Another tough one on Friday?

[ralph1950]

New coach Cliff Ellis (former Auburn coach) brings the Chanticleers into the Shoe this Friday. They did not have a good season last year but with Ellis now as coach should be vastly improved. Mick may have overscheduled his young team this season. Coastal Carolina is 1-0 in the Shoemaker Center.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

New coach Cliff Ellis (former Auburn coach) brings the Chanticleers into the Shoe this Friday. They did not have a good season last year but with Ellis now as coach should be vastly improved. Mick may have overscheduled his young team this season. Coastal Carolina is 1-0 in the Shoemaker Center.

I would hope NOT - UC needs to win a game in a convincing fashion. December and the BEast starting in January will only get tougher (than mid-major home games).

[tophat]

They really have to win the next 3, before they hit the stretch of UAB, ILL ST, NC ST, X on the road and Memphis, which I figured for 5 losses even before we looked so bad last weekend.

Unlike last year, when we entered BE play with a nice cushion, a much more difficult early schedule may mean no cushion at all this season. In hindsight, Belmont was way too slick and shouldn't have been a first game; and 3 games in 3 days in early November for such a young team was surely a bad idea. Even with all our deficiencies, I don't see us losing to BG if it wouldn't have been our 3rd game in 3 days. Of course, when MC and MT made out the schedule they didn't know we'd be playing without M Williams and Warren.

I expect us to look like a decent ball club by January, even though we'll still be limited by the inexperience of our freshmen and the mediocrity of our seniors. Unfortunately, we won't be able to replay these games.

[cincycat1]

I agree with tophat. We need to win the next three, however I believe until this team gets more experience all of our games are going to be tough.

[TheDog]

I also agree. Three straight games over three days for a young team was a bad idea. The defense on Friday was terrible. I believe the coaching staff would have had more time to work on the defense lapses they saw in the first game and then the second/third games would have been a good gauge on how well the team can improve. Unfortunately, there are two losses instead and we have to wait until Friday to see how well the coaching staff fixes some of the deficiencies on defense. Friday's game will tell us a lot about this team.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Williamson, Sikes, Gentry and Warren played pretty well as juniors. Hard to think they have become Mediocre Seniors. Adam H has done pretty well so far this year.

IF they are MEDIOCRE, why does the coach start several of them???

[Bp4thebest]

Williamson, Sikes, Gentry and Warren played pretty well as juniors. Hard to think they have become Mediocre Seniors. Adam H has done pretty well so far this year.

IF they are MEDIOCRE, why does the coach start several of them???

Warren isn't even playing. And the reason you probably think they are mediocare is becuase they are not playing every minunte of each game so their production is down. Williamson is still a monster inside, Gentry is playing good defense and lead us to the win, and Sikes has been a good role player so far.

[Mick's Da Man]

Maybe Cronin needs to play the seniors more minutes and play the frosh sparingly, making them earn their minutes with good defense and good play?

[Raj]

Coastal Carolina will be a tough one, they won their first game vs North Greenville but were 14-30 from 3 pt, Their (G) J. Leasure was 8-13 from 3pt with 34 pts

So far this year 3pt shooting has killed us, I hope Mick has made some defensive changes or we're going to be 1-3 and the butt-end of many jokes!!!!

[tophat]

Williamson, Sikes, Gentry and Warren played pretty well as juniors. Hard to think they have become Mediocre Seniors. Adam H has done pretty well so far this year.

IF they are MEDIOCRE, why does the coach start several of them???

Yeah, they REALLY played well as juniors. How many games did they win last year? I don't like to knock these kids, because they came here in a distress situation. One hates to think what would've happened last year without them. But any discussion of where this team stands has to note that our senior class is lacking in ability, which is hardly surprising, given the situation Mick inherited.

Anyone who can evaluate talent can see the shortcomings. I've broken most of them down here before and can do it again if necessary. Why are some of them starting? DUH ... maybe because MC doesn't really want to start all freshmen, certainly not after 3 weeks of practice.

[BasketBySteveLogan]

The Bearcats DO have mediocre seniors - it's just a fact we have to face. If they were really good players, they wouldn't have still been available for Mick to nab at the last minute before last season.

They are all undersized, under-athletic, and inconsistent shooters.

So if we hope to have any success this season (other than the occasional upset), the freshmen must grow up in a HURRY.. Deonta must average 18-20 ppg and 5-6 apg.. and Hrycianuk must put up bigger numbers.

Can't depend on these throw-away seniors to win games for us. It's not being negative, it's just being objective.

[SLMadiCat]

Coastal Carolina will be a tough one, they won their first game vs North Greenville but were 14-30 from 3 pt, Their (G) J. Leasure was 8-13 from 3pt with 34 pts

So far this year 3pt shooting has killed us, I hope Mick has made some defensive changes or we're going to be 1-3 and the butt-end of many jokes!!!!

I hope for improvement too, but it is going to be tough to improve in just 3 days of practice.

[Bearcat Cafe]

Williamson, Sikes, Gentry and Warren played pretty well as juniors. Hard to think they have become Mediocre Seniors. Adam H has done pretty well so far this year.

IF they are MEDIOCRE, why does the coach start several of them???

Williamson is a warrior. Gentry blows. IMO, come BE play, Sykes and Gentry will be at the bottom of the rotation.

[Bearcats_Rule]

Williamson is a warrior. Gentry blows. IMO, come BE play, Sykes and Gentry will be at the bottom of the rotation.


Wow. Gentry blows? I wouldnt go that far. 32 points last year against W.V. None of the seniors are what you would call great. They are good. I sure hope that the freshman get it together and Gentry and Sykes are at the bottom of the rotation. That scenario is way better than I can imagine.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

The Bearcats DO have mediocre seniors - it's just a fact we have to face. If they were really good players, they wouldn't have still been available for Mick to nab at the last minute before last season.

They are all undersized, under-athletic, and inconsistent shooters.

So if we hope to have any success this season (other than the occasional upset), the freshmen must grow up in a HURRY.. Deonta must average 18-20 ppg and 5-6 apg.. and Hrycianuk must put up bigger numbers.

Can't depend on these throw-away seniors to win games for us. It's not being negative, it's just being objective.

If Deonta plays PG and averages 18-20 ppg, UC won't win very many. The PG must help his teammates score.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Yeah, they REALLY played well as juniors. How many games did they win last year? I don't like to knock these kids, because they came here in a distress situation. One hates to think what would've happened last year without them. But any discussion of where this team stands has to note that our senior class is lacking in ability, which is hardly surprising, given the situation Mick inherited.

Anyone who can evaluate talent can see the shortcomings. I've broken most of them down here before and can do it again if necessary. Why are some of them starting? DUH ... maybe because MC doesn't really want to start all freshmen, certainly not after 3 weeks of practice.

Williamson, Gentry, Sikes, and Warren played pretty well as juniors. JuCo players IMPROVE as seniors (over junior year) in recent UC experience.

[tophat]

Williamson, Gentry, Sikes, and Warren played pretty well as juniors. JuCo players IMPROVE as seniors (over junior year) in recent UC experience.

I'm afraid this year will confirm that these jucos as a group don't have the upside of most that Huggins recruited, as evidenced last weekend.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I'm afraid this year will confirm that these jucos as a group don't have the upside of most that Huggins recruited, as evidenced last weekend.

I was thinking of Andre Tate, who was recruited by Yates. Tate was better as a senior than he was as a junior.

[cincycpaw]

I agree with tophat. We need to win the next three, however I believe until this team gets more experience all of our games are going to be tough.

Agree 100%.

[ralph1950]

Hopefully the boys will show some improvement tonight and put a W on the ledger. Biggie doubtful for the game, on crutches after hurting his foot in the BGSU game.

[jeffto]

Davis only played 3 minutes Sunday because: "he looked lost on offense" 3 minutes? Give me a break.
I hope this is some kind of motivational thing, because on the surface the coaching decision looks strange.