Baylor 1/7 8:00 ESPN+

[GoBearcats31]

Baylor is unranked but top 25 in both NET and KenPom.

The Bears have played a tough schedule with mixed results: blown out by Gonzaga, beat Arkansas by 5, beat St John’s in 2OT, lost by 15 to now #1 Tennessee, lost to UConn, most recently beat Utah by 25 and lost by 19 on Saturday at Iowa State.

VJ Edgecombe is a likely lottery pick (actually just fourth in scoring). Miami transfer Norchad Omier leads the way at 15.5 and 10.8 at 6’7 240.

UC played Baylor tough last January down in Texas and could use a W tomorrow. Kansas is looming on Saturday.

[leeraymond]

Our offense sits at #113 on Torvik right now, slotting in between UT Rio Grande Valley and UMass Lowell.

Yeah Sedz. UC basketball appears to be falling apart right now. It is kind of sad really. There were so many expectations coming into this season. Now we all are wondering if UC can win at least one @#%@ game in the BIG XII. On the other hand, "it's not over until it's over". I say there are still at least 18 conference games remaining to play. I am NOT giving up on the team right now. I believe UC has enough of a roster to win. I just do NOT know about Miller. Does Miller have enough INSIDE HIMSELF to win? I don't know. None of us knows the answer to that one.

[leeraymond]

I turned the game off last night at halftime because I saw the same "deer in headlight" look from our guys that I've now seen in the last two games. I was hoping CWM was the coach that could bring back the Bearcat brand of bball, but now I can't say that. It's like the only offensive play they worked during before seasons start was that lob to Aziz and when the cupcake portion of the schedule concluded the stiffer opponents took that away and now their lost. Simas Is a spot on shooter when he has time to pitch a tent build a fire and then shoot but when he has to pull a shot quick not so much. He moves like a wildebeast among gazelles. Every prognosticator believed that Miller has assembled a team that could compete based on each individuals past production but now Miller has yet to get even what was expected out of these guys. And in years past he had us all scratching our heads trying to figure out his rotation of players but now we're scratching because of his lack of rotation. If I had to guess he's basing his playing times on keeping players from hitting the portal at season's end

Good post Rufus.

[sedz]

Our offense sits at #113 on Torvik right now, slotting in between UT Rio Grande Valley and UMass Lowell.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I turned the game off last night at halftime because I saw the same "deer in headlight" look from our guys that I've now seen in the last two games. I was hoping CWM was the coach that could bring back the Bearcat brand of bball, but now I can't say that. It's like the only offensive play they worked during before seasons start was that lob to Aziz and when the cupcake portion of the schedule concluded the stiffer opponents took that away and now their lost. Simas Is a spot on shooter when he has time to pitch a tent build a fire and then shoot but when he has to pull a shot quick not so much. He moves like a wildebeast among gazelles. Every prognosticator believed that Miller has assembled a team that could compete based on each individuals past production but now Miller has yet to get even what was expected out of these guys. And in years past he had us all scratching our heads trying to figure out his rotation of players but now we're scratching because of his lack of rotation. If I had to guess he's basing his playing times on keeping players from hitting the portal at season's end

That certainly is not the case with Rayvon Griffith. It's becoming obvious that Wes wants him to hit the portal.

[Bearcattony00]

I feel like Yes-men coaches like Wes are a disturbing trend, coupled with NIL infected players that are becoming narcissistic. Jizzle?

[longtimefan]

CWM needs to shake this up, if that means starting Griffith and Reed, do it. Find some guys who want to play as hard and tough as Bearcats are supposed to. Don’t hesitate to bench anybody for lack of effort. Make guys earn their minutes all over again, against league competition.

[Rufus]

I turned the game off last night at halftime because I saw the same "deer in headlight" look from our guys that I've now seen in the last two games. I was hoping CWM was the coach that could bring back the Bearcat brand of bball, but now I can't say that. It's like the only offensive play they worked during before seasons start was that lob to Aziz and when the cupcake portion of the schedule concluded the stiffer opponents took that away and now their lost. Simas Is a spot on shooter when he has time to pitch a tent build a fire and then shoot but when he has to pull a shot quick not so much. He moves like a wildebeast among gazelles. Every prognosticator believed that Miller has assembled a team that could compete based on each individuals past production but now Miller has yet to get even what was expected out of these guys. And in years past he had us all scratching our heads trying to figure out his rotation of players but now we're scratching because of his lack of rotation. If I had to guess he's basing his playing times on keeping players from hitting the portal at season's end

[London 'Cat]

CWM has time to turn this season around. But he must be intentional with his actions to make that happen. Whether he can or not remains to be seen. IMO, he has to use the bench as a motivator. Until players improve their play they don’t see the floor.

[Gmann]

For some time, I and others on this forum, have assessed Miller as a very good recruiter and a subpar to poor developer of talent and in game coach. I believe he has improved the talent each year backed up by how these recruits are rated by the experts. I was hopeful that Miller could assemble enough talent to offset his weaknesses based on the last 4 years results. He does not seem to be improving and is too nice of a guy to get on anybody or sit them down to make a point. This league is filled with comparable talented rosters but far superior coaching and that translates to what we have seen thus far.

I think that last year Newman and DDJ provided some on the court leadership and competitveness that is sadly lacking from this squad. I hate the feeling of dread I have but it is so bad right now I don't think Miller has the experience to turn it around. I hope I am wrong because if he fails this year and is fired there will be a mass exodus of players who will either follow him or go elsewhere. I don't know how many rebuilds I have in me at this stage of my life. Also I appeciate this forum as an outlet as I know many of you are as passionate about the Bearcats as I am.

[gobearcats1]

Wes shows no passion during the press conference, call out your players like Mick did. Show more passion or toughness, he not the answer for the Bearcats.

[GoBearcats31]

Remaining games this month:

Kansas
at Colorado
Arizona State
Texas Tech
at BYU
at Utah

Need 4-2…

[leeraymond]

DayDay's shot had improve massively (28% last year, 43% currently this year).

I agree on the rest though, it's not the loss, it's the way we lost and the general trend of Wes being unwilling to make changes. He did put Fredrick, then Reed in for about 30 seconds each at the end of the first half, but that reeked more of desperation that trying to make a real change.

Skillings, DayDay and Aziz look like they belong and they care. Everyone else is either over-matched and/or don't give 100% most of the time.

On the subject of disappointment, Mitchell has been. His defensive ability was overhyped, he's not a bad defender by any means, but he's not the elite defender that Newman was.

Good post. I have noticed that with Mitchell as well. However, I still think that Mitchell in the lineup gives UC its best chance to win. UC is NOT equipped to deal with big body big men. Except for Arizona, all of UC's losses so far have been to teams with big body four men. It was not good strategy to bring Mitchell in to play the four. He really is better suited to play the three. You are right, Mitchell is a good open floor defender. However, he is not a good shot defender. Even smaller players are able to shoot over him. By the way, Mitchell is NOT 6'8" either (more like 6'7"). Simas and James are also struggling on both sides of the ball.

UC was ranked in the Top 25 coming into the season and held that ranking until two games into conference play. UC was also picked to finish no lower than 6th in the BIG XII. At this time, UC is in last place with zero (0) wins. If I am not mistaken, UC may be the only BIG XII team with an 0-3 record. Hey, let's not pretend as though we all had the utmost confidence in Miller's coaching. We were hoping and praying that Miller finally turned the corner and had put together a team that could compete for a championship. We were also hoping and praying that he could coach them the right way. However, we all have been witnesses to Miller's coaching style and abilities for four (4) seasons now. We all know that Miller's UC teams have lost an average of about 14 games a year. To some of us, we are NOT that surprised because even with Miller's best team (in my estimation), the Nolley-DeJulius team, UC still lost 13 games that year and was 11-7 in the American. UC is NOW in the BIG XII. A so-called "Power Conference".

Maybe we have seen Miller's best. As frightening of a thought as that is, it may be true. Maybe at this time his best is not good enough. I do not know about that one. I am an optimist by nature and I truly believe that UC has ENOUGH of a roster to compete at highest levels in the BIG XII. Can the situation that UC finds itself in get Miller to channel and focus his inner coaching guru to take his coaching to a higher level? I sincerely hope so. There are at least 18 BIG XII games left on the season. There is plenty of time for Miller to get the ship back upright.

[leo from jersey]

DayDay's shot has improved massively (28% last year, 43% currently this year).

I agree on the rest though, it's not the loss, it's the way we lost and the general trend of Wes being unwilling to make changes. He did put Fredrick, then Reed in for about 30 seconds each at the end of the first half, but that reeked more of desperation that trying to make a real change.

Skillings, DayDay and Aziz look like they belong and they care. Everyone else is either over-matched and/or don't give 100% most of the time.

On the subject of disappointment, Mitchell has been. His defensive ability was overhyped, he's not a bad defender by any means, but he's not the elite defender that Newman was.

Newman hustled and on offense he was a decoy who drew defenders and so many times kicked it out to the open SL for a three. He made smart plays. He kept his passes in bounds and calmed the team down many times. BUT life and BB goes on.

[zykarious]

Well as disappointed as I am with the results of the last 3 games, I won't insult the players. CWM needs to change the lineup. I believe the players really like Miller because I believe he is too soft. If someone is not doing well on defense & can't score, take them out. We can't do any worse than the last 3 games. Start the second string players & maybe it will wake up the starters. Something needs to change. Thank goodness they sell beer at the games & we have pretty cheerleaders & pretty dance team members.

Wes historically seems to be very slow to react. I know in the past he has talked about not wanting to overreact single games and wanting to wait to see the advanced stats over multiple games. Which sounds good in theory, but advanced stats don't tell you much about the effort each player is giving. Whereas, it's pretty easy to see when a guy is slacking off.

I have no clue what is going on with Hickman, it's been obvious he shouldn't be getting more than 5 minutes per game since basically the start of the season. Now he has an injured ankle too and can't even defend. Him still getting minutes is absolutely ridiculous and entirely on Wes.

Wes is big on giving players freedom, but he also needs them to take responsibility. If they use that freedom to slack off, either you need to take away the freedom or you need to put in someone who will give his all. I'm up for starting DayDay and Reed next game at least (bench Jizzle and Simas or Mitchell), reward the guys who play defense and give the effort. Wes praised Reed after Villonova for being the one guy in that game who brought it on defense, since then Reed has barely played.