Category: UC Basketball

The Transfer Portal Giveth and Taketh Away: Bearcats Add Another Big Man

June 2, 2019

The transfer portal is an interesting place. Though a new phenomenon, I expect most players will ultimately depart the portal with their sights trained on a shiny, new university destination. UC has seen its fair share of portal activity following Cronin’s departure for UCLA, including Rashawn Fredericks (F), Nysier Brooks (C), Eliel Nsoseme (C), and Logan Johnson (PG). While Johnson and Nsoseme remain in the portal, Fredericks and Brooks have announced new destinations (UAB and Miami, respectively).

Meet Jay Sorolla

This morning, another recruit announced his committment to play for Coach John Brannen’s somewhat-new-look-Bearcats. Jaume “Jay” Sorolla, who spent his previous three seasons at Valpo, announced his intent to transfer to the University of Cincinnati. Sorolla played center for Valpo (6’11″/240 lbs.), and will have a great opportunity for minutes with Brooks (and Nsoseme, potentially) out of the picture.

Sorolla is from Tortosa, Spain and already graduated with his degree in international business. As a graduate transfer, then, he’s eligible to play immediately. During his previous three seasons, Sorolla shared duties at center for Valpo and averaged around 5 points and 5 rebounds each game. Sorolla also had occasional breakout performances in which he scored 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. It looks like he has the frame (and demonstrated potential) to play a significant role in Brannen’s offensive and defensive sets.

At the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Sorolla missed Valpo’s first seven games with an ankle injury, but should be healthy for UC. Sorolla only considered two schools, choosing the University of Cincinnati over Nevada.

Brannen’s New Look Roster

It’s been a busy stretch for the Bearcats basketball program of late. In addition to Sorolla, UC recently received commitments from incoming freshman Jeremiah Davenport (SG), Mika Adams-Woods (PG), and senior transfer Chris McNeal (PG). Davenport led nearby Moeller High School to a state championship in 2018 before playing for Hargrave Military Academy last season. He chose UC over ECU and Virginia Tech.

Adams-Woods is a New York point guard who chose UC over Nebraska, Georgia Tech, and Nevada. He originally committed to play for Nebraska, but the Huskers’ coaching change caused him to seek greener pastures in Clifton. Sound familiar?

McNeal is a point guard who transfers into the program from Tennessee Tech (by way of New Mexico … by way of Western Kentucky). A college basketball journeyman of sorts, McNeal last played for the Lobos a couple of seasons ago as he sat out last season at Tech. In that season for New Mexico, he averaged 9.5 points a game and knocked down quite a few threes. He has one year of remaining eligibility, so this season functionally sets up as his senior campaign.

The Bearcats scholarshipped roster now looks like this … so far:

  • Jarron Cumberland (Senior) 6’5″ SG
  • Trevon Scott (Senior) 6’8″ F
  • Keith Williams (Junior) 6’5″ SG
  • Trevor Moore (Junior) 6’5″ SG
  • Laquill Hardnett (RS Freshman) 6’8″ F
  • Mamoudou Diarra (RS Sophomore) 6’9″ F
  • Prince Toyambi (RS Freshman) 6’7″ F
  • Jaume Sorolla (Grad Transfer Senior) 6’11” C
  • Mika Adams-Woods (Freshman) 6’3″ PG
  • Chris McNeal (Transfer Senior) 6’0″ PG
  • Jeremiah Davenport (Freshman) 6’4″ SG
  • Chris Vogt (Transfer Junior in 2020-21/sits 2019-20) 7’1″ C

With Nsoseme and Johnson remaining in the portal at this point, it’ll be interesting to see how all of this shakes out. The Bearcats are reportedly in the running to land highly regarded grad transfer SG Jaevin Cumberland. Jaevin is Jarron Cumberland’s cousin, stands 6’3″ tall, and averaged 17 points a game last season at Oakland. Jaevin also ranked 22nd in the nation in made 3-pointers, but is being recruited hard by a number of suitors (e.g., Purdue, Michigan, and Oregon). But if Jaevin chooses UC, the Bearcats backcourt will have some serious shooters…

Regardless, Coach Brannen has his hands full as UC’s 2019-20 roster features at least six players who haven’t played a minute at Fifth Third Arena. It should be fun to see how he deploys the weapons he continues to acquire.

By Brian Fox

For more real-time updates and dad jokes, follow along on Twitter: @BearcatsRadio.

Mike Bohn, Luke Fickell, and the Search Committee Has a Direction: The John Brannen Era Is Officially Underway!

April 14, 2019

Smoke is pouring from the tiny chimney perched atop Varsity Village, as the University of Cincinnati has chosen John Brannen to replace Mick Cronin as the men’s head basketball coach. The terms of the deal, reportedly, are six years for $1.5MM, with significant performance-based incentives.

His path to Clifton has been long and winding, including stops as far north as New York and south as Alabama. Here’s a quick look at Coach Brannen’s positions along the way:

    1999-2000: Assistant Coach, Charleston
    2001-2003: Assistant Coach, Eastern Kentucky
    2004-2006: Assistant Coach, St. Bonaventure
    2007-2009: Assistant Coach, VCU
    2010-2013: Assistant Coach, Alabama
    2014-2015: Associate Head Coach, Alabama
    2016-2019: Head Coach, Northern Kentucky

And now Head Coach of the University of Cincinnati (2019-?).

Brannen lives just across the Ohio River in Alexandria, Kentucky, having led NKU’s nascent D1 program to unforeseen successes. The Norse have made trips to the NCAA Tournament in two out of the last three seasons from the Horizon League. While impressive, it’ll be interesting to see whether his previous successes translate in an increasingly-competitive American Athletic Conference. Moreover, what kind of success will he have at recruiting top-tier talent with a C Paw on his quarter zip?

Mike Bohn’s decision to hire John Brannen marks the end of the Bob Huggins coaching tree era for the men’s basketball program. Because of that, I expect a significant shift in offensive/defensive/recruiting philosophies under the new coaching administration. Fox19’s Joe Danneman interviewed one of Brannen’s recent stars at NKU, Drew McDonald. McDonald had this to say of his former coach: “He’s going to play fast. He used the term ’94-feet both ways.'” Will a change in coaching guard pay off?

As with any coaching change, Brannen will have his hands full. He has to work to make sure existing scorers (like rising senior Jarron Cumberland and Junior Keith Williams) don’t depart. What’s more, Coach Brannen needs to lock down UC’s 2019 star recruit, SG Samari Curtis. Rashawn Fredericks has already announced his plans to enter the transfer portal; however, he was far from the most productive player last season. Will UC lose any more players? Will Cumberland return for his senior season?

One interesting wrinkle in the process is that none-other-than Head Football Coach Luke Fickell participated in the hiring process. Much like Fickell’s recruitment of UC’s Baseball Coach Scott Googins from Xavier, Fickell reportedly interviewed Coach Brannen prior to Mike Bohn making the hire. Clearly that speaks volumes about Bohn’s trust and respect for the head football coach.

A press conference for Coach Brannen’s introduction has been scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 AM. With many candidates rumored to be involved, and many alumni (and former players) lobbying for their preference, the University of Cincinnati has settled on a direction forward. With smoke billowing, I am excited to meet the new coach and to see what he can do with the Bearcats.

By Brian Fox

For more real-time coverage of the Bearcats, food takes, and dad jokes, follow along on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.

Mick Cronin Bolts to UCLA

April 9, 2019

If you don’t know, now you know…

Mick Cronin has departed Clifton (and his alma mater) for Westwood, CA, accepting the head coaching position at UCLA. The deal is reportedly for $24MM over the next six years, approximately $4MM a year for my mathematically-deficient readers. His current contract, which Cronin sought to renegotiate, was for $2.2MM a year and would’ve increased if UC’s and Cronin’s camp could’ve come to terms. They did not and the rest is recent history.

When you consider California’s taxing framework, Cronin’s after-tax, net take-home base compensation will only increase by $103K at UCLA. And that’s based on his current contract (not the renegotiated extension that never came to pass). Why weren’t the parties able to arrive at a number that worked for both the University and Coach Cronin? Well, I expect each camp has very fixed and divergent answers to that question.

Obviously, it’s still fresh, so here are my early thoughts on Cronin’s departure:

  1. Kudos to Coach Cronin for taking the program to 9 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He was a stable guardian of the program for 13 years. He invested in the personal lives and futures of his players. He ran a clean program, which has steered clear of FBI investigations. So, I’m grateful for his many contributions and wish him only success at UCLA.
  2. Many are sounding the alarm that all is lost without Cronin; some quite the opposite. The Mick Mafia is declaring universal defeat and casting aspersions on the University. The Anti-Mick-Ers are declaring victory over March tournaments to come. Neither can be correct; such speculation is premature. Mike Bohn, now, must make one of the most important decisions he’s faced as an athletic director and only time will tell whether we upgraded.
  3. Fundamentally, I believe Mick Cronin’s disgruntled view of UC’s administration, particularly the department of athletics, leaked out in many public comment opportunities. And I think that takes a toll on a fanbase, and program (including recruiting), over time. If you’re not personally optimistic about your school, it’s illogical to expect players, recruits, and donors to be convinced. In other words, if you’re not in love with the University and program you’re building, others won’t fall in love with it, either. Hopefully Coach Cronin has found an employer in UCLA he believes in, and hopefully his successor at UC can sell a new vision forward.
  4. Likewise, Cronin’s tendency to foment outrage over the NCAA’s supposed collusion against UC in March, or provide safe harbor to theories that conference is overly determinative in recruiting, was unhelpful. I think those tendencies can be self-defeating for a program and players. Not to get all woo woo, but some leaders are thermometers, simply reflecting the temperature around them; some are thermostats and determine the climate.
  5. Finally, the sunshine and warmth have finally arrived in the Queen City! Go outside. Inhale the air. Get off Twitter and my website. Watch the UC baseball team take on Xavier this evening in Clifton.

Much love to all of you in BearcatNation. The University and Mike Bohn will find the right candidate. To everything there is a season…

By Brian Fox

For more real-time coverage of the Bearcats, food takes, and dad jokes, follow along on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.

On Memphis

March 21, 2019

Beale Street is a feast for the eyes. Neon pinks and blues mark entryways to noisy watering holes. House bands led by smoky-voiced singers serenade bar rooms filled with mostly out-of-towners. The names of legendary blues musicians like B.B. King are scrawled across building facades, forming a prominent part of the iconography of Memphis proper.

The main drag of bars and restaurants along historic Beale are situated right around the corner from the FedExForum, where the University of Cincinnati hoped to defend its conference title. Gary Clark, Jacob Evans III, and Kyle Washington notably absent for this year’s conference run, few believed the Bearcats stood much of a chance of repeating.

This being my first trip to Memphis, I found the City surprisingly small. For a Mississippi River city of such historical significance, it’s more deep than dazzling, more personal than impressive.

Like the host city, basketball is a personal game. Even with large crowds in the arena, the spectator experience is intimate. Whenever there’s a small crowd viewing a game, it feels awkwardly intimate to watch, like you’re intruding upon another family’s dinner. Fans (and their shouted opinions) get grafted into the action on the court. With conference foes converging on the FedExForum from afar, the crowds were small in Memphis except when the Tigers played.

I love how basketball feels. In a close basketball game, you can literally feel the temperature of a gym rise when a team gets hot. Amazingly, this is the case at nearly every level of the sport. I’ve sat in bleachers for middle school games where momentum swings and spectators lose their minds, swept away by the energy and passion of their tribal moment.

There’s a rhythmic symmetry to basketball, as well. Cheerleader chants and pep bands are out front, leading the assembly. Sneakers squeak as loud as electric guitars on Beale Street. Balls bounce to the timbre of the kick drum; rims clang like a snare.

At one point during the SMU game, UC big man Nysier Brooks lost his footing and landed awkwardly on the hardwood. In that small crowd, Mick Cronin audibly expressed his frustration, which cut through the arena, “Come on, Nas! Come on?!” Brooks looked at Cronin, who shrugged in a pleading fashion. His coach wasn’t mad; he was disappointed. And we all knew about it.

Cronin’s disappointment dissipated as the Bearcats ultimately overwhelmed SMU in the second round (82-74). Adding to Jarron Cumberland’s 26 points and 8 assists, both Tre Scott and Justin Jenifer scored 17 points. In the third round, “Nas” Brooks led UC to a win against Wichita State (66-63), scoring 13 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

Traveling down to Memphis, there was little mystery about what it would take to win the tournament. Most knew that to defend 2018’s conference title, the Bearcats would have to defeat a two-loss Houston Cougars team that swept the regular season series, their last victory in Clifton spoiling UC’s home winning streak. Headed into the final pairing on championship Sunday, the stage was set for yet another Bearcats/Cougars battle.

Familiar as old sparring partners, Houston and Cincinnati know each other inside and out. Despite that, Houston still seated a couple of scouts near me during the Wichita State game. After UC’s third round win over the Shockers, Houston’s scouts aired some personal jabs about Jarron Cumberland’s level of effort to each other. I overheard their conversation and somewhat reluctantly shared their comments (you know, in the name of #journalism).

In Sunday’s tournament final, Jarron responded.

Cumberland flat dominated the Cougars. Scoring 33 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, he led the Bearcats to a repeat American Athletic Conference title, the University’s first back-to-back conference championship since the mid-90s. UC also smothered Houston’s customarily-prolific offense. Corey Davis, Jr., the Coogs’ all-world senior leader, was limited to only 12 points.

Beyond the pre-game criticisms of Jarron, UC’s redemption over Houston felt personal, largely because this year’s team is such a tight knit group. It’s evident UC’s players have grown progressively closer as the season has stretched on. Maybe that increased unity is attributable to the low expectations most had for them coming into the season. Maybe it’s attributable to the many close games they managed to eke out. Or maybe it’s a combination of those factors, or something else. Regardless of the catalyst, UC will need to be personally cohesive as they face Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Personally, I think the City of Memphis grows on you. As Gus’s fried chicken and Central Barbecue settle onto your ribs, the river city’s charm embraces. Upon exiting the FedExForum, sounds from different house bands and bars along Beale Street fight for your attention. After UC bested SMU Friday night, Andy and I made our way toward the noise and some usual suspects.

For what felt like my tenth meal of the day, I met up with Chad Brendel (Bearcat Journal) and his pops, Justin Williams (The Athletic), and Michael Shults (a UC/CCM alum who landed in Memphis, teaching music at the University). At The Green Beetle, I devoured a catfish po boy and an enormous slice of strawberry cake. My goodness, the cake was a revelation.

📸: Carl Schmid

Making our way farther away from Beale, up Main Street past the Lorraine Motel, Shults guided us to Earnestine & Hazel’s. Built in the late 1800s, E&H is a quirky dive bar that may or may not be haunted. It’s rumored that at least 13 people have died in the bar, though that number still seems low to me. There’s a small, secluded bar on the second floor overlooking Main Street. Nate tends bar upstairs and he has a “Ray Charles used to hang right there” story he’s always eager to share with patrons.

In the neon glow of E&H’s lights, I found myself surrounded by acquaintances who’ve become close personal friends, almost family. Several domestic beers and even more stories later, the night broke up. Headed separate directions for the night, we’d all be reunited the next day to cover a team that has matured into a cohesive unit, a team in which we all feel personally invested.

By Brian Fox

For more real-time coverage of the Bearcats, food takes, and dad jokes, follow along on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.

The Bearcats Look to Go Back-to-Back Against Houston

March 17, 2019

As the University of Cincinnati ventures into its third straight Championship Game of the American Athletic Conference, I’m not certain there is much I can offer by way of predictions. If this season has taught us anything, it is that some teams are confounding. The only observable through line is success in tight games, as this UC team has found a way to win 11 out of 13 games by fewer than 5 points.

Sure, there’s data suggesting players will score an average number of points each game. Maybe you’ve heard the expression that, most of the time, teams and players will “play to the back of the baseball card.” However, this season hasn’t exactly played out like that.

Against better competition, the Bearcats leading scorer, Jaron Cumberland, either contributes 25 points or more (Ole Miss, UCLA, USF, Temple, Houston 1, Wichita State 1, Memphis 2, SMU 2) … or he scores 12 points or fewer (George Mason, UNLV, NKU, UCF 1, SMU 2, UCF 2, and Wichita State 3). In other words, the AAC Player of the Year is either predominant or pretty good. Likewise, Tre Scott is averaging 9 points a game on the season, yet he has played well above his average of late – scoring about 13 points in each of the last five games (8, 20, 7, 17, and 12). The only player who has played close to his average down the stretch is Cane Broome.

So, where will UC’s offense come from this afternoon? With the Bearcats averaging around 72 points a game, Cumberland will either account for 17% or 35% of the offense. Clearly, this afternoon’s outcome (and who will lead the way, offensively) is a mystery.

Mick Cronin’s squad faces a Houston team that has only lost two games all year and features one of the more prolific scorers/leaders in the nation in Senior Corey Davis, Jr. What’s more, the Cougars outrebounded UC, collectively, by a margin of 20 rebounds over the two previous games. As you may be painfully aware, the Bearcats lost both of those games, including a 16 point drubbing at home.

The AAC Championship Game tips at 3:15 PM on ESPN. Should the University of Cincinnati prevail, it would be the first repeat conference title for the Bearcats since 1995-96.

By Brian Fox

For more real-time coverage of the Bearcats, food takes, and dad jokes, follow along on Twitter: @BearcatsRadio.

The Bearcats Outlast UCF Knights

February 21, 2019

UC rallied behind a ruckus Fifth Third Arena crowd tonight to escape with a victory over a very pesky UCF Knights team. Outscored 37-34 in the second half and down as many as 8 points, the Bearcats rallied behind a steady defense and Justin Jenifer. UC also shot 50% from beyond the arc to secure a 60-55 victory at home.

Ten-foot tall Tacko Fall finished with just 7 points and 4 boards. Keith Williams and Justin Jenifer tied with a team-high 12 points. Tre Scott came up huge with a key 3 down the stretch, as well.

Jarron Cumberland was just 3-13 shooting, finishing with 11, but adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists. If you ever watch the UC warmups, you know Cumberland is the last player on the court and he will shoot a corner 3 until he makes it. Normally, this is one attempt – not tonight. The all-star had an off-night, but that will happen. Look for him to bounce back huge on the road in Connecticut on Sunday.

The Bearcats have just five regular season games left before heading to Memphis for the AAC Conference Tournament on March 14th. This includes three road games, and a huge rematch against Houston at home on March 10th. UC sits at 2nd place, just one game behind the Cougars, making that home Houston affair critical for conference tourney seeding.

By Andy Smith

Mick Cronin’s Bearcats School the Shockers

February 17, 2019

In front of yet another sellout crowd at Fifth Third Arena, the University of Cincinnati faced down the Wichita State Shockers for the second time this season. Those attending (or viewing the nationally televised game on ESPN) saw the Bearcats prevail by a final tally of 72-62. In a quote-unquote rebuilding year, UC is now 21-4 in the middle of February. And they climbed to that mark with recently-departed standouts Troy Caupain, Jr. (Orlando Magic) and Jacob Evans III (Golden State Warriors) cheering along at mid-court.

Arriving, the Shockers were one game above .500; they departed Clifton 12-12. An actual rebuilding year in Wichita, Kansas, few expected them to defeat the Bearcats on their home court…even if Wichita State was riding a four-game winning streak. Against the annoying persistence of UC’s defensive pressure, Gregg Marshall was unable to coach the ball into the hoop.

From the floor, Wichita State launched 71 field goal attempts, making only 19.

Nineteen.

The Shockers were 19 of 71 from the field, “good” for a miserly 26.8%. From three, the Shockers were 9 of 35 for 25.7%.

Mick Cronin’s squad was not exactly on fire from the floor, either. UC shot 13 fewer shots, but were slightly more accurate (20/58 for 34.5%). The difference in scoring output amounted to one more made three and seven more free throws. But this game never felt close.

From the 8:41 mark in the first half forward, UC out-hustled, out-defended, out-coached, and ultimately outscored the Shockers. If defense was a course at the University of Cincinnati, this game was a Ph.D-level lecture on (i) coaching preparation and (ii) player execution.

Professor Mick Cronin alternated between an arms-wide match-up zone and man-to-man defense, seamlessly. Marshall’s Shockers were confused, hapless. UC baited Wichita State into lofting way too many shots from the perimeter and turned the low block into a no-trespassing-zone. While the Shockers grabbed more rebounds off deep heaves, the Bearcats – led by Nysier Brooks’s five blocks – locked them down as soon as they had possession.

Unsurprisingly, Jarron Cumberland led all scorers with a characteristically-Cumberland stat line: 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. He is giving defenders fits this year, especially conference opponents. Keith Williams continues to reliably score, adding 15 points. Cane Broome paced Williams, scoring 12 points after hitting two threes.

Considering UC’s second option, Williams typically finds his way into double figures. The lingering question down the stretch, however, is whether the unpredictable-often-cobbled-together-scoring-combinations from Trevon Scott/Justin Jenifer/Cane Broome/Trevor Moore are enough of a “third option” for UC to outlast teams. As stiff competition approaches, I’d expect scouting reports sharpen to prevent Jarron Cumberland from getting to 25+.

This much is clear – offensively, this is Jarron’s team. He’s the first and second option many games. But can UC win the conference tournament if he continues to account for 40% of the scoring? Likewise, make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament? Jarron Cumberland will largely answer those questions and we’ll all learn that together. This March’s run could prove the most exhilarating. It could, alternatively, be devastating if Cumberland hits a cold spell at the wrong time (i.e., the final six minutes against Houston) and no one steps forward.

Defensively, this is still Mick’s team. They might be statistically less efficient than year’s past, yet Coach Cronin has every single player defending smarter and more aggressively than opponents at critical times. The hallmark of this season’s defense might be best described as a timely obsession with loose balls and frenetic harassment. Today, Mick Cronin took Gregg Marshall to school and gridlocked the Shockers with alternating defensive looks. To win big this year, only a total team effort and timing will due.

The University of Cincinnati faces another test this Thursday evening, as UCF rides a three-game winning streak into Fifth Third Arena. The Knights are 19-5, third place in the American Athletic Conference, and considered a “bubble team” to make the NCAA Tournament. Make no mistake, UCF arrives in search of a marquee road victory to bolster their resume. Another nationally televised game on ESPN2, they’ll be playing for their tournament lives. But they’ll have their hands full as the Bearcats just extended their home winning streak to 14 games and continue to find ways to win.

By Brian Fox

For more, be sure to follow the conversation on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.

Jarron Cumberland’s Junior Year Accolades and Recognitions Are Rolling In

February 13, 2019

The 21-year-old from Wilmington, Ohio, nicknamed “Teddy” by players past, has had quite the junior year for the Bearcats this season. Largely playing a reserve role off the bench, UC fans saw glimpses of what #34 could be the past two seasons, especially against Xavier. Built like an NFL tight end at 6’ 5” and a broad-shouldered 200+ lbs., Cumberland could always score and fly down the court. Prior to this season, concerns about Jarron’s play typically centered around his defensive capacity (or effort) and his propensity to find himself in foul trouble (mainly from steamrolling defenders on his way to the hoop). However, the 2019 season has yielded a different Jarron.

After losing two of the best Bearcats in recent memory to the NBA, many were concerned who account for all of the points UC lost after Jacob Evans and Gary Clark transitioned to play professional basketball. It’s safe to say, Jarron Cumberland has embraced lost points burden right away and continues to shoulder it each outing.

Recognized as the AAC Player of the Week (or receiving an AAC Honor Roll mention) for what feels like every single week of this season, Jarron is playing impeccably well. He leads all AAC scorers averaging 22 points during conference play. He’s led UC in scoring for 10 out of the 11 conference games. He is listed among league leaders in minutes played, three-pointers made, assists, assist-to-turnover ratio, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, and rebounds. On the year (including pre-conference games), Cumberland is averaging 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal per game.

This week, he was named as one of 30 players to the 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy Midseason Team. Last week, Cumberland was named one of the final 10 nominees for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year. In January, Jarron was tabbed to the Lute Olson Player of the Year Midseason Watch List. During most of the recent tight games, he’s also been recognized as the 2019 Bearcats Sports Radio Please Lord Let Jarron Help Us Pull This One Out award. The honors keep coming, it seems…

The Bearcats have relied heavily on #34 in every conference game and he has stepped up to the plate down the stretch. It has been incredibly exciting to watch Cumberland take over games of late. He is living up to the spotlight and exceeding even our highest expectations. The question will soon become what is next for this monster of a collegiate basketball player?

Last fall, Cumberland was projected as an early second round NBA draft pick (#34 by Sports Illustrated and #37 by The Sporting News). While I imagine his draft stock has improved based on how he’s performed this season (and will improve even more if the Bearcats make a deep run in March), it’s difficult to forecast how scouts will handicap his upside. But, can you imagine what #34 could do during his senior campaign after the way he’s played his entire junior year? Let’s hope we see him back in the red and black in 2020.

By Andy Smith

May the Odds Be Ever in Mick Cronin’s (and the Bearcats’) Favor

February 7, 2019

Last Saturday, the University of Cincinnati basketball team won another home game in front of a sold out crowd. 12,256 patrons filed through the doors of Fifth Third Arena, took their seats, and watched the Bearcats defeat another conference opponent. After some late game heroics (and bad shot choices from the Southern Methodist University Mustangs), the final buzzer sounded and fans vacated the arena. Unfortunately for many of spectators (and frequently for me), the significance of yet another strong conference performance went unappreciated, or at least under appreciated.

Sure, SMU did not present as the greatest team arriving in Cincinnati that evening. But don’t short another win (now 19) assuming SMU didn’t have any talented players. They have guys that can score, and top 100 and 200 recruits like others in the AAC. Mick Cronin’s Bearcats, however, did what they‘ve grown accustomed to doing — they won the game down the stretch. Relying on defensive pressure and streaky scoring from role players, Cronin’s guys battled to another win.

Jaron Cumberland led all scorers with 24 points, and he added nine rebounds and five assists. In the post-game press conference, SMU Coach Tim Jankovich remarked he didn’t recall Cumberland being as good a player as he was Saturday. While I’m not certain what scouting report Jankovich read, Jaron has taken an elite leap forward this season. Against the Mustangs, he did what he’s done much of the season, he imposed his will on the opponent. Saturday was unique inasmuch as UC shot the ball with far better accuracy than is customary. Precision shooting less our forte, the Bearcats shot nearly 53% from the field and 47% from three.

This team has confounded me for much of the season. For me, it’s been difficult to fall in love with this squad like I have with teams past. UC graduated some guys who were gems on and off the court. Gary Clark competed like few who’ve ever worn the red and black, and he was an equally incredible person. He wasn’t just a good guy; he was one of the greatest human beings I’ve had the pleasure of covering in college athletics. It’s tough to outshine a player like Gary Clark, the functional equivalent of Mother Teresa in high tops chasing down blocks. Jacob Evans III and Kyle Washington were also tough losses, exciting players and lovely people to boot.

Yet this team now has me in its grip with its youth, wide-eyed hustle, and endearing unpredictability. What’s more, Mick Cronin has dazzled. Coach Cronin’s detractors have described him as a “high floor/low ceiling” coach. In other words, some have posited his teams will always be pretty good (because they defend, rebound, and hustle), but they can never be NCAA Tournament contenders (because they can’t light up the scoreboard). Admittedly, I have expressed similar sentiments myself.

But this year I have been made anew, repentant and washed clean of that belief, if you will. Sanctified!

This season is Cronin’s finest stalking the sidelines of Fifth Third Arena. Beyond Jaron, the scoring solutions are so unpredictable they give many heart palpitations, UC’s defensive metrics have slid, and here they sit at 19-3 with one of those losses coming the first game of the year. Nineteen and three. Even after losing three NBA-caliber players and his longtime assistant Larry Davis, Cronin continues to put players in a position to be successful and the team is succeeding. I’m now a Cronin-convert; I’m a believer.

Mick Cronin is not a “high floor/low ceiling” coach. He is a “really high floor/who knows how high the ceiling” coach. Hear me out…

The biggest knock on Coach Cronin is his teams don’t go deep in the NCAA tournament. But Cronin’s teams do make the tournament every year (eight straight – 2011-2018) and are well-seeded enough to advance despite the AAC’s inherent weaknesses as a basketball conference of late. Essentially, it’s an odds play, and few families know as much about odds as Mick Cronin’s (his father Hep worked at River Downs and his brother Dan is a professional horse racing handicapper). How do you increase your odds of being successful in the NCAA Tournament? Simplistic to say, first you have to make it in the Tournament each season.

In other words, you cannot make a deep run if you’re minimally not in the Tournament regularly. Once you’re in, a number of breaks and circumstances have to conspire to help you avoid defeat. There’s a reason the phrase “survive and advance” is used to describe Tournament success. I’m not saying it’s a game of chance, but plenty of luck is involved. Can anyone say with a straight face the Final Four is consistently comprised of the best four teams in college basketball? Of course not! Just look at the Loyola Rambler’s success last season, South Carolina’s the year before, Wichita State’s in 2013, or VCU and Butler’s in 2010-11. In order to be fortunate, you have to at least be present.

Put another way, you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket. And this year’s Bearcats appear well on their way to having their ticket punched to a ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. There are only four other programs with longer streaks of consecutive Tournament appearances — Kansas, Duke, Michigan State, and Gonzaga.

So in this “rebuilding year,” the University of Cincinnati is now ranked 25th in the AP Poll and 23rd in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Tonight they face Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers on the road. Tune in tonight (7 PM on ESPN2) and try to appreciate this team’s turnover of talent from last season, while also observing how few turnovers they commit. And tune in down the stretch heading into March and let’s just see if a few twists of fate don’t break UC’s way.

By Brian Fox