Sad State of Bearcat Basketball

[JohnFrancis]

My wife asked me earlier this evening" when do the Cats play next?"
My reply was, "I have no idea"
I started following Bearcat basketball over 30 years ago, That's the first time I had no idea when the next game was. Very sad indeed.

I feel the same way...it's going to be a long, cold (and winless) winter..

[John P]

My wife asked me earlier this evening" when do the Cats play next?"
My reply was, "I have no idea"
I started following Bearcat basketball over 30 years ago, That's the first time I had no idea when the next game was. Very sad indeed.

[Rufus]

It's always baffled me in why UC would go through the hard work, protocols and tests put upon UC for years, in order to obtain admission into a power conference ( and questionably the toughest bball conference ) and then hire not one but two coaches in the most visible of sports and have not proved themselves prior. I originally thought that the tenets of head coaching, having changed with the transfer portal and the paying of "student athletes" would somehow offer a legitimate justification for their mediocre but I don't believe that's the case any longer. I just don't think CWM can coach at this level and I for one am disappointed because with his link to Roy Williams I really had high hopes. So I'm in the same school as swilsonp4 in that the next coach needs to be someone who has proven to be able to win in a power conference and recruit. The same is true of the football program too. If I was a rigid conspiracy theorist I would say that the reason for Millers habitually being out coached has more to do with it being a stipulation in the B12 entrance contract that UC remain in the bottom of the conference rankings until they at least began receiving their full share of B12 monies. It would explain why there has been no noticable increase of production these last five years.

[BearKatz]

No thanks. At none of those stops was NVE involved in the world of recruiting, of sitting for hours on end at AAU events all summer, of running the program, including hiring experienced assistants (who also know the intricacies of dealing with teenagers and their parents/agents).

If the decision is made to end CWM's time here, I want an experienced head coach with a proven track record, not an experiment.

Well the last 7yrs has been a total waste of time. Basically nothing more than a failed experiment. I guess will see how this plays out.

[swilsonsp4]

I get what you're saying, but I still think Van Exel could do the job. He has past coaching expirience at the NBA Level as an Assistant Coach with the Hawks, Bucks, Grizzlies, & G League.

You have to start somewhere at the College Ranks! I believe he can relate to these young players while instilling some UC Pride back in the program. I wanted Nick when we hired Brannen, and we see how that turned out!

No thanks. At none of those stops was NVE involved in the world of recruiting, of sitting for hours on end at AAU events all summer, of running the program, including hiring experienced assistants (who also know the intricacies of dealing with teenagers and their parents/agents).

If the decision is made to end CWM's time here, I want an experienced head coach with a proven track record, not an experiment.

[leo from jersey]

I don't want Cunningham anywhere near the next hire. I'd be keeping a keen eye on Utah State's Jerrod Calhoun. Deep ties to UC.

sadly, it has been the deep pockets and not Cunningham making the choices.

[loshow22]

I don't want Cunningham anywhere near the next hire. I'd be keeping a keen eye on Utah State's Jerrod Calhoun. Deep ties to UC.

[BearKatz]

I don't want a coach with ties to UC, unless he has proven himself as a success at a quality program. Hometown Heroes generally go bust at their Alma Maters (Chris Mullen, Clyde Drexler, et al). The ones who have succeeded have worked their way up through the ranks, learning what D1 coaching is all about (Matt Painter, for instance).

I get what you're saying, but I still think Van Exel could do the job. He has past coaching expirience at the NBA Level as an Assistant Coach with the Hawks, Bucks, Grizzlies, & G League.

You have to start somewhere at the College Ranks! I believe he can relate to these young players while instilling some UC Pride back in the program. I wanted Nick when we hired Brannen, and we see how that turned out!

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Oh okay. That explains some things, but not everything. For instance, after the EMU game, it took UC a while to post the box score. I had to go to the EMU basketball website to get the box score. Also, Xavier has posted the season stats for the UC game. UC has not.

All season long I have been complaining about the posting of the season stats. I have followed UC basketball for a long time. UC has been very good at posting the box scores and the season stats on its website, in a timely manner, until this season. This is not normal for UC. Something ain't right.

What am I complaining about? I am making a big deal out of nothing.

[bearcatbret]

The AD should be searching for the new coach now before he lets Wes go.

[steveedwards]

I don't want a coach with ties to UC, unless he has proven himself as a success at a quality program. Hometown Heroes generally go bust at their Alma Maters (Chris Mullen, Clyde Drexler, et al). The ones who have succeeded have worked their way up through the ranks, learning what D1 coaching is all about (Matt Painter, for instance).

See Tony Yates.

[swilsonsp4]

Wes should feel pressure, 5yrs now and he's failed to produce!

Players do not progress under Wes, and we have failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. I truly hope once his contract expires at the end of the season. UC Takes it's time find the right Coach with ties to the University and turn this program around.

Iv'e never witnessed a Coach as much as Wes, get Out-Coached in the 2nd Half of every close game! It's unblievable that Wes can't figure it out!

I don't want a coach with ties to UC, unless he has proven himself as a success at a quality program. Hometown Heroes generally go bust at their Alma Maters (Chris Mullen, Clyde Drexler, et al). The ones who have succeeded have worked their way up through the ranks, learning what D1 coaching is all about (Matt Painter, for instance).

[BearKatz]

Wes should feel pressure, 5yrs now and he's failed to produce!

Players do not progress under Wes, and we have failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. I truly hope once his contract expires at the end of the season. UC Takes it's time find the right Coach with ties to the University and turn this program around.

Iv'e never witnessed a Coach as much as Wes, get Out-Coached in the 2nd Half of every close game! It's unblievable that Wes can't figure it out!

[bearcatbret]

This sums up what we all feel. Cincinnati Coach Wes Miller Faces New Pressure After Shaky Start | Fanrecap.com

[D.A.H.]

There's nobody that has followed Miller's tenure with the Bearcats and this team's play so far that believes things improve as we face tougher competition. I watched the YouTube link above from "steveedwards" and the exasperation from Chad Brendel tells it all. Milller should just say nothing rather than the nonsense that "it's clear this is going to be a great team". The most hopeless scenario would be if Miller really believed this BS rather than the desperate situation that is.

yep. can we just skip what will be a fan crushing season, and get to the day, next spring, when wes gets the boot, and the fans get to renew their hope for the future of the program