Three Reasons Why This is the Year

[Mr. Bearcat]

This program is poised to take off again. As Bearcat fans, we have to believe that and embrace it. What are the reasons why it will happen this year?

1.) Guard Play-I think we are potentially really strong at the guard and small forward positions with multiple combinations of players we can mix and match. I'm looking for improved outside shooting at all those positions, especially from Cash, Parker, Dixon, and Davis. Kilpatrick should add favorably to the mix. In college basketball, good guard play is king and we have talent and depth at these positions. Plus, I love the intensity level of the 5 players above, which bodes well on the defensive end also.

2.) I think we have three big men who have loads of potential and should be ready to have breakout seasons in Wilks, Gates, and Thomas. If Wilks and Thomas' high energy levels can translate into better execution on offense and defense, and Gates can feed off of the same energy, these three could potentially blossom together and be a force. All of us can see the huge potential in these 3 players and two are seniors and the other is a junior, so now is their time. If it comes together, this could be quite a ride.

3.) Our coach - I have done my share of questioning Mick, but I believe he is a fighter and he will come off the deck this year and deliver. The cards haven't fallen his way many times in 4 years, so he is due for something good to happen. He has been successful everywhere he has worked, so we know he has the inner makeup to push forward and succeed. He is still young and relatively inexperienced and these 4 years have probably hardened him and matured him. I think we will see a different coach this season.

Those are my reasons why I think this will be a great season. What are yours?

[bearcatbret]

^ Well said. Let's support this team.

[cincycpaw]

1) SK - if he's a scorer as billed, this will be an incredible upgrade.
2) YG & IT - if YG plays up to his potential, he will be a monster and unstoppable, IT provides rebounding and can help spread the floot to allow YG to work underneath. If these 2 guys put it together and stay out of foul trouble, the team will do very well.
3) CW - if he lives up to his billing, we will finally have a point guard that can lead the team. He is quick and can get to the rim...now he learns to finish or dish at just the right moment. No more standing around chucking up 3's for this team because Cash takes the reigns and drives to the hoop.


Those 4 guys are the keys to the year in my opinion.

[cincycpaw]

This program is poised to take off again. As Bearcat fans, we have to believe that and embrace it. What are the reasons why it will happen this year?



Hahaha...your 3 reasons are Guards and Small forwards, power forwards and center, and then the head coach? Seems like th eonly thing you didn't mention was the water boys. ;)

[JDBEARCAT]

I could not have said it better & I like the positive post. We need more of them & can't
wait till the season starts.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Cats

[Mr. Bearcat]

Hahaha...your 3 reasons are Guards and Small forwards, power forwards and center, and then the head coach? Seems like th eonly thing you didn't mention was the water boys. ;)

The waterboy is a redshirt freshman with no experience. I want to see how he develops over the season before I determine his impact.

[BearcatRob33]

I hope you're right...

I was at the Bearcats Rally today. It wasn't very crowded, but nonetheless its got me excited about the upcoming season.

[Carin's Dad]

I can add two additional reasons: Lance is gone and Deonta is gone. They were 40% of the players on the floor but it seemed like the rest of the team thought they were 80% of the team. They relied too heavily on them and they couldn't carry the team.

I see good things happening this year.

[red_n_black_attack]

I hope you're right...

I was at the Bearcats Rally today. It wasn't very crowded, but nonetheless its got me excited about the upcoming season.

What Rally??

As to the post, breaks are due to fall our way, Mick's way, the program's way, Cash's way, etc...if healthy and I mean foot fully recovered, I can see Biggie being a difference maker in the full-court press!

[juckerrules]

Hahaha...your 3 reasons are Guards and Small forwards, power forwards and center, and then the head coach? Seems like th eonly thing you didn't mention was the water boys. ;)

The water boy is a beast

[juckerrules]

I can add two additional reasons: Lance is gone and Deonta is gone. They were 40% of the players on the floor but it seemed like the rest of the team thought they were 80% of the team. They relied too heavily on them and they couldn't carry the team.

I see good things happening this year.

moi aussi fer sure

[McMickenKid]

Ill add one:

Experience. There are alot of Juniors and Seniors on this squad. These guys have been around awhile and aren't young anymore. They know how you have to play in the Big East and shouldn't be awe struck by anything they see.

[dp3113]

I think they are going to play well as a cohesive unit this year, unlike last year. Last year the team just looked undisciplined and all over the place. I am looking for some solid play from Parker, Wright, Dixon, and Kilpatrick this collectively manning the 1-3 positions. If 2 of them can emerge as consistent shooters, I think we have a shot at being top 25 team.

[Lobot]

There was a twitter post a few days ago about Rick Pitino and who he thought would be the surprise team in the league this year. He picked us and Seton Hall.

[Ran513]

The waterboy is a redshirt freshman with no experience. I want to see how he develops over the season before I determine his impact.

I thought he was a true frosh;)

[JerseySean]

2) YG & IT - if YG plays up to his potential, he will be a monster and unstoppable, IT provides rebounding and can help spread the floot to allow YG to work underneath. If these 2 guys put it together and stay out of foul trouble, the team will do very well.

Couldn't agree more. REBOUND! And stay out of foul trouble. Can't wait for the season to start!

[subflea]

Biggest reason we will be better is that #5 is playing in Poland.

[Mr. Bearcat]

Biggest reason we will be better is that #5 is playing in Poland.

Can we please remain positive about this team without taking yet another shot at a 4-yr starter, who was not only great for our program, but who also graduated. That post was unnecessary.

[Mr. Bearcat]

There was a twitter post a few days ago about Rick Pitino and who he thought would be the surprise team in the league this year. He picked us and Seton Hall.

I think he said the same thing last year too...and he was right. We surprised everyone by not making the Big Dance.

[dp3113]

Can we please remain positive about this team without taking yet another shot at a 4-yr starter, who was not only great for our program, but who also graduated. That post was unnecessary.

its a fair opinion to have. just because a guy graduated does not mean that moving on without him isn't a good thing.

[BeastUC]

There was a twitter post a few days ago about Rick Pitino and who he thought would be the surprise team in the league this year. He picked us and Seton Hall.

2 of his former assistants teams,how interesting.

[milfordcats]

its a fair opinion to have. just because a guy graduated does not mean that moving on without him isn't a good thing.

It may be a fair opinion to have, but the posters who take every oppurtunity to bash Vaughn should just cut it out...he's gone, time to move on...

[subflea]

Not bashing Vaughn, just saying we will be a better team without him.

[Bearcat_DF]

I can add two additional reasons: Lance is gone and Deonta is gone. They were 40% of the players on the floor but it seemed like the rest of the team thought they were 80% of the team. They relied too heavily on them and they couldn't carry the team.

I see good things happening this year.

At the risk of being Debbie Downer - I've never seen a situation where losing the top 2 scorers is seen as a positive. The impression that people have created is that LS and DS's selfishness contributed to the team mediocrity. LS averaged 12.3 and DV avg 11.7 ppg. It seems to me that the mediocrity of the supporting cast contributed to their fairly low point totals and to a not very good offensive team.

Now we are to believe that without our best two players we are going to be better. That defies logic.

Further, I believe there aaretwo types of experience. DV had 4 years of experience. Erik Hicks had four years of experience. Enough said. I'm not sure anyone of our experienced players will come out and play with the intensity of Erik Hicks. If they do, I will be exceedingly surprised and happy.

If there is one thing that MC could do that would help turn the tide (apart from winning) is to get his team to play with intensity. For those of us who have been around the program a while, we got accustomed to that type of play. Kenyon, Maxiell, Hicks, McElroy, Fortson, Brannen, . . .

[Mr. Bearcat]

At the risk of being Debbie Downer - I've never seen a situation where losing the top 2 scorers is seen as a positive. The impression that people have created is that LS and DS's selfishness contributed to the team mediocrity. LS averaged 12.3 and DV avg 11.7 ppg. It seems to me that the mediocrity of the supporting cast contributed to their fairly low point totals and to a not very good offensive team.

Now we are to believe that without our best two players we are going to be better. That defies logic.

Further, I believe there aaretwo types of experience. DV had 4 years of experience. Erik Hicks had four years of experience. Enough said. I'm not sure anyone of our experienced players will come out and play with the intensity of Erik Hicks. If they do, I will be exceedingly surprised and happy.

If there is one thing that MC could do that would help turn the tide (apart from winning) is to get his team to play with intensity. For those of us who have been around the program a while, we got accustomed to that type of play. Kenyon, Maxiell, Hicks, McElroy, Fortson, Brannen, . . .

You're absolutely right. Our program, more than any other, has proven that you can not only win playing with effort and intensity, but be highly ranked also. We had some great offensive teams, but we also had many that were just brutal to watch and we all complained endlessly about Huggs inability to coach offense. But, our defense, effort and intensity were a thing of beauty almost every year.

I think Mick's teams had plenty of talent, but the effort and intensity have been a notch or two below what we grew accustomed to. Thus, we just couldn't get over the hump. Hopefully by adding high motor guys like Kilpatrick and Jackson, gaining some additional experience, and having a sense of urgency from seeing their careers getting close to the end, will cause these players to amp it up some and finally reach the next level. I agree, this team needs more intensity!

[Mr. Bearcat]

Not bashing Vaughn, just saying we will be a better team without him.

This is not a Vaughn thread, but saying we will be better without him is bashing him. His stats and character speak for themselves. Anybody who thinks we'll be better because someone like that left just doesn't get it. He was a 1st team all Big East and a third team all Big East player during his career in spite of having zero support around him, and he graduated on time. None of the returning players, who you think will be better, have touched the radar screen for all Big East.

[GoCats1994]

My $0.02 -

- Cash likes to push the ball.
- Yancy, to this point, has been used primarily as a post player (has not been asked to run the floor consistently)

If MC can reconcile these two concepts, it may be a very good season. Otherwise, they are mis-matched talents.

Yes...may others oh this team will contribute. But I (personally) believe the integration of those two players is THE key to the season.

(Note...just imagine Yancy as a Karl Malone type. If he can show he can run the floor...WOW! Likewise, if Cash can run a half-court set in addition to his open-floor game...good things will happen.)

[subflea]

This is not a Vaughn thread, but saying we will be better without him is bashing him. His stats and character speak for themselves. Anybody who thinks we'll be better because someone like that left just doesn't get it. He was a 1st team all Big East and a third team all Big East player during his career in spite of having zero support around him, and he graduated on time. None of the returning players, who you think will be better, have touched the radar screen for all Big East.

No, it is not bashing him. All I am saying is that team chemistry is better right now than any point it has been in the last few years. A big reason for that is that Vaughn graduated. He was looked at by his teammates as a leader because he had been there and carried the team on his shoulders his first couple of years as far as scoring. Unfortunately he wasn't a natural leader and it killed the team to have all these guys look to him for leadership when he couldn't actually provide it.

As an example, far more guys on this current team are following the lead of Sean Kilpatrick and hitting the gym on their own all hours of the night and day to work on their game. That sort of stuff never happened before. Last year the only two who did that were Kilpatrick and Stephenson. Stephenson only started late in the year when he knew he was going to the NBA. Kilpatrick had been doing it all year long.

[CincyBeerCo]

No, it is not bashing him. All I am saying is that team chemistry is better right now than any point it has been in the last few years. A big reason for that is that Vaughn graduated. He was looked at by his teammates as a leader because he had been there and carried the team on his shoulders his first couple of years as far as scoring. Unfortunately he wasn't a natural leader and it killed the team to have all these guys look to him for leadership when he couldn't actually provide it.

As an example, far more guys on this current team are following the lead of Sean Kilpatrick and hitting the gym on their own all hours of the night and day to work on their game. That sort of stuff never happened before. Last year the only two who did that were Kilpatrick and Stephenson. Stephenson only started late in the year when he knew he was going to the NBA. Kilpatrick had been doing it all year long.

If accurate (not doubting) that is pretty exciting to hear.

[subflea]

It is true. Dixon is one I have noticed who has been updating his facebook status a lot about going to the gym.

[cincycpaw]

No, it is not bashing him. All I am saying is that team chemistry is better right now than any point it has been in the last few years. .

I think there is only 1 reason for that...they haven't faced any adversity yet...no loses...nothing. To say they have better team chemistry without having even started practice is more than a little bit of a stretch.

It may happen, but nothing shows one way or the other yet.

[subflea]

To say they have better team chemistry without having even started practice is more than a little bit of a stretch.



They have had 10 days of official practice, 3 exhibition games, and an entire summer of workouts. This team is closer than it has been since Mick arrived.

[catscratchfever]

There was a twitter post a few days ago about Rick Pitino and who he thought would be the surprise team in the league this year. He picked us and Seton Hall.

not sure if you have the coach wrong or if they both said the same thing, but Buzz Williams at marquette listed us and the Hall as the surprise teams as well

[CincyEngGrad02]

There was a twitter post a few days ago about Rick Pitino and who he thought would be the surprise team in the league this year. He picked us and Seton Hall.
In my opinion RP is the best college bball coach in the land, so you've got to think his opinion is worth something.

[Lobot]

not sure if you have the coach wrong or if they both said the same thing, but Buzz Williams at marquette listed us and the Hall as the surprise teams as well

I think you have it right. It was Buzz.

[juckerrules]

I think there is only 1 reason for that...they haven't faced any adversity yet...no loses...nothing. To say they have better team chemistry without having even started practice is more than a little bit of a stretch.

It may happen, but nothing shows one way or the other yet.

You forgetting Canada?

[cincycpaw]

They have had 10 days of official practice, 3 exhibition games, and an entire summer of workouts. This team is closer than it has been since Mick arrived.

Well, I hope you are right, but a bunch of exhibition games up in canada doesn't really show me anything.

They haven't been tested yet...has to happen before you know how they will respond and whether or not they are really a close knit team or if they are just a bunch of guys happy together as they beat up on crappy opponents.

[cincycpaw]

You forgetting Canada?

Yep, I did forget about it actually. But see my post above for what I'm saying.

And I'm not saying they aren't close, I just need to see it to believe it under pressure.

[dp3113]

This is not a Vaughn thread, but saying we will be better without him is bashing him. His stats and character speak for themselves. Anybody who thinks we'll be better because someone like that left just doesn't get it. He was a 1st team all Big East and a third team all Big East player during his career in spite of having zero support around him, and he graduated on time. None of the returning players, who you think will be better, have touched the radar screen for all Big East.

this is a discussion about this year's prospectus. stating that we will be better without a certain player is relevant and not bashing.

also, plenty of guys with bad character have graduated college. vaughn was not a positive leader or influence on the this team, and if you think he was you are misinformed.

[cincycpaw]

this is a discussion about this year's prospectus. stating that we will be better without a certain player is relevant and not bashing.

also, plenty of guys with bad character have graduated college. vaughn was not a positive leader or influence on the this team, and if you think he was you are misinformed.

Man, people are hard on Vaughn. Thankfully he is gone and we now have the great positive leadership of Rashad Bishop to look forward to. :rolleyes:

[subflea]

Man, people are hard on Vaughn. Thankfully he is gone and we now have the great positive leadership of Rashad Bishop to look forward to. :rolleyes:

No one is being hard on Vaughn in this thread. Saying he wasn't a leader is not knocking him. Some people just don't have the ability to lead. He is one of those people, and unfortunately he was forced into a role where he had many looking up to him. Bishop is not the leader of this team.

[BearcatRob33]

What Rally??

As to the post, breaks are due to fall our way, Mick's way, the program's way, Cash's way, etc...if healthy and I mean foot fully recovered, I can see Biggie being a difference maker in the full-court press!

They had a rally on fountain square. It wasn't well publicized, and I went because I happen to work downtown.

[Mr. Bearcat]

this is a discussion about this year's prospectus. stating that we will be better without a certain player is relevant and not bashing.

also, plenty of guys with bad character have graduated college. vaughn was not a positive leader or influence on the this team, and if you think he was you are misinformed.

The "facts" say he was one of the top scorers and assist leaders in the history of the program, and he did it playing against the best of the best competition...not Conf. USA, Missouri Valley, Great Midwest, etc. The head coaches of the greatest conference in the world twice voted him "All-Big East"....once 1st Team. He led a pathetically weak team for 4 years to many surprising and unbelievable victories, and even into the Top 20 once, in spite of having no help or no talent around him. He never was in trouble. He always gave great effort. He graduated in 4 years.

I base my argument on "facts", not some subjective vision of leadership qualities that are dancing around in your head and the heads of other misinformed people in here. I highly doubt the Rick Pitinos, Jim Calhouns, Jim Boeheims, Bob Huggins, etc. of the world are going to ever award a player with 1st Team All Big East Conference if he possesses the lack of leadership and character issues you talk about.

These 4 years were bad enough as it was. Without Deonta Vaughn, and his "leadership", they would have been unbearable and Mick Cronin might already be gone. This year's team may end up being a great team, but it will have zero to do with Deonta Vaughn being gone, and more to do with them finally playing like him.

[subflea]

It isn't just my opinion that he was not a good leader. The coaching staff has mentioned it several times. I have heard other players mention it several times. And being voted all Big East has nothing to do with leadership. It has to do with production on the floor, which he had plenty of his first two years.

If our team plays like him this year, they will have a worse record than last year. That would mean they will take 26 foot 3 point shots 5 seconds into the shot clock that either kill a run to extend a lead, or a run to get within reach of the other team. It will also mean that everyone gives up 5-10 points more than they score to the guy they are guarding.

[Carin's Dad]

Leadership does not mean leading the team in stats or All Big East awards.

One would have to be blind to think Deonta was a leader on any of his 4 teams. That's not a knock on him, just a fact. The problem was that none of the other players would take on the role that should have been his. Now somebody can step up and be the real leader this team needs.

[Mr. Bearcat]

It isn't just my opinion that he was not a good leader. The coaching staff has mentioned it several times. I have heard other players mention it several times. And being voted all Big East has nothing to do with leadership. It has to do with production on the floor, which he had plenty of his first two years.

If our team plays like him this year, they will have a worse record than last year. That would mean they will take 26 foot 3 point shots 5 seconds into the shot clock that either kill a run to extend a lead, or a run to get within reach of the other team. It will also mean that everyone gives up 5-10 points more than they score to the guy they are guarding.

Give it up man. You are in the vast minority with this opinion. I know three or four of your cronies will post to agree with you, but Deonta Vaughn is highly thought of by the majority of loyal Bearcat fans. To argue anything else is just stupid and to try to lessen his impact to the program is not something that a true Bearcat fan would ever do.

[CincyBeerCo]

Give it up man. You are in the vast minority with this opinion. I know three or four of your cronies will post to agree with you, but Deonta Vaughn is highly thought of by the majority of loyal Bearcat fans. To argue anything else is just stupid and to try to lessen his impact to the program is not something that a true Bearcat fan would ever do.

I'm not so sure he's in the minority on this, I'd just rather let it rest and enjoy the player that are still here.

[dp3113]

Give it up man. You are in the vast minority with this opinion. I know three or four of your cronies will post to agree with you, but Deonta Vaughn is highly thought of by the majority of loyal Bearcat fans. To argue anything else is just stupid and to try to lessen his impact to the program is not something that a true Bearcat fan would ever do.

no one here is saying that he did not provide positive stats or help the team. however, he was not a leader that this team needed. that is all. the great majority of bearcat fans do regard him highly, and no one here is ripping him. they are just saying that we will be better without him.

college basketball is not all about individual stats. if it was all about stats then, jeremy hazell would be national player of the year and seton hall would have gone to the last 2 final fours. vaughn put up good numbers for UC, however chemistry is a huge issue when you are dealing with 13 egos who all want to be "the man" on the floor and don't necessarily want to work hard off the floor.

i dont know why this argument keeps going in circles. vaughn helped uc, however some of us think that team is better off, now that they have some depth and potential scoring options, without his attitude. that is all.

[Major ----de Coverley]

no one here is saying that he did not provide positive stats or help the team. however, he was not a leader that this team needed. that is all. the great majority of bearcat fans do regard him highly, and no one here is ripping him. they are just saying that we will be better without him.

college basketball is not all about individual stats. if it was all about stats then, jeremy hazell would be national player of the year and seton hall would have gone to the last 2 final fours. vaughn put up good numbers for UC, however chemistry is a huge issue when you are dealing with 13 egos who all want to be "the man" on the floor and don't necessarily want to work hard off the floor.

i dont know why this argument keeps going in circles. vaughn helped uc, however some of us think that team is better off, now that they have some depth and potential scoring options, without his attitude. that is all.

Very well put, I agree completely as do many others. longtimer not withstanding.

[Mr. Bearcat]

From the mouth of Mick Cronin:
Deonta Vaughn. For his career, he hasn't been just the best player in a Cincinnati uniform. He has been the player. "He is the man," Bearcats coach Mick Cronin said. "I know there were times that he was tired, but he'd never say it. He's done some unbelievable things for us, but you can't be Superman every night, and that's what we've needed him to be."

"Who else on the list of greatest Bearcats played in the Big East and played against the level of competition he played against night in and night out?" Cronin said. "You have to give him his respect and his due". "He probably meant just as much to the program as any Bearcat because you got to figure where the program would have been without him. If anybody ever deserved an ovation on Senior Night, it's him."

Sorry Mick....the brilliant minds of BearcatNews disagree with you.

[CincyBeerCo]

From the mouth of Mick Cronin:
Deonta Vaughn. For his career, he hasn't been just the best player in a Cincinnati uniform. He has been the player. "He is the man," Bearcats coach Mick Cronin said. "I know there were times that he was tired, but he'd never say it. He's done some unbelievable things for us, but you can't be Superman every night, and that's what we've needed him to be."

"Who else on the list of greatest Bearcats played in the Big East and played against the level of competition he played against night in and night out?" Cronin said. "You have to give him his respect and his due". "He probably meant just as much to the program as any Bearcat because you got to figure where the program would have been without him. If anybody ever deserved an ovation on Senior Night, it's him."

Sorry Mick....the brilliant minds of BearcatNews disagree with you.

I dont think that anyone making the argument against you would disagree with a single word of this. I loved DV and appreciate his efforts and the fact that he truly carried us through many victories. I still think we will be a better TEAM w/o him.

My bad....lets let this issue go.

[Mr. Bearcat]

I dont think that anyone making the argument against you would disagree with a single word of this. I loved DV and appreciate his efforts and the fact that he truly carried us through many victories. I still think we will be a better TEAM w/o him.

My bad....lets let this issue go.

We'll be a better "TEAM" without Lance Stephenson. We would have been a better "TEAM" without him last year. And....DV would have been a better player without him too. Let's wait and see the final record in March and then make our conclusions.

Even if the "TEAM" is better, it won't necessarily have a damn thing to do with Deonta or Lance. It may mean Mick Cronin was better. It may mean Darren Savino added a ton to the coaching staff. It may mean that Kilpatrick was the addition we were waiting for. It may mean that this under-achieving senior class finally got it. It may mean that Yancy started hustling. It may mean that all of the above happened.

One thing is for sure, if the record is better, you'll say it was because Deonta was gone, and if it is worse, I'll say..see, Deonta leaving actually hurt us......and then the arguing will start all over again.

This year's team will be better for far more important reasons than losing Deonta Vaughn. We'll continue this argument in March!

[dp3113]

From the mouth of Mick Cronin:
Deonta Vaughn. For his career, he hasn't been just the best player in a Cincinnati uniform. He has been the player. "He is the man," Bearcats coach Mick Cronin said. "I know there were times that he was tired, but he'd never say it. He's done some unbelievable things for us, but you can't be Superman every night, and that's what we've needed him to be."

"Who else on the list of greatest Bearcats played in the Big East and played against the level of competition he played against night in and night out?" Cronin said. "You have to give him his respect and his due". "He probably meant just as much to the program as any Bearcat because you got to figure where the program would have been without him. If anybody ever deserved an ovation on Senior Night, it's him."

Sorry Mick....the brilliant minds of BearcatNews disagree with you.

and here is Mick at the 50 year NC celebration just the other day, agreeing with us, that UC will be better this year without Deonta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U0pSmaehqI&feature=player_embedded

[CincyBeerCo]

We'll be a better "TEAM" without Lance Stephenson. We would have been a better "TEAM" without him last year. And....DV would have been a better player without him too. Let's wait and see the final record in March and then make our conclusions.

Even if the "TEAM" is better, it won't necessarily have a damn thing to do with Deonta or Lance. It may mean Mick Cronin was better. It may mean Darren Savino added a ton to the coaching staff. It may mean that Kilpatrick was the addition we were waiting for. It may mean that this under-achieving senior class finally got it. It may mean that Yancy started hustling. It may mean that all of the above happened.

One thing is for sure, if the record is better, you'll say it was because Deonta was gone, and if it is worse, I'll say..see, Deonta leaving actually hurt us......and then the arguing will start all over again.

This year's team will be better for far more important reasons than losing Deonta Vaughn. We'll continue this argument in March!

That is not something I will ever say. You're making to many assumptions/concrete statements.

[Mr. Bearcat]

and here is Mick at the 50 year NC celebration just the other day, agreeing with us, that UC will be better this year without Deonta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U0pSmaehqI&feature=player_embedded

lol....yep, he really agreed with you. He said it...."We will be better because Deonta is gone". .......or did he?

[dp3113]

lol....yep, he really agreed with you. He said it...."We will be better because Deonta is gone". .......or did he?

well you originally said that anyone who thinks we will be better without a player like him doesnt get it...but mick said in the video that we will be better this year, despite losing our top 2 scorers.

[cincycpaw]

well you originally said that anyone who thinks we will be better without a player like him doesnt get it...but mick said in the video that we will be better this year, despite losing our top 2 scorers.

What's he going to say?

"If you thought last season was a disappointment, just wait till this year. ****, we lost Lance and Deonta, we don't have a chance in ****"
:eek:

[dp3113]

What's he going to say?

"If you thought last season was a disappointment, just wait till this year. ****, we lost Lance and Deonta, we don't have a chance in ****"
:eek:

he could have used the trademark huggins line, "we'll be fine." or we will be a strong team, we will be experienced, we will be veteran laden, we will compete with the upper echelon of the league. he didnt have to say we will be better. all we can do is take him at his word.

[CincyEngGrad02]

he could have used the trademark huggins line, "we'll be fine." or we will be a strong team, we will be experienced, we will be veteran laden, we will compete with the upper echelon of the league. he didnt have to say we will be better. all we can do is take him at his word.

If Huggins would have said "We'll be fine" for this upcoming squad, I'd say get ready to worry. When UC wasn't good, Huggs would say we'd be ok. When we were 29-1, he'd say we sucked.

[Lobot]

Enough with the Huggins comparisons please. That ship has sailed.

[MDW79]

Just curious, but "this is the year" for what exactly. I'm assuming a tourney appearance? Cuz I know it's not win the BE or a national championship.

Honestly, "3 Reasons Why This is the Year...That we have an outside chance of being a 10-6 seed in the NCAA's" would be a more appropriate title. I'm sorry, maybe it's just me, but hearing "this is the year" we have a borderline 35-60 ranked team, in terms of projection and probably talent, it just seems kinda depressing.

As for those questioning Vaughn's leadership, it appeared to me that he let up tad from the end of his Jr year on. Prior to that, I think he lead by example. As to why his atttitude changed, I leave that up for everyone to come up with their own conclusion(s). Bad leader or not, if I witness Larry Davis get more than 10 min of PT EVER this year, then I'll miss Vaughn a great deal.

I agree this team should be more team oriented. However, to say that they are more talented couldn't be further from the truth. They'll need loads of effort and intensity and I think they can certainly be good. We've all see what playing that style can accomplish before. I would add "They'll need their coach to figure what rotation he wants and to figure how to help his players develop some confidence and rhythm" to that as well. Simple: Players need bust their azz, Coach needs to come up with a rotation that wasn't designed by Sling Blade, and good things can happen.

I think it will take an equal amount of improvement on both the players and the coaching staff. There is no reason this team can't win 20 games with the amount of experience on the roster. Anything short of 20 = Failure, all around. Even at 20 wins and a lower seed, I kinda expect it. Win 22+, gain a 6 seed or higher, then I'll truly be impressed.

[CincyEngGrad02]

and here is Mick at the 50 year NC celebration just the other day, agreeing with us, that UC will be better this year without Deonta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U0pSmaehqI&feature=player_embedded

That lead me to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1K9z0m20h8&feature=related

Boy he wasn't laughing when UC put it on X in 2004 and 2006.