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I'm expecting Haynes to be the stereotypical "thug" bearcat that we got spoiled by but haven't had in Clifton for awhile. We need guys like B. Brannen, Eric Hicks, Conner Barwin and D. Fortson who the opponent would have to all but tackle to keep from putting up missed / second shots. Wes Miller, the monster factory and the staff needs to be putting together some rebounding exercises in practice because getting only one shot per possession is getting very difficult to watch. Being 7 foot, nor having two such players on the floor together does not automatically guarantee rebounds. One has to want to obtain rebounds and hopefully Haynes does.
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Haynes should be a major upgrade over Page as a backup 5. Worst case is he turns the ball over way too much and replicates what Page gave us. Best case is he repeats the 4.0 BPM he put up in 9 games against top 100 competition last year. He's a good rebounder, efficient high usage scorer with good passing for a big, and was good defensively last year (2.0 DBPM). His 20% turnover rate is high though (even higher than Page), and that will limit his playing time if it doesn't improve.Comment
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His turnover rate is concerning especially considering that he did this in a conference that is less physical on average than the B12. But hopefully our "coaches" can get this corrected.Comment
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Believe it or not, based on last season's stats, Haynes was more productive than both Thiam and Miller in terms of scoring and rebounding per minute on the floor. Check out the comparisons based on last season (Points per minute / Rebounds per minute).
Miller: .377 / .23
Thiam: .362 / .22
Haynes: .546 / .26
Haynes appears to be a pretty productive player. Let's not sell Jalen Haynes short. This guy is going to get his points and rebounds. He may actually be a better player in the paint than both Thiam and Miller. Haynes may be able to use his physicality and weight to gain advantage in the paint against Thiam and Miller in practice.
If Haynes can reduce his turnovers and fouls, he is going to steal some minutes from Thiam and Miller. Given that everyone stays healthy, next year's team should be able to play in a number of different styles. I like this roster better than last year's roster. It is more diverse and flexible. Will that convert into wins? I hope so. With this roster, can UC play well enough to get to the upper division of the BIG XII?Last edited by leeraymond; 05-30-2025, 02:39 PM.Comment
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I am really pumped about the front line for next season. I have been following UC basketball for a very long time. When UC has been at its best, it typically had a very productive front line. Think (Blount, Nelson, Jones), (Blount, Nelson, Martin), (Fortson and Long), (Martin, Tate, Mickeal, Brannen, and Patterson), (Gates and Thomas), (Jackson and Rubles), and (Clark and Washington). Lahkin was also a good big man for UC. Remember that Blount, Fortson, Long, Martin, Mickeal, Patterson, and Clark all played in the NBA. Hopefully, about time that Thiam, Miller, Haynes, and McKinley no longer play for UC, we can also list them as one of UC's best front lines.
This might not be the best place to put this comment. However, other than to discuss Coach N'Diaye in terms of how he ended up at UC, nobody has mentioned anything concerning how effective he might be as a coach. Coach N'Diaye is in place to coach the big men. Since I have been following UC basketball, I cannot remember UC having a coach that had professional playing experience. Coach N'Diaye comes in with 10 years of D1 coaching experience, 5 years of NBA playing experience, and 6 years of international professional playing experience. He brings a lot of know-how to the party. The UC big men could really learn a lot from him.
One last comment that has nothing to do with basketball. The UC baseball team made it to the NCAA Baseball Tournament this year. UC won its first game, beating Wake Forest 11-6. Go UC baseball.Comment
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I asked what part, if any, did N'Dikave have in the recruitment of Miller. Nobody answered.Originally posted by leeraymond View PostComment
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Oops! I forgot about Hicks and Maxiell. Perhaps one of the three or four best UC front lines since 1991-92. Maxiell was a first round draft pick by the Detroit Pistons. Also, let me not forget Donald Little, Jamaal Davis, and Immanuel McElroy. That was a very good defensive front line. Opposing teams scored 60.4 points a game and shot 37%. This team also included Steve Logan, who hit for 22 points a game. This was Bob Huggins' last Sweet 16 team at Cincinnati.Originally posted by leeraymond View Post
The University of Cincinnati basketball program has had some really good front lines since 1990. UC is at its best when it has good front line play. Take a look at all the good front line players that have come through the program.Last edited by leeraymond; 05-31-2025, 07:55 PM.Comment
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N'Daiye certainly had a major role in getting Thiam here. That was the staff's primary focus in hiring N'Daiye. The fact that he can coach bigs is a bonus.Originally posted by leo from jersey View PostComment
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Summer workouts may begin as early todayComment
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YES I know he did with Thiam . I was referring to the Big Miller who came after N'Daiye was on board. Did he have any influence on that signing. Will he have any effect on other bigs by being here and ex NBA.Originally posted by swilsonsp4 View PostComment
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Don't know at this point. There apparently was a lot of wheeling-and-dealing going on at the last minute to sway Miller UC's way. Money certainly was a big part of it, but no one has hinted whether N'Daiye played a major role or not. We may never know, as these matters are handled as discreetly as possible.Originally posted by leo from jersey View PostComment
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