he is otherwise rated.

[jeffto]

And WVU has ZERO - either year.

Let the excuses begin.

[bearcatmark]

And WVU has ZERO - either year.

Let the excuses begin.


Ha...i love how quick some people are to take shots at Huggins... He's been at WVU for what 2 months now?

[Cats4Ever]

You may not want to count your 2007 players until they graduate - Henry is still working his grades for this year's class - if he does not make it - we tie Dayton for number of top 100 kids this year...................

[jeffto]

Ha...i love how quick some people are to take shots at Huggins... He's been at WVU for what 2 months now?

I was merely referring to our new top rival (along with Louisville and X), not Huggins, although it does amaze me how quickly people come to the defense of one our top rival's coach. What's up with that?

Love him or hate him, he is now the enemy.

[cincycpaw]

I was merely referring to our new top rival (along with Louisville and X), not Huggins, although it does amaze me how quickly people come to the defense of one our top rival's coach. What's up with that?

Love him or hate him, he is now the enemy.

If he'd left on his own, I might be able to see your point.

He didn't. The shots at Huggs from people that say they're Bearcat fans is pathetic, short-sighted, and small-minded. Time to elivate your game.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

And WVU has ZERO - either year.

Let the excuses begin.

Very few coaches who took a job in April have recruits by June.

He'll get a bunch of good ones.

[uccat04]

Tell the people at Kansas State that Huggins bashers are pathetic, short sighted, and small minded.

Look to the present and future, Huggins is gone, deal with it already. Some of you guys are ridiculous. If you want to go root for WVU, go ahead. No one is keeping you here. I'll be rooting for the red and black and rooting hard against WVU this season along with Louisville. Remember, they are the bad guys.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Tell the people at Kansas State that Huggins bashers are pathetic, short sighted, and small minded.

Look to the present and future, Huggins is gone, deal with it already. Some of you guys are ridiculous. If you want to go root for WVU, go ahead. No one is keeping you here. I'll be rooting for the red and black and rooting hard against WVU this season along with Louisville. Remember, they are the bad guys.

If not for Huggins, you'd be rooting for the UC of Yates/Badger days.

[cincycpaw]

Tell the people at Kansas State that Huggins bashers are pathetic, short sighted, and small minded.

Look to the present and future, Huggins is gone, deal with it already. Some of you guys are ridiculous. If you want to go root for WVU, go ahead. No one is keeping you here. I'll be rooting for the red and black and rooting hard against WVU this season along with Louisville. Remember, they are the bad guys.


What I'm saying is Bearcat fans really should have nothing but good thngs to say about Huggs. He did a lot for the University. There is no point in contantly trying to bash him. You're preaching to the wrong people.

Why can't we appreciate and miss Bob Huggins and still look forward to Mick becoming a great coach? It'll be interesting to see hwo the 2008 recruiting class pans out. 2007 was important to get things going...2008 is critical in my opinion if we want climb up on the Big East.

[uccat04]

I just feel like too many people refuse to let the past go and look toward the present and future. Cincinnati fans of all sports are like that (i.e. Bengals, Reds, Bearcats, etc.). The past is the past. Appreciate the past, but concentrate on the present.

[The real Bearcat Fan]

What I'm saying is Bearcat fans really should have nothing but good thngs to say about Huggs. He did a lot for the University. There is no point in contantly trying to bash him. You're preaching to the wrong people.

Why can't we appreciate and miss Bob Huggins and still look forward to Mick becoming a great coach? It'll be interesting to see hwo the 2008 recruiting class pans out. 2007 was important to get things going...2008 is critical in my opinion if we want climb up on the Big East.

I have not liked West Virginia since Gayle Catlett left the UC program to become there coach. I will always appreciate what Bob Huggins did while coach of the Bearcats. He showed the Bearcats how to win and compete nationally again. I think Bob Huggins was treated unfairly in the way he was dismissed but I am a Cincinnati Bearcat fan. I was a fan when Ed Jucker, Tay Baker, Gayle Catlett, Ed Badger, Tony Yates, Bob Huggins and Andy Kennedy were coaches and after each one of those coaches left the program, I remained loyal to UC. I root for one team and that is the Bearcats. If I go to a NCAA Tournament game I will be wearing my UC red and black colors proudly. I am a UC fan and I still think Bob Huggins is a great coach I will always respect Bob Huggins and his coaching ability. I also respect coaches Andy Kennedy, and Frank Martin and their coaching ability but I will never root for their teams if they are playing against the Bearcats. I am a Bearcat fan first, now and always.

[jeffto]

If not for Huggins, you'd be rooting for the UC of Yates/Badger days.
Tom, where's your evidence and stats for that pronouncement?

Equally possible is that we would have had a coach who won the NCAA, had a high graduation rate, whose players (and coaches) didn't embarrass the university and make UC the definition of what's wrong with college basketball.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Tom, where's your evidence and stats for that pronouncement?

Equally possible is that we would have had a coach who won the NCAA, had a high graduation rate, whose players (and coaches) didn't embarrass the university and make UC the definition of what's wrong with college basketball.

68-71 Badger and 70-100 Yates (11 years). 399-127 Huggins (16 years).

About 40% of Huggins' players graduated. That's a higher rate than either Badger OR Yates.

Boggles the mind. Absolutely mind boggling.

[cincycpaw]

Tom, where's your evidence and stats for that pronouncement?

Equally possible is that we would have had a coach who won the NCAA, had a high graduation rate, whose players (and coaches) didn't embarrass the university and make UC the definition of what's wrong with college basketball.

You have to be kidding?

'make UC the definition of what's wrong with college basketball'? WHat the **** are you still doing around then? This is exactly the mentality that kills sports in the Cincinnati area. Cincinnati has the worst fans in the nation.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Cincinnati has the worst fans in the nation.

No - just 1 of them. (Not you, him)

Most UC fans are great.

[SLMadiCat]

No - just 1 of them. (Not you, him)

Most UC fans are great.

Sorry but the ones that are supporting Mick and going to games are the better fans. Where are all the people that are so called banning going to games? I remember a lot of that talk last year, where are they now?

[SLMadiCat]

You have to be kidding?

'make UC the definition of what's wrong with college basketball'? WHat the **** are you still doing around then? This is exactly the mentality that kills sports in the Cincinnati area. Cincinnati has the worst fans in the nation.

I think you missed his point. 1958 keeps pointing out (over and over and over....) that it is possible for Cronin to fail. The fact is, he could very well succeed and surpass everyone's expectations.

[cincycpaw]

I think you missed his point. 1958 keeps pointing out (over and over and over....) that it is possible for Cronin to fail. The fact is, he could very well succeed and surpass everyone's expectations.

Well I agree with that and certainly hope he does.

So, maybe in a year or two I can actually get some people to take the tickets to games I can't make, which is a bunch right now. ;)

[jeffto]

Tom seems to think that if UC had not hired Huggins, we'd still have coaches like Badger and Yates. Huggins wasn't the only coach available then. My point was that instead of Huggins the admin. might have a hired someone better.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly liked having Huggins at UC, but he never achieved what I would like a UC coach to achieve. A top ten program (per Tom's often repeated stats) with no NCAA championship is fine, but I'd like more than that.

As Tom points out, Mick hasn't proven anything yet, but Huggins did PROVE that in 16 years he couldn't win the big one. Let's give Mick a chance.

[SLMadiCat]

Well I agree with that and certainly hope he does.

So, maybe in a year or two I can actually get some people to take the tickets to games I can't make, which is a bunch right now. ;)

Well thats a shame people wouldn't take them. Even when they got blown out, I still enjoyed going. Always will.

[jeffto]

You have to be kidding?

'make UC the definition of what's wrong with college basketball'? WHat the **** are you still doing around then? This is exactly the mentality that kills sports in the Cincinnati area. Cincinnati has the worst fans in the nation.

Some of us have become big fans of the current coach and team. Others seem to still be big fans of something over and done. He ain't never coming back, so just what are you all hanging on to?

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Some of us have become big fans of the current coach and team. Others seem to still be big fans of something over and done. He ain't never coming back, so just what are you all hanging on to?

Just the facts. The 1990-2005 era at UC was unlike anything since 1958-63.

[jeffto]

Well there's a page at gobearcats that shows our national champions and there is no mention of 1990-2005. So I guess it wasn't anything like 58-63.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Well there's a page at gobearcats that shows our national champions and there is no mention of 1990-2005. So I guess it wasn't anything like 58-63.

Unlike anything SINCE 1958-63. That would mean unlike anything from 1964-89. Simple reading comprehension goes a long way.

But the 1992 FF is the first (and only) FF appearance since 1963.

[SLMadiCat]

Unlike anything SINCE 1958-63. That would mean unlike anything from 1964-89. Simple reading comprehension goes a long way.

But the 1992 FF is the first (and only) FF appearance since 1963.

And one final four in the last 15 years is great and all, but some want more. In addition, it will be nice not to have the off the court headaches and embarrassments provided by the head coach and staff. I'm looking forward to it.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

And one final four in the last 15 years is great and all, but some want more. In addition, it will be nice not to have the off the court headaches and embarrassments provided by the head coach and staff. I'm looking forward to it.

The current UC coach has 0 NCAA W. That will change soon.

The former UC coach had 20 NCAA W. All other UC coaches (together) have 20 NCAA W.

[SLMadiCat]

The current UC coach has 0 NCAA W. That will change soon.

The former UC coach had 20 NCAA W. All other UC coaches (together) have 20 NCAA W.

I'd pass on 20 NCAA wins for one (or more) championship. It was relatively easy to make it to the NCAA in CUSA. I always considered the consecutive tournament streak an over-rated stat.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I'd pass on 20 NCAA wins for one (or more) championship. It was relatively easy to make it to the NCAA in CUSA. I always considered the consecutive tournament streak an over-rated stat.

I remember C-USA in 1996. I remember UC making the NCAA from Great Midwest in 1992-93-94-95. I remember C-USA having teams like Memphis, Louisville, Marquette, UAB, and DePaul - all good basketball schools.

I don't remember UC coming ANYWHERE CLOSE to a championship from 1964 through 1989. I remember UC coming fairly close in 1992, 1993, and 1996. Closest in 40+ years anyway.

[SLMadiCat]

I remember C-USA in 1996. I remember UC making the NCAA from Great Midwest in 1992-93-94-95. I remember C-USA having teams like Memphis, Louisville, Marquette, UAB, and DePaul - all good basketball schools.

I don't remember UC coming ANYWHERE CLOSE to a championship from 1964 through 1989. I remember UC coming fairly close in 1992, 1993, and 1996. Closest in 40+ years anyway.

I'm glad you remember, still doesn't change what I said.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I'm glad you remember, still doesn't change what I said.

Actually, it does. It shows that C-USA was better than its reputation. It shows that Great Midwest was a good conference, too. It shows lots more.

[SLMadiCat]

Actually, it does. It shows that C-USA was better than its reputation. It shows that Great Midwest was a good conference, too. It shows lots more.

No it does not. Saying that CUSA had a few good teams does nothing. Yes, Louisville, Memphis, DePaul, and Marquette were good, but they were never consistently good together. Every year there were only two, maybe three good teams. DePaul, Louisville, Marquette, Memphis all had a few down years in those leagues. Not to mention all the bottom feeders that made for cup cake games and record boosters.

[jeffto]

The former UC coach had 20 NCAA W. All other UC coaches (together) have 20 NCAA W.

Who cares about these comparisons to past teams and coaches? They're totally meaningless as to future prospects.

The FACT is we haven't had a coach who could deliver an NCAA championship since Ed Jucker 45 years ago. Some of these coaches were better than others but they didn't get the job done.

Maybe Mick can get it done. Maybe not. But one thing is for certain: Huggins failure will have NO impact on whether he does or not.

[ctipton]

I'm a little confused here. Why do the Saint Louis guys have to gang up on "Bearcat Fan since 1958" when all he does is defend the program of Bob Huggins, and the Saint Louis guys do everything they can to smack Bob Huggins down? I am an old UC fan and I appreciate everything that Mr, Huggins was able to do for the program. I am also a Bearcat fan, and I will do everything I can to back Mick Cronin. Why do you fellows have to smack down everything in the past, to try and make the present look so much better. Can't you just root for the future without denigrating the past? This really is confusing. :confused: :confused:

[SLMadiCat]

I'm a little confused here. Why do the Saint Louis guys have to gang up on "Bearcat Fan since 1958" when all he does is defend the program of Bob Huggins, and the Saint Louis guys do everything they can to smack Bob Huggins down? I am an old UC fan and I appreciate everything that Mr, Huggins was able to do for the program. I am also a Bearcat fan, and I will do everything I can to back Mick Cronin. Why do you fellows have to smack down everything in the past, to try and make the present look so much better. Can't you just root for the future without denigrating the past? This really is confusing. :confused: :confused:

Nobody is ganging up on 1958. However, if you are going to say that all he does is defend the program of Bob Huggins, then all we are doing is defending the program of Mick Cronin, and all other coaches at UC besides BH. I don't go out of my way to demean Huggins like 1958 does with Cronin. I love the past and enjoyed the Bob Huggins years (not the off-seasons though) but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the future. That is our point which 1958 does not understand. What has happened in the past is just that, in the past, I for one am looking to the future with MC, and if he doesn't deliver in the next say, five years, then I will enjoy the future with another coach. Like I said in a previous post, I went many games last year where they got blown out, but I still enjoyed going. I never went to ANY games to watch Huggins on the sideline. I go to watch the team and support the University.

[jeffto]

Why do you fellows have to smack down everything in the past, to try and make the present look so much better.

I don't think we are trying to smack down the past, just the endless recitation of what a great coach he was and the CONSTANT insinuation that Mick has little to no chance to be as good or better.

He was and is not a GREAT coach. He's a good coach. Great coaches win the NCAA.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I'm a little confused here. Why do the Saint Louis guys have to gang up on "Bearcat Fan since 1958" when all he does is defend the program of Bob Huggins, and the Saint Louis guys do everything they can to smack Bob Huggins down? I am an old UC fan and I appreciate everything that Mr, Huggins was able to do for the program. I am also a Bearcat fan, and I will do everything I can to back Mick Cronin. Why do you fellows have to smack down everything in the past, to try and make the present look so much better. Can't you just root for the future without denigrating the past? This really is confusing. :confused: :confused:

I'm not sure what St. Louis guys you're referring to, but, do not include me in that group. I live in St. Louis now, but, have always supported UC no matter who the coach was. I enjoyed the Bob Huggins years as much as anyone. Was it perfect? No. But, only 1 team wins it all each year. It doesn't make Huggins a failure because he didn't win a National Championship. Who else is on here from St. Louis? You have never heard me smack Bob Huggins down.

[levydl]

I don't think we are trying to smack down the past, just the endless recitation of what a great coach he was and the CONSTANT insinuation that Mick has little to no chance to be as good or better.

He was and is not a GREAT coach. He's a good coach. Great coaches win the NCAA.

And GREAT coaches that win the NCAA don't have the amazingly awful luck of having the #1 team in the country going into the conference tourneys, but then have their best player, the unanimous player of the year, and the #1 pick in the NBA draft go out with a freak injury immediately before the tournament. But I guess that call for Kenyon to pick that big red head from SLU was poor coaching...

[Kindog202]

I agree that to be considered a great coach nationally, you need to win a national title in addition to everything else. I think Huggs is/was a great coach even regionally in that he was able to return the program to prominence in the time he was here. Huggs still needs that national title to cement his greatness nationally, wish he could have got it here, hope he gets it somewhere before he retires. The man is a great coach in the regular season and conference tournaments, however, given many different factors, he was unable to duplicate that in the NCAA's. I also agree that the '99-'00 team was the best team in college basketball that year, however, given the setup of the tournament that the best team always wins. For example, take a look at Florida 2 years ago. I feel very strongly that was UC's year to take the title but we will never know what may have been and regardless of the circumstances we didn't win the title that year and that is how it will go down in the record books. I am happy and grateful to Huggs for what he did for us when he was here. I was very angry with the way his exit was handled, but have learned to accept it and now look forward to the future of UC basketball with Mick at the helm. I get angry when people on here try to compare Mick and Huggs and automatically assume that since last year's team was bad, that Mick will never make a great coach. Every program has a down year now and then. Remember Duke's one year in the mid-90's ('94,'95, '96??) when they went something like 14-16. People act like Mick can't coach on here; he played point guard on his high school team, father is a legendary high school coach and he has been coaching in some capacity since he got out of high school. He knows what he is doing out there. Has he coached at this level before? No, but give him a few years of seasoning and then make the decision.

[waterhead]

There is little to base an opinion about Mick's coaching ability or potential. He's kind of like a AAA baseball player stepping into the bigs for the first time. some make it some don't...it's a big step. He has shown great potential for coaching (of which recruiting is a part) or would not have been hired. There were other candidates for the job you. Let him build his own team from scratch and coach them up...we will know in a few years if he has greatness.

There is a lot to base an opinion on about Huggins. Whether you think he was great or good is subjective to what you think great and good are. Comparing Mick to Huggins is a lost cause. If you asked me to go back in time (knowing what I know now) would I take Huggins again as a coach or would I take my chances on some other no name coach...I would take Huggins ten times out of ten. He put UC back in the spotlight.

Mick doesn't deserve to be judged negatively on the mess he inherited. He is doing a fantastic job so far of cleaning it up for those who made it.