Utah 1/28 10:00 pm CBSSN

[sedz]

We scored under a point per possession yet again. The defense was ok, giving up 1.03 per possession thanks to 19 turnovers. But you're not going to win many games unless you can score a point per trip. Offensive rebounding was the biggest problem. We only rebounded 15% of our misses - way below our season average of 33% or even our conference average of 28%. And we were 4 for 14 from midrange, compared to 5 of 7 from Utah. That's the main area that tells me Wes doesn't use analytics enough - his guys are always free to take the worst shot in basketball.

For the first time a while, Jizzle was our best player with 4.1 net points. He scored 14 from the field on 13 shots and added 4 for 5 at the line, and he was our second best defender with a 4.0 defensive BPM. Reed had by far the best defensive game with a 13.5 DBPM, and was our best overall player in his time on the court. He had 3 steals and a block, doing a much better job defending Madsen and Ausar than Skillings or Mitchell. Mitchell was our second best player overall with 3.4 net points, leading in rebounds and assists.

Skillings was yet again our worst player, posting an abysmal negative 7.1 net points - the worst performance of his career. Only 2 points from the field on 9 shots with zero assists and only 1 rebound. Negative 9.6 offensive BPM, negative 5.6 defensive BPM, for an overall negative 15. Three terrible games in a row. Page also had a bad game with a negative 18 offensive BPM with 3 turnovers in only 10 minutes.

[leo from jersey]

You've accurately captured the shortcomings of this team. Because the current roster includes highly rated recruits and players who have had success previously or elsewhere I don't think our expectations were too high. I agree that players and recruits should look hard at whether they want to be part of this malaise going into next year. I place the blame squarely on CWM and his staff for a completed lack of ability to develop, strategize, and coach in-game. We are stuck for this year and next with Miller but Cunningham better be thinking about next steps. BTW I believe Cunningham is a big part of the problem given the state of the football team as well. So not much optimism on my part.

Add the personnel of the "Monster Factory" as they lack the ability to instill confidence in the players as strength and agility programs must do. I don't see it since Mike came back. It is "Team Timid" rebounding, enforcing the lanes and playing to the end in EVERY game.

This is totally unacceptable for a team with Cincinnati on its uniforms.

[sedz]

Jizzle and Day Day combined for 53 minutes in this game. Even with Day Day's ejection they shared the court for 13 minutes - a third of the game. I don't get it.

[leo from jersey]

We scored under a point per possession yet again. The defense was ok, giving up 1.03 per possession thanks to 19 turnovers. But you're not going to win many games unless you can score a point per trip. Offensive rebounding was the biggest problem. We only rebounded 15% of our misses - way below our season average of 33% or even our conference average of 28%. And we were 4 for 14 from midrange, compared to 5 of 7 from Utah. That's the main area that tells me Wes doesn't use analytics enough - his guys are always free to take the worst shot in basketball.

For the first time a while, Jizzle was our best player with 4.1 net points. He scored 14 from the field on 13 shots and added 4 for 5 at the line, and he was our second best defender with a 4.0 defensive BPM. Reed had by far the best defensive game with a 13.5 DBPM, and was our best overall player in his time on the court. He had 3 steals and a block, doing a much better job defending Madsen and Ausar than Skillings or Mitchell. Mitchell was our second best player overall with 3.4 net points, leading in rebounds and assists.

Skillings was yet again our worst player, posting an abysmal negative 7.1 net points - the worst performance of his career. Only 2 points from the field on 9 shots with zero assists and only 1 rebound. Negative 9.6 offensive BPM, negative 5.6 defensive BPM, for an overall negative 15. Three terrible games in a row. Page also had a bad game with a negative 18 offensive BPM with 3 turnovers in only 10 minutes.

One of those terrible games was in front of NBA scouts watching the BYU frosh.

[sedz]

One of those terrible games were in front of NBA scouts watching the BYU frosh.

Yeah, he's really killing whatever draft stock he had.

[GoBearcats31]

Another frustrating game

WVU, at UCF, BYU, Utah coming up -- 11 games left and those are among the most winnable. The optimist in me says it would be nice to dig out of the hole and beat a solid WVU squad at home this Sunday. The fans need something to cheer for and the team needs a W in a bad way. An homage to the AAC with a Sunday afternoon tip (only other Sunday game was/is Howard).

A really disappointing season but I'm not ready to throw in the towel. As of today I think there is still plenty to keep Wes (if we can "guarantee" Abaev and Tillery are still headed to Clifton, sign me up for one more hot seat yet) but the case is building against him. At Indiana, for instance, fans have been wanting Mike Woodson out for about 365 days. Feels like only recently have the tides shifted with UC -- don't think many dislike Wes but many are feeling he just may not be the guy, especially looking at places like WVU and U of L where new mid-major hires have found instant success.

[sedz]

I agree, the season isn't lost. There's still time to turn things around if we can just get back to our non-conference form. Skillings getting out of his funk would go a long way, even if he can just get back to a neutral player instead of a huge net negative.

One glimmer of hope is we are just -1.0 Wins Above Bubble (WAB). This isn't some fancy metric I made up. The selection committee is using it this year for the first time. It means that if two games had gone our way, we'd be right on the cut line (around 1.0 WAB). The next four games (WVU 0.43, UCF 0.63, BYU 0.53, Utah 0.23) are worth a total of 1.8 WAB. So if we can sweep those, well be right back in business. Of course with the way we're playing that's no easy task. But I'm not giving up. Fortunes can change quickly in college basketball.

[Jeff Burk]

I agree, the season isn't lost. There's still time to turn things around if we can just get back to our non-conference form. Skillings getting out of his funk would go a long way, even if he can just get back to a neutral player instead of a huge net negative.

One glimmer of hope is we are just -1.0 Wins Above Bubble (WAB). This isn't some fancy metric I made up. The selection committee is using it this year for the first time. It means that if two games had gone our way, we'd be right on the cut line (around 1.0 WAB). The next four games (WVU 0.43, UCF 0.63, BYU 0.53, Utah 0.23) are worth a total of 1.8 WAB. So if we can sweep those, well be right back in business. Of course with the way we're playing that's no easy task. But I'm not giving up. Fortunes can change quickly in college basketball.

I agree. I will still watch them and hope they right the ship.

[London 'Cat]

Tony Pike’s take. Pretty much summarizes my thoughts and feelings.

https://x.com/tony_pike15/status/188...1749?s=42&mx=2

[Gmann]

I would agree Pike expressed exactly how frustrated I feel. I am down here in Florida on a little mini vacation and played golf yesterday with 3 other UC alumni who have relocated down here. They were spitting fire as well and asking what the heat level was on Miller. I think the lack of fight and toughness is what is the most disappointing. They better begin Sunday turning this around or it's going to get ugly.

[leo from jersey]

The thing is that UCs administration has showed a mediocre mentality towards sports. This includes the President, the Board and the AD. Unless, we as paying fans, get over our mediocre mentality and demand change. this will be the state of the program. We can hope all we want, but people need to call and write letters. Perhaps a Boycott of a game. This works in person, but let ESPN know why their rantings are down for UC even if they are contractually obligated to broadcast the games. Write the Commissioner of the BIG 12. Call the sport talk programs. Write former players and email the Coaching and strength staff.

[Bearcat1996]

The thing is that UCs administration has showed a mediocre mentality towards sports. This includes the President, the Board and the AD. Unless, we as paying fans, get over our mediocre mentality and demand change. this will be the state of the program. We can hope all we want, but people need to call and write letters. Perhaps a Boycott of a game. This works in person, but let ESPN know why their rantings are down for UC even if they are contractually obligated to broadcast the games. Write the Commissioner of the BIG 12. Call the sport talk programs. Write former players and email the Coaching and strength staff.

This is such a good observation. I believe, once UC gained access to the Big 12, the administration let their foot off the gas a bit. If NIL funding starts to dip, then something will have to happen quickly. Apathy for sports teams can compound quickly and might never return. There are plenty of options for disposable income. We, as UC lifelong fans, donors and alumni, have grown accustomed to our teams overachieving, being the underdog and outperforming expectations. It doesn't have that feel anymore. Current teams seem to be floating along. The drive, passion and work ethic isn't up to our standards and it isn't acceptable. We, as UC lifelong fans, donors and alumni, expect consistent effort, pride and passion. Failure is acceptable when moving toward a bigger goal, such as winning championships. But don't think mailing it in will win us over.

[Bearcat1996]

I agree, the season isn't lost. There's still time to turn things around if we can just get back to our non-conference form. Skillings getting out of his funk would go a long way, even if he can just get back to a neutral player instead of a huge net negative.

One glimmer of hope is we are just -1.0 Wins Above Bubble (WAB). This isn't some fancy metric I made up. The selection committee is using it this year for the first time. It means that if two games had gone our way, we'd be right on the cut line (around 1.0 WAB). The next four games (WVU 0.43, UCF 0.63, BYU 0.53, Utah 0.23) are worth a total of 1.8 WAB. So if we can sweep those, well be right back in business. Of course with the way we're playing that's no easy task. But I'm not giving up. Fortunes can change quickly in college basketball.

I can appreciate this take. Momentum can shift quickly and no better time than the back half of the season and conference tournament. If CMW can prove he can coach the team out of the funk, that would go a long way to prove he is the right man for the job. BTW, I enjoy the metric talk. Learning new angles to look at the status of the team is eye opening and fun, to be honest.

[Bearcat93]

I appreciate- - and respect - those that don't feel this season is lost, but other than hope, I cannot come up with any tangible reason why the season would change at this point. We have who we have this year, so that's not changing, but the player development, schemes and rotations aren't effective and there just isn't anything to point to that changing 20 games in. We were gifted a W @ Colorado as they were missing their best two players. That leaves us with a single game that we've won (legit) across 10 games in 30 days. I believe we'll win 2-3 more - let's face it, losing 10+ straight is actually kind of challenging. The reality is that this team wasn't built well and that points to Wes and staff, from a pure recruiting perspective as well as roster management and pure x's and o's. Here's where I'm at - we're not getting beat as much as we're losing these games. Rebounding and FT's - having the advantage in these stat lines hasn't changed in years - if you aren't effective at either, you're going to lose.

[Rufus]

I know this will be an unpopular post but the dynamic and energy of the entire team was leaps and bounds better when Skillings was out with his minor knee surgery albeit being lesser competition. That's all I'm saying.