Sporting News/Street & Smith (Now Combined) Preview Magazine Says...

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

The 2 best college basketball preview magazines merged this year.

The SN/S&S Big East preview says:

1. Mick Cronin is best recruiter in BEast (over Calhoun, Pitino, Boeheim, etc).

2. Bearcat 2007 recruiting class rated 3rd in BEast behind #1 Syracuse and #2 Villanova.

3. UC picked to finish 12th in the BEast.

4. The UC preview page is particularly favorable to John Williamson, Alvin Mitchell, and Jamual Warren.

[BasketBySteveLogan]

Jamual Warren, MVP of the Deveroe League.. may be ready to step up this season and be unstoppable just like the summer.. Williamson will be more comfortable and healthy too, so he could be prime to step into that 4 spot and average about 13-14 ppg and grab about 8 boards.. which is what Big Mike would've probably done.. this is gonna be SUCH a fun year after what we had to sit through last season

Go Bearcats

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Jamual Warren, MVP of the Deveroe League.. may be ready to step up this season and be unstoppable just like the summer.. Williamson will be more comfortable and healthy too, so he could be prime to step into that 4 spot and average about 13-14 ppg and grab about 8 boards.. which is what Big Mike would've probably done.. this is gonna be SUCH a fun year after what we had to sit through last season

Go Bearcats

Williamson averaged 13.2 pts and 7.5 rebs last season.

[james jr]

Jamual Warren, MVP of the Deveroe League.. may be ready to step up this season and be unstoppable just like the summer.. Williamson will be more comfortable and healthy too, so he could be prime to step into that 4 spot and average about 13-14 ppg and grab about 8 boards.. which is what Big Mike would've probably done.. this is gonna be SUCH a fun year after what we had to sit through last season

Go Bearcats

Although Williamson is a good player, if he is starting at the "4" we are in trouble. We don't want to be undersized down low again this year. If Williamson does start the season out at PF I would be looking forward to seeing McClain progress to the pivot and having Adam H. at "4"! I think that Biggie and "H" getting the bulk of the minutes down low give us the best chance to consistently compete against BE competition.

[Bearcat Jeff]

I disagree that J. Will cannot play the 4 effectively. He is maybe an inch shorter than Mike Williams and has proven he can score in the BEAST and rebound. What Mike would have given us is a warrior with a take no prisioner attitude. Mick has said he was the best player on the team. Part of that is the mentallity that every touch, every rebound "is mine". That is what will be hard to replace. and it again makes us very thin up front again. I do believe that this team can still play effectively and win. The loss of Mike Williams may be the difference in a 15 win season and a twenty. However, the team can take this as a challenge to them all, band together and surprise everyone. I still am optimistic. I truly believe someone will step up.

[Thegreatone]

Plus he will not be asked to carry such an important role. He will have some help and will get more down time this year which should keep his legs fresh

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Healthy knee(s) are the key(s) to an even better season by Williamson.

[Irishbearcat]

I'm a huge Williamson fan, but that guy has never seen a layup that couldn't be bricked off the glass. He has virtually no touch when it's needed.
I'm surprised Vaughn didn't get any kudos, I think he'll be dangerous with attention drawn elsewhere.

[Thegreatone]

Irish you are right on.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I'm a huge Williamson fan, but that guy has never seen a layup that couldn't be bricked off the glass. He has virtually no touch when it's needed.
I'm surprised Vaughn didn't get any kudos, I think he'll be dangerous with attention drawn elsewhere.

Last year:

Vaughn, Deonta 14.5 ppg 152 of 407 = .373 FG 63 of 216 = .292 3-Pt FG 67 of 89 = .753 FT and 3.4 rebs in 33.0 minutes

Williamson, John 13.5 ppg 157 of 322 = .488 FG 11 of 31 = .355 3-pt FG 81 of 139 = .583 FT and 7.3 rebs in 30.9 minutes