Sad State of Bearcat Basketball

[leo from jersey]

Frankly, I believe the team is overconfident. They shoot three pointers without hesitation, believing they will go in despite their terrible percentages this year, and every year under CWM for that matter. Instead of working for a better shot, or finding an open teammate, they heave up the first shot they can, whether a good or bad shot. Often times, teammates are not in the proper position to rebound the miss or are not there at all, which comes back to shot selection. If no teammate is there to rebound, why shoot the ball to begin with? And the stagnant, behind the three-point line offense - for years I have watched UC run bad offense while standing around and watching other teammates hoist up prayers that have no chance of going in. It all boils down to running an offense that seeks a good shot as opposed to the first shot. Until that changes, we are stuck with this level of basketball.

a coach once told me that a player who lacks confidence either shoots a bunny or a long range shot. I agree with you that they heave instead of seeing the court.

How do you suggest getting the team to play in an organized offensive structure. A New coach has to do more than just run Xs and Os when he takes over this team. Of course, in today's game, he will have a whole new team to start with.

Will the Cats get a new coach? The media is speaking. It is hard for Dan Hoard and Terry to honestly speak to CWM because of the contracts, but others are speaking up. I am sure Tony P can't be happy.


As we said the last few years this is team turmoil. Perhaps not with the individual hot shots, but the team morale. Once you quit, it becomes a habit and no scheme can solve that. At least not right away.

“Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” –Vince Lombardi

[London 'Cat]

Frankly, I believe the team is overconfident. They shoot three pointers without hesitation, believing they will go in despite their terrible percentages this year, and every year under CWM for that matter. Instead of working for a better shot, or finding an open teammate, they heave up the first shot they can, whether a good or bad shot. Often times, teammates are not in the proper position to rebound the miss or are not there at all, which comes back to shot selection. If no teammate is there to rebound, why shoot the ball to begin with? And the stagnant, behind the three-point line offense - for years I have watched UC run bad offense while standing around and watching other teammates hoist up prayers that have no chance of going in. It all boils down to running an offense that seeks a good shot as opposed to the first shot. Until that changes, we are stuck with this level of basketball.

[kskenyon4]

well, the 'skins haven't played that powerhouse, Eastern Michigan, yet, so I'll reserve judgment until they play the 'cat slaying eagles.

Travis Steele, via Xavier is Miamis coach.

[bearcatjd]

I'm going to the UCF game this Sunday. To be honest, I'm not looking forward to it. I'm hoping they pull out a win but I would not bet on this team.

[leo from jersey]

It is interesting to see what the Cats need to win this Sunday. It is not a different offense. It is not stats from past games. What is it? The Enquirer stated " 1. Somehow, Cincinnati Bearcats must find swagger, confidence


You can see the fear, frustration as well as a lack of confidence in their faces and body language. Once again, I will allude to when Abaev was beaten and his teammate left his man to play team defense. Normally that is good, but the WV player had court awareness and passing skills along with selflessness to pass to his wide open buddy for a swish of a 3. I don't believe for a second that the Cat who left his player did it because the stats said he couldn't shoot. It was a knee jerk reaction, and the Cats are not used to others playing beyond one man hero ball. These are humans and not inanimate playstation players on a tv screen. Basketball is a very emotional game as are all competitive sports. Look at the meek cringing fear from the HC and then you will understand.

Is CWM dealing with their heads in practice? The paper went on to say Sampson played head games with the Cats. He screamed now is winning time. A good player wants the other team to play him at crunch time. They said of Bear Bryant he can take his and beat yours and take yours and beat his. The same players. What is the difference? You have a bunch of nervous, fearful, afraid of failure players on the court for UC, It doesn't matter what they did yesterday, how are they handling the game now. Sadly, it is a lack of confidence resulting in grade school sloppy basketball, loses and post game tirades.

My hope is that some of these Cats will say -- Enough-- I am going to play the game I love. The game I spent hours practicing and I am going to kick some A$$ on that court.

Losing is expected of the team now. That is the sad state of UC Basketball today.

The thing is - a change is only a win away. If CWM can't get them going (maybe his postgame tirades can), then the players have to make the choice. It is obvious that they are not playing for the school, for the city and with the lack of team play, for each other. They ae not even playing for their next pay check. They are not inanimate playstation figures. I have seen teams come together even when their coach was an inanimate sulker on the bench. They need to remember how long and hard they practiced and let it flow.

This is why Terry Nelson ,Steve Logan and many other former players are upset. They know what it is like to put on the Cincy uniform and see the fear in others as they walk across that black line.

[D.A.H.]

Hey! I was checking Miami of Ohio out too. They are 16-0 on the season. They have not played any high-majors. They are a very good scoring team.

well, the 'skins haven't played that powerhouse, Eastern Michigan, yet, so I'll reserve judgment until they play the 'cat slaying eagles.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

It is a good thing that UC did not play Miami this year. They are undefeated and rolling. Maybe their coach should be on UC's radar.

Hey! I was checking Miami of Ohio out too. They are 16-0 on the season. They have not played any high-majors. They are a very good scoring team.

[bearcatbret]

It is a good thing that UC did not play Miami this year. They are undefeated and rolling. Maybe their coach should be on UC's radar.

[D.A.H.]

College sports have a huge problem. UC is the poster child. UC has failed in every sport since moving to the Big 12 / NIL era. Something must change now to avoid a complete collapse. I can say, from my perspective, I had no emotion watching the Houston or WV game. I simply didn't care if they won or lost. 5-6 years ago, I'd have been screaming at the TV. Times have changed.

i'm not even watching the bball games anymore, and i'm seriously considering dropping my fball tix.

[D.A.H.]

The thing is that fans of the Bearcats have great memories. The Big O, Jucker and Huggs teams especially. Barely making the tourney and out the first weekend was not what was expected. I guess now it could be called a great year.

cronin, and his brother, were kind of an acquired taste - not that it counts for anything, but i never cared for either of them.

[JohnFrancis]

I certainly hope there is offset language in CWM’s contract so that if he gets his walking papers and then lands another HC gig, then UC gets at least a little relief, but quite frankly I don’t know what program of any note or means would hire him.

[Bearcat1996]

College sports have a huge problem. UC is the poster child. UC has failed in every sport since moving to the Big 12 / NIL era. Something must change now to avoid a complete collapse. I can say, from my perspective, I had no emotion watching the Houston or WV game. I simply didn't care if they won or lost. 5-6 years ago, I'd have been screaming at the TV. Times have changed.

[red_n_black_attack]

Bearcat93 posted this on the West Virgina thread last night:

The extension upped Miller’s average annual salary from $1.31 million under the original contract to an average annual salary of $2.95 million.

Miller’s remaining contract: $13M
2025: $3.1M
2026: $3.2M
2027: $3.3M**
2028: $3.4M**
**Extension years

My question to you guys? WHY would the University give me an Extension when he has proved absolutely nothing to this point? No Conference Championship, No NCAA Tournament Birth. Who's bright idea was this?

Extensions used to be fairly common, if not automatic, to ensure a coach always has 5 years left. Other coaches used to bash opposing coaches to recruits if a contract was less than 3 years saying the coach won't be there for your entire career so pick me. My guess is that mentality is still there, and in a world where players are free agents every year, there is no longer a need to extend a coach unless he has less than 2 years left and is winning. This would lower buyouts, and if the coach jumps ship, then they give the university money.

[leo from jersey]

Rufus we had a coach who wanted to stay and had ties to the community... Mick Cronin. UC thought they were better than him. Who wouldn't love to have him back now?

The thing is that fans of the Bearcats have great memories. The Big O, Jucker and Huggs teams especially. Barely making the tourney and out the first weekend was not what was expected. I guess now it could be called a great year.

[bearcatlifer]

Rufus we had a coach who wanted to stay and had ties to the community... Mick Cronin. UC thought they were better than him. Who wouldn't love to have him back now?