The Day After, Still a Big Win

UC assistant athletic director Mike Harris summed it up best Friday when he said, "it's a great day to be a Bearcat fan".  It's the day after a big win against West Virginia and the players are not caught up in the celebration, instead they are looking back at it with appreciation.

It was a sign this team is maturing.  The youngsters are growing up.  Thursday night they went into a must win game without one of their senior leaders, Mike Williams was on the bench with a sore knee.

Deonta Vaughn said the teams recent confidence helped them, but so did following the game plan and playing defense.

Another Game, Another Top 10 Team

 After a week off the Bearcats find themselves in the middle of a log in the Big East standings.  With a 7-6 record the Cats are even with Syracuse and West Virginia.  Saturday they kickoff a two game home stand with Louisville.  So is this a "must win" game?

Last year the Bearcats stunned a packed house in Freedom Hall on New Years day as they stole a rare road victory from the Cardinals.  Deonta Vaughn remembers that game.

Years ago a top ten team coming into Fifth Third Arena would have been a big deal.  Anymore that's just another day in the Big East.

With Louisville coming to town the focus quickly goes to the coaches.  The players don't care who coached with who, they worry about the players on the court, not the guys in the ties.

Coach Cronin could not agree more.  He knows with Louisville and then West Virginia the coaches will be put n the spotlight, a place he would prefer the players be.

Saturdays game tips off at Fifth Third Arena at 2:oo and will be televised locally on Fox Sports Ohio Ch #43 on most Time Warner Cable Systems.

Bubble, What Bubble?

With a week off this past week the Bearcats had a chance to catch their breath and take a look at where they are.  Going into this weekend they find themselves tied for 7th in the Big East with Syracuse and West Virginia, and just a game behind Providence.  Right now all sights are set on Louisville, despite all of the talk of UC being a bubble team.  Here is Deonta Vaughn and then Yancy Gates to talk about being a bubble team.

With the "bubble situation" at UC extra emphasis is being put on each game, including this Saturdays home game against Louisville.  Coach Cronin certainly understands the importance but tries to keep the team from getting to high after wins and too low after losses.  The old cliche keeps coming up, take 'em one at a time.

We will have more on the Louisville game Saturday morning here at the home of your best "complete" Bearcats coverage.  

Pitt was Pitt, Now it's Back to Work

Each weekend the "experts" weigh in on who they think will make the NCAA tournament. Based on last weeks body of work, the Bearcats shouldn't have lost or gained any ground.   They beat a team they were supposed to beat, then lost to a team they were supposed to loose to. The team they lost to might be the best team in the country, and now they know it's time to put the Pitt loss behind them and move on.

We asked Coach Cronin what he took away from the game against the Pitt Panthers

A good team learns from it's losses.   Especially when they come at the hands of such a talented opponent.

This week the Bearcats are given the luxury of some time away from Big East competition.  Notice how we didn't say "time off".  For the past several weeks the team has been playing at least two games a week.  This six day break won't be used for rest and relaxation, instead it's a chance to get back to basics.

Bearcat Sports Page.com will have continued coverage of the Bearcats this week as they prepare for their next game, Saturday Jan 21 against the Louisville Cardinals at Fifth Third Arena.  Among some of the topics we will bring you is the teams view of "being on the bubble".

Where's Tanya Harding When You Need Her?

Wednesday night Notre Dame pays a visit to US Bank Arena downtown to take on UC. Surprisingly the Irish come in riding a 5 games loosing streak. The last three being to top ten teams, Pitt, UConn and Marquette. Coach Cronin talks about Notre Dame and how tough they are, especially with the position they are in conference wise.

The Irish score a bunch of points and slowing them down means slowing down All American candidate Luke Harangody. Last year UC held him to 1 point in the first half, but they he exploded for 24 in the second half. If the snow can't slow him down, Coach Cronin has come up with "plan B".

This is a home game for UC. Coach Cronin said that part of the negotiations were that UC students would be on the floor in the bleachers behind each basket. During the "Cronin Era" the Bearcats are 3-0 at US Bank Arena, including a victory earlier this season against Mississippi State. Wednesdays game against Notre Dame is not on local cable. ESPN 360 is the only way to see the game. Tickets are still available. Tip Time: 7:30 at US Bank Arena downtown.

Young Team, Making Progress and Playing With Passion

In their last 6 conference games the Bearcats are 4 and two with a couple of road wins.  This is not an easy conference for a teams "mentality".   That was one of the topics covered Tuesday afternoon before practice.   Games are going to be won, but games are also going to be lost.  With such a young team it's important for them to remain "even keel" and not get too high or too low.

Last year this team was in the second year of the reconstruction process, looking back how far has this program come?

Monday afternoon the team looked back at some film from the team last year.  One thing Deonta Vaughn noticed is that last years team played with tremendous passion.  Passion this years team is having trouble matching.

Wednesday morning we will post some of the comments made today about the game against the Fighting Irish at US Bank Arena.

Super Sunday: At Villanova

In our weekly poll, the Bearcat fans that visit this site said that they have gained some confidence in the team following the win Wednesday against Georgetown.  The team itself also shares in that confidence, it was a good win for this young team.

This team is learning how to win, and just in time.  Winning four of the first 8 games is an accomplishment in this league.  Why is the team playing better now compared to in late December and early January?  Did "the light" finally come on for some of the younger players? Coach Cronin has been preaching the importance of defense all season.  He may not tell his team this, but is it a case of " I told you so" as far as if they play defense they will will games?

Playing in the Big East in late January is a difficult situation to prepare any player for.  In the past couple of weeks UC has been on as big of a "run" as you can be on in this tough conference. Winning 3 of the last 4 had taught this team how to win.  In this conference a victory is something to cherish, not expect.

They have learned how to win, they have even learned how to win on the road.  However, the next test is a doosey, at Villanova.   A team that is coming of a win against Pittsburgh and never looses at home.   UC played some tough games in December and early January,  and hopefully has grown to better handle big games in big atmospheres.

Up Next: At Villanova Sunday  Tip Time Noon.

Ugly Game, Pretty Results

A couple of weeks ago Mick Cronin said that to win in the Big East you have to win ugly. Thursday night at St John's was the ever popular "pig with lipstick". Meet the pig: an 11 point deficit at half time, only 1 for 11 three pointers in the first half for UC, Rashad Bishop getting ejected early in the second half and a combined 53 foul shots. It wasn't pretty but it was a 71-60 win when the smoke cleared. Here is the ESPNU recap of the first half before the second half got started.

As we said earlier, Rashad Bishop and St John's D.J. Kennedy were ejected early in the second half. No punches were thrown, no pushing, just some jawing. Apparently that was enough.

After Bishop was gone the team began to turn things around. Deonta Vaughn was definitely the team leader down the stretch. He had 20 of his 23 points in the second half. Trailing by 11 with just over 13 minutes to go UC outscored St Johns 31-9 from that point. Deonta Vaughn was a major part of that run.

On the road trip the Cats won 2 out of 3. Now it's back to practice and some time off. The next game is at home next Wednesday when Georgetown pays a visit to Fifth Third Arena.

Big Test at Depaul

Getting the first Big East win earlier this week was very important,  so is trying to get number two.   Advancing to the post season means defending your home turf and during the last home stand UC dropped a game to Providence.  That means they have to try and steal a win on the road. Saturday at DePaul is one of those rare opportunities to do so.  The Blue Demons are young but also talented.  The Cats also know at times this season they have been their own biggest opponent.

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Saturday January 17  @ Depaul  ESPNU  2:00 tip time.

Providence Preview

The Bearcats view Wednesdays game against Providence as a way to bounce back from two tough road games and get a much needed win in conference play. Like all games in the Big East, it won't be easy. Providence comes in with an identical 10-4 record but, their 10 wins include two conference wins. The Friars are riding a three game winning streak with a 21 point win over St John's and an 8 point win over Depaul. Both games were at home where the Friars have been very comfortable, as opposed to being on the road. They have played on the road only 4 times and show a 1-3 record. It won't be easy but it's definitely a winnable game, if the Cats play hard....and smart.

Game time is at 7:00.

Team Meeting Called By Players

Tuesday afternoon the basketball team was back at practice inside Fifth Third Arena. Not only are they getting ready for Providence coming to town Wednesday night, they're also trying to get over the last two road losses against Memphis and Marquette. So what is the teams mind set this week?

As Deonta said a "players only" team meeting was called. What was said? Was it worth while?

The meeting was called by the team leaders, both of them. With such a young team Deonta Vaughn and Mike Williams are the "veteran leaders". Having so much inexperience and so few leaders makes this a learning experience for every one.

Wednesday night will be a huge test for this team. How will they respond after two bad road losses? Are they young enough to shake it off and move on with a victory? The leadership taken by Vaughn and Williams was a "must" if this team is to get through this. The attitude is that of resilience not dispare. This team is focused on bouncing back, not giving up. A nice supportive crowd Wednesday would certainly help the cause.

Big East Play Starts Today

Sunday afternoon the Bearcats begin their travels down a very dangerous and tough road. 

From here on out there are no "should win games".  Each one is as tough as the next, its time to start Big East Conference play.  During the non conference part of their schedule they saw some top teams, had to play from behind, and lost leads.  Did they learn enough to prepare them for the next 2 months?

We asked Coach Cronin if he was more confident entering Big East play this season as opposed to the previous years?

Some may say that is just "coach speak", tell that to Notre Dame.  Just three days after being beaten by Providence 75-54 St John's came back and upset the #7 Fighting Irish 71-65 Saturday.

UC @ Marquette  2:00   Fox Sports Ohio

Monday Night: #24 Memphis on ESPN

Monday night the Bearcats wrap up the non conference part of their schedule in Memphis taking on the #24 ranked Tigers. The main purpose behind the first 2 months of play is to develop the team and get them ready for conference play, it's a bonus if you can pick up some "quality wins" and boost your post season resume along the way.
We talked to Head Coach Mick Cronin about his teams development so far, and the importance of building a resume before hitting conference play.

The players know how good Memphis is and how this is another opportunity to see if they measure up against a ranked team on the road.

A win against Memphis would certainly bring some attention to the Bearcats. As they enter Big East play no one is talking about UC, mainly because they spoiled their last opportunity in the ESPN spotlight.


Monday Night 9:00 ESPN @ #24 Memphis
The Bearcats enter the contest with the Tigers favored by 13 points, the same amount Memphis was favored by last year when they came into Fifth Third Arena with a #2 ranking. An "under maned" Bearcat team played with tremendous heart kept the game close losing by only 10. How hard did UC play? They out rebounded the Tigers, a team that won the battle on the boards in almost every game last year on their way to the national championship game.

Phase 1: Non Conference

With a record of 10-2 the Bearcats travel to Memphis Monday for their final non conference game before starting Big East Conference play. So Saturday before practice we asked Coach Mick Cronin and some of his players if they thought they ended the non conference phase of their season the way they wanted to?

Compared to the past two years, the team has escaped the "first phase" of the season in much better shape. But what about the freshmen? They have no comparison, they weren't around last year. We asked Yancy Gates about his first taste of division 1 college basketball, with the best yet to come!

Monday the Bearcats travel to Memphis to take on another top 25 team, a chance to not only test themselves against top competition but a chance to get a "quality win".

Miss St: Learning Experience

Thursday nights victory over Mississippi State was a "quality win". After a tough game last Saturday when the Bearcats stumbled out of the gate they played terrific basketball in the first half and were able to sustain a 2nd half charge by the Bulldogs and win the game.

UC jumped on Mississippi State early and often building a comfortable lead in the first half. Then in the second half the Bulldogs mounted a comeback. It was definitely a tale of two halves for UC.

The second half comeback by Mississippi State was an area of concern, but it depends if you are a glass half full or glass half empty person. Glass half empty, yes they blew a large lead. Glass half full, the young guys didn't loose their composure and they weathered the storm and built the lead back into a nice win. Who kept the team from falling apart?

With an SEC team leaving town does not mean it gets any easier. As Coach Cronin said there are no easy games and Eastern Kentucky is a formidable opponent. What is he looking for out of the next two games before Christmas?

Saturday night the Cats square off against Eastern Kentucky at Fifth third arena.

CROSSTOWN GAME DAY !!!!

The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout is just hours away.  This game is all about the upsets with the underdog always putting up a good fight.  However, part of that magic is the underdog appreciating the magnitude of the game.  Deonta Vaughn is the only guy on this team that has beaten Xavier.    It's a young team but Coach Mick Cronin had his "traditional" pre-game meeting at his house last night to  teach he young guys what it's all about.

So far that Montgomery Inn diner has worked,  Mick is 1 and 1 with last years game being very close despite Xavier being ranked and playing at home.

Good So Far

After about a month of play the men's basketball team has put together 4 wins by an average of 29 points. The teams they have played are no where near the caliber of talent they will see later in the year. However, the way the team has played is more important to them, as opposed to who they have played.

This weekend they are in Las Vegas for a holiday tournament that will start with Florida State Friday night.