Poll Q :

[Lobot]

So this is something that has been bothering me for a while. We all thought this team would be really good and well, they aren't and although some of it is coaching, we may also have an issue where the inmates are running the asylum going on. Hard to say without being in the locker room.

In your opinion is it:

[sedz]

I say it's definitely not option 1. Tossing all fan or pundit opinions aside, we were #27 in Torvik's model entering the season, and I believe even higher on Kenpom. This team should be in the NCAA tournament with this roster, especially since we haven't had any major injuries.

The biggest disappointment has been Hickman but I think it's more the fault of our scheme than him as a player. He's a great creator and shooter in a scheme that spaces the floor. Put him in our ball screen offense and suddenly he can't do anything. I think the problems are about 75/25 coaching/players.

[Rufus]

I think options 2 and 3 both apply and the primary cause being NIL. JJ has not played well all year and I would guess he's the highest paid student athlete UC has on the roster. And yet CWM still runs him out there as a starter. Skillings has already said that he gone after this year. And as others have mentioned Griffin don't even get to sniff pt. There is dissention on this squad and I'd be willing to bet that the NIL monies is at least part of the blame. And I find it ironic that we hire a "shot Dr" to help with our three pt. shooting in order to bust zones and we' re worse now than before.

[London 'Cat]

I say it's definitely not option 1. Tossing all fan or pundit opinions aside, we were #27 in Torvik's model entering the season, and I believe even higher on Kenpom. This team should be in the NCAA tournament with this roster, especially since we haven't had any major injuries.

The biggest disappointment has been Hickman but I think it's more the fault of our scheme than him as a player. He's a great creator and shooter in a scheme that spaces the floor. Put him in our ball screen offense and suddenly he can't do anything. I think the problems are about 75/25 coaching/players.

Hickman has also been injured. When healthy, he is about what I expected with a player from a non P4 school stepping up the competition in a P4 league. To that extent I am not really disappointed in his performance.

I agree the players bear responsibility with the coaches. I think more than 25% rests there but less than 50%.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I think options 2 and 3 both apply and the primary cause being NIL. JJ has not played well all year and I would guess he's the highest paid student athlete UC has on the roster. And yet CWM still runs him out there as a starter. Skillings has already said that he gone after this year. And as others have mentioned Griffin don't even get to sniff pt. There is dissention on this squad and I'd be willing to bet that the NIL monies is at least part of the blame. And I find it ironic that we hire a "shot Dr" to help with our three pt. shooting in order to bust zones and we' re worse now than before.

I think our shot doctor should find another line of work.

[Lobot]

Buckley was brought in mostly to work with Rayvon. People have been telling me that this was a failed experiment. The staff tried to correct the side spin on his shot and he was not comfortable with the changes and reverted back to his old form.

I have to admit anytime I've ever seen a good player get his shot "fixed" whether it be at the college or pro level, that fix always fails. Jacob Evans and Markelle Fultz come to mind immediately.

[sedz]

Buckley was brought in mostly to work with Rayvon. People have been telling me that this was a failed experiment. The staff tried to correct the side spin on his shot and he was not comfortable with the changes and reverted back to his old form.

I have to admit anytime I've ever seen a good player get his shot "fixed" whether it be at the college or pro level, that fix always fails. Jacob Evans and Markelle Fultz come to mind immediately.

Jaquon Parker is the only success story I can think of.

[condo52]

I’m going with D. Yes, we all held overly optimistic expectations, fans, pundits and rating sites alike.
Who’s the alpha on this team? Where’s the go-to guy? Think back to every successful Bearcat team of the past. They all had someone demanding the ball, in essence saying, “Put it on me; I’ll get it done.” Who is that guy on this team?

Without pointing fingers at individuals, the entire team has failed at improving and that has to be a shared failure. Is there anyone who has shown significant improvement? No! Either the players have not dedicated themselves to that end or the coaches have failed at developing schemes that utilize their strengths or find the rotations that enhance our overall play.

Someone once said, “False hope beets the **** out of despair”, or some such thing. As much as I’d love to see Rayvon step in and make a difference, that’s not the answer and not fair to him. He deserves some court time and everything I’ve ever seen from him says he’s a fantastic teammate. Someday he’ll be the player we envision but speaking of moving up a level, let’s be realistic. Ray on was a star on a DIII level team at Taft and only saw limited action when he transferred to AZ Compass. We’ve had some fantastic players that became that with time and hard work.

I pray that the last second three pointer BYU threw-up with a 30 point lead lights a fire under our guys, players and coaches. We need a turnaround; let’s all pray it starts Tuesday night.

[bearcatjd]

Even the polls had us being a good team because we were ranked in preseason & during the 1st month & a half of this year.

[Bearcat93]

It seems that we may have some portal
flight after this dismal season-I suspect James & Rayvon will
depart. I don’t think the right type of talent is coming in next year to be much different. 2024-25 football & basketball together may be a collective low point since the 80’s.

[swilsonsp4]

I think options 2 and 3 both apply and the primary cause being NIL. JJ has not played well all year and I would guess he's the highest paid student athlete UC has on the roster. And yet CWM still runs him out there as a starter. Skillings has already said that he gone after this year. And as others have mentioned Griffin don't even get to sniff pt. There is dissention on this squad and I'd be willing to bet that the NIL monies is at least part of the blame. And I find it ironic that we hire a "shot Dr" to help with our three pt. shooting in order to bust zones and we' re worse now than before.

Certainly, key players have not met, much less exceeded, expectations. However, I've neither seen evidence nor heard from anyone that there is internal dissention among the players.

[London 'Cat]

It seems that we may have some portal
flight after this dismal season-I suspect James & Rayvon will
depart. I don’t think the right type of talent is coming in next year to be much different. 2024-25 football & basketball together may be a collective low point since the 80’s.

The recruiting for next year might be CWM’s best class at UC, maybe even his entire coaching career. 4 star PG and 5 star SG/SF, both of whom are likely to start as of the first game. There needs to be a supporting roster for them and at least one more starter who can be a scoring threat and play solid defense. I wouldn’t give up on the team for next year yet.

[London 'Cat]

Certainly, key players have not met, much less exceeded, expectations. However, I've neither seen evidence nor heard from anyone that there is internal dissention among the players.

While we don’t want dissension, I want the team to show that they are disappointed in their performance to date. We also don’t hear that. They need a locker room leader and nobody seems to be able to take that role.

[Bearcat93]

The recruiting for next year might be CWM’s best class at UC, maybe even his entire coaching career. 4 star PG and 5 star SG/SF, both of whom are likely to start as of the first game. There needs to be a supporting roster for them and at least one more starter who can be a scoring threat and play solid defense. I wouldn’t give up on the team for next year yet.

Are either of them 6’8, 240-50 lbs? In my estimation, until UC lands some talented wide bodies, we aren’t going to be all that competitive.

[Rufus]

Of course I've not heard anything specific but just the body language, lack of team chemistry, and not wanting to play for CWM is obvious.