Willliams Sore Knee Still Questionable

Thursday night the Bearcats went into battle with out one of their team leaders.  Mike Williams was side lined with a sprained knee.  How's he doing and will he play Sunday at Syracuse? 

In his absence freshman Yancy Gates stepped up his game and poured in 22 points wile grabbing 11 rebounds.  

What about the Game, It's a BIG one

Last year when UC beat West Virginia the Bearcats were able to hold Bob Huggins to o points, but Mick Cronin was also scoreless in his teams win.

Enough with the coaches, neither of them will hit the winning shot Thursday night.    The Mountaineers come into the game in a much better position for the NCAA Tournament than UC is, that's why this is a must win game for the home team.

Coach Cronin knows that West Virginia is a very good basketball team, here is his view of the Mountaineers.

On Tuesday when we spoke with the team they were just about to look at film of their up coming opponent, but they already know what WVU is all about.

That's a look at the opponent in this very important game.    As for the degree of "importance", it must be big.  ESPN is sending the team of Brent Musburger and Bob Knight. Which leaves one very big question.  UC has only played Ohio State once in the past 50 years, how will Brent work the Buckeyes into the conversation?

Game Time:  7:30   TV:  ESPN   Radio:  WLW

Locker Room Lock Out

In Saturdays loss to Louisville Coach Mick Cronin didn't like what he saw out of his team. Following the game he sat them down to watch film and Monday when they went to practice they were locked out of the players locker room.

What was the players reaction to loosing their "creature comforts"?

Not only did they loose their locker room privileges, they lost their Bearcat gear too.

The purpose of such a measure is to make a point with the team.  Apparently they got the message.  For one Larry Davis said this is the maddest he's seen his coach.

Coach Mick Cronin spoke after the Louisville game about how it's much more difficult to go from sixth in the conference to the top, as opposed from going to the basement to sixth.  In his eyes now that UC is sixth, it's time to take it to the next level, and in that next level there are no moral victories.

Coach Cronin speaks of taking the program to the next level.  One problem is not having anyone in the locker room that has been there.  Part of the "banishment" is a message to the teams leaders, and that includes a guy that has been very instrumental in taking UC from the basement to the middle of the pack.

There was a fair share of discussion about the return of Bob Huggins on Thursday night.  The evening news may have a few short clips, but Bearcat Sports Page.com will bring you the "entire comment".  Unfortunately, the evening news is limited by the amount they can use, we are not.   Several of Coach Cronin's thoughts were well over a minute.   We will have them all over the next couple of days.

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".

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.

Tall Task: UCONN

Saturday afternoon the Bearcats take on one of the best teams in the country when UCONN pays a visit to Fifth Third Arena, and that means going up against one of the best big men in the country. Hasheem Thabeet and his 7'3 frame will be clogging the lane at both ends of the court.

Along with a great team comes a great coach. Mick Cronin has the utmost in respect for this Hall of Fame counter part.

Stay In The Moment, Players Optimistic

It's been a rough few weeks for the men's basketball team.  Two big road losses to top 25 teams, then loosing to Providence at home earlier this week.   With the dry spell comes criticism. Criticism that unfortunately has more of an effect on those not directly involved, like family and friends.

Coach Cronin is able to overlook the "critics".  Does he try to insulate his young team from it?

With the loosing streak and some negativity surrounding the program what is the teams state of mind?  Young optimism flows eternal.

The effort of this team has been a topic of public discussion this week.  Coach Cronin looks at the lack of experience as part of the problem, effort is being in the right place.

Saturday afternoon the Bercats square off against one of the top teams in the country when UCONN pays a visit to Fifth Third Arena.  Bearcat Sports Page.com will take a look at the Huskies in tomorrows basketball report.

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".

Gates, Player of the Week

Freshman Yancy Gates was named the Big East Rookie Player of the week today.

The Cincinnati native averaged over 15 points and 8 rebounds in the Bearcats 3 wins against Charleston Southern, Mississippi St, and Eastern Kentucky.  Gates is the first Bearcat to get this honor since Deonta Vaughn received it two years ago.