Realistic Expectations

[kirkenka]

What are your REALISTIC expectations for this year? Remember that we basically have the same team that one two Big East games last year. The only way I can see it being any better is that Adam H. is an impact player which I don't really expect. The freshman class is good but there are no immediate difference makers.

I think 14-15 wins this year and maybe squeaking into the Big East tournament.

Mick has UC going in the right direction. It is going to take time since the two years of lost recruiting basically dessimated the program.

[shaunsimpson]

The team will play better together since they have had a year to prepare instead of being thrown in together, but don't get me wrong. This team will not be as good. The good news is that we have two tall guys that will be playing. Not saying they will be world beaters this year, but at least they can help rebound and play defense.

I think the team goes - 14 - 16 overall, 6 -12 in Big East Play. Should put them ? for the Big East tournament

vs. Belmont W
vs. Western Carolina W
vs. Bowling Green W
vs. Coastal Carolina W
vs. Fairfield W
vs. USC Upstate W
at UAB L
at Illinois State W
at Xavier L
vs. Memphis L
at North Carolina State L
vs. Miami (Oh) W
at Louisville L
at St. John's W
vs. Syracuse L
vs. Villanova L
at Notre Dame L
vs. Pittsburgh L
vs. Connecticut L
at Seton Hall W
at West Virginia L
vs. Marquette L
at Rutgers W
vs. St. John's W
vs. USF W
at Georgetown L
at Pittsburgh L
vs. Providence L
vs. DePaul W
at Connecticut L

[Nerf]

What are your REALISTIC expectations for this year? Remember that we basically have the same team that one two Big East games last year. The only way I can see it being any better is that Adam H. is an impact player which I don't really expect. The freshman class is good but there are no immediate difference makers.

I think 14-15 wins this year and maybe squeaking into the Big East tournament.

Mick has UC going in the right direction. It is going to take time since the two years of lost recruiting basically dessimated the program.

My expectation all along for this year has been a winning record and an appearance in the Big East tourney. That was my expectation prior to Mike Williams' injury, and it remains the same.

While it's true that they essentially have the same team returning, they also now have a real bench. That means when a guy needs a blow, he gets one; and when a guy's head isn't in the game, he can be benched. Furthermore I believe at least one or two of those Freshmen coming are significant upgrades talent-wise over what we lost to graduation.

[kirkenka]

Nerf

I am interested in hearing your reasoning for higher expectations. I want to have higher expectation but can't find any reason. Maybe you can help.

[Cliftnote]

I think the 'Cats will be competitive in the conference this season. 2 years ago, without Armein Kirkland and with very few scholarship players at all, they got snubbed by the committee and competed in the NIT semis without White and Muhammad. Game-by-game (season outcome below):

vs. Belmont W
vs. Western Carolina W
vs. Bowling Green W
vs. Coastal Carolina W
vs. Fairfield W
vs. USC Upstate W
at UAB L
at Illinois State W
at Xavier W
vs. Memphis L
at North Carolina State L
vs. Miami (Oh) W
at Louisville L (0-1)
at St. John's W (1-1)
vs. Syracuse L (1-2)
vs. Villanova W (2-2)
at Notre Dame L (2-3)
vs. Pittsburgh W (3-3)
vs. Connecticut L (3-4)
at Seton Hall L (3-5)
at West Virginia L (3-6)
vs. Marquette W (4-6)
at Rutgers W (5-6)
vs. St. John's W (6-6)
vs. USF W (7-6)
at Georgetown L (7-7)
at Pittsburgh L (7-8)
vs. Providence W (8-8)
vs. DePaul W (9-8)
at Connecticut L (9-9)

18-12 overall, 9-9 conference. Call me crazy, but I have upsets over XU, 'Nova, Pitt, and Marquette. That record looks familiar doesn't it?

[ralph1950]

Regular season 20-10, NCAA tourney.

[Bearcat Cafe]

Sorry to be a wet blanket. In my opinion Williams' injury is catestrophic. 15-15, 7-11 in the BE for a 13th place finish.

[tophat]

I think we'll be much improved, but the loss of Williams is absolutely HUGE. Give this team last year's schedule and I'd predict a winning season. But this schedule is a monster -- the toughest we've ever played IMO. We've never played this many early season games on the road (as opposed to neutral floors), in addition to Memphis and an 18 game BE schedule.

[capcbk]

This year's team returns:

75% of last year's minutes played
77% of last year's rebounds
84% of last year's assists
85% of last year's steals, and
82% of last year's point production


And, I expect the individuals that contributed the above to be much improved in their 2nd year in the program. I expect a couple to be vastly improved. Rarely have JUCO's come into this program and been major contributors in their 1st year, but they were often major contributors in their 2nd year. Now, add to this 7 newcomers. Granted, not all major contributors, but certainly more than we lost from last year's team.

Just look at the games we lost last year in the waning minutes due to player fatigue...maybe 5 games! Those alone can make a 11-19 squad...16-14!
Now, add 2-7 footers to the floor. Many games last year, we performed well for 25-30 minutes of the game, only to be blown out in the other 10-15 minutes.

I have not done a detailed look at the schedule to see which games are W's and which ones are L's. That said, if we win all the games we should win...and steal a couple with upsets...I see maybe 18-12 in our future...add to that maybe a 1-1 record in the BE Tourn. and we are NIT bound!

[bearcatn8]

I think it is reasonable to hope for a winning record overall and a .500 in conference record. Loss of Williams was big, but I think they should be competetive in the conference.

[Cats4Ever]

wow - this is really sad for Bearcat basketball.

Realistic expectations to not even get into the lowly NIT.

nuff said.

[jeffto]

wow - this is really sad for Bearcat basketball.

Realistic expectations to not even get into the lowly NIT.

nuff said.

Not sad, like it or not, we're in a rebuilding mode. It takes time.

[Bearcat Cafe]

Folks need to remember we had Allen the NAIA refugee and a middle of the road JUCO in Cedric and ....well that was about it when we started in the Summer of 06'.. This is a 3-4 year rebuild. Gotta see the big picture or you are going to be miserable for the next 2 years.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

17-18 W (end of season) and making it into Big East postseason tourney.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

wow - this is really sad for Bearcat basketball.

Realistic expectations to not even get into the lowly NIT.

nuff said.

Pretty common (over half the seasons) from 1964 through 1989.

Then, voila! 17 straight years of postseason (NIT or NCAA) bids.

Another streak like that may happen before you expect it.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Regular season 20-10, NCAA tourney.

Bet you Posting Rights For 1 Year on that one???

[Bearcat Cafe]

17-18 W (end of season) and making it into Big East postseason tourney.

Edit. My bad. Thought you said they would go 17-18.

[Bp4thebest]

I think the Williams injury really hurt! w/o that injury i felt they could of had a lagit shot at the ncaa and win 9 con game and a first round con game.. maybe 19 wins although the schedule is real hard.. now i see maybe 7 or 8 con wins and a big east tourney birth along with a decent seed in the NIT.. none the less they will be alot more fun to watch and there will be flashes of the future b/c this incoming class has talent..

before mike got hurt it was a real complete team that just lacked experience.. which doesnt matter to the ohio st of college basketball but we dont have that talent! it will still be fun to watch and they will compete..

i was real excited to watch them be the surprise team but now im still excited for whats ahead b/c mick is going through the rebuilding process quick.. call me crazy but i think with an avg team he will recruit better then kelly will with football.. dont mean to bring football into tis but they will have a down year next year which means kelly better pull out something in recruiting like mick or it will be back to a basketball school before u know it..

hats off to mick b/c he took a bad situation and is turning it around in an era where players wanna go to winning programs! plus he is now in the big east not c usa where u have 8 or so cup cake games..

sorry for talking so much but have alot to say lol

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I think the Williams injury really hurt! w/o that injury i felt they could of had a lagit shot at the ncaa and win 9 con game and a first round con game.. maybe 19 wins although the schedule is real hard.. now i see maybe 7 or 8 con wins and a big east tourney birth along with a decent seed in the NIT.. none the less they will be alot more fun to watch and there will be flashes of the future b/c this incoming class has talent..

before mike got hurt it was a real complete team that just lacked experience.. which doesnt matter to the ohio st of college basketball but we dont have that talent! it will still be fun to watch and they will compete..

i was real excited to watch them be the surprise team but now im still excited for whats ahead b/c mick is going through the rebuilding process quick.. call me crazy but i think with an avg team he will recruit better then kelly will with football.. dont mean to bring football into tis but they will have a down year next year which means kelly better pull out something in recruiting like mick or it will be back to a basketball school before u know it..

hats off to mick b/c he took a bad situation and is turning it around in an era where players wanna go to winning programs! plus he is now in the big east not c usa where u have 8 or so cup cake games..

sorry for talking so much but have alot to say lol

Interestingly, the current BEast includes quite a few of those "so-called" Cupcake Teams. Louisville, Marquette, DePaul, UC, USF...not to mention Memphis (stayed in CUSA).

Most players have always wanted to go to winning programs. That's why UC recruited pretty well in the 1960's and 1970's but not so well in the 1980's.