Just My Opinion

[Bearcat Jeff]

It has always amazed me the weight that this city in general puts into one game. Whether it is football (college or pro), baseball, or college basketball, Cincinnatians by and large are the most negative fans I have ever been around. Even when their teams win you would think they lost if you read posts and listened to talk radio. This team has practiced together for a very short time and are very short on experience. It will be January before we get a decent indication of what this team will be. All this pessimism is amazing and shows a complete lack of understanding of the situation that this program is in. Good fans fill seats thru thick and thin. If this team isn't ranked you can forget a sell out unless it is a rivalry game. If we lose one recruit the future is lost forever. People act like that recruit is the only player this staff is after and they have no back up plan. I've been a fan of this program since 1973 and have never wavered in my support or optimism for the future. I loved my Bearcats whether Catlett, Yates, or Huggins was coaching and I love them now that Mick is coaching. Our future is bright!! Support this program and this staff. Encourage recruits to be here by showing positive support.

[shaunsimpson]

Good fans fill seats thru thick and thin. If this team isn't ranked you can forget a sell out unless it is a rivalry game.

Most of the poeple here are the people who are with the team through thick and thin. The problem is that to be successful in college sports you also have to have a strong following of fairweather and mediocre fans. It is not pessimisim when it is justified. this team has some good young players, but we can't teach the older players to be taller or faster. You can't win in the Big East with 4 good freshman - look at UConn last year. This team has very little experience and that is where it comes from. These forums are not here to be cheerleaders, but to discuss the state of the team. Without critisimism then you will have the Bengals. A team that doesn't want to improve themselves becasue they are profitable and don't want to incur costs just for the sake of winning.

The pessimisim is fear. Fear of the program never getting back to where it was. Fear of being forgotten like the program was in the 80s. There is still a lot of bad feelings toward the program and the administration due to the way somethings that should not be menioned were handeled. Winning is the only way to handle that and we are three our four players away from that. We are looking at a recrutiing class in 2008 with good players, but we still need 3 more to have a deep talented team.

As fans we will always be here, but as a true fan we are critical and hope to find ways to improve the team and University. We can no longer use the past as an excuse for the future. Winning is the only way to get the program back and being satisfied with the current state of the program will not get it back to where it needs to be.

[Bearcat Jeff]

I am not talking about blind loyalty or saying we can't be critical as fans. I'm talking about those that throw the whole season and future out every time something happens. That is a mindset that permeates this city. I agree with everything you posted. I just don't understand folks that are defeatist at every turn. The hard feelings at this point is just self induced punishment. It is long past time to put that behind us. I hated the way everything went down and the timing of it was equal to a NCAA death sentence. But it is in the past. The program remains ans so does a future. all looking back does is allow someone or something to pass you by. It is the present and future I'm interested in and we will get back to being a good program.

[Inchickinkick]

First, I think we were all spoiled by coach Huggins, I know i was>
Now let me answer a question of the media day thread>

We have Vaughn,Gentry,Warren,Williamson,Sikes and AdamH, From what you guys have seen, How many of those 6 freshman will helpout?
MY OPINION after one game, Bishop,Mitchell and McClain and everbody else will add dept. Added note-- Williamson has taken off where he left of last year. alright guys lets have yours>

[BasketBySteveLogan]

Bearcat Jeff, I'm totally with you. The city by and large is completely negative and so very quick to dismiss and write-off.

That's why I moved away to the West Coast. Much more positive out here.

The Bearcats will be fine. Just be patient and actually realize what has happened, what we are trying to do (rebuild in the Big East), and enjoy the journey. It won't happen overnight, but it will be fun to see the kids grow.. and maybe pull some big upsets this season.

Go Bearcats baby!

[loshow22]

I sweat and bleed red and black.....i have since i was 7 and i first caught a glimpse of a flashy pg by the name of nick van exel.....i live 10 miles from louisville and i catch **** all the time.....but i still defend the cats through thick and thin....my heart is shaped like our logo and always will be..........regardless of who is on the team or coaching the team, i will bleed bearcat red and black.........i'm legit :)

[UCBRCT05]

I been through thick and thin... Well since I am younger mostly good times.. But I am still listend to or watched every game the last 6 years. Havent missed a game even last year.

We had a decent team last year that had some close games. This year we add alot of talent and also depth. We are not going to be the top 25 team we are used to this year.. But we should be competitive. Thick of how many close games we lost last year that with the new talent it would of went our way. Will be back!

[jplog]

I sweat and bleed red and black.....i have since i was 7

See a doctor fast.

[nolte50uc]

I don't want to repeat what was already posted b/c there was some good dialogue. I want to say Cincy is not the only place like this. Pretty much anywhere between NYC and Cali is like this.

Most people in these forums are the true UC fans. And most are competent sports fans that know how to critique sports teams. I honestly don't recall a whole lot of "the end is near" mentality in here. There is s little, and it is very transparent. Don't let those clowns ruin your opinion of the rest of us true, loyal, and hopeful fans.

[Bearcat82]

Very well said Nolte

[CincyBeerCo]

I completely agree that Cincinnati is not unique in these issues. It's the nature of fandom...when you truly care for a team you sometimes tend to over analyze negatives and over hype positives. For example: Tomorrow if we get a commit from Morgan, I will have no problem posting a thread entitled "FINAL FOUR 2009, HERE WE COME!!!" :D

Anyways, you get the point. As long as we all pull for the Cats, this should be a place where every member feels free to voice their fears and/or dreams for OUR Bearcats. And I don't think it is different in any other city, w/ any other team/school.

[Inchickinkick]

I completely agree that Cincinnati is not unique in these issues. It's the nature of fandom...when you truly care for a team you sometimes tend to over analyze negatives and over hype positives. For example: Tomorrow if we get a commit from Morgan, I will have no problem posting a thread entitled "FINAL FOUR 2009, HERE WE COME!!!" :D

Anyways, you get the point. As long as we all pull for the Cats, this should be a place where every member feels free to voice their fears and/or dreams for OUR Bearcats. And I don't think it is different in any other city, w/ any other team/school.

your making sense, i can except that.

[Bp4thebest]

You guys argue like girls on here! not saying anyone here is but alot of fans here are fair weather.. iv been true to my teams forever.. **** i loved last years team b/c of what they went through sin bob left!

[ME80]

That's why I moved away to the West Coast. Much more positive out here.



Wow, you moved away because of negative sports fans? Hope you like the cost of living out there? :)

I have chimed in on this before but will do it again. Fans are the same everywhere. When you travel enough and get to talk to people (especially fans) in other cities you can see that. I believe that when someone states that Cincinnati fans are the worst, the majority of time they are local residents that hardly ever leave this town. They listen to sports radio and read the local rags which in their nature are negative. It's the old "Grass is Greener" syncdrome. We just don't have the time and resources to see all the negativety in other areas. As someone else said in this thread, a consistent winner brings positives from the "fair weather/bandwagen" fans. Let's face it, besides a good run from UC Basketball, and spotty success from XU, this town has had miserable results in sports over the last 20 years. I think Cincy was just named by one magazine as one of the worst towns in regards to sports/team success.