Sad State of Bearcat Basketball

[Rufus]

It was a destination job for Huggins until Zimpher ran him out of town. Yes, he helped her with all of his problems. Also, it was Mick's destination job until the fans ran him out of town. I wonder how Mick would perform at UC with today's NIL and paying to play schemes? Also, Mick could have sold the Big 12 to recruits instead of trying to get leftovers from the power conferences.

Yes Huggins was satisfied here. But in that satisfaction he got complacent and too big headed. He had no desire to go anywhere else because he was confident that he could accomplish what he wanted ( NCAA ) championship here at UC. And he probably would have won one here if he hadn't been his own worse enemy. He almost won one at West Virginia too but still no cigar.
My point is that this is the type of coach we need now. Someone who wins wherever he's been but has no sights of a dream job. If he's confident that he can recruit, win, develope players and at least contend for a championship here as did Huggins, he would have no reason to leave as long as the pay were comparable to other places. If the two persons mentioned in this post previously are potential candidates for the UC job if it becomes available I would definitely want to know if there is a coaching job elsewhere that they secretly covet. Because as soon as that job becomes open you can be sure that his agent would be privy to it and then he would be gone in a heartbeat

As far as Cronin is concerned I don't think he actually bought in on UC's legacy enough to try to sell it. And at that point, Huggins' / Kmart's record / success was all that recruits were aware of. UC's NCAA championship and the Big O were way back in the rear view mirror. And He didn't have enough name recognition to bring in a lot of big fish. And I do think Cronin felt the frustration of the fans. If he were to return he could use the B12 as does Miller as a recruiting lure but I don't think he could recruit any better now than he did before because he really hasn't done anything significant while at one of the easiest schools in the nation to recruit to. Yes he's made the tournament a few times and one sweet sixteen, but UCLA is one of a few schools where the name and rep recruits itself. Like Kansas, Gonzaga, UConn, Duke and UCLA, and some others what kid does not want to play for these schools and be a part of their legacy? But what do I know?

[BearKatz]

Is UC a more attractive destination/job for the likes of Pitino at St.Johns? Is should be, better conference, and UC should have more $$ to offer Pitino!

We need a coach that can bring this program back to the level we're all use to seeing!

[bearcatbret]

UC has never been a destination coaching job. Somebody with more money will always be more attractive. The best bet is some up and coming coach that can turn the program around in a short time and hope that UC can come up with money to keep him for awhile. If they can make some noise within the conference and possibly in the tournament then the job becomes more attractive. But we could get lucky land someone who has a lot to prove and have success here and maybe be content to build a reputation and not pursue money. Thats the way I see things.

It was a destination job for Huggins until Zimpher ran him out of town. Yes, he helped her with all of his problems. Also, it was Mick's destination job until the fans ran him out of town. I wonder how Mick would perform at UC with today's NIL and paying to play schemes? Also, Mick could have sold the Big 12 to recruits instead of trying to get leftovers from the power conferences.

[Cliftonite]

Baba with 2 points and 1-8 FG's today vs Houston, after an 18/17 game, really? 9 TO's between Day and James. Wes Miller just doesn't seem to be able to develop players. How is Abaev completely useless at this point? They have talent, that is why they beat ISU, some guys had a good day, same with Baylor. But where is the consistency? The development? The improvement?

I didn't expect them to win today, but they got blown out and scored 54 points.

Miler is one of these younger coaches who continually get wiped by the older, more traditional/experienced coaches, who come from the classic years of college bball (the one's that are left). I'm sure there are exceptions. But the style here is more akin to a pick-up game or the modern NBA. Very basic ball movement and passing, and the Guards aren't good enough to overcome it (some of the worst ball-handling by G's I've ever seen at this level of basketball in my life, going back to the 80's).

They couldn't even hit FT's the first half of the season. There's no consistency to Miller's teams, he does not seem capable of developing players or coaching them at this level. They're just treading water at this point with him. I'd say the same is going on with Satterfield, and it's just frustrating how badly that Athletic Department needs to be cleaned-out, sadly.

[Rufus]

UC has never been a destination coaching job. Somebody with more money will always be more attractive. The best bet is some up and coming coach that can turn the program around in a short time and hope that UC can come up with money to keep him for awhile. If they can make some noise within the conference and possibly in the tournament then the job becomes more attractive. But we could get lucky land someone who has a lot to prove and have success here and maybe be content to build a reputation and not pursue money. Thats the way I see things.

[leo from jersey]

Clearly we are looking for a new head coach.Everyone involved with basketball has pretty much given up.Jalen Haynes has disappeared even though he was supposed to be able to return the second half of the season. Why would he return now? All these guys out with one problem or another are possibly just finding ways to avoid injury while they explore options for fleeing the sinking ship. Do we have anything to offer a new coach? someone chime in with some reason an established coach would want to sign on.

$$$$$$$$ a chance to make it cincy reigns has some money -- as far as we know little pressure from the UC admni to win. Many think they can make it regardless, they want their shot. There is still the BIG 12 help with recruits.

[bearcatlifer]

Clearly we are looking for a new head coach.Everyone involved with basketball has pretty much given up.Jalen Haynes has disappeared even though he was supposed to be able to return the second half of the season. Why would he return now? All these guys out with one problem or another are possibly just finding ways to avoid injury while they explore options for fleeing the sinking ship. Do we have anything to offer a new coach? someone chime in with some reason an established coach would want to sign on.

[BearKatz]

Bottom line after today's Embarrassing Loss, I truly hope UC is in the process of replacing CWM!

His teams get worse and worse over the last 3yrs! Another backwards step from last years disappointing team!

I rhink this years team is more talented than last years!

But CWM simply can not coach at this level.

[bearcatbret]

Leo,
What you said is partially true but look at the mid majors that are rated. I doubt if they have the $$$ financing their teams. Yes, I know that they do not have the competition but to have the records that SLU and MU have is impressive at this point in the season. I would like to think that a winning coach is a winning coach and right now, UC does not have a winning coach no matter the dollars that are invested.

[leo from jersey]

Here is the sad state. In the current BB culture you have money to buy teams. UC has hired a GM with NBA experience to craft a team not on potential but results now. What have we seen? Yes, it was before the GM but UC threw good money at Dan Skillings. He showed nothing while the excuse was he just started in the 8th grade. Currently a National Championship winning coach gets the same out of him. Terry Nelson bemoaned that when Skillings was doing little on the court, the only thing he would say was that he has gotten a nice car.

UC then went out and signed a 7 ft 2 center with potential. So far, he hasn't really showed anything to deserve all american consideration. The tragic thing is UC had to hire his handler to get him to come play for the Cats. Has this coach helped the whole team. Heck, I have seen little in Thiam. What a waste of money. It's like getting money and then putting it in a bag with a hole in it. Or getting bb players who can't put the ball in the hole.

How long with the donors be content with this. The fans and media arn't happy.

[bearcatbret]

Robbie Avilla hit a 3 pointer at the end of the game to win by 3.

Eight top 25 teams came back after trailing by double digits last night.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

SLU pulled that game out? Wow. I was kind of keeping my eye on that game. SLU had to come back to win. It got behind early in that game. After that, I lost track of it. It is now 20-1. That ain't bad. Also, it is undefeated in conference play (8-0, or something like that).

Robbie Avilla hit a 3 pointer at the end of the game to win by 3.

[leo from jersey]

SLU pulled that game out? Wow. I was kind of keeping my eye on that game. SLU had to come back to win. It got behind early in that game. After that, I lost track of it. It is now 20-1. That ain't bad. Also, it is undefeated in conference play (8-0, or something like that).

I remember his ISU team beating UC a couple of years ago. They didn't fold at crunch time. I have a buddy who is from Claiborne Ct. Tenn and played at LMU. Not for Schertz., but he is vey in tune with the team. He loves him. He gets the most out of who he has. Was at LMU for years and has 1 NBA player now. That was the school Colonel Sanders was the big donor. They have a very good Lincoln museum there. Perhaps a bit morbid but a pic of his skull.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

They have games this week against George Washington and Dayton.

Update: beat GW by 3. Now 20-1

SLU pulled that game out? Wow. I was kind of keeping my eye on that game. SLU had to come back to win. It got behind early in that game. After that, I lost track of it. It is now 20-1. That ain't bad. Also, it is undefeated in conference play (8-0, or something like that).

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

SLU's coach is Josh Schertz. He has a long history coaching at the D 11 level where he won big with 10 NCAA Div 11 Tournament bids in 13 years. He even got to a national championship game in 2016. He ranks 8th among all active NCAA head basketball coaches with a career winning percentage of .773 (422-124) in 17 seasons. He has also coached at Indiana State whose team beat UC a couple of years back in the NIT. Conley was on that team.

His current team is 19-1 and is undefeated in the A-10. SLU's only game against a high-major (Stanford) was its only loss on the season. That aside, SLU scores 91 points a game and gives up 66.8 points a game. It shoots 52% overall and 39.6% from three. It is holding teams to 35% shooting overall and 26% from three. Also, SLU is outrebounding teams 43.1 to 31.9. It makes 15.8 free-throws a game and gets to the foul-line about 21 times a game. From what I can tell, SLU fouls a lot. Teams are taking about 23 foul shots a game where they hit 16.8 of those shots (72%).

Nevertheless, I have seen SLU play. It plays a smart switching man-to-man defense. It gets the ball to the rim on a regular basis, and it hits 11 threes a game. This is a team that plays a very modern style of basketball. It is unproven in that it has played only one Power Conference team this season and lost in a very close game (77-78). Oh yeah, did I mention that SLU has 6 players that score in double figures. As I understand it, Schertz has a knack for recruiting productive 3-point shooters.

In a way, I like this coach a little better I like than Jerrod Calhoun. Either way, both coaches perhaps represent an upgrade to Wes Miller. This coach would be a good choice if UC finds that it needs a coach for next season.

They have games this week against George Washington and Dayton.

Update: beat GW by 3. Now 20-1