Category: UC Basketball

Bearcats Make the Pirates Walk the Plank, 86-60

January 20, 2018

The win streak continues.  Make it 36 and counting!   In the 13 meetings between UC and ECU, UC leads the series 12-1.  Saturday afternoon UC continued its business-like approach and earned another W against ECU.

The Pirates were in full uniforms two hours before tipoff.  They walked past the UC side on their way to the locker rooms and shot a few balls into the hoop on the UC side during warmups in front of the players.  None of this mattered.  ECU is bad.

ECU was hot from distance during the first 20 minutes, but UC made all 10 free throws to edge out the Pirates.  With a 46-38 halftime lead, the Bearcats continued their recent trend of making good halftime adjustments and buckling down in the second half.   UC’s depth off the bench is a sight to behold as it takes its toll on opposing teams.

UC’s big men were just too much for ECU.  The Pirates also cooled off in the second half, going just 1-8 from beyond the arch.  Evans and Washington tied with 17 points.  Gary Clark added yet another double-double with 14 and 14 – the guy is a monster.

Next up – Temple at BB&T Arena Wednesday night at 9 pm.  This one should go down to the wire and present another challenge for UC, just like round one did at Temple.

By Andy Smith

Bearcats Make It Look Easy Against SMU, 76-56

January 7, 2018

After escaping Temple with a W thanks to a Jacob Evans clutch jumper, UC did not disappoint Sunday evening.  Since the inception of the AAC back in 2012, SMU has always presented a challenge for Mick Cronin’s Bearcats.  Led by Tim Jankovich, the Mustangs play sound, fundamental basketball.  They know when to pass and shoot.  And they do not turn the ball over.

UC obliterated that plan and made it look easy in the process.  Forcing 18 turnovers and holding SMU to just 37.5% from the field, the Bearcats coasted to an easy victory.  Gary Clark during the postgame press conference talked about how the Bearcat players focused on guarding only the player they are responsible for defending.  UC did not fall for the easy kick-out three on this night.

Gary Clark became a problem in the second half, transitioning into his aggressive role.  Clark and Evans both finished with 18 points.  Cane Broom played just 12 minutes, but his ankle seemed to hold up just fine.

The Cats attempted more free throws than three pointers, and again came out with a W.  Jarron Cumberland forced 11 deflections, and Coach Cronin discussed how Jarron is learning to play harder.  For the game, UC caused 40 deflections.

UC is now 14-2 and tied with Wichita State atop of the AAC.  Where will they move in the rankings this week?  After losing to Norwood, they have not received any love despite winning, and winning convincingly.   They should at least be top-15, but we shall see what the “experts” have to say.

PS – the nation’s longest home court winning streak in now extended to 35.  After all, the Bearcats are playing on their actual floor transported from Fifth Third Arena and hauled into BB&T so the streak technically continues, right?

Next up – an easy one at USF (7-10) on Saturday at 7 p.

By Andy Smith

Xavier Yet to Appear in a Final Four

November 28, 2017

On Saturday, December 2nd at 12:00 PM, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats travel to the Cintas Center in Norwood, Ohio to face the Xavier University Musketeers.

Since the school’s founding in 1831, the Musketeers have yet to make an appearance in a NCAA Tournament Final Four. Not one. Conversely, the University of Cincinnati, founded in 1819, has advanced to the Final Four no less than six times.

By Brian Fox

For more, follow along on Twitter — @BearcatsRadio.

Bearcats Basketball Is Back – Lessss Go!

November 7, 2017

The Bearcats have now played their annual red vs. black scrimmage and won two exhibition games, handily. The regular season tips off on Friday at noon against Savannah State. Let’s dive into our initial thoughts so far on a much anticipated UC basketball season.

A Temporary Place to Call Home

The Cats are calling BB&T Arena home this year.  Don’t drive to Fifth Third Arena – they won’t let you in until November 2018, especially if you don’t have your hardhat and lunchbox. I was initially annoyed by the move. Call me selfish, even a stick in the mud, but I’m a creature of habit and traditions. However, my personal inconveniences are outweighed by the brand-spanking-new state-of-the-art arena next year, and the drive to NKU’s campus in Highland Heights, Kentucky, across the mighty Ohio River really isn’t that bad. More importantly, the Norse actually have themselves an awesome, intimate basketball arena. BB&T Arena reminds me of the trip I took to VCU in 2015 to watch UC beat the Rams. Anyone who has been to the Stu knows how great of a basketball atmosphere VCU has to offer.

BB&T was built in 2008 and holds 10,000 fans. I’m a fan of smaller, jam-packed venues, and this place foots the bill.  BB&T should get very, very loud when some of the marque opponents come to town, including Mississippi State, Wichita State, and SMU. On top of that, there is a Braxton Brewery beer garden for the fans to enjoy.

Please let us know your thoughts on the venue, as well, as the season unfolds.

Is It Hype? The Preseason Accolades Are Piling Up.

Admittedly, I was a young teenager growing up in Toledo, Ohio, trying to grow hair on my chest, during the heyday of Bob Huggins and Kenyon Martin. That being said, this season sets up as the far most hyped Cincinnati Bearcat basketball season I can recall. Sure, Sean Kilpatrick’s senior season with Justin Jackson was up there – but this just feels different and much more significant. Are we about to witness something we’ve not seen this winter and spring? Are we getting too “over our skis” by thinking a National Championship is possible?

Several polls placed UC around the preseason top-10 mark. UC is even getting some good looks and headnods from the talking heads at Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, and ESPN. Just today, CBS released an article (and demonstrative map) indicating that the University of Cincinnati should exercise geographical dominance over weaker Ohio programs like Xavier, Dayton, and Ohio State. ESPN’s Sean Farnham and Seth Greenberg predict the Bearcats will make the Final Four, and Jeff Borzello predicts Mick Cronin will win National Coach of the Year. Gary Clark and Jacob Evans are also showing up on lots of watch lists for end of year player-specific awards.

To make matters better, you have the sophomore videogame-like scorer Jarron Cumberland who put up 27 points on 11/15 shooting in the last exhibition. Go ahead and stir into that mix highly-touted transfer point guard Cane Broome, the always steady Kyle Washington, and a host of talented role players with game experience like Justin Jenifer and Tre Scott.  As if that wasn’t enough, the Bearcats also feature talented incoming freshman like Keith Williams and Eliel Nsoseme (who may even get enough playing time for you to learn how to say and spell his name – the dude is a beast).

This team is deeper than the wedgies I used to get before wising-up and switching to boxer briefs. One commentator observed this team is deeper than magma, or the basement of hell. I can’t wait to see how Coach Cronin rotates his players off the bench in a quasi-hockey-line fashion. This team is fast. Broome and Co. can really move the ball up court with Evans and Cumberland on the wings.

My only real question is how far will #15 Broome take us?  Cane is a lights-out, savvy ball handler and scorer.  But a year of practice and two exhibition games against teams you’ve never heard of simply do not tell us how he will handle his first Crosstown Shootout, Florida, or the AAC slate. Lucky for him – Broome does not have to do it alone. This team is oozing with offensive talent. When was the last time you could say that? Who will shoot the final shot? On top of that, Justin Jenifer isn’t bad at all as a backup point guard with an incredible left hand.

Prediction: This Squad Is All Beer, No Foam.

I think this year is more than hype. If they can figure out how to allocate opportunities, UC has a real chance to make a move in March. Their strength of schedule currently sits at #1 in the AAC and top-10 in the country. The Bearcats face Xavier, UCLA, Florida, and Wichita State twice, just to name a few big games. I am fully expecting Mick to get this squad back to the Sweet 16 and to make a deep run in the conference tournament and March Madness.

I cannot wait for Saturday, December 2nd at noon when the Cats march into the Cintas Center ready to make it two in a row for the good guys.  It will be interesting to see how the 1’s and 2’s grow together in the games leading up to the Crosstown Shootout, as well.

Basketball is back!

By Andy Smith

For more, follow along on Twitter/Snapchat – @BearcatsRadio, Instagram/Facebook – @BearcatsSportsRadio.

Pitino Fired Over Corruption Allegations; What Does It All Mean?

September 27, 2017

The University of Louisville has placed Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich on administrative leave. While the circumstances surrounding Pitino’s likely ouster continue to pour forward, here is what we do know…

The FBI conducted an investigation into corruption in the college basketball recruiting world. Just this week the FBI indicted a number of coaches. In addition, the United States government referenced an unnamed university as “University-6“ in its indictment. University of Louisville officials confirmed they are the unnamed university in the indictment.

According to other reports triangulating information from the FBI’s allegations, U of L freshman Brian Bowen – a five-star recruit who was playing on an Adidas-sponsored AAU team – accepted $100,000 (in four installment payments) to attend the University of Louisville. Reacting swiftly, the University apparently determined Coach Pitino and the Cardinal basketball program had sustained one too many scandals and held a press conference today.

For now, Pitino and Tom Jurich are on leave. Sources close to the program indicate Pitino expects to be terminated and that he has stated as much to his assistant coaches. There is a 10 day notice provision in Pitino’s coaching contract requiring the University to provide 10 days of advanced notice prior to terminating his employment.

What’s at stake? For starters, the U of L basketball program is already on NCAA probation for a scandal involving strippers and prostitutes performing for recruits in the basketball dorm. If these allegations against the program are proven true, the Cardinals basketball program could receive the death penalty from the NCAA.

Then, there is the above-the-table money the University of Louisville and Rick Pitino haul in each season…

Pitino is was the highest paid coach in college basketball, receiving nearly $8 million each season. If he’s fired – for cause – then Pitino will forfeit his contractual entitlement to be paid more than $55 million through 2026.

And let’s not forget about the University, either. Make no mistake, firing Rick Pitino is not a great financial windfall for U of L. Under Pitino’s less-than-watchful eye, Forbes recently ranked the Cards as the most valuable college basketball program, generating approximately $29.1 million of p-p-p-p-p-profit each season for the University.

As an aside, it’s worth mentioning that Brian Bowen’s name will likely be villainized by the media and college athletics establishment. His draft prospects may even be adversely impacted by “character issues.” Yet (assuming he stayed two years), his $100k amounts to (i) 0.17% of the profit his team will generate for the University, and (ii) only 1.2% of Pitino’s annual salary those years. I know, I know, the free education and meal plan…

How does this news potentially impact Bearcats fans? In a word – Cronin.

The University of Louisville is going to be looking for a new head basketball coach and history suggests price is not a problem. Our head coach happens to run a stable, squeaky-clean program. By the way, and despite the $0 player payroll, the program is thriving, especially heading into this season.

Is he a target? Is UC actually Mick Cronin’s dream job? Would he or any of the other name brand coaches want to pick up the pieces in Louisville?

This much is clear, he coached under Pitino once upon a time, his salary is about $5 million less than Pitino’s salary, and Vegas has him as the odds-on-favorite to become the next U of L coach. Those facts alone don’t suggest he’s a slam dunk choice to replace Pitino, but he will certainly be on Louisville’s short list of coaches to target.

Time will tell. For now, I am just grateful that our basketball program is cleanly led, and hope Mick sticks around to chop down nets this April.

By Brian Fox

Senior Night Blowout to Close Out Fifth Third Arena Until 2018

March 3, 2017

Thursday night was the last home game of the 2016-2017 season and also the last game to be played inside Fifth Third Arena before she gets a makeover and renovations begin this offseason. Make it TWENTY-SIX wins in a row at home! UC won 65-47. If you haven’t seen the drawings for the new arena, be sure to go check them out.

​Senior walk-on Zack Tobler started the game and made the very first bucket of the game for UC. The Cougars kept it close early, but the Cats quickly pulled away. UC opened-up a 37-20 halftime lead. Houston certainly didn’t do themselves any favor shooting the ball, going 26% from 3 and only 37% from the field. The Bearcats did not let their foot off the gas in the second half, leading by as many as 25 in the second half.

Gary Clark led the Bearcats with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Six players scored 7 or more points. Senior point guard Troy Caupain finished the night with 11 points, 4 boards, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Senior walk on Zack Tobler ended going 2-2 on the night for 3 points. Senior guard Kevin Johnson had 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

Hats off to our seniors – Troy Caupain, Kevin Johnson, and Zack Tobler!

By Andy Smith

Bearcats Blow The Doors Off Memphis, 87-74

February 24, 2017

Thursday evening could have easily been a trap game for UC, but Mick Cronin wasn’t having it. The #15 ranked UC Bearcats took an early lead and never looked back, carrying a 51-32 edge into halftime. Memphis outscored the Bearcats in the second half, 42-36, but could not overcome UC’s red-hot opening half lead.

Memphis shot the ball over 50% from the field, but only earned 12 free-throws. Meanwhile, UC drove the ball, earned fouls, and made 23-28 free-throws. Clearly, Mick Cronin is putting more emphasis on shooting free-throws. Kyle Washington was even practicing them during warmups right before tipoff.

The Bearcats ended with 4 in double-figures. Kyle Washington led the way with 16 points and 6 boards. He went a perfect 6-6 from the line. Gary Clark added 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and a monster, ESPN Top 10, one-handed jam (he also made the free-throw for the and 1). If you haven’t seen it, stop and go watch right now. The bench also showed up, contributing 24 points, including 9 from Jarron Cumberland.

UC only had 6 turnovers for the game, and everyone seemed to play well and share the ball. The Cats made a number of athletic dunks, steals, and blocks, and really stretched the floor well. If the Bearcats can replicate this performance moving forward, they will go deep into March, and be really fun to watch. National pundits are already beginning to acknowledge this may very well be Cronin’s best team in his 11 years in Clifton.

With just three games remaining, the Bearcats travel to play UCF on Sunday at 3 pm. Only one more home game remains before Fifth Third arena is gutted and renovations begin.

By Andy Smith

Bearcats Send The Golden Hurricane Packing, 80-60

February 19, 2017

​This one was never close folks. Maybe it was the Bearcats dressed as Pikachu. Maybe it was residual frustration from the road loss at SMU. Maybe it was Mick Cronin ensuring a solid week of practice. Whatever the reason, UC dominated from start to finish.

​Kyle Washington had one of his quintessential game – 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Five – count them – 5 Bearcats had double figures. Kevin Johnson continues his shooting streak, going 5-8 from the field with 15 points and 2 steals. The bench added just 5 points without Jarron Cumberland today. UC shot 47% from 3-point range and a whopping 56% from the field!

​Going forward, especially into the AAC tournament and March Madness, I cannot stress enough the need to drastically improve free throw shooting. UC went 16 of 26 today, but they have to get their shooting percentage up. UC can play tenacious defense and can stretch the floor with a deep bench. This team is poised to make a March run, but if they face an equally deep bench who can hack and foul our big men, the Bearcats have got to be able to make opponents pay from the charity stripe.

​Next up UC plays Memphis (18-9, 8-6) on Thursday night at 7 pm at home.  

Congrats to Mick Cronin, who owns the record for the most career wins of any coach under the age of 45 with his 300th win today!

By Andy Smith

Bearcats Turn Tacko Into Taco Salad, 60-50

February 10, 2017

UCF’s Tacko (pronounced “Taco”) Fall was a sight to see inside Fifth Third Arena late Wednesday night. The 7’ 6” center can’t jump or move, and has never really played basketball his entire life, but he towers over his opponents. You could see Kyle Washington’s smile a mile away going against him during the opening tip.

Other than that, the Bearcats handled the Knights with ease, completing the home-and-home sweep. Mixing in a full court press defense, UC looked crisp on defense, holding UCF to 39% from the floor and 20% from 3. The Knights took just 48 shot attempts to UC’s 65.

The Cats did not shoot the ball particularly well in this low scoring affair. Kyle Washington had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals. Jacob Evans added 11. The entire UC bench contributed 13 points.

Make it 15 wins in a row! The Cats continue to do enough to string W’s together, and they are staying healthy doing so.

Next up UC faces a talented #25 SMU team (20-4, 10-1) on the road on Sunday. It took everything the Cats had to beat the Mustangs in Cincinnati. This one is certainly the toughest game remaining on UC’s schedule.

By Andy Smith

The Fighting Mick Cronins Win But Coach Isn’t Satisfied – “Winning Makes Teams Soft”

February 5, 2017

Two blemishes. Two losses. Twenty-three games and only two losses.

The Bearcats dropped their first game against the University of Rhode Island on the road in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The second loss came against Butler University 14 games ago, again on the road — that time in historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Fighting Mick Cronins competed in both games, but came up just short.

Yesterday, UC got all over UCONN in front of more than 13,000 fans at Fifth Third Arena and now have the third longest winning streak in the country. The margin of victory was only 14 by the sound of the final buzzer (82-68); however, the game never felt competitive. Was UCONN hobbled by injuries? Sure, but it would not have mattered yesterday, not this season.

I will go a step further…the Bearcats would have won yesterday even if Jim Calhoun was assisting Kevin Ollie and Shabazz Napier was running point for the Huskies. UC is good this year. Scary good. They put up 82 points after their leading scorer, Jacob Evans, only took three shots. This UC team, unlike years past, figures out a way to gut out tough wins and score points.

Is Evans not getting into the flow of the game? Not a problem, Kyle Washington will hit for 27 points. Troy Caupain sputtering for only 7 points? No worries, Young Gary Clark will drop 20 points on 14 shots, and Superfrosh Jarron Cumberland will heat up for a cool 15 points. They figure out a way to score, somehow, some way.

With the excitement and anticipation building for this team, how does all of this make Head Coach Mick Cronin feel? You guessed it – pissed. Wait…what?

In his post game interview, Cronin had the following observations…

  • On the overall team effort yesterday, “Jacob Evans had one deflection. Kyle Washington had zero. Tonight, they combined for one more deflection than my mother, who passed away in 2005, had.”
  • On why Jacob Evans struggled, “You soak up adulation and that is what happens.”
  • On this team’s potential, “I want to make a run in March…you’ve got to play defense all the time…Tulsa was our best win this year because we had so many deflections in the final minutes of that game.”
  • On the win against UCONN, “We only had 18 deflections the entire game.”
  • On this team, “Winning makes teams soft.”

Why is Coach Cronin annoyed? I think there’s a couple reasons. First, he’s from Cincinnati. Cincinnati sports fans, and even sometimes coaches, understand “we can’t have nice things.” Also it’s February in the Midwest and pessimism comes easily.

Second, he’s a good coach. Good coaches don’t let up on talented players and teams. Ever. Sure, this UC team is special. They’re better than any Bearcats team I can recall in the last decade. That said, March isn’t about potential or talent.

March is about guts, grit, and greatness.

March is about killer instinct.

March is for closers.

Do we have any of those? Coach Cronin wants to know. And so do I.

By Brian Fox

For more, follow along on Twitter/Snapchat – @bearcatsradio; Instagram – @bearcatssportsradio.