2025-26 Roster

[SKell82155]

As a non officionado, allow me to ask a question/
play devil’s advocate ?
What exactly is CWM’s offense ?
JJ (and others) did dribble around looking
to create shots but when others don’t move,
what are they supposed to do ?
Isn’t that up to the coach to make adjustments
so that “hero ball” as some call it doesn’t persist ?
From my perspective, JJ was one of
the few to be able to put the ball in the
hole. But believe me, he did frustrate me
at times as well.

[swilsonsp4]

As a non officionado, allow me to ask a question/
play devil’s advocate ?
What exactly is CWM’s offense ?
JJ (and others) did dribble around looking
to create shots but when others don’t move,
what are they supposed to do ?
Isn’t that up to the coach to make adjustments
so that “hero ball” as some call it doesn’t persist ?
From my perspective, JJ was one of
the few to be able to put the ball in the
hole. But believe me, he did frustrate me
at times as well.

When Corey Evans was interviewed after CWM hired him as GM, he said that the team, as a whole, lacked the ability to process situations quickly, which stalled movement. That led to dribble-dribble-dribble-jack it up. UC was trying to run the same stuff as Florida; just didn't have the same group ability.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

When Corey Evans was interviewed after CWM hired him as GM, he said that the team, as a whole, lacked the ability to process situations quickly, which stalled movement. That led to dribble-dribble-dribble-jack it up. UC was trying to run the same stuff as Florida; just didn't have the same group ability.

This is a good observation concerning UC's offense. Think back to Miller's past UC teams. They had similar problems. Think back to DeJulius and Davenport hogging the ball and the shots. Devenport was trigger happy and DeJulius would dribble and dribble until he found a shot that he liked. Think about DeJulius and Nolley overdribbling and hunting shots. This type of play ended up in a lot of one-on-one isolation plays at the tail end of the shot clock.

These are the same offensive patterns that we saw last season with James and Thomas overdribbling and hunting shots. What I am saying is that, maybe these patterns are the result of some systematic disfunction with offensive flow, positioning, and ball movement such that the first available shot is the best shot. Davenport was a master at getting off that first available shot whether the shot was good or bad. If the first available shot is not there, the team then dribbles and dribbles trying to find a decent shot. However, by then, the defense clamps down forcing UC to take a bad shot as the shot clock is winding down. Maybe that is how James ended up with the ball many times in those situations.

James had some problems on the floor. However, some members on this thread are blaming James for all the offensive woes of the team last season. From my perspective, these offensive woes are an ongoing problem with Miller's offensive system or lack of a real system. James was just the latest victim trying to interpret and run Miller's system. James was the latest ball hog in an offense that has historically featured nothing but ball hogs (Davenport, DeJulius, and Nolley).

Once again, good observation.

[leo from jersey]

This is a good observation concerning UC's offense. Think back to Miller's past UC teams. They had similar problems. Think back to DeJulius and Davenport hogging the ball and the shots. Devenport was trigger happy and DeJulius would dribble and dribble until he found a shot that he liked. Think about DeJulius and Nolley overdribbling and hunting shots. This type of play ended up in a lot of one-on-one isolation plays at the tail end of the shot clock.

These are the same offensive patterns that we saw last season with James and Thomas overdribbling and hunting shots. What I am saying is that, maybe these patterns are the result of some systematic disfunction with offensive flow, positioning, and ball movement such that the first available shot is the best shot. Davenport was a master at getting off that first available shot whether the shot was good or bad. If the first available shot is not there, the team then dribbles and dribbles trying to find a decent shot. However, by then, the defense clamps down forcing UC to take a bad shot as the shot clock is winding down. Maybe that is how James ended up with the ball many times in those situations.

James had some problems on the floor. However, some members on this thread are blaming James for all the offensive woes of the team last season. From my perspective, these offensive woes are an ongoing problem with Miller's offensive system or lack of a real system. James was just the latest victim trying to interpret and run Miller's system. James was the latest ball hog in an offense that has historically featured nothing but ball hogs (Davenport, DeJulius, and Nolley).

Once again, good observation.

did you see much interaction between James and most of the team. Cold shoulders on the bench and walking off the court. More to a team game than on court play as off court often determines team play. Lee i also think it was CWM's inability to get a solid offense with players who don't mesh or even willing to try.. His talent level is higher at UC as before he coached players that needed a school and were often not the stars of their high school teams and before NIL (what little they would get).. As I believe that we both agree, when J. Newman left, there was nobody to get the team going in the locker room and thus the court. Maybe in this day of NIL all we will see is hero ball or wanna be hero ball. Lee do you see any hope? Are 18-19 year olds ready to be business men even with agents controlling the money? James had name recognition which set him apart from many of the players and he had expectations because of that recognition. It is a sad day for UC, but as we all know, winning changes everything. Even in these days of NIL very few teams have near complete rooster turnovers (a few yes) as UC. UC has a couple of guys who were able to play the point elsewhere so we will see. The word was that DeJulius didn't play to UM's expectations at the point and thus he was expendable. YES CWM inherited a mess, but what has he shown besides being "pissed". Regardless, I am looking forward to this year and will behind the Cats as usual. I just has a memory of glory days which I want to see again. And of course, I enjoy reading your posts.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leo from jersey]

One more observation. It is extremely difficult to process situations quickly when your mind is on yourself. Many are far from seeing three feet beyond their personal situation. Thus we see the major changes with some leaving and the pgs that came once Cory Evans put together this team. Will that result in a tourney bid this year. Who knows, but the future does look a bit brighter with one who knows business and basketball as Evans does.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

did you see much interaction between James and most of the team. Cold shoulders on the bench and walking off the court. More to a team game than on court play as off court often determines team play. Lee i also think it was CWM's inability to get a solid offense with players who don't mesh or even willing to try.. His talent level is higher at UC as before he coached players that needed a school and were often not the stars of their high school teams and before NIL (what little they would get).. As I believe that we both agree, when J. Newman left, there was nobody to get the team going in the locker room and thus the court. Maybe in this day of NIL all we will see is hero ball or wanna be hero ball. Lee do you see any hope? Are 18-19 year olds ready to be business men even with agents controlling the money? James had name recognition which set him apart from many of the players and he had expectations because of that recognition. It is a sad day for UC, but as we all know, winning changes everything. Even in these days of NIL very few teams have near complete rooster turnovers (a few yes) as UC. UC has a couple of guys who were able to play the point elsewhere so we will see. The word was that DeJulius didn't play to UM's expectations at the point and thus he was expendable. YES CWM inherited a mess, but what has he shown besides being "pissed". Regardless, I am looking forward to this year and will behind the Cats as usual. I just has a memory of glory days which I want to see again. And of course, I enjoy reading your posts.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leo, you bring up some good points. You have been talking about the need for a floor general for a long time. I agree. In my mind, UC's teams were better when it not only had good point guard play, but also decent front lines. I truly think that Tillery could be that floor general that you have been talking about for years. Also, the big men this year should be able to hold their own.

I can tell Leo that you are extremely passionate about UC basketball and want the program to be successful. I have also noticed that you speak your mind. I like that. You call it as you see it. I respect that. I am like you; I hate seeing UC basketball get kicked around and stepped on by programs that UC should be hammering. UC lost both home and away games to West Virginia and Kansas State last season. Also, remember that UC had two 4 game losing streaks in 10 games. That is the kind of crap that should not be happening. Hopefully, this year, UC can put it all together and win some games. It is now time for UC to start administering some beat-downs of its own.

Gotta run. Leo, continue to tell it like it is. By the way, I enjoy your posts too.

[swilsonsp4]

Evans wasn't referring strictly to the person with the ball. The other players did not assess opportunities quickly enough, allowing defenses to adjust, thereby limiting the ballhandlers' options. Evans is all into players who can process situations on the fly, without having to consume time (even split seconds) before acting. That hangs the ballhandler out to dry. Does that exempt the guards from criticism? No, but it wasn't their fault as much as the average fans think.

[leo from jersey]

Evans wasn't referring strictly to the person with the ball. The other players did not assess opportunities quickly enough, allowing defenses to adjust, thereby limiting the ballhandlers' options. Evans is all into players who can process situations on the fly, without having to consume time (even split seconds) before acting. That hangs the ballhandler out to dry. Does that exempt the guards from criticism? No, but it wasn't their fault as much as the average fans think.

I think Evans is very good for the program so far. Do you really think CWM would have dismissed JJ without Evans major input (along with BB alums). He was added for a reason. He may also be the one with heart to heart talks with players. He sorta does control the purse strings and roster. The PG does control the team or is given the job description. I have not seen that in a few years.

[GoBearcats31]

Moustapha Thiam already showing up in early 2026 mock drafts (second round):

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45585873/2026-nba-mock-draft-four-players-no-1-pick-options-peterson-dybantsa-boozer-ament

https://nbadraftroom.com/2026-2nd-round/

Thiam 46 in the latest 2026 mock draft from Bleacher Report

[London 'Cat]

Per a post on IG, Lucas Atauri has joined UC's roster?

[leo from jersey]

Per a post on IG, Lucas Atauri has joined UC's roster?

a guard -- someone is long gone. From Brazil. From MSN is elling "The 21-year-old committed to play for DePaul last month, but Cincinnati swooped in to sign him at the last minute after an issue with his test scores. This past season, Atauri scored 6.5 points per game and shot 37% from beyond the arc for the Paulistano / Corpore São Paulo club team."

[GoBearcats31]

USA
- Thomas
- Haynes
- Harris
- Tillery
- McKinley
- Abaev (but born in Israel)

World
- Kriisa (Estonia)
- Miller (Spain)
- Celestine (Canada)
- Thiam (Sengal)
- Dzellat (France)
- Rodriguez (Spain)
- Ataurai (Brazil)

[GoBearcats31]

Fran Fraschilla on Twitter:

It’s nearly whole new team @GoBearcatsMBB so it will be an interesting experiment. But I love what they’ve done with roster. Welcome to the new normal in college basketball. Respectfully, Jizzle James, who had some great Bearcat moments, was far too inconsistent to be the “face” in a league as good as @Big12Conference. Certainly wish him well

[GoBearcats31]

Shon and Keyshuan join Dan Hoard on the latest Let's Reign podcast episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcmRNWkfvkE&list=PLb1kZJkTiqwWHM_iQhpWsGLO4S_Ln5K24&index=1

[leo from jersey]

Fran Fraschilla on Twitter:

It’s nearly whole new team @GoBearcatsMBB so it will be an interesting experiment. But I love what they’ve done with roster. Welcome to the new normal in college basketball. Respectfully, Jizzle James, who had some great Bearcat moments, was far too inconsistent to be the “face” in a league as good as @Big12Conference. Certainly wish him well

Inconsistent is putting it graciously. Time to move on.