Wouldn't it be nice...

[JerseySean]

...if we were at least in the running for these Rivals "Uncommitted"? Granted, some may turn pro, but we're not mentioned among any of these.

Rivals150 - Top 10 Players
RNK PLAYER POS VERBAL

1. Greg Monroe F Uncommitted
2. Demar DeRozan G Southern Cal
3. Jrue Holiday G UCLA
4. B.J. Mullens C Ohio State
5. John Riek C Uncommitted
6. Tyreke Evans G Uncommitted
7. Samardo Samuels F Louisville
8. Brandon Jennings G Arizona
9. Scotty Hopson G Mississippi State
10. Eloy Vargas F Uncommitted

[red_n_black_attack]

We could be contacting them and they have different collegiate expectations. It would be nice, but I think Mick is filling in a team that can compliment each other, build some chemistry and WIN, BABY, WIN!!

[capcbk]

I concur Red 'n Black.

Also...I don't want any "less than good citizens"!(not that thses kids are in that category but I'm sure Mick has a feel for who is and is not)

Let's win, but let's win with Style!!!!!

[MikeInClifton]

...if we were at least in the running for these Rivals "Uncommitted"? Granted, some may turn pro, but we're not mentioned among any of these.

Top 10 players look for a coach that can get them into the NBA. Same way a budding engineer chooses UC-Engineering or a young singer chooses CCM - because these programs can get them to the next level.

Mick does not yet have that in his resume'. It will take a few years of winning and one or two guys making the NBA before top 10 players will look here consistently.

[tophat]

Top 10 players look for a coach that can get them into the NBA. Same way a budding engineer chooses UC-Engineering or a young singer chooses CCM - because these programs can get them to the next level.

Mick does not yet have that in his resume'. It will take a few years of winning and one or two guys making the NBA before top 10 players will look here consistently.

That's why I don't care if Mick doesn't get any top 10 players. They want to get to the NBA before they even become good basketball players or contribute anything to a college program.

[JerseySean]

But "being in the running" would at least demonstrate that the VERY best consider giving us a look. Clearly, we are not there yet. I think many of you make great points about these folks wanting a coach who can take them to the NBA (although I don't think the comment about their "possible" character issues is fair or germain), but hopefully in a couple of years the TOP 10 will at least consider UC - regardless of whether or not we'll consider them...

[nachoman91]

That's why I don't care if Mick doesn't get any top 10 players. They want to get to the NBA before they even become good basketball players or contribute anything to a college program.


All that did for Ohio State last year was get them to the Championship game with a couple of one year studs. I don't think Syracuse is complaining either. And I believe LSU was taken to the Final Four with the help of a one-and-doner.

I'll take all the Top Ten players Mick can get. Fill in a few veterans and role players around them and you're likely to have a great team.

[james jr]

All that did for Ohio State last year was get them to the Championship game with a couple of one year studs. I don't think Syracuse is complaining either. And I believe LSU was taken to the Final Four with the help of a one-and-doner.

I'll take all the Top Ten players Mick can get. Fill in a few veterans and role players around them and you're likely to have a great team.


None of those teams mentioned actually won a NC and they are all kind of scrambling now and will each year after a one-and-doner. The pressure to get Top 10 players each year is always there for any school relying on one year wonders (check out Southern Cal next year). The approach of putting together players in the 50-100 range and building your program has a much better chance of long term success. After that its up to coaching and we are hoping that Mick has the chops! GO CATS!

[mlb]

Syracuse won it with Carmelo.

[nachoman91]

None of those teams mentioned actually won a NC and they are all kind of scrambling now and will each year after a one-and-doner. The pressure to get Top 10 players each year is always there for any school relying on one year wonders (check out Southern Cal next year). The approach of putting together players in the 50-100 range and building your program has a much better chance of long term success. After that its up to coaching and we are hoping that Mick has the chops! GO CATS!

Ohio State will not be struggling any time soon and much as that pains me. And I doubt the Syracuse fans are regretting only getting Carmelo for one year with their National Championship.

[shaunsimpson]

OSU is going to have a top 10 class until at minimum 2010 and possibly top 5.

That said player development can play a large part in this. Willie Warren is a possible and he is a top 15 player. It is all about matchups, development and system. Pure talent will get you a lot of wins on its own, but it is not the only way to go about it.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

...if we were at least in the running for these Rivals "Uncommitted"? Granted, some may turn pro, but we're not mentioned among any of these.

Rivals150 - Top 10 Players
RNK PLAYER POS VERBAL

1. Greg Monroe F Uncommitted
2. Demar DeRozan G Southern Cal
3. Jrue Holiday G UCLA
4. B.J. Mullens C Ohio State
5. John Riek C Uncommitted
6. Tyreke Evans G Uncommitted
7. Samardo Samuels F Louisville
8. Brandon Jennings G Arizona
9. Scotty Hopson G Mississippi State
10. Eloy Vargas F Uncommitted


Vargas is committed to Florida.

UC rarely gets Top 10 HS players.

Dontonio Wingfield. Danny Fortson. Dermarr Johnson. Kenny Satterfield. Maybe Damon Flint.

That's about it.

[jeffto]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Florida had any top 10 players. Noah was 75th.

The three C's can make any group of good players into champions - Coaching, Character and Chemistry. That's what's been driving the MVC the last few years.

[JerseySean]

The three C's can make any group of good players into champions - Coaching, Character and Chemistry. That's what's been driving the MVC the last few years.

The MVC? Is that who we're supposed to look up to? I hope this is sarcasm... Or maybe I don't know what the MVC is. Is that a basketball league?

[jeffto]

The MVC? Is that who we're supposed to look up to? I hope this is sarcasm... Or maybe I don't know what the MVC is. Is that a basketball league? I didn't mean to imply that. My point was that the MVC was getting better, not that their level of play should be our goal. And they're doing it with no-names.

If you would read posts in context maybe you would be able to deduce the meaning a little better.

[JerseySean]

I didn't mean to imply that. My point was that the MVC was getting better, not that their level of play should be our goal. And they're doing it with no-names.

If you would read posts in context maybe you would be able to deduce the meaning a little better.

You didn't even put a smiley face behind it so I can only surmise that I really pissed you off. Sorry to have offended you so...

Now go get your shinebox!

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Florida had any top 10 players. Noah was 75th.

The three C's can make any group of good players into champions - Coaching, Character and Chemistry. That's what's been driving the MVC the last few years.

Brewer was Top 25 rated. Horford Top 50.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I didn't mean to imply that. My point was that the MVC was getting better, not that their level of play should be our goal. And they're doing it with no-names.

If you would read posts in context maybe you would be able to deduce the meaning a little better.

The MVC has some very good basketball programs.

[jeffto]

You didn't even put a smiley face behind it so I can only surmise that I really pissed you off. Sorry to have offended you so...

Now go get your shinebox!Sorry here it is: :D

[JerseySean]

Sorry here it is: :D

Right on. All is good in Bearcat land. Now let's kick some SDSU *** tonight...

[JerseySean]

The MVC has some very good basketball programs.

Pithy, pithy. I would hardly want to aspire to be ANY of those programs...

[Irishbearcat]

I think that UC should be concerned with building its program. First it was about just getting bodies in here, now it should be about development. I would think he wants 'system' guys in place that mature and grow from being here for the long haul. Once that is established, it seems less risky to go after guys that may only be here for 1 or two years.

[james jr]

Syracuse won it with Carmelo.

Good point! There are always exceptions to every pattern.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Pithy, pithy. I would hardly want to aspire to be ANY of those programs...

Regardless, programs like Southern Illinois or Wichita State are solid teams.