Eastern Washington 11/12 12:00 ESPN+

[leeraymond]

Some comments: 1) Lakhin got off today. I know that Lakhin cannot have this type of game every night/day. In my mind, it is time for him to put up these types of numbers. I have to give Lakhin his due respect. He played some winning basketball today; 2) Skillings tried too hard today to make something happen. It reminded me of his game at Temple last year. Skillings is still a young guy. Although Skillings is a pretty good rebounder, he has to realize that when his shot is NOT falling, he needs to do other things to help the team win. That is the problem with young guys. They think it is all about scoring.

The one thing that bothers me with Wes Miller and his approach is, what happens on those nights when the team finds it difficult to score? How will they win a game? Miller's teams are just NOT defensive enough. That weakness normally takes about 5 or 6 games into the season to show itself. However, this year, it has showed itself during the first game and really showed itself today. UC gave up 43 points in the second half. Miller's defensive system does NOTHING to take a team out of what it wants to do offensively. For Miller's teams, it boils down to scoring more points than the other team and playing just enough defense to win. That approach is working now but when UC begin to play better competition, will it still work?

[SawyerHall68]

Did you noticed first half of Detroit Mercy game was a blowout; however, the second half Detroit went to a zone defense and played fairly even with UC. In today's E. Washington game, it seemed that E.W.'s use of the zone defense was found to also be effective. I surely hope Coach Wes is working on an offence against the zone. This bothers me every year to see teams use zone defense purposely against UC, effectively.

[SawyerHall68]

Through 3 games:

Lakhin 13.7 points, 8.0 rebounds
Thomas 12.3 points, 3.0 assists
Skillings 11.0 points, 7.7 rebounds
James 10.7 points (10/11 FT)
Newman 9.7 points, 5.3 rebounds
Lukosius 8.7 points, 3.7 assists
Fredrick 8.3 points (7/12 three)
Oguama 4.3 points, 6.3 rebounds
Reed 2.3 points, 4.3 rebounds

Another plus...Didn't Reed lead team in time played in the Detroit Mercy game and rebounded well?

[Rufus]

Another notice: Why continue to not use Tolentino? If he hasn't developed even a little to at least take some fouls away from Vic and Ody and since we're going to be down two roster spots for the year, don't you think in these early games CWM would at least try to get him in to gain some experience.

[Lobot]

Did you noticed first half of Detroit Mercy game was a blowout; however, the second half Detroit went to a zone defense and played fairly even with UC. In today's E. Washington game, it seemed that E.W.'s use of the zone defense was found to also be effective. I surely hope Coach Wes is working on an offence against the zone. This bothers me every year to see teams use zone defense purposely against UC, effectively.

You'd think CJ could shoot them out of the zone but EWU wasn't letting him touch the ball all game. I didn't see, at least early on in the 2nd half, anyone flash to the foul line which baffles me because Vik can shoot out there. But yeah, we've got to work on zone offense. NKU beat us with zone last year and I'm sure they'll try it again this year.

On Toletino. Not the right game for him I don't think. He would have been trying to guard smaller, faster guys, And EWU tried to make a furious comeback there at the end. Not quite blowout territory to put him in.

I told you so on Vik shooting threes. He can make those.

[bearcatbret]

The enquirer has a piece out now with a photo of Vic on the drive. In that photo in the forefront is a pair of legs of a UC player coming up from the floor. Does anyone know which player was on his back for that photo? Other news: Lakhin's Double-Double, Career-High 26 Power UC Past EWU - University of Cincinnati Athletics (gobearcats.com)

[Rufus]

The only UC players visible are Vic ( driving to rim ) and Day Day in the background. The legs you see in the foreground is an E.W. player

[leeraymond]

You'd think CJ could shoot them out of the zone but EWU wasn't letting him touch the ball all game. I didn't see, at least early on in the 2nd half, anyone flash to the foul line which baffles me because Vik can shoot out there. But yeah, we've got to work on zone offense. NKU beat us with zone last year and I'm sure they'll try it again this year.

On Toletino. Not the right game for him I don't think. He would have been trying to guard smaller, faster guys, And EWU tried to make a furious comeback there at the end. Not quite blowout territory to put him in.

I told you so on Vik shooting threes. He can make those.

Yeah. You did mention that to everybody. Vik got off today. I have to give him a ton of credit. He is now shooting 2 for 5 on the three. That is about 40%. Can he sustain that percentage over 30 games? I do not know. However, it is important for Vik NOT to get three-point HAPPY. He is primarily an inside guy and is effective in the paint. If Vik can hit the 3-ball consistently, that will give UC a serious edge. We will see what happens.

Side comment and question: Jake Kyman for Eastern Washington is a two-time transfer (UCLA and Wyoming). Also, CJ Fredrick is also a two-time transfer. Why is it their transfers went through and Aziz's and Reynolds' did not? Just wondering if anyone has an answer.

[Longtime Lurker]

Not sure about Kyman, but CJ is a grad transfer, so doesn't get counted as a two time transfer.

[Carthage World]

Not sure about Kyman, but CJ is a grad transfer, so doesn't get counted as a two time transfer.

Kyman is a grad transfer as well. This is his 5th year.

[BearKatz]

Has Reynolds appeal been denied? Or is UC still waiting to hear from the NCAA?

[Lobot]

Has Reynolds appeal been denied? Or is UC still waiting to hear from the NCAA?

We are still waiting.

[GoBearcats31]

Lakhin's 26 points were apparently the highest by a Bearcat since Kyle Washington scored 27 versus UConn in Feb. 2017

[Carthage World]

Lakhin's 26 points were apparently the highest by a Bearcat since Kyle Washington scored 27 versus UConn in Feb. 2017

DeJulius had 30 on Senior Night last year.

[GoBearcats31]

DeJulius had 30 on Senior Night last year.

Good call. I guess the tweet said most by a "big man" which I overlooked.