2024/2025 Roster

[leo from jersey]

I like CJ and think he is a great scorer. However, based on his D-1 track record, does anyone really expect that CJ's body can take the rigors of big-time college basketball? When is the last time that CJ has completed a full season without being hurt or unable to play? When I think of the major contributors for UC basketball for the upcoming season, I doubt if CJ will play a major role. Any thoughts about that?

I also agree, but will take a wait and see approach. Thankfully the Cats have depth this year as CJ hurt the team last year. Who has his shot? Hickman?

[leeraymond]

My hope is that CJ stays healthy because I believe that he is the leader and the calming voice for the team that is much needed. He has more experience at the high level (at Iowa and KY) than any other player on this team. As several articles written about the Big 12, if UC wins those close games this year, the Bearcats will be dancing.

I like CJ and think he is a great scorer. However, based on his D-1 track record, does anyone really expect that CJ's body can take the rigors of big-time college basketball? When is the last time that CJ has completed a full season without being hurt or unable to play? When I think of the major contributors for UC basketball for the upcoming season, I doubt if CJ will play a major role. Any thoughts about that?

[leo from jersey]

My hope is that CJ stays healthy because I believe that he is the leader and the calming voice for the team that is much needed. He has more experience at the high level (at Iowa and KY) than any other player on this team. As several articles written about the Big 12, if UC wins those close games this year, the Bearcats will be dancing.

He would answer a major question. I would like to see him and Simas together with Mitchell and JJ. I think Hickman might be a good add too, but Aziz needs in.

[bearcatbret]

My hope is that CJ stays healthy because I believe that he is the leader and the calming voice for the team that is much needed. He has more experience at the high level (at Iowa and KY) than any other player on this team. As several articles written about the Big 12, if UC wins those close games this year, the Bearcats will be dancing.

[leeraymond]

I'm more concerned with the chemistry of the incoming roster than the talent level tbh. Lots of talent but if they don't get along and can't play as a team it doesn't matter.

Good point.

[leeraymond]

There's probably room to debate whether this (as yet untested roster) is stronger than the 2017-18 team that collapsed against NV. I seriously doubt that it's as strong as the 2001-02 team with Steve Logan, Leonard Stokes and others that were a #1 seed in The Dance.

Yeah, I agree with you. However, this team has a lot of individual player experience. There are only three players on next year's roster that DOES NOT have D-1 experience or extensive experience (Betsy, Griffith, and McKinney). Also, these three young guys are freshmen (with Griffith being a red shirt). Next year's team should have a very solid 9 player rotation at a minimum (where CJ, Betsy, Griffith, and McKinney are truly question marks). Even so, these four guys are well thought of as capable players. As was pointed out by Labot, it probably will all boil down to CHEMISTRY.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I'm more concerned with the chemistry of the incoming roster than the talent level tbh. Lots of talent but if they don't get along and can't play as a team it doesn't matter.

Every team has that same concern.

[Lobot]

There's probably room to debate whether this (as yet untested roster) is stronger than the 2017-18 team that collapsed against NV. I seriously doubt that it's as strong as the 2001-02 team with Steve Logan, Leonard Stokes and others that were a #1 seed in The Dance.

I'm more concerned with the chemistry of the incoming roster than the talent level tbh. Lots of talent but if they don't get along and can't play as a team it doesn't matter.

[swilsonsp4]

Great roster. Other than Mitchell, Reed, and Thomas, where is the defense going to come from (especially on the perimeter)? Also, with all of this talent, the biggest wildcard and elephant in the room is Miller and his coaching. Miller is going into his fourth year. This is perhaps the most loaded UC team since Huggins' team during K. Martin's last year. The problem for Miller is he now has a very small tolerance for losses. With all of this talent, with every loss, the attention will be focused on Miller and his capabilities. After every loss, fans will be inclined to think that there is no way it is the players' fault (because of all of the talent). Therefore, it must be the coaching.

Make no mistake about it. Next season is going to be a BIG year for UC basketball. I cannot every remember expectations for UC basketball being so high. This may be even a BIGGER year for Miller. The expectations for him are UP THROUGH THE ROOF. I am an optimist by nature, and I also have high expectations for the upcoming season for UC basketball. Hopefully, Miller's defensive systems have evolved as the roster has evolved. It will be a mistake to think that this UC team can JUST outscore the other team.

This is exciting. Here is hoping that this UC roster is a championship roster.

There's probably room to debate whether this (as yet untested roster) is stronger than the 2017-18 team that collapsed against NV. I seriously doubt that it's as strong as the 2001-02 team with Steve Logan, Leonard Stokes and others that were a #1 seed in The Dance.

[leeraymond]

Great roster. Other than Mitchell, Reed, and Thomas, where is the defense going to come from (especially on the perimeter)? Also, with all of this talent, the biggest wildcard and elephant in the room is Miller and his coaching. Miller is going into his fourth year. This is perhaps the most loaded UC team since Huggins' team during K. Martin's last year. The problem for Miller is he now has a very small tolerance for losses. With all of this talent, with every loss, the attention will be focused on Miller and his capabilities. After every loss, fans will be inclined to think that there is no way it is the players' fault (because of all of the talent). Therefore, it must be the coaching.

Make no mistake about it. Next season is going to be a BIG year for UC basketball. I cannot every remember expectations for UC basketball being so high. This may be even a BIGGER year for Miller. The expectations for him are UP THROUGH THE ROOF. I am an optimist by nature, and I also have high expectations for the upcoming season for UC basketball. Hopefully, Miller's defensive systems have evolved as the roster has evolved. It will be a mistake to think that this UC team can JUST outscore the other team.

This is exciting. Here is hoping that this UC roster is a championship roster.

[GoBearcats31]

Scott Springer confirming Fredrick’s return to UC https://x.com/sspringersports/status...429-7Zsp1zj4Tg

Seems Jon Rothstein had it first

[Rufus]

Rayvon was here practicing all last year so he should have a leg up on the two Tylers. I just want to see everybody get a chance to earn PT in practice.

That's the way it should be and seems to be that way with CWM ( for the most part ) but in real life today very few 4 star recruits are going to sit for very long, not with NIL money being offered and it being so easy to transfer. I have said it before on this forum but I would not in any way be a division 1 football or bball coach in today's musical chair environment. Having all this talent is a good problem to have but keeping everyone happy is not.

[longtimefan]

Rayvon was here practicing all last year so he should have a leg up on the two Tylers. I just want to see everybody get a chance to earn PT in practice.

[leo from jersey]

Your probably correct. The two Tyler's and Griffith will have to get intense on defense so that they can take minutes away from Reed. I like Reed but his only role on the team at this point is for his defense. He is no scoring threat. So if Griffith can score and play defense as good or better than Reed that would absorb all of Redds minutes theoretically.

Very interesting that the program has advanced to where 4 stars leave due to better players in front of them. He is a local so we will see if he is offered more NIL to stay until this upper classmen on the team move on.

[Rufus]

Your probably correct. The two Tyler's and Griffith will have to get intense on defense so that they can take minutes away from Reed. I like Reed but his only role on the team at this point is for his defense. He is no scoring threat. So if Griffith can score and play defense as good or better than Reed that would absorb all of Redds minutes theoretically.