UCF April 3 at 7:00 PM on FS1

[sedz]

Would you take 10pts from Rayvon in 16mins and fouling out?

Yes, and I've said as much.

Rayvon's gotta stop fouling. He picked up 3 fouls in only 4 minutes yesterday and fouls 7 times per 40 minutes on the season. At this point might as well play him until he fouls out though, even if he doesn't make it to the second media timeout.

[leeraymond]

The Bearcats' defense wasn't the problem. Even after Darius Johnson carved them up last night, UC's defensive efficiency is #22 in KenPom and #19 in BartTorvik. That puts them at #5 in the B12, which is darned good.

UC gave up 88 points and 50 alone came in the second half against UCF. Just for the record, UC scored 80 points. The way I look at college basketball, that is bad defense. UC may be defensively ranked fifth in the BIG XII, however, UC gave up 69 points a game in conference and had a conference record 7-13. Offense was an issue, but UC had a hard time stopping teams from scoring. In my mind, defense is an issue.

[leo from jersey]

I'll let it go - but Go Cats

No I am still upset with how this season ended. The Coaches, Monster factory, Athletic department hierarchy and school admins need to be held accountable and told this by e-mail, phone of demonstration or other things.

[Rufus]

Just my two cents. But if a player freshmen or not, is fouling and rebounding and scoring it would be an indication that he is being active in a game. As opposed to one who rarely fouls, rarely rebounds and only scores points when they get the ball on the perimeter and happens to make them. Miller's evaluation of players is flawed. He has severely underestimated and obtained players to play the 4 & 5 positions, and when he does luck into some that could be serviceable he misuses them. He also is trying to find a pG who can " general" the floor but yet has no offensive scheme for the pg to run. He's obsessed with " shooters" and allows them play their game but the majority of his portal choices don't have any game except shooting. Betsy although a recruit, is a good example. He comes into the game and camps around the perimeter waiting to get his three pt. shot. He has the size and the agility to be an effective 4 if he would apply himself. There was one game and just one game when he got involved in scrums for rebounds and slashed a couple times for pts. It caused me and others to make a comment on this forum about that occurring. It makes me to wonder why the coaches do not emphasize the other aspects of bball or is it that the players do not want to do them because they were not taught them in AAU. Why are we not seeing any progress being made in a seasons worth of bball? It's been said here on this forum before but it takes incentive to rebound. You have to want to do it and nobody on Millers team wants to get in there and scrum for them. Bearcat basketball will never return until we get players who will do whatever it takes to make a team instead of those who want to put highlights on tape to build their brand.

[BearKatz]

Just my two cents. But if a player freshmen or not, is fouling and rebounding and scoring it would be an indication that he is being active in a game. As opposed to one who rarely fouls, rarely rebounds and only scores points when they get the ball on the perimeter and happens to make them. Miller's evaluation of players is flawed. He has severely underestimated and obtained players to play the 4 & 5 positions, and when he does luck into some that could be serviceable he misuses them. He also is trying to find a pG who can " general" the floor but yet has no offensive scheme for the pg to run. He's obsessed with " shooters" and allows them play their game but the majority of his portal choices don't have any game except shooting. Betsy although a recruit, is a good example. He comes into the game and camps around the perimeter waiting to get his three pt. shot. He has the size and the agility to be an effective 4 if he would apply himself. There was one game and just one game when he got involved in scrums for rebounds and slashed a couple times for pts. It caused me and others to make a comment on this forum about that occurring. It makes me to wonder why the coaches do not emphasize the other aspects of bball or is it that the players do not want to do them because they were not taught them in AAU. Why are we not seeing any progress being made in a seasons worth of bball? It's been said here on this forum before but it takes incentive to rebound. You have to want to do it and nobody on Millers team wants to get in there and scrum for them. Bearcat basketball will never return until we get players who will do whatever it takes to make a team instead of those who want to put highlights on tape to build their brand.

Agree, well said!

[BearKatz]

Lots of strawmen here. I have never claimed that stats tell the whole story, that I prefer Simas over Rayvon, or that I would give up on a player based on freshman stats. Often times I simply present advanced statistics because they are part of the story. Everyone can come to their own conclusions based on them.

We don't know Kenyon's BPM because college basketball didn't fully track substitutions until 2008. But we can look at some advanced statistics. Kenyon committed 8.8 fouls per 40 minutes and had a 22.5% turnover rate, which as I said earlier are the two areas most freshmen struggle. That's why he only played 233 minutes over the 34 game season, an average of under 7 mpg. But he showed promise by making 65% effective field goals as a freshman with 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals per 40 minutes. Those per minute numbers stayed almost exactly the same throughout his career. He clearly had upside, but just needed to cut down on fouls and turnovers to get more playing time.

And that's all I said about Rayvon. He needs to foul less. I don't think that's controversial.

"Lots of strawmen here"

Really, lots of strawmen.... Hmmmm I don't think so!

First off, seems to me your taking it persoanlly! Funny thing is, lots of us in this Forum take things personal, Huh? No one said this was directed towards you! I was simply making a declarative statement and using Grffith as an example.

[Gmann]

Before the UCF game Terry Nelson offered an honest evaluation of each player and what they needed to improve on going into next year. It was the most insightful and objective view I've heard all year and in line with many of the thoughts on this forum. He included Wes in there as well. Anyway you can tell he's busting at the seams to share his real thoughts but has to soften it up because of his color commentator role. He and the other former Bearcats have got to be frustrated by what they see out there on the floor. Miller can't be oblivious to all this and I hope the desperation of this likely being his last opportunity at UC motivates him to make some transformational changes. And please replace the assistant position with someone that will challenge the status quo and not be another "Yes Man".

[BearKatz]

Before the UCF game Terry Nelson offered an honest evaluation of each player and what they needed to improve on going into next year. It was the most insightful and objective view I've heard all year and in line with many of the thoughts on this forum. He included Wes in there as well. Anyway you can tell he's busting at the seams to share his real thoughts but has to soften it up because of his color commentator role. He and the other former Bearcats have got to be frustrated by what they see out there on the floor. Miller can't be oblivious to all this and I hope the desperation of this likely being his last opportunity at UC motivates him to make some transformational changes. And please replace the assistant position with someone that will challenge the status quo and not be another "Yes Man".

I think its time to have some former Bearcats who played under Huggins or Mick as Assistant Coaches.

Eventually into the HC Position. I don't believe Wes has what it takes to be successful in the Big 12....IMO

[leo from jersey]

I think its time to have some former Bearcats who played under Huggins or Mick as Assistant Coaches.

Eventually into the HC Position. I don't believe Wes has what it takes to be successful in the Big 12....IMO

If Oscar speaks -- they have to listen -- Let him do it in the paper, a public letter and in the media. Everybody knows that Oscar can't be accepting of this excrement in the department.

There is so much more than strategy, stats and plays. You must reach the players and then the stats etc. will improve. Unless that happens and CWM doesn't understand, the practices can be sharp , but the record will be wretched.


"You need a teaching coach who understands the game of basketball, not just some guy coming on the court taking about Xs and Os"

Oscar Robertson

[BearKatz]

If Oscar speaks -- they have to listen -- Let him do it in the paper, a public letter and in the media. Everybody knows that Oscar can't be accepting of this excrement in the department.

Van Exel and Kilpatrick have already made their feelings known. IMO Both of them should be sitting on the bench.

I thought we should have hired Van Exel as HC when we had the chance over Brannen.

Since Mick left for UCLA, what's program done? (2) Different coaches, and both have failed to make the Tourney. However, if it wasn't for Covid, The Cats were in Brannen's first year. It helps having Scott, Cumberland and Williams on your team.

You take those (3) Players away, and we've done absolutely nothing since! The only Positive has been the recruiting.

I have heard many say, Wes has been a better recruiter over Mick. I agree, But? Mick never had a chance to recruit while being in the Big 12. Look at the players Mick landed once he arrived at UCLA.

[leo from jersey]

Van Exel and Kilpatrick have already made their feelings known. IMO Both of them should be sitting on the bench.

I thought we should have hired Van Exel as HC when we had the chance over Brannen.

Since Mick left for UCLA, what's program done? (2) Different coaches, and both have failed to make the Tourney. However, if it wasn't for Covid, The Cats were in Brannen's first year. It helps having Scott, Cumberland and Williams on your team.

You take those (3) Players away, and we've done absolutely nothing since! The only Positive has been the recruiting.

I have heard many say, Wes has been a better recruiter over Mick. I agree, But? Mick never had a chance to recruit while being in the Big 12. Look at the players Mick landed once he arrived at UCLA.

I don't think Nick had his B.A. --

He has it now and it says UC on the diploma.

[leo from jersey]

One more from Oscar and it correctly chronicles the state of the program. Notice, it doesn't speak of NIL or the portal, although important. Notice Houston in their second season in the Big12 and also in the final 4.

“You have to teach now – tell a kid how to box out, tell him how to pass, teach him footwork. Players don’t understand that anymore.”

UC had no fundamental skills and absolutely no team play. The monster factory is there to build not only strength, but motivation, confidence and desire. They showed little of those winning traits. The coaching staff failed miserably at teaching BB skills.

[BearKatz]

UC had no fundamental skills and absolutely no team play. The monster factory is there to build not only strength, but motivation, confidence and desire. They showed little of those winning traits. The coaching staff failed miserably at teaching BB skills.
[/QUOTE]


Lets say all of this is true, and I agree with you! Then it's ALL on Wes, either way you look at it.

#1) If Wes can't get through to his players, it's on hm.
#2) If we say it's not Wes's fault, it's the players. Who recruited the players? Wes

Either way, this is all on Wes.

[leo from jersey]

UC had no fundamental skills and absolutely no team play. The monster factory is there to build not only strength, but motivation, confidence and desire. They showed little of those winning traits. The coaching staff failed miserably at teaching BB skills.

Lets say all of this is true, and I agree with you! Then it's ALL on Wes, either way you look at it.

#1) If Wes can't get through to his players, it's on hm.
#2) If we say it's not Wes's fault, it's the players. Who recruited the players? Wes

Either way, this is all on Wes.

[/QUOTE]

although a winning season we have aq foundational losing program.

[BearKatz]

Lets say all of this is true, and I agree with you! Then it's ALL on Wes, either way you look at it.

#1) If Wes can't get through to his players, it's on hm.
#2) If we say it's not Wes's fault, it's the players. Who recruited the players? Wes

Either way, this is all on Wes.

although a winning season we have aq foundational losing program.[/QUOTE]

Yes sir, we finish 19-16 and some would say that's a good season. But not by previous UC Standards! Anything less than a NCAA Tournament birth is a failure IMO.

Plus, I see very little progression from the players year to year. To me, that's the ultimate failure.