Miami (OH) 12/14 7:00 ESPN+

[leo from jersey]

Not looking to stir up JD hate, which seems to be plentiful on social media but... how about Ody Oguama starting at PF with JD off the bench as the 6th man?

why if anyone speaks the truth it is misconstrued to be hate. We do live in an overly sensitive world. I see this even in sports. We have replaced competitiveness with feeling good about our efforts regardless of how strong or weak they are. I am glad in my youth you didn't have participation trophies. You won or you lost. If you lost, you tried to get better in order to win. Years ago Gene Autry owned the LA Angels. His manager was Gene Mauch who had a great winning record. Autry fired him for the continual second place finishes. When asked why Autry fired him, Mauch said Mr. Autry's horse was named champion and not runner -up. JD is hurting the team. CWM might see it and is now trying to do something hopefully. I believe the former Bearcats at the game Saturday saw something too. Whatever KM said, it was needed to be said.

[leeraymond]

Not looking to stir up JD hate, which seems to be plentiful on social media but... how about Ody Oguama starting at PF with JD off the bench as the 6th man?

Hey, I am with you brother on this one. That combination of Lakhin and Oguama seems to give them a toughness in the paint. Have not seen that kind of play in the paint since Gary Clark and Kyle Washington. Good call. Maybe UC functions better with three guards instead of four. Miller should really test the Oguama and Lakhin combination to see if it can work. Based on what I saw on Saturday, it might work. However, Miller would HAVE to play Ezikpe and/or Tolentino as backups. That may scarce him off. Why not play Tolentino? Never know what a player can do unless you put him in the game. Ezikpe is a big strong guy. Play him.

[swilsonsp4]

Not looking to stir up JD hate, which seems to be plentiful on social media but... how about Ody Oguama starting at PF with JD off the bench as the 6th man?

In his postgame comments with Dan Hoard, CWM said they've been mulling over playing Ody with Vik, but he's concerned with the lack of depth inside and the starters are going to need to rest periodically. He didn't call out Ezikpe, but the kid looks like a fish out of water. Also, Tolentino is raw and needs to beef up. He can't bang around very long, especially against stronger opponents.

Tolentino might get some playing time against the size-challenge Redhawks. He already lost his potential red shirt. I'm not sure about Ezikpe, who hasn't played in either of the past two games.

[GoBearcats31]

My fear is that JD will success against poor defensive team and it will blind him to his skills against a team that plays d. He will still be jacking up out of control 3s with plenty of time on the clock and not looking for an open teammate.

Not looking to stir up JD hate, which seems to be plentiful on social media but... how about Ody Oguama starting at PF with JD off the bench as the 6th man?

[Rufus]

" Even considering a possible hangover from Saturday, the Cats will roll, 86-61".


I think it's going to be closer than that. I hope I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong on a lot of things concerning this team, however after a season and half of watching one person singlehandedly recess any team chemistry and progress and still get starter status, it don't look like I am. Cats eke out a win even with a lot of bricks thrown.

[leeraymond]

If Miller has any sense of wanting to improve, these next three games can be major for UC. Play Oguama and Lakhin together to get a feel for if this really is a winning combination. Also, play Tolentino and Ezikpe. Just do not let those guys rot on the bench. Develop the big men for God's sake. Last thing, work on the zone defense, because UC's man-to-man defense is quite %$&# up. UC used a zone defense on two consecutive possessions in the Xavier game in the first half and X did NOT score on either possession. However, UC did not use the zone again. Miller should have used a zone when X had the ball on their last possession with the score was tied at 77, and Boum had the ball with 7 seconds left in the game. It may have changed the outcome of the game. Not to ramble, this UC team has a lot of potential. However, they are doing a little worse than last year after ten games by one game. More importantly, UC's defensive stats are TERRIBLE. They are much worse than last year after 10 games. Not really sure what to think of coach Miller. I get the feeling that EVERYONE really wants him to do well. I am no different. Miller seems like a really cool guy. Have a shot of Jack Daniels and a beer with the guy. The question still remains, can Miller coach at high levels? We will all find out what Miller is all about very soon.

[leo from jersey]

The SkinHawks are a terrible defensive team. The kenpom.com and barttorvik.com rankings have MU as #343 and #349, respectively, (out of 363 D1 schools) in terms of defensive efficiency.

Even considering a possible hangover from Saturday, the Cats will roll, 86-61.

My fear is that JD will success against poor defensive team and it will blind him to his skills against a team that plays d. He will still be jacking up out of control 3s with plenty of time on the clock and not looking for an open teammate.

[swilsonsp4]

The SkinHawks are a terrible defensive team. The kenpom.com and barttorvik.com rankings have MU as #343 and #349, respectively, (out of 363 D1 schools) in terms of defensive efficiency.

Even considering a possible hangover from Saturday, the Cats will roll, 86-61.

[GoBearcats31]

Morning KenPom #s:

UC 75
Miami U 284

[Lobot]

Miami is now 4-5. The 4 Ws are 2 D-II schools, Jackson State and Little Rock.

No true centers on this team. 4 guards and a forward on the floor most of the time. That could be good for Lakhin or bad depending on who he gets stuck on on a defensive switch. The guy to focus on for the Redhawks is Makhi Lairy at guard. Leads the team in scoring and assists. Miami will undoubtably be up for this game after the close one in Millett Hall on last go around.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/193

[Lobot]

I have tickets available for this one if someone is in need.

[RedDog]

I really dont think its the scheme as much as it is the effort exerted to execute it. Saturdays second half defensive effort was the best of the season. I agree that lineup changes were important and getting guys time who are willing and capable of playing defense was key, but I noted several regulars who went to another defensive level. Lighting a fire under their butts was the key to getting them to buy in. Now that we know what they are capable of, it should either be demanded or they can sit next to JD.

[nolte50uc]

i suspect we're putting too much emphasis on the halftime motivational talk and not enough on the changes made to the lineup / matchups in the second half. no doubt KMart's comments carried weight, but it wasn't the only thing different between the first and second halves.

[Gmann]

Were K-Mart’s remarks talked about in the post
game ? I was wondering how it was known what
he said. I didn’t catch any of the post game other
than what was on the news.
Thnx

Yes both CWM and DDJ referenced Kmart coming into the locker room at half time and lighting them up. Basically he told them to quit playing for themselves and play harder and for the team. I also wonder why CWM can't get that message across. I think part of the problem is there is no consequence if you play selfishly. You still get your playing time.

[Rufus]

With all the research CWM has done since being here, plus all the former players that's been in touch, not to mention the former coach's that has been in CWM's ear.
Can anyone really say that what Kmart had to say hasn't been said before. Why would it register now as opposed to the countless hours of court time they're be had prior to last night. CWM is bound and determined to play his running style forcing square pegs into round holes and it's not working. Not with the players he starts. And I know this all comes across as being negative, and there are people saying that things are progressing but I'm not seeing it. If it is it is at a snails pace and continue to be as long as certain starter is still taking it upon himself in being the "guy" egregiously taking / and not making low percentage shots with chunks of time still remaining exactly like he has done now for a season and a half. If Miami has a coach with even half a brain they will formulate a zone defense and that will spell doom for the good guys. NKU deja Vu all over again.