Offseason Discussion and Predictions '24-25

[Lobot]

Let's put everything regarding next year's preparations and improvements here. Feel free to throw out some predictionsout there if you care to.

[GoBearcats31]

Wes, Dan Skillings and Connor Hickman will meet with the media this afternoon at 1:15 p.m. (will stream live on X -- @GoBearcatsMBB)

Nuggets per Keegan Nickoson:
- Wes calls Jizzle James "a significantly better player" now
- Wes said Rayvon led UC in rebounds, both offensive and defensive, this summer
- Wes confirms season-ending knee surgery for McKinley
- Look for Halvine Dzellat to redshirt this season
- Transfer Connor Hickman was Mike Rehfeldt's "Monster of the Summer"
- Hickman on his 40" vertical: "It's surprised some people. I'm 6'2", white, with a combover" -- added that he dunked on Rayvon in practice. (Dan Skillings: "It wasn't a body, but it was a good dunk. I can't believe he said that up here.")
- Dan Skillings: "My plan coming into college was to do three years and then go to the NBA, but that's not my mindset right now, my mind is so far from that. I'm focused on winning."
- Dan: "I bet Simas, Jizzle, Aziz and me were all offered more money to play somewhere else, but we're all here...It says a lot about this program and Coach Wes."
- Dan said he's improved his shot a lot

[GoBearcats31]

Wes, Dan Skillings and Connor Hickman will meet with the media this afternoon at 1:15 p.m. (will stream live on X -- @GoBearcatsMBB)

[red_n_black_attack]

Number 20 and moving up. This should be an interesting season. A lot of Big 12 teams simply reloaded, and I think we significantly improved three starting positions, SG, PF, and C (in more traditional position terminology). Say what you will about the Big 12 being the best conference, but I think Wes has our Bearcats on the verge of being elite again.

[GoBearcats31]

#20 in the preseason countdown from the Field of 68

[Lobot]

It's an ACL. That was the rumor and someone confirmed it for me yesterday. He was not at yesterday's practice.

[Longtime Lurker]

Ah nah! Man, I hate to hear that. You know, as much as we hate to hear about anyone getting hurt (regardless of the team), injuries are a part of the game. I was especially looking forward to watching McKinley play and secretly hoping that he could be the first big off the bench. Just like that, down to three big men. Losing McKinley does not hurt Miller's plan for this year too much because he mentioned that he wants to go with one big and four outside players as his primary line-up this season. Hopefully, McKinley will be okay in the long run. Thanks for the info.

Take this for what it is worth-but my daughter is a student at Walnut Hills, where Tyler played his first two years of high school ball. Her health teacher, who had him as a student, is asking kids to sign get well cards for him "after he had surgery for a torn ACL". Conclusive-absolutely not, but it fits with the rumors about his injury. Joining the kids in her class in wishing him a speedy recovery regardless.

[leeraymond]

I don't think that will be happening for McKinley. I haven't seen anyone say definitively say what the knee injury was but based on rumors I think he's probably a medical redshirt candidate and down for the year.

Ah nah! Man, I hate to hear that. You know, as much as we hate to hear about anyone getting hurt (regardless of the team), injuries are a part of the game. I was especially looking forward to watching McKinley play and secretly hoping that he could be the first big off the bench. Just like that, down to three big men. Losing McKinley does not hurt Miller's plan for this year too much because he mentioned that he wants to go with one big and four outside players as his primary line-up this season. Hopefully, McKinley will be okay in the long run. Thanks for the info.

[leo from jersey]

Yeah, but the piece did mention that McKinley had a "surgical procedure" done on his knee. Wow!! I hate that this has happened to that kid. I think that he will be a very good big man for UC. I hope that McKinley can come back before the conference season starts. UC will most definitely need him. Has anyone looked at the conference schedule? Good Lord, it is a MONSTER.

This is the reality of the BIG 12 -- As Ric Flair said "to be the best, you have to beat the best". MY wish is for him to come back, but a red shirt isn't the end of the world especially given four years after this one.

[Lobot]

Yeah, but the piece did mention that McKinley had a "surgical procedure" done on his knee. Wow!! I hate that this has happened to that kid. I think that he will be a very good big man for UC. I hope that McKinley can come back before the conference season starts. UC will most definitely need him. Has anyone looked at the conference schedule? Good Lord, it is a MONSTER.

I don't think that will be happening for McKinley. I haven't seen anyone say definitively what the knee injury was, but based on rumors I think he's probably a medical redshirt candidate and down for the year.

[leeraymond]

didn't say much so we have to wait and see.

Yeah, but the piece did mention that McKinley had a "surgical procedure" done on his knee. Wow!! I hate that this has happened to that kid. I think that he will be a very good big man for UC. I hope that McKinley can come back before the conference season starts. UC will most definitely need him. Has anyone looked at the conference schedule? Good Lord, it is a MONSTER.

[leo from jersey]

Scott Springer reporting McKinley knee injury https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...y/75411767007/

didn't say much so we have to wait and see.

[GoBearcats31]

Scott Springer reporting McKinley knee injury https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...y/75411767007/

[GoBearcats31]

Looks like this has legs if you read between the lines a bit with Wes' comments on the Rothstein podcast about Arrinten Page.

Perhaps -- but I'd be disappointed if Page weren't in a position to log more mins/make a greater impact than McKinley anyways this season

[Lobot]

Looks like this has legs if you read between the lines a bit with Wes' comments on the Rothstein podcast about Arrinten Page.