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.