Category: UC Basketball

Justin Jenifer — The Country’s Leader in Assist to Turnover Margin

January 10, 2019

#3 Justin Jenifer stands at just 5’ 10” and 175 pounds. A quiet individual, often overlooked coming out of high school and during his early years on campus.

Now a senior and a newfound father, Justin has come to life.  With a tattoo of a lion on his arm, Jenifer has become the lion and leader of this year’s UC basketball team so desperately needs. You can watch him on the bench coaching the freshman, including future star Logan Johnson. He speaks through his defense and willingness to take a charge to electrify the team.

Coach Cronin always praises Jenifer during post-game press conferences and mentions his willingness to work and learn on and off the court. A squad without Gary Clark, Kyle Washington, and Jacob Evans.  A team with four freshman and many others lacking significant playing time and starting experience.  Justin is exactly the glue this team needs to stay together this year at home and on the road.

This year, Justin is averaging 8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, while splitting time with Cane Broome and Logan Johnson.  He recently had a career game against Tulane, with 18 points. And, as most of you know by now, Jenifer is leading the country in assist to turnover margin at 10.17.  To put this in perspective, the second-best player is at 6.36.  He has just 6 turnovers all year.  Absolutely ridiculous, especially for a player mainly known for his defense.  It’s safe to say Justin is finding his shot at just the right time.

By Andy Smith

On Gratitude

December 11, 2018

Gratitude is a muscle; the more you flex it, the easier it becomes to be grateful. Negativity and pessimism are no different. The more negative you are, well you get it…

It’s interesting how often people choose pessimism, especially when the benefits of gratitude are so numerous. A steady diet of gratitude:

  • Improves physical health;
  • Improves psychological health;
  • Enhances empathy and reduces aggression;
  • Helps you sleep more deeply and for longer periods of time; and
  • Improves self esteem and increases mental strength.

Don’t believe me? Read this and the linked studies. Now that I’ve hard-sold gratitude, allow me a few more paragraphs of your attention to apply it to our beloved Bearcats.

Coming into this football season, it was unclear whether Coach Luke Fickell had made any progress with the team since taking over. The 2016 Bearcats stumbled through Tommy Tuberville’s last season and finished 4-8. Likewise, the 2017 Bearcats, Fickell’s first season, showed little promise. Though the team finished 4-8, a few of those wins were a play away from being losses (for what could’ve been a catastrophic 1-11 season). Privately, I worried the team regressed his first year.

Everything Fickell said was fine. It sounded like the things a new leader might say, even if it bordered on stereotypical coach-speak (i.e., Toughness, #JUICE, Let It Fly, and Together Everyone Achieves More). Fickell went the extra step of having one of his mottos – T.E.A.M. – stitched across the back of each of his UC vests. But mottos weren’t winning football games in 2017.

In 2018, the mottos were an overtime-road-loss-against-Temple away from winning eleven games. Fickell’s mottos brainwashed the players into outperforming expectations, including mine. In early August at Camp Higher Ground, I would’ve been thrilled with six or more wins. Thrilled. Now, in December I am hammered drunk off a ten win regular season, and I’m considering having “T.E.A.M.” stitched across the back of all my suit coats.

On New Year’s Eve, the 10-2 Bearcats will try to polish off an outstanding 2018 campaign by beating Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. The game is played in Annapolis, Maryland, which is a mere five hour drive from Tech’s Blacksburg, Virginia campus. While it sets up as a home game for the Hokies, I like UC’s chances to prevail in that game and to carry forward this season’s success into the offseason.

When I traveled to Los Angeles for the season opener against UCLA, I harbored low expectations. To now venture into bowl season in pursuit of an eleventh win, I’m feeling almost greedy. And overwhelmingly grateful.

One of the disciplines I’ve tried to incorporate into my daily rituals is to jot down a few things I’m grateful for just before I go to sleep. I keep a disheveled stack of notepads on my bedside table which basically form something of a gratitude journal. Alongside references to warm thoughts of family, friends, clients, and career you’ll find notations about a Bearcats team that made fall Saturdays fun and a coach who inspires. Thanks for reading.

By Brian Fox

For more, follow B. Fox on Twitter @BearcatsRadio.

Takeaways from the Bearcats Loss to Ohio State in the Opener

November 7, 2018

Before a capacity crowd (12,012) in the newly-renovated Fifth Third Arena, the Bearcats struggled to score. In the first half, UC shot 14% from the floor and the second half wasn’t much better.

On the game, the Bearcats hoisted 62 shots and made a miserly 17 of those (27%). From three, the Bearcats were 6 of 26 for a less-than-pedestrian 23 percent.

The Buckeyes weren’t exactly prolific on the offensive end and only shot 43% on the game, but they were in the driver’s seat the whole game and hit 55% of their shots in the second half.

UC’s Jarron Cumberland led all scorers, netting 22 points. Cumberland’s point production all arrived in the second half as he picked up a couple of early fouls in the first half.

Statistically, the teams were similar with the exception of taken and made field goals (OSU-20/47; UC-17/62). On the court, though, the teams couldn’t have looked more different. The Bearcats offense sputtered 75% of the game whereas Ohio State knocked down critical shots and flowed better.

His custom in most postgame press conferences, Coach Mick Cronin focused on UC’s defensive deficiencies on the night: “Math quiz – if Ohio State scores 27 points in the second half, too, we win by two…We had one guy who played twenty minutes without a single deflection.”

Taking a realistic look at this team, even if very early in this season, three storylines emerge:

  • Can the young and inexperienced front court mature quickly enough?
  • Can Jarron Cumberland stay out of foul trouble and routinely shoulder the scoring load for this team?
  • Can Coach Cronin find points on this roster from the younger guys because clearly the Bearcats need a second option?

The Bearcats play next on Tuesday, November 13th against North Carolina Central at home. That game will tip at 7:00 PM.

By Brian Fox

YOUR 2017-2018 AAC TOURNAMENT CHAMPION CINCINNATI BEARCATS!

March 13, 2018

It is official folks, the UC Bearcats are not only your regular reason AAC champs – they are also your AAC Tournament champs!  Back-to-back 30 wins season for the first time in program history and UC is not done yet.  Gary Clark is going to need to rent a storage unit if he collects any more trophies and hardware this post-season.  What a way to go out for the senior leader, earning AAC Tournament MVP.

Following a 10-point win over SMU, the Bearcats struggled again during the first half against a red-hot Memphis squad.  Down 13 at the half, UC battled back shooting nearly 80% from the field in the second half.  Playing great UC defense and rebounding, the Cats created a 23-point swing to beat Memphis, 70-60.

Jacob Evans struggled again, going 3-13 for 7 points and 7 rebounds.  Mr. Consistency, Gary Clark, once again went for 17 and 12 and added 3 blocks and 3 assists.  Cumberland led all scorers with 18, and Kyle Washington added 11 points.

This all led to today’s AAC Tournament finale, pitting UC against the Houston Cougars.  UH has come a long way under head coach Kelvin Sampson.  Houston is now a force to be reckoned with, having beat Wichita State in the semifinals.  Coach Sampson has now led four different teams to the NCAA Tournament.

Led by senior guard / samurai / man bun aficionado, #32 Rob Gray, Houston can play scrappy defense and can shoot the ball quite well.  Down again at the half 37-35, UC clawed their way back, to earn a 1-point victory, 56-55 in Orlando.

Lady Luck definitely was UC’s side today.  In the second half – again – UC dominated, holding Houston to 18 points on 20% shooting.  Still, Houston had 2 separate opportunities to win in the final seconds.  UC’s seasoned defense held strong and Houston imploded.

Jacob Evans again had a tough outing, injuring a finger and nursing his right knee.  Going 5-17 for 12 points and 6 boards.  Clark went off for 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Only one player from the bench, Broome, added just 4 points.  This was a very scrappy UC win premised purely on defense and grit – quintessential Cronin basketball.

What a special year for a special team.

Time for the Madness to begin.

By Andy Smith

Weighing 2-Seed Cincinnati’s Chances in March

March 12, 2018

Selection Sunday confirms your Cincinnati Bearcats are indeed a 2-seed in the South region of the bracket.  We projected this before, and boy are we happy.  The difference between a 2- and 3-seed, statistically speaking at least, is huge.

UC is pitted against 15-seed Georgia State on Friday at 2 p.m. on TBS, just a short, 4-hour and 3-minute drive from my couch at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.  I spent my 30th birthday in Nashville and have since attended a legal conference.  Man, Nashville is an awesome city.  No excuses, Bearcat Nation.  Let’s make it down to root on the Cats, eat some hot chicken at Hattie B’s, and listen to some great live music on Broadway.

Below is the relevant portion of the bracket. While the committee always has tricks up their sleeve, this lineup is for all intents and purposes, very manageable.  The Bearcats absolutely have a chance to advance to the Sweet Sixteen or even beyond.  In a storied, memorable year for Coach Cronin, why not add a few more memories?

Evaluating the Foes

The Georgia State Panthers are apart of the Sun Belt Conference.  Led by head coach, Ron Hunter, the Panthers play at the Georgia State University Sports Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Coach Hunter, age 53, was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and played at Miami University. Two players are also from Ohio on their roster.

The Panthers finished 2nd in their league at 24-10 on the season.  They also won the Sun Belt Tournament.  They lost to both Ole Miss and Dayton.  However, they did beat Tulane early in the year.

#15 sophomore guard D’Marcus Simmons averages 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.  He was also the Sun Belt Player of the Year and the Tournament MVP.  Gary Clark is to Cincinnati as Simmons is to Georgia State.

The Panthers as a team average 75 points, 34 rebounds, and 13 assists per game.  They also shoot 46% on the season, but just 38% from 3.

GSU is #96 on Kenpon with AdjO of 109 and AdjD of 101.

What Cincinnati Must Avoid

Gary Clark is on a roll, averaging a double-double and winning AAC Tournament MVP.  Cumberland is playing well.  So too is Tre Scott and Justin Jenifer.  Kyle Washington is adding energy and defense.  However, for UC to really make a run, Cane Broome and Jacob Evans need to significantly improve.

Cane Broome is the X-factor.  When he comes off the bench, he needs to create instant speed and instant offense.  He cannot turn it over.  He cannot play poor defense or fail to rotate.  He cannot settle for three’s.  Run, drive, dish.  Be a blur.

Jacob Evans is clearly hurting.  Just a junior, he is beat up and the season bumps and bruises are readily apparent.   During the AAC Tournament, he was a ghost.  2 points against SMU. 7 against Memphis.  And 12 against Houston.  Overall, 9 of 34 or 26%, including 1 of 14 from deep.  This is a huge problem.  His shots were mostly open looks.  Can he get healthy in a week?  Can we rest him or play him limited minutes?  Maybe even have him come off the bench against Georgia State and start Broome or Moore?  I don’t have an answer, but unless he gets back to being #1, we are in for trouble. Other than that, UC simply needs to play patented Cronin basketball.  Lockdown defense, protect the ball, cause turnovers, and rebound, rebound, rebound.  Any points / valuable minutes from the bench will be a bonus.

Predictions

UC is on a roll.  Beat Wichita State in Kansas – check.  Win the AAC regular season – check. Win the AAC Tournament in a truly gritty, team-oriented fashion – check.  The Bearcats have not lost a game since February 18th during the Wichita State game at BB&T Arena.

I have always been a fan of the teams that get hot and win their conference tournaments, dating back to the old school Big East teams like the Kemba Walker-led Uconn Huskies.   The Bearcats have to be on cloud-9 right now.  The ball is finally rolling their way.  They actually won close games down the stretch.  At Wichita State by 1.  Against Houston by 1.  They came back from an 18-point deficit against Houston earlier in the year.  They again came back from 13 against Memphis this weekend.

Believe you can win.  Proof you can win. Repeat.

Cronin earned a 2-seed.  Finally, the Cats get seeded at a nearby venue.  We do not have to cross 5 different time zones and play on another planet.  This year they will be the higher seed and the favored team for quite some time.

UC will beat Georgia State while resting Jacob Evans.

UC will then play the winner of Texas vs. Nevada on Sunday in Nashville.  Shaka Smart in March scares me to death.  I am hoping Nevada wins out of pure self-interest. However, I am anticipating a Texas vs. UC matchup.  UC previously played and beat Texas in March in 2012.  This could be a deathmatch, similar to the UC Houston game this week, but UC’s senior leaders will come through some how some way.

The headlines will read “Bearcats Advance to Sweet 16!”

UC will then play 6-seed Miami or 3-seed Tennessee for a shot at the Elite 8 the following weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.  Pick your poison. I am taking Cincinnati over Old Rocky Top Tennessee and Butch Jones’ tears to advance to the Elite 8.  Jay Bilas agrees and he has a law degree from Duke.

The headlines will read “Bearcats Advance to Elite Eight for the First Time Under Cronin!”

The Bearcats will then play either Virginia or Arizona for a shot at the Final 4.  Imagine a game against literally the top two statistically rated defenses in the country, the Bearcats vs. the Cavaliers.  This would be an awesome game to watch.  Whoever gets to 50 wins.  By this point, UC is meshing on all cylinders.

The headlines will read “Bearcats Advance to Final Four For First Time Since 1992!”

It’s 2018.  It’s Destiny.  It’s Gary Clark.  It’s Time.

By Andy Smith

Instant Analysis – Sluggish UC Advances to Semifinals Over SMU

March 9, 2018

I am not a fan of noon games, but here we go.  The #1 overall seed Bearcats played the SMU Mustangs at noon today down in Orlando.  Unfortunately, us attorneys had to work so we could not make the trip to sunny Florida.  That did not stop us from taking a long lunch and watching the game on TV.  Thankfully, modern technology blessed us with a mute button.  These announcers were awful – reminiscent of the game at Bowling Green State University a few years ago where a few college interns commentated the game.  But I digress…..

Maybe it was tough to get amped up to beat 9-seed SMU with such high hopes in the coming weeks. Maybe it was the noon start.  Maybe it was the toll the Wichita State game took on the team’s health.  Or maybe it was just an off day.  But the Bearcats were sluggish to say the least today.

Cumberland and Evans combined on 1-8 shooting for just 2 points.  Kyle Washington led the team with 15.  Gary Clark of course had a double-double and a huge block.  Cane Broom had a nice game with 13 points off the bench, and the ever-improving Tre Scott tallied 7 points and 3 boards.

Defense prevailed.  UC won 61-51, exactly in the point-range where UC is so statistically favored over the Cronin era.  SMU with just 7 players ran out of gas midway through the 2nd half.  UC’s staunch D was just too much for SMU to handle for 40 long minutes.

Saturday at 1 p.m. on CBS UC will face the winner of the Tulsa Memphis deathmatch.  UC swept Memphis by 48 points this season.  Tulsa is certainly favored and will present a better challenge.

By Andy Smith

Update – UC is STILL Superior Over All Regional Basketball Powers

March 5, 2018

Last week, we released an article in support of Mick Cronin’s bold, but truthful and factually accurate, statements on UC’s superiority over the likes of Kentucky, Indiana, and Louisville.

This week the Bearcats beat #11 Wichita State on the road at Charles Koch Arena on Senior Day.  The 10,000-seat building was packed to the gills and loud as all get out.  Every crop farmer in the state of Kansas was in the house streaming their lungs out.  This was a huge win and yet another accolade on UC’s tournament resume.  What a way to end the regular season.  The AAC sure knew what it was doing by planning this rock fight at the end of the season between 2 top teams. The Cincinnati Wichita State game drew the highest TV rating in the 5-year history of the AAC.  Nearly 20% of all TVs in greater Cincinnati tuned in.

The Bearcats’ updated metrics are below:

Kenpom 4

BPI 5

BPI SOR 11

Sagarin 6

RPI 7

KPI 9

UC’s worst loss of the year is a 6-point loss on a neutral court to now #23 Florida.  Houston clocks in at #21.  The Shockers are at #11.  And Xavier is all the way up to #2.  Yes, the Queen City hosts 2 of the top-8 teams in the country and all of the ESPN and media giants are ignoring this amazing accomplishment.  Screw Tobacco Road, Duke, and North Carolina.  The absolute best basketball is being played where Skyline Chili calls home.  The AAC boasts 3 top-25 teams, all of which, will be quite pesky to face in the tournament.

UC is moving on up – regarded as a 2-seed by ESPN, CBS, and USA Today.  UC is projected to play 15-seed Iona in Pittsburgh.  The Cats would then face the winner between Kansas State and old foe Seton Hall before facing, Auburn or possibly Miami.  Sign me up for this draw – a very realistic shot at the Sweet 16!  UC last made the Sweet Sixteen in 2012 as a 6-seed.

Call me crazy, but the difference between seeds 2 and 3 is massive.  If UC can pull this off it would be a huge advantage for the tournament.  How the mighty basketball gods value conference tournaments is questionable.  If, hypothetically, UC does not win out in the tournament, we remain hopeful the Bearcats will still be poised for a 2-seed.  However, I am always a fan of playing more games, winning, and gelling between now and next week as compared to losing and resting.  Getting on a roll is key.

UC is currently ranked 8th in the AP and Coach’s Polls.  Meanwhile, Louisville is still unranked.  Kentucky is unranked despite the voters trying to find any excuse to place a top-25 mark next to UK.  And Indiana is nowhere to be found yet again.

People do not like to see Cincinnati do well, but we sure do!  Let’s bask in every minute of this glorious season.  It will be over before we know it.

By Andy Smith

We Agree with Mick – the Bearcats Are Better Than Kentucky, Indiana, and Louisville Combined

March 1, 2018

You may have heard by now – following Senior Day, University of Cincinnati head basketball coach Mick Cronin had a few words to say about some fellow, regional, blue-blood basketball programs.  Namely, UK, IU, and our old pal, UL.  Cronin throws facts, not shade, folks.  Let us explain.

Cronin on and off the Court

On the court, Cronin is known to get into a referee’s face from time-to-time.  We, as UC fans, have all seen Mick push the refs to the edge, and, deservedly so, push on and earn a technical foul or two.  Cronin’s passion is evident on the hardwood.  He wears his heart on his sleeves. The top dress shirt bottom is popped.  The red tie is loosened. Sometimes the jacket comes off and lands on the floor.

J.P. Macura was made well-aware of this earlier in the year.  And we all remember just a few short years ago when Coach Cronin underwent medical leave before a home game against VCU.  Initially reported as a brain aneurism in 2015, Cronin actually suffered from an arterial dissection. In non-medical nomenclature, coach had a very small separation in an artery inside his brain.  Mick Cronin brings a new meaning to the phrase “balls to the wall” when it comes to coaching basketball.

Passionate, heated, aggressive, no-holds-barred.  These are the words to describe him on the court.

Off the court, Coach Cronin can be described as a much different person.  It is extremely difficult to extract the juicy comments out of Mick Cronin, we, as the media, so crave.  With the exception of every post-game press conference following the Crosstown Shootout, Mick is short, to-the-point, and cut-and-dry when answering questions.  Mick Cronin is far from Mike Leach.  I wouldn’t bet the farm on coach speaking about pirates, aliens, Greek mythology, Woodstock, or wedding advice.

Reserved, businessman, pointed.  These are the words to describe him off the court.

BB&T Gate – The Statement

Following Senior Day, Mick decided to drop a few stats.  After earning a win over Tulsa, with a 25-4 regular season record, Mick Cronin let loose, with the Statement: “I’m allowed to answer you however I want and I’m going to give you a stat. Kentucky, Indiana and Louisville this year combined for 32 losses. Tell me how long it’s taken us to lose 32 games?”  

The Statement was in response to a question as to why Cincinnati’s defense has been slipping since the Houston loss.  Now – pretend for a moment you are one of the unquestionably premier defensive-minded D-1 college basketball coaches in the country (i.e. Mick Cronin).  And pretend you are asked the same question after earning a W and realizing Gary Clark is leaving you to graduate and move onto the NBA.  Now – pretend this would not piss you off.  You are lying.  No way around it – Coach Cronin was totally justified in his response.  I would even say I am happy he responded this way and poked his head out of his guarded interview shell.

The Response

Now we have all heard jokes about those fans across the Ohio River that wear UK gear every day of the year.  And their general response to Coach Cronin’s Statement did not disappoint.  All throughout every social media platform, Kentucky fans went nuts.  God forbid the University of Cincinnati compare itself to Big Blue Nation.  #BBN was up in arms to say the least.  The cult that is UK was angered by being questioned.

Guess what – you missed the point Kentucky!  Mo Egger said it best in a short Tweet: “Referencing 3 historically great programs to say ‘hey everybody has a bad year, so our fans should be happy when we’re having a really good one.’ If that offends fans of those programs, or his, then that’s on them.”

The Statement was designed and inspired to pay homage to three historically great basketball programs.  If those fan bases are too stupid to realize that, that is on them.  And just sad.

Believe it or not UK, IU, and UL are not untouchable.  The FBI is proving that.  Comparisons can in fact be made by – dare I say it – a Group of Five squad.  Kentucky fans, especially the ones that have absolutely no connection to UK and could not get admitted into their university, please shut up.  You are not God’s gift.

If you are too naive to realize the Statement was actually a compliment to demonstrate how far UC has come under Coach Cronin, then you have bigger problems to worry about.

The four schools have all won national championships and have had noteworthy NBA players.  There is after-all a statue of someone named Oscar Robertson standing outside of Fifth Third Arena.  What’s the big deal here? Facts are facts.

The Facts

At the time of the press conference, UK was 20-9, IU was 16-14, and UL was 19-10.  33 losses combined, actually, not 32.  None of these schools were ranked.  All three are having awful years by their own myopic standards and inflated expectations.

It has taken UC four years to lose 32 games.  This year UC has moved up the polls to as high as the 5-spot.  A top-25 team all year, UC sits at 25-4.  The metrics speak for themselves as demonstrated in our recent bracketology article.

Based upon the AP and Coach’s Polls UC is in fact way, way better than Kentucky, Indiana, and Louisville, combined.  After all, this is the metric by which the basketball gods judge our sacred sport.

The Scandals

Even if you are not a sports fan, you are well-aware of the massive FBI investigations and scandals at the University of Louisville.  What has transpired at “University 6” is certifiably insane.  You could read books, blogs, and listen to podcasts for years and still not have a comprehensive understanding of everything that went on under the UL athletic department.  What Pablo Escobar did with cocaine, UL apparently did with college basketball.  You truly cannot make this stuff up.  It was so bad the FBI had to step in because the NCAA would not.  Think about that for a second.

How in the world John Calipari escaped Memphis and continues to escape NCAA and FBI heat at Kentucky is truly unbelievable.

Meanwhile, we have not even heard a peep of an unsubstantiated rumor about cheating under Mick Cronin.  Players remain eligible.  Players go to class.  Players graduate.  Players go on to have non-basketball careers after college.  UC basketball stays out of the press for anything even tangentially related to a scandal or negativity.  A standard fewer and fewer schools can claim.

The Conclusion

Mick Cronin runs a squeaky-clean top-10 basketball program.  The recruiting and talent on the court improves each and every recruiting season.  Mick Cronin has now surpassed UK, IU, and UL on and off the court.  Get used to it.

By Andy Smith

Bearcats Bracketology

February 28, 2018

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats currently sit at #10 in both the AP and Coaches Polls.  Having climbed as high as #5, the Cats have had a fantastic regular season, accumulating 25 wins to just 4 losses.

Some would say they are the beneficiary of a weak conference, winning every easy game and losing to every formidable opponent (Xavier, Florida, Houston, and Wichita State).  Mick Cronin commented on this following Senior Day.  Take a listen if you haven’t.  Suffice it to say, Coach Cronin is not exactly enamored with the critics.  Pointing out the FBI investigation across the country and the current lesser record of bluebloods Kentucky and Indiana – Cronin is not here to play around.  I truly wondered if at that point he would drop the mike, walk off stage, grab a piece of cold Domino’s pizza, and leave.

Sure – the AAC is no longer the Big East, but can we really help that?  UC played Buffalo, #3 Xavier, Florida, Mississippi State, and UCLA out-of-conference this year.  Add to that home-and-homes against #25 Houston and #11 Wichita State.  It’s not Cincinnati’s fault a team in Storrs, Connecticut has fallen off a cliff.  Who would have guessed Kevin Ollie would go from cutting down national championship nets in 2014 to brushing off cheating accusations, while trying to keep UConn from drowning in 2018?  Add to that a disappointing and injury-ridden season from SMU and another down year from Memphis.

Pre-season expectations from the American as a whole were higher, but the metrics for UC speak for themselves:

Kenpom – 6

BPI – 6

Sagarin – 8

RPI – 11

UC has the best team on paper since Mick Cronin took over in 2006.  Gary Clark is Gary Clark.  Jacob Evans, although off lately, is very talented, and could even be a late lottery pick this year.  Jarron Cumberland is the best pure-shooter we have seen since Sean dare-I-say-it Kilpatrick.  Cane Broome is the X-factor.  He can provide instant offense and can explode down the floor with the ball.  The bench is deep with Trevor Moore and Co.  Tre Scott, for instance, is playing the best of his career the last two games.  Cronin made the Sweet 16 once before.  Expectations are the same or even higher for this season.

Before the loss to Wichita State, a 2-seed for March Madness was well within sight.  Now the experts predict UC as a 3 to 4-seed.  This largely depends on how the Cats handle the road game at Wichita on Sunday, how they perform in the AAC tournament, and as always, is dependent on how the teams ahead of them finish up.  I loved being able to drive down to Louisville to watch them play a few seasons ago.  Hopefully, they are seeded in another favorable locale this year.

So……. Where do the experts currently predict UC will open in the hunger games?

USA TODAY projects UC as a 3-seed against 14-seed Charleston in Wichita.  UC would then play the winner of Kansas State and Texas A&M.  The Cats would then likely face 2-seed Duke.

ESPN predicts UC as a 3-seed against the same 14-seed Charleston in Dallas.  UC would then face the winner of Florida and Middle Tennessee.  Having another crack at the Gators would certainly be nice.  The Bearcats would then likely face 2-seed Michigan State.

CBS Sports Net projects UC as a 3-seed against 14-seed Bucknell in Wichita.  UC would then play the winner of St. Mary’s and Kansas State.  After that, the Cats would likely play 2-seed Auburn.

Where do you think they should be placed?

By Andy Smith

On Mick and Being Grateful

February 6, 2018

Progress.

Unlike destruction, progress is not easily observed with the naked eye. Destruction, however, can be readily identified. Most can point to a date when something was destroyed. Progress unfolds over a period of time … often behind closed doors. Destruction is abrupt. And public.

What Michael Walter “Mick” Cronin has done with the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball program since he took over on March 23, 2006, is no small feat. As he walked into his office in the Richard E. Lindner Center on day one, the program was smoldering in ashes following an abrupt destruction. His predecessor, Bob Huggins, was publicly deposed on August 24, 2005. In Clifton, Huggins left behind (i) a brand-name legacy, (ii) no brand-name players, and (iii) a fan base with brand-name expectations. Yet there was no recruiting infrastructure as the pipeline followed Huggins to Manhattan, Kansas for his new coaching assignment at Kansas State.

The program in ruins, the sky wasn’t just falling. It had fallen … all the way down to the Clifton concrete. Coach Cronin stopped just short of recruiting players from intramural teams and physical education classes.

Fast Forward to Today.

Today, the Bearcats achieved their highest ranking in the AP poll since January of 2004. If the Bearcats keep winning, they’ll likely reach a Top 5 ranking, as two teams ranked ahead, Michigan State and Purdue, play each other this week. In about a decade, Mick has anxiously, privately, methodically, and aggressively led UC back to national prominence.

The stress of the UC rebuilding project nearly killed him. In December of 2014, Mick was sidelined from coaching with an unruptured aneurysm. The cause of the aneurysm? What do you think — have you watched him stalk the side of the court, barking instruction to players and referees alike?

Consistency Is Sexy.

The Bearcats’ progress hasn’t been sexy. The Cronin era doesn’t yet feature a deep run in March. UC doesn’t play the flashiest brand of basketball. Throughout the years, I’ve caught myself wincing while watching the Bearcats run offensive sets.

Cronin’s defense-first approach to the game is methodical. The formula is pretty simple: if you want to see the court, play tougher than the other guys on the bench. It’s a blue-collar, metal-lunchbox-toting, wake-up-every-day-without-hitting-the-snooze-button brand of basketball.

While UC’s progress hasn’t been sexy, Mick Cronin’s consistency has. He’s weathered numerous athletic director administrations and outstayed five football coaches. His short build, bald head, and intense approach to the game have become synonymous with the C Paw on UC’s jerseys. Underestimated by critics of Cronin’s brand of basketball, his tenure nearly guarantees that, when he walks into a high school gym or AAU tournament, recruits know who he is and where he’ll likely be … should they commit to play at the University of Cincinnati.

Let me be the first to concede that Coach Cronin isn’t the warmest coach I’ve covered. He can be prickly and private. Occasionally I wonder why he’s so defensive and standoffish. I’ve been covering the program for several years now, and I can count the number of personal conversations I’ve had with him on three fingers. But who cares? I know I don’t.

If I’m hiring a head basketball coach (or any coach), I don’t need a warm-bath-conversationalist. I want a coach who will worry himself aneurysm-sick to win, who willingly imperils his personal health to raise his hometown program from the ashes. I don’t need a coach who paints the press with absurd coach-speak or slick slogans. Give me the bald Irishman who doesn’t suffer fools, is obsessed with winning, and who tries to leave young men better than he found them.

Coach Cronin’s dad met his mom where the Bearcats baseball field currently sits. His connection to Clifton, the University of Cincinnati, and the City of Cincinnati runs deeper than opportunism. He has Bearcat blood coursing through his veins.

Stop and Smell the Roses.

In light of the foregoing, can I ask a favor? May I offer a word of encouragement to you, loyal readers and stewards of Bearcat Nation? For the love of God, PLEASE STOP COMPLAINING!

Don’t miss this moment. We dodged a bullet thanks to the sexy consistency of Mick Cronin. Take a second to be grateful. For your own good, please. For our own good, please.

WE ARE 21-2 AND RANKED 6TH IN THE NATION!

THIS IS OUR LAST SEASON WITH GARY CLARK AND KYLE WASHINGTON!

THIS COULD BE OUR LAST SEASON WITH JACOB EVANS III!

Of all seasons, this is the year to enjoy. The on-court product is fun to watch. The players all bring their unique, fun personalities and characters to the game. As a team, the players blend and trust each other.

Become a Possibilist

I’m not from Cincinnati, originally. I’m from Indianapolis; however, I’ve lived in the Queen City for nearly two decades and now consider it my forever home. That is … whether I succeed or fail in this life, I do not know; I just know it’ll be from the muddy banks of the Ohio River.

Yet, I still struggle to understand all the quirks that fully form the Cincinnatian’s psychological makeup…

Where I grew up in Indiana it was not uncommon for people to positively describe themselves as an “optimist.” Here, optimist is a pejorative term, especially in certain parts of the city. In describing the difference between people from Indiana and parts of Cincinnati to a colleague the other day, I used the following example:

If a young Indiana boy tells his parents he wants to be an astronaut, they’ll remark, “That’s great, shoot for the moon and you’re sure to at least make it to the stars.” If a young Cincinnati boy tells his parents he wants to be an astronaut, they’ll remark, “That seems impractical considering you’re not very good at math and interest on your student loans is going to bury you.” It’s worth noting that I am not sure which approach is best for the child, in the long run; it probably depends on the child.

Cognitive psychologists use a term called “Negativity Bias” to describe humanity’s habit of focusing on the downside of issues, even where upside is obvious and present. Negativity bias leads people to dread losses more than gains, and causes criticism to hurt more than pleasure feels enjoyable. At times during this remarkable season, I’ve watched our Cincinnati fan base snatch cynicism and negativity from the jaws of joy.

In the last week, I read along as fans unloaded a disproportionate and unwarranted amount of venom on a local reporter, Shannon Russell. Her crime? She was the beat reporter for the other university in Norwood, Ohio. Like other journalists who have had difficulty finding their legs in the new digital media landscape, she has ping-ponged to a couple of outlets. A new online platform picked her up to cover the college in Norwood and she agreed to cover UC until they found another reporter. Russell was blasted because she live-tweeted the other team’s game, and gave short shrift to the Bearcats victory over UConn. To me, it all felt small.

I don’t really know Ms. Russell, but I’m glad she’s found a position somewhere in her chosen field. More to the point, though, I simply don’t understand focusing on a new media outlet’s coverage when the Bearcats are 21-2 and clicking on all cylinders. And I don’t want anyone to miss the grandeur of this team and moment.

Look, I know enough about Cincinnati to not encourage everyone to become an optimist. But will you consider becoming a “possibilist?”

Can you shift your mindset, ever so slightly, to believe it’s possible the NCAA selection committee won’t conspire against UC when seeding the tournament? Can you believe it’s possible the Cincinnati sports curse is not real, or at least not determinative of this team’s potential? Can you believe it’s possible this Bearcats team could win the national championship and hang a banner this year?

Finally, if this team does win it all, can you promise to not complain about the color of the banner? Or how the banner is hung in the new arena? Or the way the banner is illuminated?

By: Brian Fox

For more, follow along on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.