Louisville Game Thread

[Carin's Dad]

Fast start, see-saw middle and strong finish = Bearcat win!

[Not Guilty]

Lance is starting, along with Parker, Vaughn, Thomas and Gates.

[DimitriusChristedes]

what a start! 8-0

[Billy Don]

Gates gets a foul outside the 3 point line. Geez

[Not Guilty]

5 team fouls already hurts.

[catscratchfever]

lance looking really really good so far

[Carin's Dad]

Some cheap fouls. Let's hope they don't bite us in the end.

[Billy Don]

5 team fouls already hurts.

This is better than I was afraid of. I was worried UC would be down 8 early. Stephenson is on fire.

[ralph1950]

Lance is smoking hot! No Mick, no Lance.

[Not Guilty]

Lance is smoking hot! No Mick, no Lance.

No reason to try and incite people. Lance has been incredible so far though. Hopefully we get Gates going. He just got good position for a lay in.

[Not Guilty]

This is better than I was afraid of. I was worried UC would be down 8 early. Stephenson is on fire.

Its definitely been a very good start. The fouls can just catch up with us. Louisville will get in the bonus early if they continue.

[catscratchfever]

Lance is smoking hot! No Mick, no Lance.

quit trying to start sh1t man

[Carin's Dad]

Good game management so far. Mick hasn't made any subs that killed momentum. Lance is Born Ready right now.

[iamspen]

No Mick, no Lance.

Totally relevant to a.) this thread and b.) the debate about Mick Cronin. Oh, wait, it's not relevant to either of those things.

Cats looking good so far. In the past few minutes, though, their offense appears to be in danger of slipping back into mediocrity. Let's hope Mick and the players recognize that and adjust.

[Not Guilty]

Totally relevant to a.) this thread and b.) the debate about Mick Cronin. Oh, wait, it's not relevant to either of those things.


So why are you responding?

[catscratchfever]

louisville cheerleaders...phenomenal

[iamspen]

So why are you responding?

Why are you baiting me?

[Not Guilty]

Great press break for a lay in out of the time out.

I understand being methodical in the half court, but we are getting too stagnant.

[Carin's Dad]

The offense is bogging down

[Carin's Dad]

The same commercial during every t/o on espn360. I'm getting tired of Trump and Manning.

[ralph1950]

louisville cheerleaders...phenomenal

Yes they are!

[Carin's Dad]

Here comes the see-saw middle

[DimitriusChristedes]

the press is killing them. They are not good at taking care of the ball. Or stopping hte ball on defense.

[catscratchfever]

huge momentum stopper by deonta!

[iamspen]

Does this team actually practice? Because it seems to me that they simply don't know how to pass.

Also, and I complain about this every game and I have no idea how it hasn't been fixed, but how many PPG would Yancy have if he'd stop taking those stupid hook shots and took the ball all the way to the rim? Mick needs to show him game footage of Jason Maxiell and Eric Hicks and say, "This is how you should play."

[Carin's Dad]

huge momentum stopper by deonta!Hopefully the other way too!

[catscratchfever]

Does this team actually practice? Because it seems to me that they simply don't know how to pass.

Also, and I complain about this every game and I have no idea how it hasn't been fixed, but how many PPG would Yancy have if he'd stop taking those stupid hook shots and took the ball all the way to the rim? Mick needs to show him game footage of Jason Maxiell and Eric Hicks and say, "This is how you should play."

No i'm sure this team doesn't practice at all...that is why they are winning on the road at louisville right now..
Pitino teams are known for their very tough press defenses..they make a lot of good teams look bad

Geez man what a stupid comment

[CatsClaw]

UC is either getting lazy rebounding wise, or are tired, because they're not crashing the boards like they were earlier. They might be tired.

[iamspen]

No i'm sure this team doesn't practice at all...that is why they are winning on the road at louisville right now..

Geez man what a stupid comment

...yes. Because I wasn't being facetious at all and was actually questioning whether or not they practice.

Or maybe I'm pointing out that some of this team's biggest flaws have yet to be corrected, regardless of whether we're winning or losing.

But you can continue to be an *** if you want rather than actually responding to the points I make.

[Carin's Dad]

...yes. Because I wasn't being facetious at all and was actually questioning whether or not they practice.

Or maybe I'm pointing out that some of this team's biggest flaws have yet to be corrected, regardless of whether we're winning or losing.

But you can continue to be an *** if you want rather than actually responding to the points I make.Maybe you should try being more specific. Like "Does this team ever practice passing." It would make your comment more palatable.

[Not Guilty]

Is this announcer really trying to say Louisville isn't in a zone?

They are clearly in a match up zone.

[Carin's Dad]

Is this announcer really trying to say Louisville isn't in a zone?The 360 announcer is calling it a half zone.

[iamspen]

Maybe you should try being more specific. Like "Does this team ever practice passing." It would make your comment more palatable.

Perhaps. It just seemed repetitive to type a short qualifier before typing the same qualifier in extended fashion.

[catscratchfever]

cashmere wright just isn't that good...

[Billy Don]

Wow tied at 28. Pressure getting to UC now.

[Not Guilty]

Why are we dropping so many passes?

[Carin's Dad]

Wow tied at 28. Pressure getting to UC now.It's the see-saw middle. No big concern yet.

[Not Guilty]

Down 1 at half. Hopefully we can make some corrections at half time. We need to work the ball inside more against this zone.

[Carin's Dad]

Why are we dropping so many passes?Could it be the other team playing defense effectively?

[chrislewis]

Cashmere will eventually be a good player but he is terrible right now.

[Not Guilty]

Could it be the other team playing defense effectively?

Some of them have come without any or little pressure.

[iamspen]

Louisville wants us to play a fast-paced game. In most games, you don't want a team to fall into that trap and start playing a shootout. In this case, though, I don't understand why we slowed our pace after we were making Louisville's game plan blow up in their face.

IMHO, should've continued to play hard and fast against the press, forced them to play a half-court defense, and then slowed the game down. As it stands, we're getting the ball to the front court and then allowing their defense to regroup.

[Carin's Dad]

Perhaps. It just seemed repetitive to type a short qualifier before typing the same qualifier in extended fashion.It makes all the difference in the world.

[cmm27]

Or the Bearcats are getting it into the frontcourt and then making a silly mistake such as a turnover or dropped pass or wildly ridiculous shot attempt.

[Not Guilty]

Louisville wants us to play a fast-paced game. In most games, you don't want a team to fall into that trap and start playing a shootout. In this case, though, I don't understand why we slowed our pace after we were making Louisville's game plan blow up in their face.

IMHO, should've continued to play hard and fast against the press, forced them to play a half-court defense, and then slowed the game down. As it stands, we're getting the ball to the front court and then allowing their defense to regroup.

If this is as bad of a passing team as you suggest, playing up-tempo doesn't make any sense.

[Carin's Dad]

I've said this before. What is Mick's style: defense. If so, what do you spend most of your time on in practice? Defense. Offense is not getting the attention it needs. When it doesn't you end up with players playing street ball on offense. That's what they know.

[Billy Don]

Parker isn't making any big mistakes I can see but he isn't doing anything else either.

[Carin's Dad]

Or the Bearcats are getting it into the frontcourt and then making a silly mistake such as a turnover or dropped pass or wildly ridiculous shot attempt.And running out of shot clock.

[iamspen]

If this is as bad of a passing team as you suggest, playing up-tempo doesn't make any sense.

Seemed to work pretty well early in the game. We're going to turn the ball over. That doesn't mean we shouldn't take our shots when we get the chance. Chance of scoring plummets to zero percent when the shot clock hits zero.

[cmm27]

Its sad to see a team with this much potential consistently make fundamental mistakes on offense.

[Billy Don]

Stephenson was on fire. Mick sit him down and when he came back nothing. The defense didn' seem much different.

[cincyfan81]

First play second half our senior leader throws a pass of the rim. Unreal.

[Carin's Dad]

Did anybody else see the Knight and Coach K interview at halftime? The interviewer asked them what they liked about todays game vs years ago and they were both silent. They went on to talk about selfishness on defense. No helping out your teammates. Very interesting comments.

[ucgrd]

Parker isn't making any big mistakes I can see but he isn't doing anything else either.

he hasn't done anything good/bad the entire game. he's been non-existant for the most part

[Billy Don]

Did anybody else see the Knight and Coach K interview at halftime? The interviewer asked them what they liked about todays game vs years ago and they were both silent. They went on to talk about selfishness on defense. No helping out your teammates. Very interesting comments.

Old school basketball of my generation.

[Carin's Dad]

Old school basketball of my generation.Bobby Knight said today it's athletes playing basketball. It used to be basketball players playing basketball.

[cincyfan81]

Seriously Vaughn is the dumbest senior I have ever seen.

[DimitriusChristedes]

this game is getting away from them

[Carin's Dad]

slip sliding away

[Carin's Dad]

What happened to our rebounding?

[bearcatjoey]

We have not had a good offensive possession the entire second half. Everybody standing around waiting for the shot clock to run, and then a desperation shot. Great offense.

[Carin's Dad]

The odds that Louisville loses 4 in a row don't look too good right now.

[Billy Don]

Pitino went to man defense and that was it.

[Brian H.]

this game is getting away from them

I was just going to say the exact same thing, they are starting to fall in to everyone thinks they have to be the one to make a play to turn it around so they are gambling on D, taking off balance shots, playing undisciplined. They need to settle down.

Also our lack of movement and picks on offense makes it painful when the other team plays good D.

[Billy Don]

Lance isn't playing. He walked off at halftime okay. Must be Mick instead of the ankle.

[chrislewis]

get the ball to the middle of the floor and to the baseline. this is pathetic to watch.

[MST83]

It is all about coaching adjustments. Good coaches make them.

We saw it yesterday Huggs (down 14) made them over Whatsa Matta.

Today we see Pittino down 11 make them and mick cannot.

[cmm27]

I am currently quite dissapointed in the second half performance so far.

[behrlezt]

im really confused why I. Thomas plays?? What does he bring to the team?? Put Toyloy in atleast he's tough..

[MDW79]

Absolutely pathetic effort after half. 8 points in 9+ minutes. No one looks like they want to step up and they look completely lost and unmotivated.

[cmm27]

Toyloy is tough but has no court awareness.

[Carin's Dad]

Is there a comeback in this team? If we had a senior leader who could settle them down, maybe. Without one, I doubt it.

[cmm27]

Not for a 12 point defecit.

[Brian H.]

I have come to hate the high screen, and non-shooting bigs standing at the foul line on offense. When Biggie was in he kept coming out to the foul line, did anyone watching this game in person or on TV actually think he would get the ball and then do something with it?

[Billy Don]

Down 5. It isn't over yet.

[chrislewis]

how does samuels only have two fouls?

[Carin's Dad]

5 pts!!!!!!!!!!!

[cincyfan81]

I hope we don't see Bishop the rest of the half. I think his playing time needs to go down big time.

[MST83]

Ul answer down 7 Wright bailed out by foul

[iamspen]

I don't mind screens, but our guards have no idea how to use them. What's the point of setting a screen if you're just going to run around the three-point arc?

[Brian H.]

we need to avoid letting them set up on D, the problem is after we cross half court everyone kind of walks to their starting positions to run the offense, we are scoring when we do something right away and not walk around first. Not ripping them as I am sure some of it is fatigue from breaking the press.

[BeastUC]

Let's see if they can comeback and win.If our offense wasn't so bad,i would feel a bit better about them coming back to win.

[Carin's Dad]

The press shortens our shot clock. Less time to throw it around the perimeter.

[Carin's Dad]

A stop here would help.

[Billy Don]

It must be Stephenson's ankle or he would be playing by now.

[Carin's Dad]

2 pts!!!!!!!!!!

[cincyfan81]

Cash is playing well today I think.

[Not Guilty]

Dixon hasn't played well in a long time.

[cincyfan81]

How many games in a row have we watched where the announcers question Mick. Today, "Why do the Bearcats have so much trouble getting the ball in Vaughns hands."

[BeastUC]

We don't play well from behind against teams with spurt ability.
We better be careful on D cuz we will not get the benefit of ANY calls.

[MST83]

Back to 8 now 9 game over

[MST83]

Bishop again

[cincyfan81]

why does Mick love Bishop he is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Not Guilty]

How many games in a row have we watched where the announcers question Mick. Today, "Why do the Bearcats have so much trouble getting the ball in Vaughns hands."

The ball is in Vaughn's hands all the time. The announcers also don't think Louisville has been playing zone all game.

[MST83]

down to 7 ----------------

[cincyfan81]

nice shot good important possession mick

[Brian H.]

Get Lance out of there, his ankle is clearly bothering him and he is not able to go after the ball on rebounds, you can see him hesitate instead of just reacting.

[cincyfan81]

Cash is feeling it

[MST83]

now 4 TLTL-------------2:28
Does close count?

[Carin's Dad]

The fat lady is warming up.

Sorry, ESPN360 is on a delay.

[BeastUC]

Maybe seeing Parker start has challenged Cash.

[Billy Don]

Stephenson is now back in the game. I don't have a clue why he was out for so long.

[iamspen]

Why, why, why do they keep throwing up jumpers in the paint? You're telling me our huge forwards can't draw a foul? We've shot, what, two foul shots this afternoon?

[cincyfan81]

It's not over yet

[Brian H.]

The ball is in Vaughn's hands all the time. The announcers also don't think Louisville has been playing zone all game.

We don't get the ball to Vaughn in a scoring position, instead he is dribbling around out front, I think that is what the announcers mean

[MST83]

Dagger 3 ---------------------- now 7 at 1:52

[BeastUC]

I can't stand Sosa.

[ralph1950]

Dagger 3 ----------------------

Lucky shot.

[iamspen]

And Thomas misses a jumper in the paint with NOBODY between him and the basket. It would've been a sure three-point opportunity. Stupid.

[Carin's Dad]

It looks like we're going to lose by close to the spread. I pray there isn't all the fire Mick crap again after the game.

[Brian H.]

And that will do it, Louisville will not make mistakes with a minute left that will let us back in .

[MST83]

would have blocked it! LOL

Lucky shot.

[BeastUC]

I doubt there will be any fire Mick threads as most of our fans penciled this in as a loss anyway.

[cincyfan81]

It looks like we're going to lose by close to the spread. I pray there isn't all the fire Mick crap again after the game.

You know it is coming. Basically people just need to root for the team and know that Mick will be evaluated at the end of the season. My feeling is this team needs 20 wins to be in the discussion, I don't care how they get them just get them.

[cincyfan81]

I doubt there will be any fire Mick threads as most of our fans penciled this in as a loss anyway.

Really??? I didn't I don't think Louisville is even any good. They will be a bubble team in my opinion.

[ralph1950]

And that will do it, Louisville will not make mistakes with a minute left that will let us back in .

They did against Pitt.

[MST83]

acceptable if you bet the spread right.
For me a loss is just that. Close does not count!

It looks like we're going to lose by close to the spread. I pray there isn't all the fire Mick crap again after the game.

[BeastUC]

Really??? I didn't I don't think Louisville is even any good. They will be a bubble team in my opinion.

And bubble teams usually take care of their home court vs other bubble teams.

[JordanW]

They scored off an inbounds in 1 second?

[nyCat99]

No reason to shoot 12 foot jumpers down 7 this late. Either 3s or layups. Thomas did not even set his feet.

Most frustrating is getting rebounds and loose balls on the defensive end. You could tell the Cards wanted it more. Kind of like we did vs. ND.

Life in the Big East is a war every game, and you must play for 40 minutes. The Cats rarely do that.

[BeastUC]

We our not very aggressive i guess because UL fouls 50 times per game,yet they only have 4 this half.

[cincyfan81]

And bubble teams usually take care of their home court vs other bubble teams.

I don't think a game involving two bubble teams you go in as a fan and assume we are going to lose like you said, of course the last few years have helped us get to that point.

[Brian H.]

They did against Pitt.

And I repeat, they will not do it here, didn't say anything about the past. That being said If Vaughn can keep hitting 3's from almost half court we could get back in it.

[MST83]

Now 7 now 8------------------

[iamspen]

Facepalm..

[MST83]

Final UL 68 uc 60 -------------

[cincyfan81]

Loss doesn't end the season, but I hope what comes out of this is that Bishop should not see the floor for us

[BeastUC]

I don't think a game involving two bubble teams you go in as a fan and assume we are going to lose like you said, of course the last few years have helped us get to that point.

And fan who knows their own team knows what to expect.
If you honestly thought we would come back from double digits in the 2nd half vs a team with good spurt ability,then good for you.
I have yet to have a reason to believe otherwise,as i was hoping that would change today.

[nyCat99]

You would think with UL's aggresive full court D they would be giving up more fouls. However, they've shoot over a dozen more FTs than us. That and turnovers were the difference.

[cincyfan81]

By the way how bad is the Junior class Mick recruited????????? They don't give us anything. That is a huge problem.

[Not Guilty]

Loss doesn't end the season, but I hope what comes out of this is that Bishop should not see the floor for us

Certainly not going to defend his game today, but that will never happen. It also shouldn't happen.

[Carin's Dad]

You would think with UL's aggresive full court D they would be giving up more fouls. However, they've shoot over a dozen more FTs than us. That and turnovers were the difference.Their FT's had nothing to do with the loss.

[Not Guilty]

Their FT's had nothing to do with the loss.

Our inability to get to the line really hurts our offense.

[cincyfan81]

Certainly not going to defend his game today, but that will never happen. It also shouldn't happen.

Yeah because he does so much for us. I mean how can we survive without his clutch turnovers (Xavier worst pass I have ever seen, St. Johns), great shot selection, accurate three point shooting, and ability to get to the hole.

[Carin's Dad]

Our inability to get to the line really hurts our offense.By "their" I meant Louisville. Our lack of FT's show we're not aggressive enough. Too few drives to the basket.

[nyCat99]

Their FT's had nothing to do with the loss.

Umm...did you check the box score?

FTM-A
UC 4-4
UL 15-19

UC 17 Turnovers, to UL's 7.

That was why we lost, plain and simple.

[RedRocker]

Umm...did you check the box score?

FTM-A
UC 4-4
UL 15-19

UC 17 Turnovers, to UL's 7.

That was why we lost, plain and simple.

You beat me to it.

[Bcatfan08]

Their FT's had nothing to do with the loss.

Really? Did you see the game? They went to the line twice in a row for one and ones and made four free throws. They miss the first of those two and we're in the game. Those killed us. They were barely over a 50% free throw shooting team the past few games and they shoot lights out tonight. The free throws were the difference by far. They shoot their normal crappy percentage and we win this game.

[nyCat99]

I see your point that if we get to the line, it negates UL's FTs advantage. But my point was that the number of free throws shot was the difference. Regardless of the reasoning to the disparity.

[Carin's Dad]

Umm...did you check the box score?

FTM-A
UC 4-4
UL 15-19

UC 17 Turnovers, to UL's 7.

That was why we lost, plain and simple.Unless the referees are being unfair, FT's are a symptom, not the disease.

If your offensive game plan is for the other team to shoot ft's poorly, you'll lose a lot of games.

[Billy Don]

I see your point that if we get to the line, it negates UL's FTs advantage. But my point was that the number of free throws shot was the difference. Regardless of the reasoning to the disparity.

Could good coach, great coach be a factor?

[nyCat99]

Unless the referees are being unfair, FT's are a symptom, not the disease.

I agree. I am frustrated with my team, and I'm not going to take that out on fellow fans.

I thought we should have drawn more fouls with their press, but that did not happen. This is what you call the disease.

I just think the other stats show an even match, with some advantages for UC. We just continued to turn the ball over too much.

By the way, what is going on with Dixon? The kid looks way less confident than even a month ago. He seems to be "snake bit", if you will. I think the cure is to keep shooting, but that's tough to endure in games that are vital. But seeing Cash wake up offensively today might be a lesson to learn for DD. Keep working hard, and good things will happen.

I did like the way Cash penetrated late in the game.

[loshow22]

The lack of heart and emotion on this team makes me sad and sick. Defend our play if you must but if you actually watch a uc game you will see no emotion come from players and certainly not the sideline. Watch others teams against rivals or conference opponents for that matter, then watch us. There is absolutely no heart on this team. Argue with me if you must but please be specific with contradiciting examples. Don't get pissy unless you have a solid example of something (do not use Stephenson getting amped, that is a great example and you would think others would follow suit).
For those of you thinking I am starting an argument, you are mistaken. I am venting and I am sick and tired of watching us play lethargic. We have talent. Why do we play down to everyone? Louisville is an ok team, but I am not impressed with them. Their body of work, is similar to ours. They have lost to a couple teams that are unacceptable, but they get fired up and play hard for the most part.

[MDW79]

That was painful to watch. I've tried, and tried some more, to be patient but this is a joke. We don't even run an offense, haven't all year. You'll see maybe one guy moving without the ball, while everyone just stands around. I'm not getting in a debate but these kids clearly aren't getting up for Mick either. I'll watch from here on out but I've about given up. Whoever accepts a loss to a mediocre, at best, UL team epitomizes where this program is right now...not good, not even close.

[MDW79]

The lack of heart and emotion on this team makes me sad and sick. Defend our play if you must but if you actually watch a uc game you will see no emotion come from players and certainly not the sideline. Watch others teams against rivals or conference opponents for that matter, then watch us. There is absolutely no heart on this team. Argue with me if you must but please be specific with contradiciting examples. Don't get pissy unless you have a solid example of something (do not use Stephenson getting amped, that is a great example and you would think others would follow suit).
For those of you thinking I am starting an argument, you are mistaken. I am venting and I am sick and tired of watching us play lethargic. We have talent. Why do we play down to everyone? Louisville is an ok team, but I am not impressed with them. Their body of work, is similar to ours. They have lost to a couple teams that are unacceptable, but they get fired up and play hard for the most part.

Amen brother, amen.

[loshow22]

That was painful to watch. I've tried, and tried some more, to be patient but this is a joke. We don't even run an offense, haven't all year. You'll see maybe one guy moving without the ball, while everyone just stands around. I'm not getting in a debate but these kids clearly aren't getting up for Mick either. I'll watch from here on out but I've about given up. Whoever accepts a loss to a mediocre, at best, UL team epitomizes where this program is right now...not good, not even close.


I feel about the same...we will get torn apart by some for feeling like this. Seriously though, have we settled for mediocrity as a program and fan base?

[ucat4]

This team sucks a$$ on the road. I thought I heard the announcers say that we've lost 31 out of 39 road games....ouch! Now, make that 32 of 40.

[ucat4]

On the positive side, the announcers did say that we're number 7 in the country in rebounding margin. Too bad we can't feed off of our great rebounding and generate more wins.

[nyCat99]

I would liken our effort and "heart" to that of an NBA squad. That is why I do not watch much NBA. The only reason I tune into the NBA is because, without a doubt, the play is far better. The players are so good.

But with no heart, it's frustrating.

UC is not NBA efficient, but we play that style on offense anyways. It does not seem to work. The most effective tactic for us offensively is going through Gates.