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

Walk-Off Homer by Bearcats Clinches Home Opening W

March 1, 2018

Baseball, my friends, is a beautiful game. For those of us in the Midwest, baseball signals the reappearance of the sun following its months-long vanishing act. The game of baseball dazzles the five senses. Bats crack; mitts pop. Grass is greened into diamond-shaped works of art. Upon metal bleachers, sun-soaked fans consume hot dogs and domestic beers by the truckloads. Ah yes, baseball is a beautiful game, especially here in Cincinnati…

But long before the Opening Day parade and the Reds have taken the field at Great American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Bearcats are well into their season. Yesterday, the Bearcats played their home opener against the Northern Kentucky University Norse.

While I have been a sporadic college baseball fan over the years, this was the first game I’ve personally taken in at Marge Schott Stadium. And it is with great joy I can announce:

  • I had a lot of fun; and
  • In dramatic fashion, the Bearcats won!

Late in the game, the Bearcats trailed 3-0. Then, in the bottom of the seventh-inning, Manny Rodriguez singled home two runners to make things interesting, 3-2 — Norse still up a run. Tension building, the University of Cincinnati took the plate at the bottom of the ninth, still trailing by a run. The scene was set for disappointment or dramatic exuberance.

After a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt, UC had runners at second and third as left-handed batter, Treg Haberkorn, took the plate. On the first pitch, the southpaw from Leo, Indiana blasted a towering homerun over the right field wall, tracing toward Fifth Third Arena. The walk-off, three-run homerun was good enough to hand the Bearcats a 5-3 victory over the Norse in their first home game of the season.

I had my camera ready to record the celebration growing behind home plate, as the team waited on southpaw Haberkorn to touch all four bases. Undone by the emotion of the moment, however, I failed to hit record and captured only the remnants of a celebration…

I know, I know, impeccable journalism. Oh well, next time…

Anyhow, this much I can assure you, Andy and I will be covering many of the home baseball games this season. If you would like to join us, I welcome the company and may even buy you a box of Cracker Jacks. Go Bearcats!

By Brian Fox

For more, follow BFox on Twitter: @BearcatsRadio.

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.

The Bearcats Take Temple to the Woodshed

January 25, 2018

Make it 37 and counting at home.  With a 35-19 halftime lead, the hill UC built quickly turned into a mountain.  Temple could not make any form of second half run.  UC’s seasoned D would not allow it. Final tally – 75-42 … Bearcats.

Gary Clark also became one of just five all-time Bearcats to join the 1,000 point / 1,000 rebound club.  Even though Nick Colosimo missed filming the all-important board and put-back dunk, it was still a magical moment in BB&T Arena.  Gary quickly followed this up with a steal and dunk. The crowd went nuts for a solid few minutes chanting “Gary, Gary.”  A great moment for a great person and player.

Last night, Gary finished with 17 points on 6-7 shooting, 2-2 from distance, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists.  I am sure he has two hospital visits, community service, and a stop to help clean the hardwood floor (which he dominated) and take the trash out before he goes home and goes to bed.  All in a day’s work for Mr. Clark.  A perfect human being, assuming he is even human at this point.

Temple shot an abysmal 28.6% from the field, going 3-23 from 3-point land.

Next up – a trip to Memphis (13-7) for some blues, BBQ, and a win on Saturday at 6 p.m.  UC sits firmly atop the American with a 2-game lead in first place.

By Andy Smith

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

Bearcats Recruiting Class Members All Over the USA Today All-Ohio Honorees

December 27, 2017

Luke Fickell has been recruiting the state of Ohio for a while, and it shows. Relying upon his network of buckeye state prep coaches, Fickell has made the University of Cincinnati 2018 recruiting class far and away the strongest class of incoming freshmen on record. Ranked 47th nationally, 1st in the American Athletic Conference, and 1st among other “Group of 5” schools, the 2018 class features a number of players that look to contribute early next season.

The USA Today released its list of All-Ohio players, and it’s populated by numerous future Bearcats. The list includes:

  • Malik Vann, Fairfield (State of Cincinnati), DL
  • Colin Woodside, Fairfield Union (Lancaster), OL
  • Josh Whyle, La Salle (State of Cincinnati), TE
  • Ty Van Fossen, St. Francis DeSales (Columbus), LB
  • Daeshon Martin, Archbishop Hoban (Akron), DL
  • Ja’von Hicks, Colerain (State of Cincinnati), DB

Congrats to all of these players! I look forward to watching each of them suit up in red and black.

By Brian Fox

For more of the story, be sure to follow along on Twitter – @BearcatsRadio.

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.