NIT picking

[leeraymond]

I would say this. This is the first year that I felt I saw a Wes Miller team. I think that DeJulius & Adams-Woods stuck around after the Brannen mess, and Wes owed them and went with them. So he was some what hobbled in building his program from what he was left with. The team I saw this year was as good as any team Mick Cronin had in Cincinnati. When I consider the stream of NBA players that Huggy got through the years, Cronin wasn't close to matching him. With Skillings/James and three 6'11" players, I get the feeling that Wes can recruit talent.

I agree with you somewhat that James (and Skillings) don't see the floor and make the right passes, but I don't doubt that they are young players who will improve a lot. Being in the Big 12, Cincinnati is at the top of the food chain. We all saw the loses, but I saw a young inexperienced team that was competitive against Kansas, Houston, Baylor, Texas, BYU. I'm pretty hopeful that Cinci b-ball is big league.

I disagree with you concerning this year's team being as good as any Cronin team. This year's team had more talent, perhaps, than most of Cronin's UC teams. However, there is one big difference, Cronin's teams won games because they knew how to play defense. Here is some food for thought concerning Cronin's UC teams: 1) 6 seasons with over 25 wins; 2) back-to-back 30 win seasons; 3) 9 consecutive NCAA Tournaments; 4) one Sweet 16; and 5) .668 win percentage. Miller is no where near the type of coach that Cronin is and was at UC. Cronin knew how to win games. Miller stands on the sidelines and wonders why his team cannot get a stop.

Next season, with all of the talent that Miller is going to have, UC is STILL going to struggle to get stops. Also, UC will end up being on the bubble again. The conversations that we are having now about Miller's teams, we will have the same conversations next season. Like I said before, UC has the talent. There is no doubt about that. UC had the talent this year and last year. However, Miller is the wildcard. Until he learns how to play pick-and-roll-defense, how to defend against cutters and slashers, and how to defend big men that can play on the perimeter, we will be back in this sad damn space again next year.

One last thing. Cronin's UC teams routinely beat Houston and Kelvin Sampson. Miller's UC teams have played Houston 7 or 8 times now and are 0-7 or 0-8.

[bearcatbret]

HEARTBREAK: Bearcats’ Bid Ends in NIT Quarterfinals Clash with Indiana State | Fan Recap

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I mentioned that the other night. College kids can be pretty cruel - maybe there’s a faction that have gotten to
him ?

Or even a teammate. Hopefully not.

[SKell82155]

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned regarding Vic......could it have anything to do with the war between Russia and Ukraine?

I mentioned that the other night. College kids can be pretty cruel - maybe there’s a faction that have gotten to
him ?

[Bearcat93]

Really poor second half defense. We got exposed on some very simple actions, reverting to old habits instead of the scouting report.

Said a little differently we got outcoached, a troubling trend
for Wes.

[GunSlinger]

Vik is a very nice kid and seems to be a good guy, hope whatever issues he has, physically and/or otherwise, he’s able to overcome quickly. He’s extremely skilled for a man his size and adding a little more bulk would do wonders for his confidence. I think he can be a big part of this team going forward if he does.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Oh we've mentioned that for sure in more than one thread. Particularly I've mentioned this topic both here on the forum and elsewhere.

This is why I will continue to support Viktor Lakhin and actually want him to stay on the team rather than go into the portal. I think Viktor's issues go deeper than basketball with everything going on in the world right now. I hope others will also continue support the guy and stop bashing him. He's got a lot on his plate.


*** On that note, we do get Russian and adjacent country network traffic on this site although it's gone down substantially since they banned TOR use and VPNs in Russia. I used to have most of it geo-blocked on here and stopped doing that when Viktor came over to the US to play at UC. Please try and be very mindful of what you're posting concerning Viktor Lakhin on topics not related to basketball.

-Thank you, MGMT

I like Vic and hope he stays. I did not mean to imply otherwise.

[Lobot]

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned regarding Vic......could it have anything to do with the war between Russia and Ukraine?

Oh we've mentioned that for sure in more than one thread. Particularly I've mentioned this topic both here on the forum and elsewhere.

This is why I will continue to support Viktor Lakhin and actually want him to stay on the team rather than go into the portal. I think Viktor's issues go deeper than basketball with everything going on in the world right now. I hope others will also continue support the guy and stop bashing him. He's got a lot on his plate.


*** On that note, we do get Russian and adjacent country network traffic on this site although it's gone down substantially since they banned TOR use and VPNs in Russia. I used to have most of it geo-blocked on here and stopped doing that when Viktor came over to the US to play at UC. Please try and be very mindful of what you're posting concerning Viktor Lakhin on topics not related to basketball.

-Thank you, MGMT

[Gypo O'Leary]

When I went to bed last night I was more sympathetic to the misfortunes of UC basketball. When I woke up this morning I was not sure about this program. Here are some of my concerns (if anyone gives a damn): 1) UC shot 50% last night, 45.5% from three, and hit for 81 points in regulation and STILL LOST; 2) UC had 10 games on national TV this season and lost EIGHT of them (80% losing rate on national TV this year alone); 3) Since Miller has been the coach, UC has been on national TV about 44 times (give or take one) and has lost 27 of those games. That is a 61% losing rate on NATIONAL TV over a three-year period; 4) UC has lost an average of 14.3 games a year since Miller has been the coach. It is very hard to get to the NCAAs with those numbers of losses unless UC wins the BIG 12 (not likely).

Miller's teams give up too many points and because of that, his teams lose a lot of games. For next year, Miller has to be extra careful with what players he brings into the program. He needs a bigman that can play on the perimeter and score consistently. Maybe McKinley (I think I spelled his name correctly) can be that guy. Also, UC needs a point guard that can lead the team. James is a shooter that hogs the ball. There were a few moments in the Indy State game where James refused to pass the ball to the open man and the results were a disaster. Thomas is reckless with the ball. If Miller brings in a floor leader, as Leo suggests, what tensions will that create in the locker room? Both James and Thomas think they can run the show.

This team needs a lot of work to get ready for next season. Next season is the start of Miller being under the microscope. Every game and every decision will be scrutinized. With every loss the drum beat will get louder. UC has some good talent already on the roster and some good talent coming in. I hope that the transfers that Miller brings in will actually play and NOT ride the bench. More importantly, Miller has got to figure out how NOT to lose so many games next season.

I would say this. This is the first year that I felt I saw a Wes Miller team. I think that DeJulius & Adams-Woods stuck around after the Brannen mess, and Wes owed them and went with them. So he was some what hobbled in building his program from what he was left with. The team I saw this year was as good as any team Mick Cronin had in Cincinnati. When I consider the stream of NBA players that Huggy got through the years, Cronin wasn't close to matching him. With Skillings/James and three 6'11" players, I get the feeling that Wes can recruit talent.

I agree with you somewhat that James (and Skillings) don't see the floor and make the right passes, but I don't doubt that they are young players who will improve a lot. Being in the Big 12, Cincinnati is at the top of the food chain. We all saw the loses, but I saw a young inexperienced team that was competitive against Kansas, Houston, Baylor, Texas, BYU. I'm pretty hopeful that Cinci b-ball is big league.

[Gypo O'Leary]

One reason he wasn’t in foul trouble is our bigs only score on lobs. I just have to wonder what was going on with Vik.

Very true. I thought Reynolds would be able to back it down and score. He got a couple of bump fouls and he looked frustrated to me.

[Gypo O'Leary]

You have to have a guard who one wants to get it inside and two knows how. Outside of the lobs, there was only one successful pass inside in the first half but a lot of mid range jump shots which didn't go down in the second halh. SL got the ball twice in a row to DS for 2 baskets then he hit a three due to ISU going onto DS. After that, the ISY coach changed his defense and our lead guard didn't break it very well.

There is nothing but lobs for Bandaogo, he doesn't have any offensive moves. Reynolds couldn't chase Larry Nerd and he picked up a couple of cheap fouls and never got any rhythm. For me, Lahkin seems to have the best game to throw at a Larry Nerd type player. He is the classic Cinderella team big man...You throw your three 6'11" guys at him one after the other and get a couple of fouls on him and sit him and its over.

Obviously we don't have experienced point guards, Jizzle is a tough athlete but it is all about him juking for his own shot. Thomas is at a ceiling tbh. That is why I thought Cincinnati's overall offense ran better with Lahkin in the middle. He can score low post/high post, he can pass out of double teams. Reynolds is all low post, regardless he hit a rare trey. As a coach, I would have wanted to use all of them against Larry Nerd and overwhelm the guy. Another option is Lahkin + another big and Larry Nerd has to play one, and they don't have anyone able to cover the other guy.

Playing a run and gun 70+ point game against Cinderellas on their home floor? Not a great idea in general.

[Jeff Burk]

Man all I have read are your negative comments on JJ. The kid is a freshman give him a chance to grow! I'm ok with watching him take the point over and gain experience and stay with the team. He has show he can pass many times. I'm not on board with bringing in another point guard. We don't have the roster space for it or really the need. I might be in the minority but I want to see what they kid can do at point.

I'm also not sure what point guard you are talking about on ISU's team. The center had most of the assists and that is because of his skill and the offense they run. I don't think it is by accident that ever since James has taken over our offense has gotten tremendously better. I say start Jizzle and let Day Day give him a rest. I think some of his mistakes were due to being tired and not having played so many minutes in a long time.

I agree with giving JJ a chance at PG. He has played very good for a freshman.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned regarding Vic......could it have anything to do with the war between Russia and Ukraine?

[bearcatrunner]

A floor leader -- If we learned anything from ISU last night was they had one and ours threw the ball away with the game on the line. Again, it isn't all your hot shooting at the beginning, but taking charge and leading the team to victory at the end.
.

Man all I have read are your negative comments on JJ. The kid is a freshman give him a chance to grow! I'm ok with watching him take the point over and gain experience and stay with the team. He has show he can pass many times. I'm not on board with bringing in another point guard. We don't have the roster space for it or really the need. I might be in the minority but I want to see what they kid can do at point.

I'm also not sure what point guard you are talking about on ISU's team. The center had most of the assists and that is because of his skill and the offense they run. I don't think it is by accident that ever since James has taken over our offense has gotten tremendously better. I say start Jizzle and let Day Day give him a rest. I think some of his mistakes were due to being tired and not having played so many minutes in a long time.

[Rufus]

As in foreign players aren't allowed to get it and the rest of the team is allowed?

I don't know for sure, only surmising, but He hasn't been right since he got sick two or three games into the conference schedule.