ASU 1/18 2 PM CBS Sports Network

[leeraymond]

James and Simas had good scoring games against Arizona State. I hope their mojo is back. Those two guys along with Thomas are important for UC wins. UC probably needs for two of the three of them to score in double figures nightly for wins along with Mitchell and Skillings. Today, Mitchell, Skillings, James, and Simas all scored in double figures. In the Colorado game, Simas, Mitchell, Skillings, and Thomas all scored in double figures. Both of those games were wins.

This is one of the best defensive teams that Cincinnati has had in a long time. This team really is in the mold of the old UC defensive teams. This team is good at keeping the other teams' scoring numbers low. This team is also a bit bone-headed. Nevertheless, If it gets its scoring back, this UC team may be difficult to beat down the stretch.

[London 'Cat]

Not terribly excited about this win like the win against CU. ASU was without a key player and the silly turnovers at the end of the game were troubling. Those turnovers could have resulted in a loss and just shows this team cannot concentrate for a full 40 minutes. Still lots to improve.

[Rufus]

We have no real in the paint game. We've not seen "the lob" play to Aziz attempted the last two games. And I'm not taking anything away from Aziz on his defense, although I don't see it but I won't argue with the numbers either, but he is by no means a scorer. Without the lob he has not offense other than getting fouled and he don't do that with any frequency. And I can see the potential in Page but he is so inconsistent. He can't handle the ball in a crowd. gets in a hurry, has no real back to the rim attack and has no real motor. I think in the Big 12 you must have a dude in the middle who won't back down, is strong and physical on every play, has enough game where the pgs at least try to get the ball to them.

[leo from jersey]

We have no real in the paint game. We've not seen "the lob" play to Aziz attempted the last two games. And I'm not taking anything away from Aziz on his defense, although I don't see it but I won't argue with the numbers either, but he is by no means a scorer. Without the lob he has not offense other than getting fouled and he don't do that with any frequency. And I can see the potential in Page but he is so inconsistent. He can't handle the ball in a crowd. gets in a hurry, has no real back to the rim attack and has no real motor. I think in the Big 12 you must have a dude in the middle who won't back down, is strong and physical on every play, has enough game where the pgs at least try to get the ball to them.

sure the pgs will- even if they had the skill to do it, they don't have the mindset. I figured those lobs would not work in the big 12 as it did against the pre conference games. The pgs can't break free to lob on a constant manner. With CJ in there, the floor had more spacing and the whipping te ball around made the defenders commit. Lobs will work then. The opponents know our pgs dribble and shoot.

[Lobot]

I have reached the point in life that when the opposition starts their run, I leave the room until UC gets going again. I blame Mick.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I have reached the point in life that when the opposition starts their run, I leave the room until UC gets going again. I blame Mick.

I just change the channel to Gunsmoke, or whatever Western is on at the time. lol. But, I always seem to come back.

[Rufus]

Funny that's how I watch the Bengals and Reds games.

[leeraymond]

We have no real in the paint game. We've not seen "the lob" play to Aziz attempted the last two games. And I'm not taking anything away from Aziz on his defense, although I don't see it but I won't argue with the numbers either, but he is by no means a scorer. Without the lob he has not offense other than getting fouled and he don't do that with any frequency. And I can see the potential in Page but he is so inconsistent. He can't handle the ball in a crowd. gets in a hurry, has no real back to the rim attack and has no real motor. I think in the Big 12 you must have a dude in the middle who won't back down, is strong and physical on every play, has enough game where the pgs at least try to get the ball to them.

Good point Rufus. It makes me wonder why Miller brings in these bigs that are not that skilled offensively. If UC currently had at least one big (that plays in the paint) that was good for about 10 to 12 points a game, that may open up a lot more options to run the offense. In most UC games now, it is like playing 4 on 5 because UC does not have a big that is a real and consistent scoring threat. I hope that for next year, Miller takes his time and really look for some bigs that can come in with some skills on offense to play significant minutes in the paint. Historically, UC has had better success when having big men on the roster that can wheel and deal in the paint. Think Corey Blount, Dan Fortson, crazy Art Long, Kenyon Martin, Donald Little (he was a bit crazy too), Yancy Gates, Kyle Washington, Gary Clark, and Victor Lakhin.

It is funny. It appears that within Miller's offenses, the 4 and the 5 are secondary within his offenses. The big men really do not get the ball a lot in scoring positions in Miller's offenses. Maybe some of that is also poor guard play. However, teams must practice entry passes to the bigs. I hope that changes next year.

[Rufus]

When Aziz dominated us in the NIT I think CWM was "smitten" with him. And I do not know if Aziz participates in the monster factory but he cannot exist in the Big12 as it is now. Like you said every big that he as been brought in under Wes has faded, not lived up to the hype, or has underwhelmed when they got here. Is it that he can't estimate big man game, don't have the coaches to coach or develope bigs, his style of play does not utilize bigs as other programs, or as you and others say we don't have the PG necessary to consistently get the ball to the bigs. At any rate other than rebounds and the defense that Aziz provides his contributions are minimal. And His shot blocking as was all the others that have been brought in does not meet the expectations that were advertised. The last two big men that we have went up against, one a freshman, out blocked our rim protector.

[bearcatlifer]

Originally posted by Lobot View Post
I have reached the point in life that when the opposition starts their run, I leave the room until UC gets going again. I blame Mick.
I go to the home games and that is fine win or lose. I can hardly watch the away games on tv anymore. I'll watch the Bengals until they implode

[sedz]

When Aziz dominated us in the NIT I think CWM was "smitten" with him. And I do not know if Aziz participates in the monster factory but he cannot exist in the Big12 as it is now. Like you said every big that he as been brought in under Wes has faded, not lived up to the hype, or has underwhelmed when they got here. Is it that he can't estimate big man game, don't have the coaches to coach or develope bigs, his style of play does not utilize bigs as other programs, or as you and others say we don't have the PG necessary to consistently get the ball to the bigs. At any rate other than rebounds and the defense that Aziz provides his contributions are minimal. And His shot blocking as was all the others that have been brought in does not meet the expectations that were advertised. The last two big men that we have went up against, one a freshman, out blocked our rim protector.

We're top half of the conference in block rate and #2 in defense at the rim, holding opponents under 50%, just behind Houston. Aziz's defensive BPM has improved every year of his career. He's doing exactly what he was brought in to do. He's never been a high usage scorer.

[leeraymond]

We're top half of the conference in block rate and #2 in defense at the rim, holding opponents under 50%, just behind Houston. Aziz's defensive BPM has improved every year of his career. He's doing exactly what he was brought in to do. He's never been a high usage scorer.

I do not know what the season defensive stats are in the paint for UC, but over the last two games (wins), UC bigs have taken a beating in the paint. Quaintance hit for 15 with 14 rebounds. The other two ASU bigs together hit for 12 with 12 rebounds. ASU had 17 second chance points and outrebounded UC by 9. Colorado outscored UC in the paint 38 to 26. Dak hit for 19 with 8 rebounds and the other three Colorado bigs combined to hit for 19 points with 10 rebounds. Dak also hit two 3-point shots.

K-State's starting bigs combined for 33 points with 17 rebounds. Actually, Mitchell and Aziz played very well that game. Just not enough defense. The Baylor game was a disaster for UC's bigs. Baylor outscored UC in the paint 40 to 16. UC's bigs also took a beating in the Kansas game.

Over the entire season, UC's paint stats are probably pretty good. When conference play starts, I really do not pay that much attention to the overall stats. I look at the conference stats. From what I can see, UC's big men have taken a beating in conference play. However, just because you lose in the paint, it does not mean that you lose the game (think Colorado). Hopefully, the UC bigs come ready to play tonight.

[Rufus]

That's why I said that I wouldn't argue with the numbers. The eye test ever since the conference schedule began shows a player who is overwhelmed by other other big, not to mention the freshman from ASU

[sedz]

The stats I posted are conference only. We just held Arizona St to 43% at the rim. That's incredible. We also held Colorado and Kansas under 50%. We are one of only two teams (along with Houston) holding opponents under 50% at the rim in conference.

If you're going to use the eye test, you need to watch every other conference game. 14 of the 15 other teams in the conference have worse interior defense than us. It's such a strange thing to complain about when our offense is objectively awful.

[leeraymond]

The stats I posted are conference only. We just held Arizona St to 43% at the rim. That's incredible. We also held Colorado and Kansas under 50%. We are one of only two teams (along with Houston) holding opponents under 50% at the rim in conference.

If you're going to use the eye test, you need to watch every other conference game. 14 of the 15 other teams in the conference have worse interior defense than us. It's such a strange thing to complain about when our offense is objectively awful.

I have a question for you Sedz. I am not asking this for one-up-man-ship. I am curious. I know you are just relaying the data. I know that you are not making this stuff up. How is it that UC is being outplayed in the paint and still have these great defensive paint stats? For instance, KU outscored UC in the paint 32 to 24. Colorado outscored UC in the paint 38 to 26. Baylor outscored UC in the paint 40 to 16. You get my drift here? What is your take on this?