Somewhat Nervous

[TmacGoCats]

Ok guys, I need some help understanding why I shouldn’t be nervous about this upcoming basketball season.

First off I’m usually always a glass half full kind of guy and I never have a bad thing to say about our beloved bearcats but I’m freaking out about this season.

When I came home from the scrimmage last night I thought someone would have posted their disgust with this team already (yeah I know it was just a scrimmage blah blah blah), but our skill set and athleticism alone should have made this game a blow out whether it’s a scrimmage or not.

Last night was THE most boring game I’ve ever been to including all other scrimmages of all other previous years. We played so flat it wasn’t even funny (except for a few players).

Our leading scorer only took something like 2 shots by halftime? Yancy’s shot selection is horrible, Lance’s defense is atrocious (and I know as a freshman that’s the biggest adjustment).

Nobody drove to the hoop till late in the game and we didn’t have our first real look at the basket till almost midway through the first half.

We just stand around the perimeter waiting for someone else to do something…I mean I understand not wanting to run set plays until our first regular season game, but come on!

Who cares if there a good Div. 2 program that still doesn’t change that were Div. 1. Were supposed to dominate a team like that, but instead we let them do whatever they wanted on the offensive end.

And one of the biggest defensive stats that people overlook is fast break points and we had 2 or 4 (maybe). That tells me that we weren’t leaving it all out on the court on the defensive end.

Sorry about the rant, I know there are positive things to find in this scrimmage (we scored 76 pts w/ out Vaughn scoring), but we should definitely be farther along than this.

Agree? or should I take a chill pill? (I’m usually not worried about scrimmage games in the slightest bit, but this feels different).

[LongTimer]

I don't think there is a need to worry. I've been going to games for about 50 years and this is the deepest team I can ever remember having and in 3-4 weeks we'll add another 6'11" player to the mix. A good coach will take this group and easily become a top 25 team. There's definitely enough talent for that. Is Mick Cronin a good coach? That is the $64,000 question. I sure hope he is. I would have loved to see our former coach have a team with this much talent. Does anyone have one ounce of a doubt that he would have had this group solidly in the top 25 and playing stifling defense? That is a no brainer. But, we don't have that coach and Mick is the man now and he has to get it done. I think he will. My only concern is with our consistency. We don't have that one guy that you can totally depend on 99.9% of the time. These guys appear to be streaky and without those 1 or 2 absolute consistent studs that great teams always have, I think we will be susceptible to some down stretches where we look bad. I hope over the next 5 months that we develop more consistency in our effort and results and we gradually climb into the upper echelon of college basketball. The development of this team will be very interesting to watch.

[Thegreatone]

Agreed Born Ready has the worst defense ever.

Lets remember we were up 16 with 4 minutes to go. UC didnt exactly play their big horses the entire game.

We should look better than that, I agree.

[hangarninetysix]

I don't think it's a big deal since it was just an exhibition game. If they play this way during Maui, I'll probably start to be a bit concerned.

[nolte50uc]

did i hear the news correctly last night that Vaughn did not score? if so, that's more evidence that they weren't playing their normal game.

exhibitions are about experimenting with player combinations and practicing certain skills. i wouldn't be too worried based on this game.

[Deaf_Bearcat]

I would not be too worried about this season because of UC's recent performances on 2 exhibition games. Those scrimmages mean nothing. Remember the 1991-92 Final Four team who lost to AA on the exhibition game? So, it means nothing. I would begin worrying about the team when the real basketball season starts. Right now, I am worrying about the UC football.

[Bearcat Jeff]

Let's remember that Cash and Lance are both freshmen. They are learning basketball at this level. Some nights your shots just don't fall. Defensively there needs to be major improvement, especially on the ball defense. That's why I think at some point Parker will play major minutes. I want to see more players attacking the basket.

On the good side Wilks looks very good and I think Yancey has looked good. Vaughn has a tendancy to disappear at times and this has been my knock on him the entire time he has been here, but I think he will have a good year. Depth is a major plus. Larry Davis looked good going to the basket and Dixon is simply a ball hawk and a great offensive rebounder for a guard.

[Bearcat Revival]

Let's also remember Mick's teams (yeah yeah, they haven't been great) have struggled initially, then have really come on in Jan/Feb. It's March I'd be more concerned with. This team has a lot of talent and new players to mesh together. It'll take some time.

[Namrag]

You pretty much reiterate what I tried to say in my write up of the game on the other thread.

[Brooklyn Bearcat]

I suspect we'll be in the top half of the BE. That is what we are hoping for and it is what I believe will be the case. Remember, Lance just obtained eligibility. He needs to adjust to ball at this level. BTW, a top ranked DII team can give a program fits as well. That team came ready to play. We'll work things out and be ready to roll again.
My main concern is wether Vaughn and Lance can play together. In the meantime, I have no problem with Vaughn not shooting the ball much by halftime. Mick will have this team going great once the season begins and everything is by design. That's not to say that the 'Cats sweated out a close one against an inferior foe on purpose, but this had to be a sen as a good chance to implement some things before the season really gets underway, against a decent DII team with something to prove. And, if all di not go smoothly; well, that's why we practice and get it right for next time. Cats will be FINE.

[Best Body]

Agreed Born Ready has the worst defense ever.

Why is he so bad, thus far? Is he too slow? Does he lack effort? Or does he position himself badly? From what I've read, he's plenty strong enough. Just curious as to how fixable his defensive problems will be for Mick.

[TheLivingLegend]

Agreed Born Ready has the worst defense ever.

Lets remember we were up 16 with 4 minutes to go. UC didnt exactly play their big horses the entire game.

We should look better than that, I agree.

I dont think borns defense is any worse than anyone elses on the team. This team cannot defend at all.

[bacsidoan]

did i hear the news correctly last night that Vaughn did not score? if so, that's more evidence that they weren't playing their normal game.

exhibitions are about experimenting with player combinations and practicing certain skills. i wouldn't be too worried based on this game.

I was not worried but disappointed to see Vaughn trying to score in the second half and got shut down

[BeastUC]

No need to be nervous over a scrimmage,but you should be if the same way of play happens monday.
Like i said before,Syracuse lost one of their exhibition games and won their first 2 games of the real season by over 30 points each.
These exhibition games are to work out kinks and see exactly what the team has with different line-ups and styles of play.

[ME80]

I dont think borns defense is any worse than anyone elses on the team. This team cannot defend at all.

Wow, I thought it usually took at least until the middle of the season to get posts like this ;)

[swilsonsp4]

Why is he so bad, thus far? Is he too slow? Does he lack effort? Or does he position himself badly? From what I've read, he's plenty strong enough. Just curious as to how fixable his defensive problems will be for Mick.

It didn't appear to be for lack of hustle. Stephenson was putting in the effort. The problem was with his footwork. He was very susceptible to the first step of the ballhandler on drives, opening up like a gate. That's fixable. It's not that uncommon in a freshman.

[Irishbearcat]

I'd be nervous if this was the first game in BE play. We are probably meshing as much or more new guys into the system as anyone else. Not just five new guys, but five guys that may all contribute right away. Patience.

[TheLivingLegend]

Wow, I thought it usually took at least until the middle of the season to get posts like this ;)

Im not saying this team isnt capable, but they haven't looked steller on defense in their two scrimmages.

[bearcatbret]

Keep in mind that the other team was playing their "A" players and trying to make a statement. UC was experimenting and trying to figure out what works best to move forward. DV did not try to take shots while trying to work others into the offense. Once the games count, DV will be a factor.

[NorrisHopper30]

Everybody needs to chill out, it was an exhibition.

[Carin's Dad]

Once the games count, DV will be a factor.A risky assumption. The games counted at the end of last year and DV wasn't a factor.

[Ding Chavez]

Because he was dead tired from carrying the team all year. He'll have help this time around.

[levydl]

A risky assumption. The games counted at the end of last year and DV wasn't a factor.

Yes, very risky to assume that a guard with over 1,400 points in his career will be a factor in his senior year.

[Not Guilty]

A risky assumption. The games counted at the end of last year and DV wasn't a factor.

Its risky to assume that a guy who will go down as one of UC's top scorers ever will be a factor? Really?

[dp3113]

Its risky to assume that a guy who will go down as one of UC's top scorers ever will be a factor? Really?

I think the question that still remains is his leadership ability.