Crafting a turn around

[DMoney_70]

Look. Mick is staying. Time to stop whining. I'll admit, I may not be the best person to be starting hoops discussions as I stopped watching them a month ago. I haven't regretted that decision yet as they have tanked for the most part but I still want my favorite program to get back to where they belong.

Anyway, my point. What can Mick do to help turn this around because we're all better off if he works out here. If he's successful, we all win because he's a Cincinnati guy through and through.

What kinds of changes need to be made? Transfers? Staff changes? System? Let me here what you guys think.

Him leaving isn't helpful to this discussion so don't bother.

[MDW79]

Staff changes. I think Mick needs to admit he needs some help and I think the players could use a new face around. I'm talking an assistant HC that is very involved with the game plans and practice routines.

[cincycpaw]

Him leaving isn't helpful to this discussion so don't bother.

I disagree...

But in addition or in the absence of that:

1) Staff changes / System change - need to hire someone to help develop on offense ; also need someone that has proven in-game management / 2nd half adjustments seeing as the current coaching staff has lacked significantly in these areas.

2) Transfers - need to clear some space for a shooter or 2 in THIS years class. Bye bye LD, nice knowing ya. Good news is, if he gets upset and tried to hit Mick or throw something at him, he'll surely miss. Bye Bye Biggie, thanks for the memories. Transfer to a lower level, play right away, and hope someone takes a shot at a 7' to play somewhere professionally. You won't get the PT at UC.

[CanadianBearcat]

I definately feel a staff change is necessary. Our offensive scheme is just terrible, also do we have a shooting/FT shooting coach? we must not...but if we do he's gotta go

[Levittation]

I was hoping to have this discussion during the off season. It seems to be one of the few topics we will legitimately get to discuss.

Mick basically gets a re-do on everything he's done so far. Almost a second chance here as a lot of coaches are not as fortunate. I hope he starts to truly evaluate things -what has worked and what hasn't. Most coaches get better with time, unfortunately we have had to endure a lot of his growing pains. Let's just hope he pulls it together next year.

His coaching staff, offensive philosophy, and even players can change. The one question I have is if the players truly do not respect him and play for him. How do you gain that back or get that to happen?

[jplog]

Without a doubt he needs to find some shooters from somewhere and find space for them on the roster. It's hard to say the offensive scheme is bad when we've seen hundreds of open shots clank off the rim.

[BearcatLaw]

I agree with Levittation that is a better topic for the off-season...but the short answer is OFFENSE, OFFENSE, OFFENSE. It has just been awful every year under Mick. He needs a new perspective...whether it be bringing in some new assistants or speaking with a few peers in the off-season. He just needs to make some SIGNIFICANT changes on that end of the floor...which will require him to swallow some pride and admit that his system has been flat out ineffective at the BE level (his ego may be too big to do this).

Another underlying issue is recruiting. He desperately needs to start recruiting some solid three point shooters and in general, players with higher bball IQ's.

[Helicopter]

The one question I have is if the players truly do not respect him and play for him. How do you gain that back or get that to happen?

Do you know the players personally or do you have some inside information I don't know about? I agree there is a lack of effort at times (not last night by the way) but I don't think you can automatically assume it stems from a lack of respect. More pointedly it probably comes from losing and lack of senior leadership at times.

[BearcatLaw]

Do you know the players personally or do you have some inside information I don't know about? I agree there is a lack of effort at times (not last night by the way) but I don't think you can automatically assume it stems from a lack of respect. More pointedly it probably comes from losing and lack of senior leadership at times.

Don't think he is implying he knows of any "insider info" about the players...as indicated by the word "if" in his original comments. Just posing a question based on the premise that "if" this were true, then how do you get that respect back?

"If the players truly do not respect him..."

[Best Body]

Would it be out of line with what you are looking for to suggest that he become someone he is not? Specifically looking and acting the part of a big time basketball coach. So much has to do with how he carries himself. To me he just doesn't give off the vibe of a coach who is a big deal. I think he'll need this to successfully recruit in the top 50. Unfortunately, I think its not something that easily obtained. Maybe Cal and those guys are just born with the persona.

[MDW79]

Do you know the players personally or do you have some inside information I don't know about? I agree there is a lack of effort at times (not last night by the way) but I don't think you can automatically assume it stems from a lack of respect. More pointedly it probably comes from losing and lack of senior leadership at times.

Uh, he said it was one QUESTION he had, not one fact he had. Mick has stated numerous times he's had problems keeping them focused the last 2 months. It seems like a logical QUESTION.

[London 'Cat]

Would it be out of line with what you are looking for to suggest that he become someone he is not? Specifically looking and acting the part of a big time basketball coach. So much has to do with how he carries himself. To me he just doesn't give off the vibe of a coach who is a big deal. I think he'll need this to successfully recruit in the top 50. Unfortunately, I think its not something that easily obtained. Maybe Cal and those guys are just born with the persona.

Good point. He needs to hold himself accountable more. This would set the example for the players to follow, to take responsibility on themselves to get better. Again, I use Stephenson as an example. He was not happy with his season, so he put in extra time in the gym and his play improved as a result. It does not seem that these players are putting in any extra work to improve themselves. You can only coach them so far; at some point, the players themselves have to want to be great. The fact is, however, that Cronin is inexperienced, has a sub-.500 record at UC, and probably as a head coach overall and has not won over the fan base at UC. Perhaps all of these have impacted his confidence and thus he doesn't carry himself as such.

[dp3113]

Good point. He needs to hold himself accountable more. This would set the example for the players to follow, to take responsibility on themselves to get better. Again, I use Stephenson as an example. He was not happy with his season, so he put in extra time in the gym and his play improved as a result. It does not seem that these players are putting in any extra work to improve themselves. You can only coach them so far; at some point, the players themselves have to want to be great. The fact is, however, that Cronin is inexperienced, has a sub-.500 record at UC, and probably as a head coach overall and has not won over the fan base at UC. Perhaps all of these have impacted his confidence and thus he doesn't carry himself as such.

the sub .500 comment is ridiculous. yes, it is a fact its sub .500, but if you really count those first two years against him (and the W-L that entailed), and are indicting him based on that record, that is very naive of the situation.

[Alpha5]

Hate to say it but Biggie has got to go, Mick needs to give a gentle nudge and talk about other opportunities.

[Former Lurker]

I'm still not convinced that he'll be back, but....

He's a good recruiter, poor coach, so he obviously needs to hire an assistant who can coach. Perhaps a former Huggs or Pitino assistant who Mick knows can teach players, but just never got the hang of recruiting.

Also, he needs to recruit some pure shooters, and make the other guys learn to set screens. Think Steve Alford...Knight won a national championship with him, but if he came along today, Mick would turn his nose up and say, "he's not athletic enough to play in our league..." He's just got to get away from that attitude...

[ucat4]

Staff changes. I think Mick needs to admit he needs some help and I think the players could use a new face around. I'm talking an assistant HC that is very involved with the game plans and practice routines.

I agree. MC needs to quite possibly revamp his coaching staff. Whats the saying - "you want to hire people that are smarter than you", not saying MC doesn't know basketball, but something is obviously missing.

[ucat4]

Without a doubt he needs to find some shooters from somewhere and find space for them on the roster. It's hard to say the offensive scheme is bad when we've seen hundreds of open shots clank off the rim.

This is true - if shots were falling, we wouldn't consider our offense nearly as horrible as we have this year.

[STKohls]

Do you know the players personally or do you have some inside information I don't know about? I agree there is a lack of effort at times (not last night by the way) but I don't think you can automatically assume it stems from a lack of respect. More pointedly it probably comes from losing and lack of senior leadership at times.

Without getting into the whole 'respect for the coach' issue, I'd like to address something that's bothered me for awhile. I read a lot of comments here about UC's perceived lack of effort. But think for a minute:

If you were to pick one statistic that is purely effort related, what would it be?

If you were to pick one single facet of UC's game that is strong, what would it be?

In my opinion, "Rebounding" is the answer to both questions. UC succeeds the most at something that is the best indicator of effort.

Look, I'm bothered by the decision making, free-throw shooting, and shot selection too, but none of those are effort related. I think the kids and Coach Cronin deserve some credit for their effort even in the face of a clearly disappointing season.

[Billy Don]

Look. Mick is staying. Time to stop whining. I'll admit, I may not be the best person to be starting hoops discussions as I stopped watching them a month ago. I haven't regretted that decision yet as they have tanked for the most part but I still want my favorite program to get back to where they belong.

Anyway, my point. What can Mick do to help turn this around because we're all better off if he works out here. If he's successful, we all win because he's a Cincinnati guy through and through.

What kinds of changes need to be made? Transfers? Staff changes? System? Let me here what you guys think.

Him leaving isn't helpful to this discussion so don't bother.

Coaches are just like the players! You either got it or you don't. You can't turn Larry Davis into Lance no matter what you do. A player or coach might improve some but like I said : If they don't got it, they won't get it.

[Boosilini]

Thats right BD and some very good players are suffering from this experiment.
DV was supposed to be off the leash this year:sputtered...
Davis and Dixon:.
Yancy:rod flowers had more low post moves.
Wilks:will be the same wilks when hes a senior.

This year i wanted to see DV play like he did 1st half at WVU
I wanted to see Davis make shots and Dixon not look lost THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE SEASON.Wanted to see wilks actually get the chance to mess up and still play,and wanted to see yancy make a real big man move and dunk on some one.
Cats cant keep taking one step forward and two steps back.
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[Boosilini]

you wanna turn this thing around?get rid of the cupcakes and lets play the big boys.so what if we have to go to a michigan state,illinois,out west,up north wherever.u cant beat up on weakies and expect to compete in the big east.
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[Sense and Sensibility]

I have no "inside Source". All I have is a hunch and my eyes reading body language. Some one among McClain, Davis, Wilks, and Dixon will not be returning next year.

[MDW79]

you wanna turn this thing around?get rid of the cupcakes and lets play the big boys.so what if we have to go to a michigan state,illinois,out west,up north wherever.u cant beat up on weakies and expect to compete in the big east.

Huh? We have a top 10 SOS, maybe top 5 after tonight. We played one of tougher non conference schedules in the league. If anything, I think we could have scheduled a little easier.

[Boosilini]

Huh? We have a top 10 SOS, maybe top 5 after tonight. We played one of tougher non conference schedules in the league. If anything, I think we could have scheduled a little easier.

please.....we couldnt even schedule the real prairie view we had to get prairie view a&m.2 cupcakes is all you need.if it wasnt for maui our sos would be close to 100
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[JohnFrancis]

Thank you Lance for saving Mick last night. That game was almost another giveway with continued problems inbounding the ball. Yes we need someone who can fill it up from the outside badly.

Just asking before everyone decides Biggie must go - don't you at least need a 7 footer for IT and/or Yancy to go against in practice? I mean sometimes you have to simulate the other team's big guy/ shot blocker? Unless the incoming frosh are going to play that role in practice, but I don't think you'll improve much going against freshman in practice.

[MDW79]

please.....we couldnt even schedule the real prairie view we had to get prairie view a&m.2 cupcakes is all you need.if it wasnt for maui our sos would be close to 100

You could take Maui out I'd guess it would still be around 40 or so. 60 max. It would be crazy for any BE team to schedule much tougher than we did. I haven't looked but I know we have one top 3 SOS's in the league, could be #1.

[MDW79]

Nevermind, I just looked and our SOS is probably 4th or 5th in the conference. We currently sit at #12 overall though. And that's going by the bs RPI formula. EX. Xavier SOS is like #7 or so. IMO ours should be even higher. Regardless, you don't need, and can't afford, to go nuts with your OOC when playing the BE. 10 wins in our conference means you've had helluva year, that means you need a minimum of 8-10 OOC wins.

[bearcated]

Staff changes. I think Mick needs to admit he needs some help and I think the players could use a new face around. I'm talking an assistant HC that is very involved with the game plans and practice routines.
I agree there. The current assistants are under-whelming at best. It's not all Mick. I feel the situation is still salvagable for next season.

[bobestes]

I agree there. The current assistants are under-whelming at best. It's not all Mick. I feel the situation is still salvagable for next season.

Let's wait and see what happens after the season. Changes could be afoot.