The Wes Miller Thread

[Bearcat93]

I think the word "soft" has been aptly used to describe this year's team. It's like the team underperforms in new ways each game, so if anyone knows a word for that......

[D.A.H.]

this might not be "prevailing wisdom", and I'm sure the new age stat guys will rip this. but, i think they miss reynolds (or another wide body) inside. they miss a big body, to get in there and mix it up a bit. the cats are athletic as ****, but not the most physically imposing team.

[London 'Cat]

Williams: Cincinnati Bearcats are Big 12 disappointment. Time to question coaching hires?

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...s/77884084007/

I read that article. It was written fairly and objectively but also raises valid arguments. Wes will be coaching UC next season. The team was hyped up this year and has fallen short of those expectations. How UC finishes this season will determine Wes’ long term future.

[GoBearcats31]

Williams: Cincinnati Bearcats are Big 12 disappointment. Time to question coaching hires?

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...s/77884084007/

[GoBearcats31]

Added KenPom ratings for additional context.

As noted, the TCU (#43) and Xavier (#47) wins have been our two best home wins under Wes.

So 2-12 versus Top 50 Ken Pom teams / 0-12 other than these two games.

[Carthage World]

UC versus "high major" competition at home in the Wes Miller era

2021-22 (#101)
Georgia (#219) - W by 5
#6 Houston (#2) - L by 22
Memphis (#24) - L by 7

2022-23 (#50)
Xavier (#15) - L by 3
#2 Houston (#2) - L by 23
Memphis (#20) - L by 7
UCF (#56)- W by 9
Virginia Tech (#80) - W by 9 (NIT)

2023-24 (#39)
Georgia Tech (#123) - W by 35
#25 Texas (#25) - L by 1
#19 TCU (#43) - W by 4
#15 Oklahoma (#46) - L by 4
UCF (#66) - W by 11
#5 Houston (#2) - L by 5
#10 Iowa State (#8) - L by 9
Oklahoma State (#117) - L by 4
Kansas State (#70) - W by 2
WVU (#144) - W by 36

2024-25 (#45) (through January 21)
Xavier (#47) - W by 3
Arizona (#16) - L by 5
#11 Kansas (#8) - L by 14
Arizona State (#57) - W by 7
Texas Tech (#11) - L by 10


Outside of Xavier this year, the most notable home win in 3.5 years was edging out TCU last year -- a team that ended up finishing 9-9 in Big 12 play and got spanked by Utah State in an 8/9 NCAA Tournament game. There have been some good teams that have come into Fifth Third Arena. I don't expect to beat a top 5 Houston, for example (would be nice though, right?) but they have to be able to pull some games out like last night. Who knows, maybe Texas Tech ends up being really, really good. But you have to beat above average teams at home.

Added KenPom ratings for additional context.

As noted, the TCU (#43) and Xavier (#47) wins have been our two best home wins under Wes.

[GoBearcats31]

UC versus "high major" competition at home in the Wes Miller era

2021-22
Georgia - W by 5
#6 Houston - L by 22
Memphis - L by 7

2022-23
Xavier - L by 3
#2 Houston - L by 23
Memphis - L by 7
UCF - W by 9
Virginia Tech - W by 9 (NIT)

2023-24
Georgia Tech - W by 35
#25 Texas - L by 1
#19 TCU - W by 4
#15 Oklahoma - L by 4
UCF - W by 11
#5 Houston - L by 5
#10 Iowa State - L by 9
Oklahoma State - L by 4
Kansas State - W by 2
WVU - W by 36

2024-25 (through January 21)
Xavier - W by 3
Arizona - L by 5
#11 Kansas - L by 14
Arizona State - W by 7
Texas Tech - L by 10


Outside of Xavier this year, the most notable home win in 3.5 years was edging out TCU last year -- a team that ended up finishing 9-9 in Big 12 play and got spanked by Utah State in an 8/9 NCAA Tournament game. There have been some good teams that have come into Fifth Third Arena. I don't expect to beat a top 5 Houston, for example (would be nice though, right?) but they have to be able to pull some games out like last night. Who knows, maybe Texas Tech ends up being really, really good. But you have to beat above average teams at home.

[GoBearcats31]

Good tweet / chart highlighting Wes Miller rebuild
https://x.com/jbrbracketology/status...A2NHZ_hNyS2mFg

[swilsonsp4]

Not sure where Wes is (recruiting?) but Chad Dollar will be the guest tonight and no show next week per Dan Hoard

Per Chad Brendel, it's not related to recruiting. There's an unrelated scheduling conflict.

[Lobot]

Wes Miller’s radio show gets underway starting tonight at Montgomery Inn at 8:00

Not sure where Wes is (recruiting?) but Chad Dollar will be the guest tonight and no show next week per Dan Hoard

[Lobot]

Wes Miller’s radio show gets underway starting tonight at Montgomery Inn at 8:00

[GoBearcats31]

Wes interview with Mo Egger
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/437-m...wes-220345530/

[GoCats1994]

Here is a link to the pod (haven't listened yet but @GoBearcatsMBB just tweeted out): https://soundcloud.com/compass-media...s-wes-miller-1

Summary (most-interesting BOLDED):

• Big 12 = toughest league. No nights off. Now 20 league games instead of 18. Several long trips for road games. Quality of league continues to improve
• 5 of top 7 scorers / 75% of scoring returning - Wes hopes the player retention is a positive - may be further along than other programs
• How will this season be different? Faster play. 4 perimeter player lineups almost exclusively. More disruptive defensively. More pressing/extending the defense
• Which returner has made the biggest jump in development since last season? It's not fair to single someone out. Every one of the players has improved. But named Jizzle, Skillings, Reed, Aziz, Simas and one other (couldn't tell who he said)
• Which newcomer will make the biggest impact? "Check with me in December" - but then named Arrinten Page, Dillon Mitchell, and Connor Hickman. Tyler Betsey & Tyler McKinney look like guys that can walk in and play as Freshman
• How deep can they be? How many players can play in a league game? 9-10 would be great
• Looking at returning personnel, what is it like to have more than 5 guys who can start? The entire league can say that - high-level talent everywhere.
• How would you describe the crosstown shootout rivalry? Fans are energized, different type of emotion goes into the game. We haven't had success there since he's been here.
• How do beating X and making the NCAA tourney fit into your long-term goals? He embraces the expectations and focuses on getting better every day
• Non-conference schedule has several quality opponents. In the future, are there things you want to do Non-Conf that you haven't done yet? Wants to be prepared to play the 20 leagues games with no byes - 2/3 games/week for 2.5 months in the best league in America. You better improve in the Non-Conf and become a tight-knit group that can deal with adversity. You can play great basketball and still lose 5-6 in a row.
• Biggest keys to get back to NCAA tourney? Be better in 1 or 2 possession games. Build the right habits in practice.

[GoBearcats31]

Here is a link to the pod (haven't listened yet but @GoBearcatsMBB just tweeted out): https://soundcloud.com/compass-media...s-wes-miller-1

[Lobot]

When will that stream?

It might be available tomorrow. Rothstein didn't send out a link or time but the podcast is usually out on Mondays or Tuesday.