Sad State of Bearcat Basketball

[leo from jersey]

Concerning the team giving up. Words can't express it. The play on the court does though.

UC can recruit top players especially in this new era. The problem is what I expressed in another post. While they have the money, they have not evaluated correctly ready to play players. The money wasted on Thiam and his handler. The money wasted on Skillings and his lack of improvement while satisfied with getting a new car. To the Cats credit, a National Championship winning coach has not gotten anything better out of him. I hope this GM (no longer new) has settled in and can astutely judge ready to contribute players. UC has some NIL money, It is good to see former Cats show up for the games. I am sure they will help with recruiting, but money seems to be the main if only motivator for the ones who are ready to star. The other recruits mention everything else because they can't demand top dollar.

CWM can recruit but more is needed in this day and age. UC needs a fresh voice to lead. They need a coach who is motivated to succeed and not just maintain his job. I think recruits, players, money people and fans can see this. I believe the school will embrace CWM if he turns it around. I just don't know if he can. Most want a coach in the tradition of past coaches although a winning one would be popular regardless of demeanor. What is not needed is a coach who may not be able to turn it around. This is exactly the same as getting recruits who are not able to contribute right away. We have had too many promises and they are empty promises lacking victories and dare I say it, championships.

This is a whole new world, but yet things stay the same. That being, proper evaluations for this age and then the proper utilization of that ready to win contribute of the well compensated talent.That applies to both the coaching staff and the players.

[leo from jersey]

May I add that 2 HS recruits unless one is a superstar, is all that is needed. It is almost impossible to develop players who have gotten NIL and expect to play now for bigger NIL checks. The transfer system has ruined much player development.

[Carthage World]

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!

St. John's has a billionaire bankrolling their program now. They've surpassed UC in terms of financial support. 15-odd games/year at MSG is a nice plus too.

[GoBearcats31]

In unrelated news, two UC students stole alcohol from Fifth Third Arena
https://www.fox19.com/2026/02/01/2-u...licks&tbref=hp


In further unrelated news, Fifth Third and Comerica are merging
https://www.fox19.com/2026/02/02/fif...rgest-us-bank/

[red_n_black_attack]

May I add that 2 HS recruits unless one is a superstar, is all that is needed. It is almost impossible to develop players who have gotten NIL and expect to play now for bigger NIL checks. The transfer system has ruined much player development.

This is exactly what the basketball GM said is their recruiting philosophy. They will will only recruit high school players who can contribute in year 1 and fill out the rest of the roster via the portal. I took this to mean we could sign 5-7 high school guys if they are all top 50 guys, but probably only getting 1-3 in any given year, if any.

[red_n_black_attack]

This is exactly what the basketball GM said is their recruiting philosophy. They will will only recruit high school players who can contribute in year 1 and fill out the rest of the roster via the portal. I took this to mean we could sign 5-7 high school guys if they are all top 50 guys, but probably only getting 1-3 in any given year, if any.

P.S. - with the exception of Abaev, most top 30ish players are looking to start in year 1 and move to the NBA quickly if highly successful in their freshman year.

[longtimefan]

P.S. - with the exception of Abaev, most top 30ish players are looking to start in year 1 and move to the NBA quickly if highly successful in their freshman year.

Not all of them start, and just a few move to the NBA after year one.

[Rufus]

I'm not privy to how much or how involved Fifth / Third is in UC athletics besides that of naming the arena on campus. But in light of how Mark Cuban is heavily involved in Indiana football and Cignetti, and the big donors mentioned above involved at St.Johns enabling them to bring in Pitino and even Papa John's relationship to Louisville, that's how UC is going to have to do things. As we know everything revolves around money today so we need to find money enough to attract / keep a reputable coach.

All that's needed is to find the right rich donor who would love to see his alma mater win a championship!

[bearcatlifer]

Absolutely Rufus. UC is not going to do it with nickels and dimes from us ordinary folks or even their ballyhooed NIL program.UC has many billionaire alum. All you have to do is Google it. That is where the athletic department needs to be focusing their attention.A little help from the Kelce brothers could get the ball rolling.

[leo from jersey]

Absolutely Rufus. UC is not going to do it with nickels and dimes from us ordinary folks or even their ballyhooed NIL program.UC has many billionaire alum. All you have to do is Google it. That is where the athletic department needs to be focusing their attention.A little help from the Kelce brothers could get the ball rolling.

It would be nice if one of their fiancés' would become a major fan. U of Mich has Larry Ellison whose wife is an alum

[BearKatz]

I don't believe we need Top 25 Recruits to be successful. I would prefer the 50/150 range player's! We've done well with 3 & 4 Star Recruits who tend to stick around 4yrs.

Josh Reed & Skillings are perfect examples! The PROBLEM is Wes, he's over his head in this league!

What would Mick or Huggs be able to do with this current roster? Same result, or do u think this team would be more competitive?

[longtimefan]

Nobody stays 4 years anymore. Now that agents run the show, holding onto top guys more than one season will be very difficult. Even if players like it here, the agents are out there working on the next job.

[Gmann]

I don't believe we need Top 25 Recruits to be successful. I would prefer the 50/150 range player's! We've done well with 3 & 4 Star Recruits who tend to stick around 4yrs.

Josh Reed & Skillings are perfect examples! The PROBLEM is Wes, he's over his head in this league!

What would Mick or Huggs be able to do with this current roster? Same result, or do u think this team would be more competitive?

I believe this roster is more than good enough to be in the top half of the league under a competent coach. After 5 years it is clear that Miller is definitely the constant that is the problem. Additionally no rich alum is going to invest more $$'s into the sinkinig ship that is Miller.

[London 'Cat]

I believe this roster is more than good enough to be in the top half of the league under a competent coach. After 5 years it is clear that Miller is definitely the constant that is the problem. Additionally no rich alum is going to invest more $$'s into the sinkinig ship that is Miller.

The majority of donors want to be associated with a winning program. The program under CWM is not there and likely won’t get there.

[leo from jersey]

The majority of donors want to be associated with a winning program. The program under CWM is not there and likely won’t get there.

Yes I agree, but it just takes one to turn it around. My take being IU was the worse and then Mark Cuban wrote a check. Now they are National Champs. Of course there was a coaching change.