You pick: Recruit for 2010

[Thegreatone]

If there was one guy you could choose that would go to UC who would it be?

I am going to say Payne. I have heard mixed reviews. I know he isnt very strong but he reminds me of Ebanks from WVU. You need big guys to play in the Big East. I believe we have a good shot at Payne.

WHo knows though.


I think that OSU will back off because they have Sullinger and they are losing 2 scholorships and will not have room.

I dont think he would go to Xavier becuase if he wanted to go to a small A-10 school he would go to Dayton.

WVU is a strong possibility, and MSU scares me some too.


I know he has said he wanted to stay close to home and he wants a campus that isnt overwhelming. Sounds like UD, but maybe he wants to play in a D-1 basketball conference that is close to home...

we will see.

[Kindog202]

I'd take Kendrick first based on his overall basketball skills, but I think Payne would fill a more immediate need going forward and probably has a higher ceiling than Kendrick but also more a potential to bust than Kendrick.

[Cats for Life]

Jalen Kendrick and it is not even close. Jalen has a great shot to be the top SF in the class of 2010 when it is all said and done.

In regards to Payne. I would love to get him no question but really at the end of the day I won't be mad if we don't get him.

Payne is going to take some time to develop. He is a great prospect but will need at least three years to get there. The problem is I can see him going to a school and getting 10 minutes PT a game and leaving after one year.

[Jose_Jalapeno_on_a_Stick]

I've got no problem with Payne and development. We'll still have Yancy for two more seasons, unless he has an absolute MONSTER improvement as a Soph.

[Cats for Life]

I don't have a problem with Payne and developing him either. I would just rather have Kendrick if it came down to it.

I just hope that if we do get Payne that alot of UC fans will be not be disappointed.
Payne is not a 5 star player right now. He is a 3 star player with 5 star potential. Like they say in the NFL Draft. He has tremendous "upside".The question is will UC or any team have him that long to see him blossom.

[behrlezt]

Kendrick without a doubt. He has enormous upside and could be a top ten recruit when the final rankings come. I think he could be the coveted top recruit we have needed to break out...

[Globe Trotting Cat Fan]

Both players have tremendous upside, their is no doubt about it.

The issue is which player is "more easily replaceable" by another recruit. At this point in time, considering the sky rocketing that JK has done recently, Payne is probably the easier of the two to "replace".

UC is in on a couple of different bigs for next year, but someone like JK could come in and be that DerMarr Johnson kind of pick up.

Time will tell if we get either or both or neither, but regardless, at this point, if I had to "choose" between the two, I take Kendrick.

[dp3113]

I don't have a problem with Payne and developing him either. I would just rather have Kendrick if it came down to it.

I just hope that if we do get Payne that alot of UC fans will be not be disappointed.
Payne is not a 5 star player right now. He is a 3 star player with 5 star potential. Like they say in the NFL Draft. He has tremendous "upside".The question is will UC or any team have him that long to see him blossom.

Probably the best description I have seen on here of Payne's game. I say Kendrick for sure. I think our chances are very minimal with Payne anyways.

[slimm]

harrison barnes or josh smith

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I don't care which 3 - we need 1 of each.

[psax889906]

harrison barnes or josh smith

Realistic recruits, I believe. :)


Jelan Kendrick is and has been my choice for a long while now...

[HeThun]

I'm with 2 m Slimm. Josh Smith. 6'10" 270 BEast size and ability. I don't know why we aren't in on him. Everyone else is. Seems to me Smith is only about 1 degree less realistic than the Payne and Kendrick.

I just don't see us in very good shape with Payne or Kendrick, as their lists are a mile long, and neither one is swooning over the Bearcat black and red. However, my choice would be Payne over Kendrick.

[Bcat]

I do not think that Payne or Kendrick are unrealistic at all. I personally think that Mick will sign two in the early period and may have to wait for a 3rd until the spring, depending on scholarships(I am not sold that 2009 is finished up yet). I would take any two of Brandon Mobley, Kendrick, Payne. I would hope for Kendrick to be one of the two b/c Mobley and Payne will be playing the same position. Then Mick pulls in another PF/C in the Spring.

Mick could over offer by one scholarship and see what happens. Do not be surprised form here on out for Mick to be signing the big time players.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I do not think that Payne or Kendrick are unrealistic at all. I personally think that Mick will sign two in the early period and may have to wait for a 3rd until the spring, depending on scholarships(I am not sold that 2009 is finished up yet). I would take any two of Brandon Mobley, Kendrick, Payne. I would hope for Kendrick to be one of the two b/c Mobley and Payne will be playing the same position. Then Mick pulls in another PF/C in the Spring.

Mick could over offer by one scholarship and see what happens. Do not be surprised form here on out for Mick to be signing the big time players.

The results this season (20 W or more, B-East contender) will go a long way toward signing big time players from here on out, just like 1992 FF did.

[CincyEngGrad02]

Payne would be my first choice, but I think coach cronin will land both (Kendrick being the other).

[Bearcat Jeff]

Low post players and SF have to be the priority for '10. I'm not as avid about Payne as some on here seem to be Sullinger just ate him up in one recent event. However, he has such a high upside you almost have to take the shot if you can land him. I think he is currently as high as 8th for next season. Largely on potential. Kendrick or another high caliber wing player and I still think they need a guy that can consistently nail the 3 point shot. Maybe Kilpatrick is that guy but you need to add another.

[Helicopter]

What about Berry? I know we offered but does he have any interest in us?
Can someone better assess our chances with Kendrick/Payne/Barnes/Smith?
What would the most probable class look like including Chane?

[HeThun]

I have absolutely no reason to believe we are in any better shape with Payne and Kendrick than any other program on their school lists, and I'm betting not one of us knows these guys or their advisors on a personal basis.

Whose shoes are they wearing? If their AAU team is wearing the same shoe brand as UC, then that helps.

Next season may help with the April 2010 signing class, but not the November signing period. Also please remember that most April signees are either late bloomers or have minor or major issues that prevented their signing in November.

Don't get me wrong, I hope we ARE in close with Payne and Kendrick, and a few other 2010 kids.

Win 22+ games in the regular season, show well in the Big East tourney, and win a couple in the NCAA...well the 2011 kids will definitely take notice and we will be the hot new school.

[bcross]

What about Berry? I know we offered but does he have any interest in us?
Can someone better assess our chances with Kendrick/Payne/Barnes/Smith?
What would the most probable class look like including Chane?

Berry won't be a Bearcat.
Kendrick/Payne are longshots, while Barnes/Smith there is no chance.

[Bcat]

Berry won't be a Bearcat.
Kendrick/Payne are longshots, while Barnes/Smith there is no chance.

Not True about Payne or Kendrick. Especially not true about Berry. Mick really does not need a guy like that in 2010 though. You could be right about Barnes and Smith. Not sure Mick has even recruited them that hard based on everyone else in the world being on them since Mick has just been trying to fill scholarships. Barnes to KU is likely.

[Bearcat Jeff]

I get amused when I see people state that the Bearcat staff has no shot with recruits. As close as Mick plays the recruiting game, I dare say very few people hear truthful whispers on what is actually taking place in the recruiting wars. There are a couple guys on here I perk my ears up to when they post. But even then it is with a grain of salt. recruiting changes by the hour. A single signing can start a snowball effect that touches several schools and multiple recruits. I too believe that Mick will sign 2 players next November. I also believe there is an outside shot that they may sign one more player this summer. People have to accept that recruiting isn't just about the Bearcats. There are 300+ D1 schools in competition for talent. The landscape will change over and over again in the next few months.

[BearcatAlum1]

I'll take Kendrick or Payne. Either would be a very big "get" for our program. Both guys are 5 star recruits and probable McD'sAA.

I think it could help to get Kendrick in our attempt to solidify a recruiting line down in Georgia, but both guys are very talented.

I think we might be outsiders on both, but I'll remain optimistic until we're eliminated from consideration.

I'm also interested to see if we can get Jackson out of Florida. Appears to be another good looking prospect.

[bcross]

Not True about Payne or Kendrick. Especially not true about Berry. Mick really does not need a guy like that in 2010 though. You could be right about Barnes and Smith. Not sure Mick has even recruited them that hard based on everyone else in the world being on them since Mick has just been trying to fill scholarships. Barnes to KU is likely.

Payne and Kendrick are longshots, you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. It would be great if one signed, but it is unlikely. I stand by my comment that Berry will not be Bearcat, he wants to go elsewhere and is waiting for an offer. If not I believe he will end up at Butler.

[Bearcat Jeff]

With Parker, Dixon, Kilpatrick, Wright and Davis all back next season I don't see a guard as a priority. I look for Mick to go for SF, and low post players. A guard only if plan A fails. Time will tell but based on the current roster it has to be 3, 4, and 5. Pg and sg are o.k., at least numbers wise. If they could land Langston Galloway or Brandon Spearman I might feel differently.

[Vaughn5]

I'll take Kendrick or Payne. Either would be a very big "get" for our program. Both guys are 5 star recruits and probable McD'sAA.

I think it could help to get Kendrick in our attempt to solidify a recruiting line down in Georgia, but both guys are very talented.

I think we might be outsiders on both, but I'll remain optimistic until we're eliminated from consideration.

I'm also interested to see if we can get Jackson out of Florida. Appears to be another good looking prospect.

Who is Jackson?

[Bcat]

Payne and Kendrick are longshots, you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. It would be great if one signed, but it is unlikely. I stand by my comment that Berry will not be Bearcat, he wants to go elsewhere and is waiting for an offer. If not I believe he will end up at Butler.

I can argue about this all day and we still have to wait. I am just putting out there what I know and that these two players are not long shots and that Berry would come here if he is pursued hard enough. Mick does not need him though. 2011 will be a year he grabs guards.

When Mick finishes 2009, then you will have a better idea of what he will bring in next year. Mick is in good with 5 top 25 recruits, two of those are Kendrick and Payne. Not long shots at all.

[UCbball21]

I don't think Mick will make much noise on signing day, maybe Brandon Mobley who would be a solid pick-up, but I don't expect any 5 stars. Although this prediction could change after the Take5 which usually seems to result in good news (Chane last year and Cash Wright I believe the year before). I think it will be the late signing period where he makes some noise. I fully believe the Bearcats will be coming off a successful season making the NCAA tourney and hopefully past the first weekend. There will be a lot of recruiting momentum after posting that kind of season, and that is where I think Mick lands the Bledsoe or the Thabeet that we always seem to just miss out on. Hopefully Payne and Kendrick draw out their recruitment atleast until mid-season, the more games Cincy plays before they commit the better our chances IMO.

[psax889906]

I don't think Mick will make much noise on signing day, maybe Brandon Mobley who would be a solid pick-up, but I don't expect any 5 stars. Although this prediction could change after the Take5 which usually seems to result in good news (Chane last year and Cash Wright I believe the year before). I think it will be the late signing period where he makes some noise. I fully believe the Bearcats will be coming off a successful season making the NCAA tourney and hopefully past the first weekend. There will be a lot of recruiting momentum after posting that kind of season, and that is where I think Mick lands the Bledsoe or the Thabeet that we always seem to just miss out on. Hopefully Payne and Kendrick draw out their recruitment atleast until mid-season, the more games Cincy plays before they commit the better our chances IMO.

That tournament has been nothing but a huge positive for the basketball program... I don't know how it came here or if the staff had anything to do with it, but kudos to whoever got it here...

[Vaughn5]

I can argue about this all day and we still have to wait. I am just putting out there what I know and that these two players are not long shots and that Berry would come here if he is pursued hard enough. Mick does not need him though. 2011 will be a year he grabs guards.

When Mick finishes 2009, then you will have a better idea of what he will bring in next year. Mick is in good with 5 top 25 recruits, two of those are Kendrick and Payne. Not long shots at all.

Do you know we are in with 5 top 25 recruits for a fact or are you jus saying that? Also who are they? And how do you know?

[bcross]

I can argue about this all day and we still have to wait. I am just putting out there what I know and that these two players are not long shots and that Berry would come here if he is pursued hard enough. Mick does not need him though. 2011 will be a year he grabs guards.

When Mick finishes 2009, then you will have a better idea of what he will bring in next year. Mick is in good with 5 top 25 recruits, two of those are Kendrick and Payne. Not long shots at all.

Of course we will have to wait, but being in good with recruits and having a realistic shot at signing them are two different things. I will be shocked if either sign with us.

[CincyBeerCo]

That tournament has been nothing but a huge positive for the basketball program... I don't know how it came here or if the staff had anything to do with it, but kudos to whoever got it here...

I'm near positive that it is here as a direct result of Mick's relationship with Adidas.

[psax889906]

I'm near positive that it is here as a direct result of Mick's relationship with Adidas.

:) That's a wonderful thing to hear... on a side note since you bring up Adidas, anybody have any inside info on the new uni's?...

[CincyEngGrad02]

I can argue about this all day and we still have to wait. I am just putting out there what I know and that these two players are not long shots and that Berry would come here if he is pursued hard enough. Mick does not need him though. 2011 will be a year he grabs guards.

When Mick finishes 2009, then you will have a better idea of what he will bring in next year. Mick is in good with 5 top 25 recruits, two of those are Kendrick and Payne. Not long shots at all.

That's what I'm talking about. Coach cronin is in with 5 top 25 players. Let's say he only gets 2 of them. That's a top 5 class right there!:eek:

[BearcatAlum1]

I'm near positive that it is here as a direct result of Mick's relationship with Adidas.

I believe you're correct. The tournament is called the "Adidas Take 5 Classic," I think. We're an Adidas school and one of the "premier" Adidas schools in the Midwest (similar to Nike and Oregon, and how Oregon gets tons of Nike jerseys, etc.).

I would bet a large sum of money it is because of this close connection. I have not heard anything to suggest otherwise.


Alum1

[BearcatAlum1]

Who is Jackson?

Justin Jackson, 6'8" 210lbs, power forward out of Montverde, Florida. He was recently upgraded to a 4 star prospect by Rivals. We haven't offered, but he recently popped up on our radar. He currently has offers form Aub, Clem, Florida, G'town, UGA, GT, UK, Maryland, Miami, Ole Miss, South Carolina, UCF.

Alum1

[Best Body]

If there was one guy you could choose that would go to UC who would it be?

Louisville's or Uconn's top recruit decommits and chooses UC - UC gets way stronger, while weakening the top of the league. UConn would be better, as it sucked watching the kids we were supposed to be close to, getting lured away.

[Bearcat John 69]

Louisville's or Uconn's top recruit decommits and chooses UC - UC gets way stronger, while weakening the top of the league. UConn would be better, as it sucked watching the kids we were supposed to be close to, getting lured away.

i would love this...especially taking one for ucan't. kills me reading those stories about thabeet asking "where r my teammates", and eventually choosing the huskies instead of the cats w/mcgowan, miller, and allen.