West Virginia 2/19 7:00 ESPN2

[Carthage World]

Aside from hot shooting Jizzle isn't actually playing any better. Over his last 3 games he has 10 turnovers, only 3 total rebounds, zero blocks or steals, and subpar defensive BPM. He has a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio on the season but just 1:1 over the last 3 games. Jizzle's hot shooting streak has given the team a winning streak, but we can't expect it to continue. He's playing the same hero ball that we all complain about when the shots aren't falling. We still need to focus on getting clean rim looks or open set shots, which we are able to do when we play at a faster pace. The first game against West Virginia had 62 possessions. I'd like to see that number closer to 70.

Nailed it. That's why sedz is the best.

[bearcatbret]

Bearcats' Furious, Final-Second Rally Falls Short at WVU - University of Cincinnati Athletics
Just how many free throws were taken and missed? How many of the misses were the front of a 1 - 1?

[leo from jersey]

Bearcats' Furious, Final-Second Rally Falls Short at WVU - University of Cincinnati Athletics
Just how many free throws were taken and missed? How many of the misses were the front of a 1 - 1?

Perhaps the Cats need a "Free throw" shot doctor.

[fmirzamd]

Tuning point bearcats leading by 6 with 4 minutes left, Mitchell missed 2 FT, they stopped WV now DD missed one and one. If we had made those will be up by 10 with less than 3 to go. For the past 10 years we have been losing 4-6 games every year because of poor free throw shooting. Mick Cronin years were the same problem. Finally no one can hit an open shot when needed.

[sedz]

Aside from hot shooting Jizzle isn't actually playing any better. Over his last 3 games he has 10 turnovers, only 3 total rebounds, zero blocks or steals, and subpar defensive BPM. He has a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio on the season but just 1:1 over the last 3 games. Jizzle's hot shooting streak has given the team a winning streak, but we can't expect it to continue. He's playing the same hero ball that we all complain about when the shots aren't falling. We still need to focus on getting clean rim looks or open set shots, which we are able to do when we play at a faster pace. The first game against West Virginia had 62 possessions. I'd like to see that number closer to 70.

Our poor offensive scheme was on full display last night. This game was even slower than the first one. There were only 60 possessions, and we needed a couple steals in the final seconds to get there. We took more midrange jumpers (20) than shots at the rim (18). Compare that to WVU, who got to the rim 28 times and only took 9 shots from midrange. Our two PGs alone took 16 midrange shots and only made 5 of them. Just an abysmal offensive scheme, and we ended up scoring under a point per possession even with Dan's circus shots at the end. The only reason it was close for a while is WVU went ice cold in the middle portion of the game.

Skillings was the statistical player of the game. He had 6.3 net points, and it's not hard to figure out how he impacted the scoring margin by 6 points. Three, steal, three in a few seconds. But he did have a nice game overall, pulling down 7 rebounds in 21 minutes and leading the team in defensive BPM. Aziz was next best with 2.0 net points, grabbing 10 boards with 3 blocks in 26 minutes. Day Day also had positive net points thanks to making 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.

Everyone else was on the negative side. Betsey was worst with negative 2.6 net points. He's almost exclusively a three point shooter, and going 1 for 5 won't help. He also had a team worst negative 2.1 defensive BPM. Second worst was Jizzle who took 16 jumpshots and only made 4 of them with a negative defensive BPM. Reed had a good defensive game as usual but had a team worst negative 5.6 offensive BPM. Mitchell had an uncharacteristic poor defensive game, unable to come up with any of his trademark steals and struggling at the 5 when we went small.

[sedz]

Jizzle's usage rate was over 40 last night. For reference, JT Toppin leads the Big12 in usage rate at 29.6. The highest rate the Bearcats have seen is Jarron Cumberland's 31.3 in 2019. Jizzle is not on the same level as those players and we need to stop giving him free reign.

[leeraymond]

UC has had 3 players foul out of the last two games. Also, UC has committed 38 (thirty-eight) fouls over the last two games. WV and Iowa State combined committed 23 fouls. UC has gone 11-18 from the foul line over the last two games. Iowa State and WV has gone 38-44 over the last two games. Last night, as in the Iowa State game, the big difference in the box score was the free throw discrepancy.

The number of fouls committed by UC is a strong indicator that either UC has a bunch of guys that cannot play good one-on-one defense, or the defensive system is not suitable for this roster of players. From what I can see, Miller is playing defense the same way that he has since he has come to UC. What I mean is he plays defense the same way for every game regardless of the team or the matchups. I have missed only one game since Miller has been the coach (this year's Alabama State game). Miller has played a few possessions of the 1-3-1 zone and the 2-3 zone over the four years. He also has played some full court trapping and pressing at times, mostly when the team is losing late and is desperate.

It looks as though Miller is on his way to another losing record in the conference. It will be his third in four years. Ten (10) loses in 15 games. Two 4 game losing streaks and now UC maybe in the middle of another losing streak. Man, this is embarrassing.

Last comment. There will be some coaches in the BIG XII that Miller will not beat, no matter how many times he plays them (Sampson, Otzelberger, Drew, Lloyd). Think about this for a second, about time Cronin played every coach in the BIG EAST about three times, he had beaten every team at least once. Miller has played K. Sampson now about 8 or 9 times and has NOT come close to beating Houston. Even last night, as was pointed out in an earlier post, Devries (WV) is in his very first year in the BIG XII and has already defeated Miller twice.

There is something so anti-Cincinnati about this coaching staff and how they do things. It may be too late to save this season. However, I would like to see this team at least make the NIT for the third year in a row. Hey, that is better than no post-season at all. You know, when you think about it, Miller is perhaps giving this job all that he has. It is highly possible that this is the best that he can do.

[Gmann]

Our poor offensive scheme was on full display last night. This game was even slower than the first one. There were only 60 possessions, and we needed a couple steals in the final seconds to get there. We took more midrange jumpers (20) than shots at the rim (18). Compare that to WVU, who got to the rim 28 times and only took 9 shots from midrange. Our two PGs alone took 16 midrange shots and only made 5 of them. Just an abysmal offensive scheme, and we ended up scoring under a point per possession even with Dan's circus shots at the end. The only reason it was close for a while is WVU went ice cold in the middle portion of the game.

Skillings was the statistical player of the game. He had 6.3 net points, and it's not hard to figure out how he impacted the scoring margin by 6 points. Three, steal, three in a few seconds. But he did have a nice game overall, pulling down 7 rebounds in 21 minutes and leading the team in defensive BPM. Aziz was next best with 2.0 net points, grabbing 10 boards with 3 blocks in 26 minutes. Day Day also had positive net points thanks to making 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.

Everyone else was on the negative side. Betsey was worst with negative 2.6 net points. He's almost exclusively a three point shooter, and going 1 for 5 won't help. He also had a team worst negative 2.1 defensive BPM. Second worst was Jizzle who took 16 jumpshots and only made 4 of them with a negative defensive BPM. Reed had a good defensive game as usual but had a team worst negative 5.6 offensive BPM. Mitchell had an uncharacteristic poor defensive game, unable to come up with any of his trademark steals and struggling at the 5 when we went small.

Good stuff, Sedz! I look forward to this recap after each game to see if it confirms what I think I saw during the game.

Skillings was more active and it was a better showing than recent games but two things about him drive me crazy 1) He is so careless with the ball it frequently contributes to turnovers 2) He is constantly off-balance on defense and flailing all over the place nearly falling down. He is athletic enough to play defense wihout lunging and stumbling which forces teamates to help cover. Somebody needs to work with him on maintaining balance. He should copy what Thomas does on defense.

James has just decided to play hero ball, which others have stated, and when he's not hitting at a high percentage it kills us. I think part of it is he's not a true point guard and secondly who else does he trust other than Mitchell and Aziz on dunks. It's a complete mess.

I could go through the whole roster pointing out what others know and see about the deficiiences but I'll spare us all that. The bottom line is that Miller and/or his staff are at fault. In his 4th year he assembled this group which has not developed and are not able to BEAT good coaches and teams in this league. We have Miller for at least next year and no matter what the roster I expect more of the same which has not changed much since he got here. He's mid-major caliber.

[longtimefan]

CWM takes a lot of criticism on here, but he drew up a **** of a set for the last play. Betsey had a wide open shot that he just missed, but I can’t see how they could have run that set any better.

[sedz]

Good stuff, Sedz! I look forward to this recap after each game to see if it confirms what I think I saw during the game.

Skillings was more active and it was a better showing than recent games but two things about him drive me crazy 1) He is so careless with the ball it frequently contributes to turnovers 2) He is constantly off-balance on defense and flailing all over the place nearly falling down. He is athletic enough to play defense wihout lunging and stumbling which forces teamates to help cover. Somebody needs to work with him on maintaining balance. He should copy what Thomas does on defense.

James has just decided to play hero ball, which others have stated, and when he's not hitting at a high percentage it kills us. I think part of it is he's not a true point guard and secondly who else does he trust other than Mitchell and Aziz on dunks. It's a complete mess.

I could go through the whole roster pointing out what others know and see about the deficiiences but I'll spare us all that. The bottom line is that Miller and/or his staff are at fault. In his 4th year he assembled this group which has not developed and are not able to BEAT good coaches and teams in this league. We have Miller for at least next year and no matter what the roster I expect more of the same which has not changed much since he got here. He's mid-major caliber.

I agree with all of this. I think Dan's relative inexperience in basketball mostly shows up in his balance. I think he needs to learn to bend his knees more rather than hinging his hips to get low. If you can't keep your torso steady, you can't keep your head steady, and balance is gone. He can definitely take lessons from Day Day or Reed. Maybe take inspiration from other sports like Votto hitting or LaDainian Tomlinson running. Those guys have quick, powerful movements but their heads barely move.

[sedz]

CWM takes a lot of criticism on here, but he drew up a **** of a set for the last play. Betsey had a wide open shot that he just missed, but I can’t see how they could have run that set any better.

Yeah, much like Cronin, Wes is good at drawing set plays after timeouts. Both coaches struggle to implement schemes though. Wes should take some notes from the Missouri v Alabama game last night. That's how you play fast and attack the rim. Dennis Gates and Nate Oats know how to implement an offensive scheme. The teams averaged 104 points in 79 possessions in that game with 26 rim looks, 27 threes, and 34 free throws - only 8 midrange shots! We put up 20 midrange shots in a 60 possession game.

[red_n_black_attack]

So what you're saying is its okay to lose to a Team that was picked at the Bottom of the Big 12 this season? Just because they beat good teams makes it okay? First year coach, 5 transfers, where's the moral victory in that !!

Not at all, just saying those teams should also be embarrassed. The quick success of a guy like Devries at WVU goes to show that those complaining about Wes ,ay have a legit gripe, and those defending him may not be as up on whay it takes to win in the NIL era. I believe a good college coach should now have the same skillset as an NBA coach. The teaching and upskilling is not working well with kids getting paid like pros.

[longtimefan]

Yeah, much like Cronin, Wes is good at drawing set plays after timeouts. Both coaches struggle to implement schemes though. Wes should take some notes from the Missouri v Alabama game last night. That's how you play fast and attack the rim. Dennis Gates and Nate Oats know how to implement an offensive scheme. The teams averaged 104 points in 79 possessions in that game with 26 rim looks, 27 threes, and 34 free throws - only 8 midrange shots! We put up 20 midrange shots in a 60 possession game.

I’ll not disagree, but this team is as bad as I’ve ever seen when it comes to finishing at the rim, and UC has had a lot of bad finishers over the years. Jizzle’s best shot is the midrange, not the best choice statistically, but it works for him. Seems everybody on this roster is hot-cold, there is no one guy to lean on all the time.

[sedz]

I’ll not disagree, but this team is as bad as I’ve ever seen when it comes to finishing at the rim, and UC has had a lot of bad finishers over the years. Jizzle’s best shot is the midrange, not the best choice statistically, but it works for him. Seems everybody on this roster is hot-cold, there is no one guy to lean on all the time.

We are finishing 64% of our rim looks this year, which is top 50 in the country and even better than Alabama. But our offense is geared to the midrange where we make only 36%. It might be Jizzle's best shot, but it's not best for the team.

[Bearcat93]

CWM takes a lot of criticism on here, but he drew up a **** of a set for the last play. Betsey had a wide open shot that he just missed, but I can’t see how they could have run that set any better.

In my mind, running that set should never have been necessary. This devolution in rebounding and FT's seems like a Miller norm. Had Dillon and Day Day converted at the critical juncture, this game likely has a different outcome. Miller simply cannot sustain momentum. UC takes a lead, then makes all sorts of dumb mistakes, ill-advised shots, etc. Or, UC claws back, then falls apart, almost as a rule. Some of that is basketball IQ - there's a tolerance that just won't cut it at this level. The roster roulette continues - what happened to Page's developing minutes? CJ bounces in for few random minutes (not sure why, no contribution here) and after making a nice impression that one game with 7 or so points, Rayvon nearly disappears. This just feels like one disjointed mess. Nothing tells me this will change given how this team is run. This has gone from frustrating to just dumb.