Central Florida 1/27 7:00 ESPN+

[swilsonsp4]

Get ready for a rock fight on Saturday night. The Knights are virtually a one-dimensional team; poor offensively and elite defensively. They are 11-6 and have a major pelt on their wall in having knocked off the Jayhawks in Orlando.

UCF are #67 NET, #72 KenPom and #78 BartTorvik. In the lattermost rankings, which break out statistical aspects of each team, the Knights are #237 offensive efficiency, largely by being a poor shooting team, both inside and outside the arc. They make up for that by being a strong rebounding team at both ends and denying open shots, yielding a #5 defensive efficiency ranking. The Knights also get to the line a lot and foul a lot as well.

They host the Mountaineers tonight at 7:00 on ESPN+.

[Geaux Juan]

Just an observation - during his post-game shows this season, particularly after losses, Wes often mentions how pi**ed he is. I like the fire, but wondered if it bothered anyone. Last night, he mentioned how “ticked” he was at times and didn’t use the other term. Do you think he got some “guidance” on his language. Just curious.

I noticed that, too, and I welcomed it.

[leo from jersey]

Ah - sorry I missed your post. Good to know that I wasn’t imagining it.

It was my first thought. He is representing a major University.

[steveedwards]

Yes I mentioned it in an earlier post. he also said BS and then am I allowed to say that. It seems like he has been guided away from such language.

Ah - sorry I missed your post. Good to know that I wasn’t imagining it.

[leo from jersey]

Just an observation - during his post-game shows this season, particularly after losses, Wes often mentions how pi**ed he is. I like the fire, but wondered if it bothered anyone. Last night, he mentioned how “ticked” he was at times and didn’t use the other term. Do you think he got some “guidance” on his language. Just curious.

Yes I mentioned it in an earlier post. he also said BS and then am I allowed to say that. It seems like he has been guided away from such language.

[steveedwards]

Just an observation - during his post-game shows this season, particularly after losses, Wes often mentions how pi**ed he is. I like the fire, but wondered if it bothered anyone. Last night, he mentioned how “ticked” he was at times and didn’t use the other term. Do you think he got some “guidance” on his language. Just curious.

[Cincatz13]

I've been saying all year CWM over rotates and plays too many guys. He never sticks with 6-8 guys rotationally and seems to sub at every 2 minute spot. It's not enough time for anyone to get used to playing with the 4 other dudes on the floor. With injuries and illness, he's being forced into this now and I think you see some of the fruits of that. I hope he sees that and continues to only play 6-8 pending match ups once we have a full team back.

[Lobot]

Here's the box score:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401603441

Just a suffocating 2nd half defensively for UC. We held UCF to 18 pts in the half. The distribution of minutes was very different with Lakhin out last night. Most of the starting five played 30+ where normally everyone's about 28 . For those on the Ody Oguama train, he had 6 rebounds in 11 minutes last night. Pretty productive.

[leo from jersey]

is minutes but gave a solid
Yeah. That may be "coaches speak". There have been plenty of moments in these past 7 games where Miller could have played Oguama. At 6"7'/ 6"8', there are plenty BIG 12 players that Oguama matches up well with (Adams and Furphy (hit for 22 points) from Kansas, Miller from TCU, both bigs from Houston, and Disu (hit for over 25 points) from Texas to name a few). I believe that UC may have gotten some different outcomes had Miller played Oguama some decent minutes in the Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Kansas games. Oguama brings to every game a toughness and physical style of play that harasses the offense. I would imagine that over the course of a game, that style of play may have a positive impact on a game for Cincinnati.

Also, Oguama is shooting 51% on the season. He does NOT take a lot of shots but he makes about half of the shots that he takes. Why keep Oguama on the bench when the match-ups favor UC? Ask Miller.

good points. ODY is a favorite of mine. He didn't cry about his lack of time, but played hard when he was in.

[bearcatjd]

Great win, the crowd was crazy & enjoyalbe game to watch. Our shooting % was up because we did not take alot of 3'. Bring on WVA!.

[leeraymond]

It is interesting that CWM said he could play ODY due to UCF going small and Ody could handle the defense. He did.

Yeah. That may be "coaches speak". There have been plenty of moments in these past 7 games where Miller could have played Oguama. At 6"7'/ 6"8', there are plenty BIG 12 players that Oguama matches up well with (Adams and Furphy (hit for 22 points) from Kansas, Miller from TCU, both bigs from Houston, and Disu (hit for over 25 points) from Texas to name a few). I believe that UC may have gotten some different outcomes had Miller played Oguama some decent minutes in the Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Kansas games. Oguama brings to every game a toughness and physical style of play that harasses the offense. I would imagine that over the course of a game, that style of play may have a positive impact on a game for Cincinnati.

Also, Oguama is shooting 51% on the season. He does NOT take a lot of shots but he makes about half of the shots that he takes. Why keep Oguama on the bench when the match-ups favor UC? Ask Miller.

[GoBearcats31]

Up 5 spots in the NET (32)

31 in KenPom (71 offensive efficiency, 17 defensive efficiency)

[leo from jersey]

I heard two interesting interviews. DS showed his true Jersey style when he spoke about the difference between the Halfs. He correctly stated that UCF had punked them in the first half, but UC got tired of it and started to rebound which wore UCF out. On CWM post game there were changes. They had to speak to CWM about his language as he used ticked for pissed and he said BS and then "Can I say that". The biggest change was the demeanor from Terry. We all know Terry is a friend of E. Martin who didn't get the job and Terry is an important leader of the Bearcat alums. He called CWM a Bearcat last night, That was major. CWM said he appreciated it. Big change.


CWM also said why he keeps SL in. he does the little things which nobody else does. I think he was saying the glue and the closest thing they have to a floor leader. You win with what you have, although I am looking forward to a floor leader playing in the future. Until then, its SL and they hinted at a CJ return.

[leo from jersey]

Very good point concerning being able to win WITHOUT Lakhin. So when Lakhin is committing goofy mistakes, Miller can play without him and still win. However, that depends on the match-ups as well. Nothing sends a stronger message to a player than by playing and winning with him on the bench. It may NOT feel like it, but this win was a very BIG win for UC. It is one thing to lose to a ranked team at home, however losing to UCF (no disrespect to UCF) at HOME would have been bad for UC's NCAA tournament chances.

On the other hand, maybe it is much too soon to even think about the NCAA tournament. Let's just think about West Virginia (on the road) for now.

It is interesting that CWM said he could play ODY due to UCF going small and Ody could handle the defense. He did.

[leeraymond]

Yes I'm excited about the W, but we still need to remain calm. This was a game that on paper we should have won, this is a team that has a depleted roster, are in the bottom half of the conference standings, and with two starters scratched prior to game time with a third fouling out in the upper portion of the second half all with our home court advantage. For all intents and purposes we were beat in the first half. We quit playing when UCF came back from behind and then took a double digit lead, and I am impressed, cautiously impressed with how the 'cats came out in half two.
Hopefully some maturity occurred and some learning took place this evening. Like someone said we're seeing DS grow right before our eyes. But more importantly they discovered they can win without Vik. We'll see if progress was made in how we come out against WV. Enjoy the win gentlemen!

Very good point concerning being able to win WITHOUT Lakhin. So when Lakhin is committing goofy mistakes, Miller can play without him and still win. However, that depends on the match-ups as well. Nothing sends a stronger message to a player than by playing and winning with him on the bench. It may NOT feel like it, but this win was a very BIG win for UC. It is one thing to lose to a ranked team at home, however losing to UCF (no disrespect to UCF) at HOME would have been bad for UC's NCAA tournament chances.

On the other hand, maybe it is much too soon to even think about the NCAA tournament. Let's just think about West Virginia (on the road) for now.