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.

Up Next: Georgetown

Mick Cronin always says that any team in this league is a week away from a three game loosing streak. Wednesday night a team riding a three game losing streak pays a visit to Fifth Third Arena, surprise...it's Georgetown.  UC on the other hand is coming off of a road trip that saw them win 2 out of 3 conference games.  Did coming back from 11 down at St John's to win by 11 help this team by more than just by improving its record?

The St John's win was a good confidence booster for this team.  The two freshmen, Dion Dixon and Yancy Gates both think that they, and the team are playing better right now. 

While UC is riding a bit of a winning streak, their next opponent has lost three in a row.  Georgetown remains a top 25 team despite the losses that include a set back at Seton Hall.  What is wrong with the Hoyas?

Life in the Big East isn't easy.  Who would have thought these two teams would be facing off against each other with identical conference records at 3-4?  Does the team know they are fighting for sole possession of 9th place in the conference?  

Georgetown is a young and talented team.  They heave one of the best freshmen in the country with their super start center, Greg Monroe.

Snow and ice could make the crowd Wednesday night a small one.  Even without the snow crowds have been far less than what fans were used to back in "the glory days".  A three and three record has brought it's fair share of criticism.    Does Coach Cronin pay attention to the negative flavor some sports talk radio callers have taken?

Georgetown at Fifth Third Arena Wednesday night 7:30.

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.