Texas Christian 2/24 3:00 ESPN+

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Reynolds came alive and became a battling Bearcat. He was banging and at times, the only Bearcat trying on the floor. I also thought Aziz played good defense in the first half comeback. The Cats need to start to play hard every game. The guards, while Day Day scored, had 16 and gave up 30. That isn't counting the Turnovers or the ability to finish the pick & roll which was set up several times (I seen this in many games). I am tired of Newman's excuse that we have new guys. He heard CWM used that for too long. TCU had new players too. OH for a floor leader. VIK made a very weak presence. Does he have leaving on his mind? Can CWM get inside his head?

Leo, do you think we need a floor leader? LOL That's about the 100th mention.

[leeraymond]

What do these teams have in common (Charlotte, FAU, North Texas, South Florida, Houston, and Texas Tech)? They all have coaches or are schools that are NEW to higher conferences. They also are in the top half of their conferences where they are very much in the running for making the NCAA Tournament. That brings us to Miller. There was a stretch in the TCU game (late first half) where James, Thomas, Simas, Aziz, and Newman (I believe) were in the game and had just taken the lead (8-0 run). Clearly, the casual observer could see that that particular UC lineup had a pop and a good chemistry to it. TCU then called a timeout. When UC came back after the timeout, Miller had changed the lineup. It was at that moment that I began to wonder if Miller really knows what he is doing. Seriously, think about all of the basic kinds of choices that we, AS FANS, can see that are very rational, but then Miller makes a completely different choice that turns into a disaster. UC does NOT have 11 losses (5-9 conference) for no reason. Those 11 losses represent a 40.7 % loss rate and the season is not over yet. Regardless if a coach is new to a conference or not, GOOD DECISION MAKING IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO COACHING WINNING BASKETBALL.

After Miller changed that very productive lineup, TCU outscored UC 19-9 to end the 1st half. The two forwards, Coles and Miller killed UC yesterday. Both guys are about 6"7'. Oguama played two minutes yesterday and had two blocks and a steal (was not documented). Oguama would have been a very good match-up in yesterday's game. I know a lot people on this blog are big J. James' fans. I think he is okay, but he is not ready to play 25 minutes / game (yesterday). He had 4 turnovers yesterday. Skillings is another guy whose minutes should be tightly regulated. Since Skillings has been in the starting lineup the last three games, UC has given up 76 points a game. UC's conference average is 69.8. Let's not mention Aziz and his constantly weak defense on the perimeter. Remember, it was TCU's forwards that killed UC. They went 11-18 and 4-8 (from 3).

There is good news. Except for Houston, UC still has a chance. If UC can win the three games after the Houston game and steal a couple games in the BIG 12 Tournament, that would give UC about 20 wins. That should do it. Here is the other part. I have been watching Miller's decision making for three years now. He is NOT a capable live game action floor manager. He has no clue what lineup to keep in the game and what lineup he should change. UC has NOT played well since the first Houston game. It appears that Miller HAS FAVORITES that he likes to play regardless of the stats. That is reckless because it hurts the team. Think about this for a second, the UC front line that started at the beginning of the year is now on the bench and has barely played since conference play has started. These guys have been in the program longer than most. They know what Miller's system is all about. Why would a coach leave that experience and know-how on the bench? With UC, its older players are typically its better players. Maybe it is time to go back to Lakhin and Oguama as the starting front line. Besides, since Aziz has started, UC has lost 9 of 14.

Is Miller the REAL problem with UC basketball? Does he really know what he is doing?

[Gmann]

Last Sunday we were playing for the ncaa tournament. Now, the goal seems to be staying out of last. What a difference a week can make.

My thoughts exactly. For some reaon Miller's team seem to fade down the stretch each season. You can see the other teams in the conference have figured out their teams while the Cats are still experimenting and complely inconsistent. A different issue or set of issues appear from game to game.

[Dr.kenneth noisewater]

Last Sunday we were playing for the ncaa tournament. Now, the goal seems to be staying out of last. What a difference a week can make.

[leo from jersey]

In an interview CWM mentioned a lack of communication by the Cats. Why is this?

[Lobot]

Please DO NOT copy and paste from paywalled articles at BCJ, Bearcat Report, or anywhere else, to the board. If it's a free article, fine. If it's a link to a paid article, that's ok but please mark it with ($). Thanks.

[leo from jersey]

We gave up 1.09 points per possession, which isn't great but also not terrible. It's actually better than our performance at Texas Tech, which surprised me. Aside from the opening minute and a stretch late when TCU was scoring a lot in transition, the half court defense wasn't too bad. We never did anything to stop Coles, and Miller was making some nice plays. But we contained Nelson, allowed just 18 points at the rim (many in transition), and rebounded 75% of their misses. The defense on Coles is the only thing I was really upset about on that side of the ball since that's easily correctable.

Offensively we put up 0.83 points per possession, by far our lowest output of the season. We only scored 25 second half points, including a 4 minute scoreless stretch when TCU went on an 11-0 run and another stretch where we only scored 2 points over 6 minutes (a 12-2 run). That's 25% of the game where we scored 2 points. Shooting was poor (46% effective field goals), and we didn't grab enough offensive rebounds to compensate (less than 25% of our misses) and didn't take care of the ball (10 second half turnovers). Only Jamille and Simas were efficient scoring the ball, and Aziz had 4 offensive rebounds.

Jamille was our best player, posting positive 2.2 net points and a 12.7 box plus minus (no small feat in a blowout loss). As has become a pattern lately, Ody was our best player when he was on the floor, leading in box plus minus in his 2 minutes. Jizzle was our worst player by far, recording negative 7.5 net points and a negative 14.7 box plus minus. Just awful. He only scored 4 points on 11 shots and added 4 turnovers. He's also the only player on our team who had a negative defensive box plus minus. Skillings was next worse with negative 3.7 net points. After noting that OK St was his first game with 4 turnovers this year, he made me look dumb and did it twice in a row.

Reynolds came alive and became a battling Bearcat. He was banging and at times, the only Bearcat trying on the floor. I also thought Aziz played good defense in the first half comeback. The Cats need to start to play hard every game. The guards, while Day Day scored, had 16 and gave up 30. That isn't counting the Turnovers or the ability to finish the pick & roll which was set up several times (I seen this in many games). I am tired of Newman's excuse that we have new guys. He heard CWM used that for too long. TCU had new players too. OH for a floor leader. VIK made a very weak presence. Does he have leaving on his mind? Can CWM get inside his head?

[DesertFog]

For those with ESPN+ problems, try watching the replay or watching from the beginning after the game has been in progress for awhile.

[Rufus]

I'll chime in on this. ESPN+ is not worth the money you have to spend on it. The constant buffering and hiccuping as it's called ( repeating a two sec segment repeatedly and constantly throughout the stream is getting too exhausting to tolerate. I thought it was on my end because it was happening every time but I checked my Internet connections and speed and everything was fine. So I will not be re-upping my subscription at seasons end.

[SKell82155]

I hope everyone else's stream isn't hiccuping as much as mine is. This is unwatchable on my end.

That is why I haven’t watched an ESPN+ game
all year. Garbage !

[zykarious]

Right now, the only guys out of eligibility after this season are John Newman and Ody Oguama. Everybody else is eligible to return. We have two top 100 recruits inbound, and Rayvon makes three. Unless something drastic happens, we won’t have an opportunity in the transfer portal.

I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that at least one spots opens up. I'm expecting a minimum of two spots to open and wouldn't be surprised with 3.

I expect at least one (possibly two) of Aziz, Reynolds, Sage and Vik to transfer. Those 4 will essentially all be fighting for minutes at center (Vik can get some at PF) and none are in a position where they'll be willing to sit.

I also expect at least one of Fredrick and Simas to transfer (or possibly for Fredrick to call it quits or be forced out based on his injury history). Their lack of athleticism and defensive ability means their minutes should be cut next year and there's a lot of incoming competition for minutes at PF/SF, plus I expect Reed to earn more minutes than Simas by next year (he's already close because he's so much better at defense and rebounding).

[longtimefan]

On to the transfer portal.

Right now, the only guys out of eligibility after this season are John Newman and Ody Oguama. Everybody else is eligible to return. We have two top 100 recruits inbound, and Rayvon makes three. Unless something drastic happens, we won’t have an opportunity in the transfer portal.

[sedz]

We gave up 1.09 points per possession, which isn't great but also not terrible. It's actually better than our performance at Texas Tech, which surprised me. Aside from the opening minute and a stretch late when TCU was scoring a lot in transition, the half court defense wasn't too bad. We never did anything to stop Coles, and Miller was making some nice plays. But we contained Nelson, allowed just 18 points at the rim (many in transition), and rebounded 75% of their misses. The defense on Coles is the only thing I was really upset about on that side of the ball since that's easily correctable.

Offensively we put up 0.83 points per possession, by far our lowest output of the season. We only scored 25 second half points, including a 4 minute scoreless stretch when TCU went on an 11-0 run and another stretch where we only scored 2 points over 6 minutes (a 12-2 run). That's 25% of the game where we scored 2 points. Shooting was poor (46% effective field goals), and we didn't grab enough offensive rebounds to compensate (less than 25% of our misses) and didn't take care of the ball (10 second half turnovers). Only Jamille and Simas were efficient scoring the ball, and Aziz had 4 offensive rebounds.

Jamille was our best player, posting positive 2.2 net points and a 12.7 box plus minus (no small feat in a blowout loss). As has become a pattern lately, Ody was our best player when he was on the floor, leading in box plus minus in his 2 minutes. Jizzle was our worst player by far, recording negative 7.5 net points and a negative 14.7 box plus minus. Just awful. He only scored 4 points on 11 shots and added 4 turnovers. He's also the only player on our team who had a negative defensive box plus minus. Skillings was next worse with negative 3.7 net points. After noting that OK St was his first game with 4 turnovers this year, he made me look dumb and did it twice in a row.

[longtimefan]

Have to win out now. Not impossible, but if they were shamed enough today maybe they have the guts to make it interesting. The Houston game is the season now as far as an NCAA bid goes, and that’s a long long shot. I just want to see UC compete hard in that game, win or lose.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

And Skillings may go to NBA? I don't think so. His defense is not good, too many turnovers and he needs to become a team player although he has tons of raw talent. This team has too much talent to suffer this embaressment. I have been behind CWM up to this point but now I am not sure. He does recruit. God only knows.

I don't think Skillings would even get drafted if he came out. Or, maybe he heads to the portal? I sure hope not.