The Wes Miller Thread

[bearcatbret]

Wes on the dodge ball game. Did A Game Of Dodgeball Save The Cincinnati Bearcats Season?

[JohnFrancis]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-ba...mark-byington/

...and the SEC could have four #1 seeds

[London 'Cat]

An article appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer this morning that posed a question about CWM. If the 'Cats play well for the rest of the year but do not make the NCAA tournament, will UC change coaches? The writer says no, for some reasons we have cited here - buyout too large, a patient AD (Cunningham), other factors. However, he also writes that if UC does not make the tournament next year, then it will be time to part ways with CWM. If you subscribe, you can read the article. But I thought it's a fair point of discussion. Thoughts?

[loshow22]

An article appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer this morning that posed a question about CWM. If the 'Cats play well for the rest of the year but do not make the NCAA tournament, will UC change coaches? The writer says no, for some reasons we have cited here - buyout too large, a patient AD (Cunningham), other factors. However, he also writes that if UC does not make the tournament next year, then it will be time to part ways with CWM. If you subscribe, you can read the article. But I thought it's a fair point of discussion. Thoughts?

My opinion, which is certainly open to be debated, barring some kind of real miracle, I don't see us making it this year. Obviously we will have our chances with some quality opponents coming up, but I'm leaning on what I've seen over the last few years. I just don't think it happens. I'd be ecstatic to be proven wrong though.

I didn't read the article, but to the point...I'd really like to see WM succeed here and 4 years is enough time to put together a squad that should be in the NCAA tourney without question. And while this team can still theoretically get in, we shouldn't be in this position--coming down to the literal wire with 0 room for error. I go back and forth between retaining him or cutting him loose.

I don't think firing him is the play due to the buyout/recruiting for next year. I am interested to see what the roster looks like in the off season.

Bottom line, this isn't even a discussion if we falter next season.

[UC4me]

The question posed in the Enquirer and now here is a good one. I like Wes a great deal. I really want him to do well (as we all do). I understand in this day and age that a "win now" mentality prevails. Even still, I don't see him being let go after this season even if the rest of the season doesn't go very well. I feel like UC athletics is in a place of stasis right now. I think big donors have been tapped into a bunch over the past 10 years, and I think we probably have our major coaches for another year or two easily. I think picking up a busted roster left over from the Brannen fiasco, combined with entering a much harder conference, combined with a young head coach should buy him some extra time that might not be given to a Cronin-type hire (someone with head coaching experience, etc.) I am super intrigued by a team that was scoring in the 50s and low 60s less than a month ago, now in the 80s. That suggests some ability to change styles on the fly which would be a high mark in CWM's favor. As another said, I am also very interested to see who we return next year. Coach did a great job locking down our talent this season. In summary, I think he will be here regardless of the next month

[Rufus]

UC4me quote "I am super intrigued by a team that was scoring in the 50s and low 60s less than a month ago, now in the 80s. That suggests some ability to change styles on the fly which would be a high mark in CWM's favor". Is a very valid point. Coming into this season everyone and the media pundits agreed that CWM had the personnel to make a run in the tournament. We breezed through a relatively easy preseason and got sent back to earth verses Villanova. But we rebounded with wins over X and Dayton. When we began the conference schedule it seemed like everyone just quit trying, wasn't playing bball, no movement, no energy, it looked like the whole team collectively decided to just mail it in. I want to know why. CWM says it was the pressure building up that they had to ultimately find a release and came in the form of dodgeball. Someone else suggested the fatigue factor having to travel so much. I have never seen such a drastic drop in a sports team in all my years. And then now that we're seemingly on the other side of this "funk" we still seeing some residual effects remain. Simas is still yet to obtain his three pt. groove. Skillings seems like he's being too tentative as opposed to his play before. May be because of his turnover rate? I like Mitchell quite a bit but he is no offensive threat unless he has a open shot around the rim. I said all that to say this this, Is CWM holding this team back by trying to force them to play a style not suited to them? Does he not evaluate talent correctly? Did losing McKinley hurt this team in ways unforseen? I don't know what position best suits Mac, a four or a true five at 6'9" but sometimes I get the impression that CWM is overwhelmed in this league. And is that who we want going forward? We fan's are used to our Bearcats being a or the dominant team in every conference we have been in, I'm afraid if we stay this course we will never come close to being that kind of force again in this conference.

[DesertFog]

Really good speculations in this thread regarding the reasons for Miller's shortcomings. One other thing that I don't think has been discussed is Miller's assistants. Are they appropriate? Would Miller benefit if he relied on them more?

[Gmann]

Really good speculations in this thread regarding the reasons for Miller's shortcomings. One other thing that I don't think has been discussed is Miller's assistants. Are they appropriate? Would Miller benefit if he relied on them more?

The capability of the assistants has been one of my questions with this staff. Other than Chad Dollar being a strong recuiter you hear nothing about any of the other guys and their contributions. Given that most of the players roster are fairly highly rated recruits or guys who have had success elsewhere I don't feel that we've seen much development. I still feel Miller would do well to add a veteran former head coach who has had tourney success as an assistant. I also don't see the "Monster Factory" strength gains we've seen in the past which is critical in this conference. What am I missing?

[leeraymond]

The question posed in the Enquirer and now here is a good one. I like Wes a great deal. I really want him to do well (as we all do). I understand in this day and age that a "win now" mentality prevails. Even still, I don't see him being let go after this season even if the rest of the season doesn't go very well. I feel like UC athletics is in a place of stasis right now. I think big donors have been tapped into a bunch over the past 10 years, and I think we probably have our major coaches for another year or two easily. I think picking up a busted roster left over from the Brannen fiasco, combined with entering a much harder conference, combined with a young head coach should buy him some extra time that might not be given to a Cronin-type hire (someone with head coaching experience, etc.) I am super intrigued by a team that was scoring in the 50s and low 60s less than a month ago, now in the 80s. That suggests some ability to change styles on the fly which would be a high mark in CWM's favor. As another said, I am also very interested to see who we return next year. Coach did a great job locking down our talent this season. In summary, I think he will be here regardless of the next month

Miller is somewhat young, but he has been a head coach now for almost 15 years. That is really a long time in the world of college sports. Quite honestly, Miller should be MUCH further along than what he is in terms of his development. However, the reality is what it is.

I like Miller too. I am also rooting for him. However, there is a competitive instability that has surrounds Miller's UC teams, especially in conference play. What I mean is, under Miller, even if UC is favored, the team often will struggle with teams that it should beat by double digits. Look at what has happened in the conference this year even as UC was projected to finished in the top 6. With Miller's UC teams, you never know if UC will win or lose even if UC is playing the conference doormats. With the old UC teams in the BIG EAST, if UC was favored, it typically won. With UC under Miller, you never know.

Good coaches win the games they are supposed to win. Miller is not quite there yet, even after 14.5 years of being a head coach. That is the part that is troubling.

[leeraymond]

Really good speculations in this thread regarding the reasons for Miller's shortcomings. One other thing that I don't think has been discussed is Miller's assistants. Are they appropriate? Would Miller benefit if he relied on them more?

Interesting thought here. Maybe Miller needs assistants with more big-time college coaching experience. Other than Dollar and Buckley (the shot doctor), all the other assistant coaches have low-major coaching experience (UNCG and Middle Tenn State). Two of Miller's assistants and one player development coach are all from UNCG. Another player development coach has NO college coaching experience at all and was a mentor and trainer to young players. This same coach also was a volunteer to (believe it or not) the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs Not enough coaches with high-level experience.

[Rufus]

Ive been saying the last couple of years that they needed a coach who can teach and develope the #5 spot. If CWM is going to continue to play the more traditional style of play then we need a 5 that can defend, rebound, and score. Every one who has been at center and brought in to play center has not played up to the hype associated with them.

[SKell82155]

The capability of the assistants has been one of my questions with this staff. Other than Chad Dollar being a strong recuiter you hear nothing about any of the other guys and their contributions. Given that most of the players roster are fairly highly rated recruits or guys who have had success elsewhere I don't feel that we've seen much development. I still feel Miller would do well to add a veteran former head coach who has had tourney success as an assistant. I also don't see the "Monster Factory" strength gains we've seen in the past which is critical in this conference. What am I missing?

Skillings in particular looks to me to have regressed
physically- any muscular gains seem to have been
lost ?

[Lobot]

The capability of the assistants has been one of my questions with this staff. Other than Chad Dollar being a strong recuiter you hear nothing about any of the other guys and their contributions. Given that most of the players roster are fairly highly rated recruits or guys who have had success elsewhere I don't feel that we've seen much development. I still feel Miller would do well to add a veteran former head coach who has had tourney success as an assistant. I also don't see the "Monster Factory" strength gains we've seen in the past which is critical in this conference. What am I missing?

I don't there's any blame to put on Rehfeldt and his staff here. He's going to do his job. What the staff wants from the players might be a more important question. What the players are putting into the program might also be a question particularly with Dan. This is not the same conditioning program from Huggins/Cronin era that was focused on pure strength and muscle defintion. I think this is little more nuanced as far as conditioning versus muscle. This is a long grinding conference schedule compared to what we had in the AAC. You need everyone still functioning in March in this conference.

[leo from jersey]

I don't there's any blame to put on Rehfeldt and his staff here. He's going to do his job. What the staff wants from the players might be a more important question. What the players are putting into the program might also be a question particularly with Dan. This is not the same conditioning program from Huggins/Cronin era that was focused on pure strength and muscle defintion. I think this is little more nuanced as far as conditioning versus muscle. This is a long grinding conference schedule compared to what we had in the AAC. You need everyone still functioning in March in this conference.

You need them standing up to the drives by stronger opponents and out rebounding them in Feb. or their will be no March games.

[red_n_black_attack]

I'm starting to notice a common theme the last few games, including two straight losses.

1. Not sure what is up with Skillings, but he seems to be playing tentatively to not get hurt. I'm sure his injury is weighing on him, but he wouldn't be on the floor if he wasn't 100% cleared. His hesitation may be perceived by teammates or fans as lack of effort or not being on board with Wes. Like it or not, Daniel is a team leader and it is affecting his teammates.
2. Simas has lost confidence in his shot. If there is a defender anywhere near him or running at him, he is passing on the shot. He is still working hard and helping the team, but not even taking the shot is affecting the team.
3. Now keep in mind these were supposed to be the two team leaders this year, and there is a good core of players working hard to overcome the challenges with top two leaders not scoring. Unfortunately, this means those players are trying to do too much, and it is taking the team out of sync. It doesn't seem like our playmakers are able to make plays for others, but are very good at making plays for themselves. When they make those plays, they are not working within the framework of the team scheme and many shots are going up when the bigs are out of position to make a rebound. There is too much talent here, but they cannot play streetball without any help, assists, or ability to rely on teammates.

They are working hard, but aren't really working together or on the same page. I'm not sure how Wes can incoprate this into the theme or rein players back in. Either way, 40% of the team leadership is not contributing and it is causing a mess for Wes.