Recruiting Phylosophy

[RedDog]

Long time reader - first post.
I think Mick is doing a great job, at least getting in the finals with many top players. I am concerned however, and maybe some of you who are closer to the process can help me, about our overall phylosophy. I've always believed that a team of "red" chip players (slightly 2nd tier - 3 star kinda guys) who are good kids, good support structures, good students, and hard working overachievers on the court, sprinkle in a couple blue chip top echelon guys, could compete with anybody. This approach eliminates much of the eligability issues we all too often have to deal with as well as other internal issues relative to playing time, team chemistry and the like. Wheras I see no problem in chasing all the blue chip talent, and I know you chase twenty for the one you hopefully land, I do have a problem with all the other kids say in the 50-200 range that were interested in us but we miss out on because we put them on hold waiting for answers from the supposed stars. This year for instance, I am led to believe that Tony Mitchell and Dee Bost could have been Bearcats had we offered and accepted rather than waiting for higher rated guys at their position to decide. I understand that recruiting is a gamble and I understand the domino effect, but I'll take a kid (top 150) anytime I can who wants to be a Bearcat over the possability of landing a top prospect who is being chased by everybody and who's butt you have to kiss to attract. Are we missing the boat waiting too long on answers, passing on or losing talent, then left to scamble for the scraps or jucos when we don't get who we were holding out for? Help me with this phylosophy and give me some comfort that it will work long term.

[Jtarchcincy]

Long time reader - first post.
I think Mick is doing a great job, at least getting in the finals with many top players. I am concerned however, and maybe some of you who are closer to the process can help me, about our overall phylosophy. I've always believed that a team of "red" chip players (slightly 2nd tier - 3 star kinda guys) who are good kids, good support structures, good students, and hard working overachievers on the court, sprinkle in a couple blue chip top echelon guys, could compete with anybody. This approach eliminates much of the eligability issues we all too often have to deal with as well as other internal issues relative to playing time, team chemistry and the like. Wheras I see no problem in chasing all the blue chip talent, and I know you chase twenty for the one you hopefully land, I do have a problem with all the other kids say in the 50-200 range that were interested in us but we miss out on because we put them on hold waiting for answers from the supposed stars. This year for instance, I am led to believe that Tony Mitchell and Dee Bost could have been Bearcats had we offered and accepted rather than waiting for higher rated guys at their position to decide. I understand that recruiting is a gamble and I understand the domino effect, but I'll take a kid (top 150) anytime I can who wants to be a Bearcat over the possability of landing a top prospect who is being chased by everybody and who's butt you have to kiss to attract. Are we missing the boat waiting too long on answers, passing on or losing talent, then left to scamble for the scraps or jucos when we don't get who we were holding out for? Help me with this phylosophy and give me some comfort that it will work long term.

I hear you and somewhat agree... My thought on the current phylosophy is that Mick is trying to get as much talent in here as possible immediately. In terms of role players/glue guys, he has already committed to Belton, Bishop, Davis and Danny McElroy in 09'. Mick has 4 more scholarships open over the next 2 years (assuming Henry is not eligible). With all the guys he has interested in the program, he should be able to land top 150 guys with each of those scholarships.

The difference between the red chips guys and the blue chip guys is the same conversation we can have about Old Conference USA and the Big East. We could compete day in and day out with red chip guys and a couple of Blue chips in C-USA, but can we compete day in/day out in the current Big east that way? I don't believe we can...

Moving forward in the Big East years, UC's starting 5 year in and year out shouldn't any more talented that what we've been used to over the past 16 years or so... UC's bench should be much more talented and that's the difference this phylosophy will bring in the future.

Chemistry and playing time is why head coached make the big bucks....

[Big B]

I somewhat agree also, but if Bost and Mitchell really wanted to come here and they were in Micks plans , with 5 scholarships to give they would have signed here. There's definitely not 3 more players that Mick wanted more then those 2. If the lists are correct and up to date I can only see Warren warranting more of his attention.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Mick Cronin is an exceptionally good recruiter. If he waits, there's a reason. If he pounces (grabs an early verbal), there's a good reason.

A mix of Top 25 and Top 100 (range) players is the best way to go. The 1992, 1993, 1996, 2000, and 2002 Bearcats had that mix.

[General Woundwort]

Ok, I was going to let it go, but two people did it:

P-H-I-L-O-S-O-P-H-Y. From the Greek: philo (love) + sophia (knowledge)

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

When it comes to recruiting, the proof is in the pudding. The is so much misinformation and partial information out there, I don't think it is wise to draw conclusions when a player signs with another school. For all we know, Mick was on his knees begging for Bost to come to UC, and he just didn't want to. Blaming Mick for not "pouncing" assumes there was something to pounce on in the first place, which there may not have been.

I wouldn't wish the recruiting process on my worst enemy. The entire thing is insane. Obviously, Mick has had good success landing quality players so far, so I don't worry too much that he will find a good mix of players.

[MikeInClifton]

I am led to believe that Tony Mitchell and Dee Bost could have been Bearcats had we offered and accepted rather than waiting for higher rated guys at their position to decide.

Cronin wanted Mitchell. Mitchell wanted to stay closer to home. Mitchell wins. But we have Wilks a year early.

Cronin did not want Bost as much as folks think. Bost goes to Miss State. Cronin and Bost win. Bost is well down the list of talented PG's for 2008. Cronin had been chasing Kemba W and Courtney F for some time. I've seen all three play and I def would choose Kemba and Courtney ahead of Bost. Hopefully, CFortson still is looking to Cincinnati.

I dont think we were waiting on 'higher rated guys'. Cronin has/had a good bead on Darius Miller. Miller and Mitchell are effectively the same player. Cronin was not waiting on Miller and therefore losing out on Mitchell. He was chasing both. However, as each day goes by Cronin may end up with neither. Thats a bummer, but it isnt the end of the world.

Recruiting is a two way street. A coach wants a player. A player wants a coach/program. Both sentences have to be true in order for recruiting to "work".

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Ok, I was going to let it go, but two people did it:

P-H-I-L-O-S-O-P-H-Y. From the Greek: philo (love) + sophia (knowledge)

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

When it comes to recruiting, the proof is in the pudding. The is so much misinformation and partial information out there, I don't think it is wise to draw conclusions when a player signs with another school. For all we know, Mick was on his knees begging for Bost to come to UC, and he just didn't want to. Blaming Mick for not "pouncing" assumes there was something to pounce on in the first place, which there may not have been.

I wouldn't wish the recruiting process on my worst enemy. The entire thing is insane. Obviously, Mick has had good success landing quality players so far, so I don't worry too much that he will find a good mix of players.

No one blame anyone for anything. Mick knows recruiting.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Cronin wanted Mitchell. Mitchell wanted to stay closer to home. Mitchell wins. But we have Wilks a year early.

Cronin did not want Bost as much as folks think. Bost goes to Miss State. Cronin and Bost win. Bost is well down the list of talented PG's for 2008. Cronin had been chasing Kemba W and Courtney F for some time. I've seen all three play and I def would choose Kemba and Courtney ahead of Bost. Hopefully, CFortson still is looking to Cincinnati.

I dont think we were waiting on 'higher rated guys'. Cronin has/had a good bead on Darius Miller. Miller and Mitchell are effectively the same player. Cronin was not waiting on Miller and therefore losing out on Mitchell. He was chasing both. However, as each day goes by Cronin may end up with neither. Thats a bummer, but it isnt the end of the world.

Recruiting is a two way street. A coach wants a player. A player wants a coach/program. Both sentences have to be true in order for recruiting to "work".

I've seen two recent (this week) articles on C Fortson, in which he still lists UC among 5 or 6 schools on his list.

[shaunsimpson]

There seem to be just as many new names (if not more) than old names who are elsewhere.