2025-26 Roster

[John P]

Just speculating but is anyone thinking this was the problem last season with DS and his "playing time". Deju vu all over again

Wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Rufus]

Thoughts?

Starting 5 of Kriisa, Thomas, Harris, Miller, Thiam + Tillery, Celestine, Abaev, Haynes as key rotation guys?

I think Miller and Thiam and McKinley would share minutes to keep two bigs in at all times, but I could never figure CWM 's rotational logic so we'll just have to see. I would like to see Tillery progress enough to take a majority of PG minutes.

[GoBearcats31]

@SeanPaulCBB: “That’s a tough one for the Bearcats. Still a talented roster with experienced guards in Kerr Kriisa and Day Day Thomas. But James had a very high ceiling.

This news is great for Cincinnati freshman Shon Abaev and Keyshaun Tillery. Abaev is more of a wing but a big time scorer, but Tillery can pick up some big minutes that didn’t exist before”

[leo from jersey]

A reason that the team might not be better without the ball Hoggs is that they will be without returning players. JJ & DS had Newmann and a still caring SL Then last year the team went downhill. It is hard with basically a whole new team to be meshing at the start. They do have some individual players that might win a few, but I still believe that teams win. I will be watching and rooting.

[red_n_black_attack]

A reason that the team might not be better without the ball Hoggs is that they will be without returning players. JJ & DS had Newmann and a still caring SL Then last year the team went downhill. It is hard with basically a whole new team to be meshing at the start. They do have some individual players that might win a few, but I still believe that teams win. I will be watching and rooting.

DayDay will certainly need to be a leader, plus we have three grad student transfers who should have the maturity to lead, Kerr, Haynes, and Celestine. I'm also hoping Harris' public spat with Jizzle is part assuming a leadership role and less stupid piling onto a guy while he is down.

With all of that, I think we finally see Wes' offense in full swing. I believe it is much more like the offense we saw in the charity game against the Buckeyes than what we saw in the horrible loss to Kansas. This team definitely has the athleticism on the wings and physicality down low. With Kerr/Tillery at PG, they should distribute and open up perimeter shots for DayDay/Jalen/Sincire. Good luck and best wishes to JJ, but this really could be a team effort every game.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

I hope that James can solve whatever problems that he is having. His health is more important than anything else. He is such a young guy. He has his whole life to live. I wish him good health.

With that said, UC may miss James' scoring. He scored in double figures in 23 games last season. He was one of the first players to come out of that horrible team scoring slump last January. He put up some big numbers against some very good teams consistently all season. For instance, James hit for 23 or more points in three consecutive games in the conference (BYU, Utah, Iowa State). James, likewise, hit for 18 against Houston (a very good defensive team) and hit for 19 against Villanova when UC had problems scoring.

I am not taking sides here. I figure Miller did what he thought was best for team chemistry and stability. It is very important that everyone in the program be on the same page. However, when the roster is evaluated, what player on the current roster can put up similar numbers? We will find out soon.

Look, James had problems on the floor: over-dribbling, bad ally-oop passes, poor tempo management, and selfishness (at times). On the other hand, James often singlehandedly kept UC in games with his scoring. Imagine what last year's would have been without James. Nevertheless, I am extremely optimistic about the upcoming season and this roster. I think that this roster is going to be very productive.

The only question mark that I have is Miller.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Thoughts?

Starting 5 of Kriisa, Thomas, Harris, Miller, Thiam + Tillery, Celestine, Abaev, Haynes as key rotation guys?

Do not sell Tillery short. Do not be surprised if Tillery starts at some time before the season is over with. It would not surprise me if Tillery eventually plays starter's minutes.

[Rufus]

This season will all come down to team chemistry. We all acknowledge that it is very difficult to obtain any team chemistry with the player turn around that exists in my college sports today, however as much as the so called leaders of last years team were called upon to score, they did not embrace making others better. Hopefully the newcomers are unselfish and understand what team bball is. If the PGs can expedite the offense without dribbling around the floor looking for his own shot and get others to want to rebound, I think we could make some noise in the B12. I hope for CWM sake that this happens.

[leo from jersey]

I hope that James can solve whatever problems that he is having. His health is more important than anything else. He is such a young guy. He has his whole life to live. I wish him good health.

With that said, UC may miss James' scoring. He scored in double figures in 23 games last season. He was one of the first players to come out of that horrible team scoring slump last January. He put up some big numbers against some very good teams consistently all season. For instance, James hit for 23 or more points in three consecutive games in the conference (BYU, Utah, Iowa State). James, likewise, hit for 18 against Houston (a very good defensive team) and hit for 19 against Villanova when UC had problems scoring.

I am not taking sides here. I figure Miller did what he thought was best for team chemistry and stability. It is very important that everyone in the program be on the same page. However, when the roster is evaluated, what player on the current roster can put up similar numbers? We will find out soon.

Look, James had problems on the floor: over-dribbling, bad ally-oop passes, poor tempo management, and selfishness (at times). On the other hand, James often singlehandedly kept UC in games with his scoring. Imagine what last year's would have been without James. Nevertheless, I am extremely optimistic about the upcoming season and this roster. I think that this roster is going to be very productive.

The only question mark that I have is Miller.

I don't believe that James kept the Cats in the game. If he would have brought the ball down the court in a timely way and ran the offense instead of his personal game, then perhaps the Cats would have won more instead of just being in the game. There were two hogs on the court and it caused the others to get frustrated and not to care. There was no Newman to apply tough love to get them going. We all know what it is to play when you are left out due to a couple of me firsters. SL gave up and the year before he was our clutch player. He saw the rubbish style of play and was bidding his time until his dad got him a good paying job on a European team. CWM was in over his head and lost more than games. He lost his team. Now he got backing to get some high priced players and to get rid of the hogs. Can he develop the team? I think we are all tired of Crown tournament games. This is UC and does anyone watching BB today realize what we once were. The most feared team in BB. CWM must do it or JC must do what is right.

[bearcatlifer]

Amen to that Leo!

[bba_1979]

Leo - I don't always agree with you, but this time I believe you got it right. Go Cats!

[kskenyon4]

I see a lot of pondering about CWM and having jizzle being on the team or not. From where I sit, he didn't have a say in this matter. If a young man is dealing with and behaving in the ways that are rumored, what coach can keep the person on the team? Jizzle got himself kicked off this team plain and simple, now all around the program must adjust and move forward. FWIW his dismissal doesn't temper my expectations or excitement for the team.