Down The Stretch They Come

For most students Monday was their first day back on campus after winter break, not for the student athletes.  Most of them, like the swim team has been on campus training.  Getting ready for the final push toward a conference title.   

Following the meet at Louisville this week, the Cats return home to swim against Miami on January 17.

Need More Than 50

Last week when the Bearcats dropped a big game at Memphis they scored only 45 points, in today's loss at Marquette they scored only 50.  The fact that UC lost at Marquette, or for that matter at Memphis, is not unexpected.  It's how they lost.  Today they shot only 32%  from the field and 16% from 3 point, while Marquette was 54% from the field and 60% from 3 point.  Sunday it was the three pointer that hurt them....on both sides.  At Memphis UC shot 33% from the field and 20% from 3, while Memphis was 40% from the field and just 16% from 3.  At Memphis, 20 turnovers for the Cats hurt them quite a bit.

Up next is a must win conference game with Providence visiting Fifth Third Arena Wednesday.  A good, supportive crowd would certainly help.  Fans answered our survey saying they didn't go to games earlier because of the competition.  The Big East has started, no reason to stay home now.

Up Next:  Providence @ Fifth Third Arena   Jan 7

Women Win Big East Opener

Coach J. Kelley Hall and his Bearcats got the new year started of on a positive note by winning their Big East Conference opener.  Villanova paid a visit to Fifth Third arena and left with a 61-54 loss.  UC was led by Kahla Roudebush with 19 points and Jill Stephens who contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds.  This gives the Bearcats an impressive 11-3 record overall. 

For more detail information on the win go to: Go Bearcats.com

Next Game:  Wednesday Jan 7 @ WVU 8:00

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

Willy And Youk

Early Saturday morning the final buses rolled on to campus and unloaded the students and the band.  The 2009 Orange Bowl is now history.  Now how long will the "analysis" last?  Questions will be asked and debated, but in the end it's still a 20-7 loss.  

We agree, certain adjustments could have changed the game.  For example, we saw WLW superstar Bill Cunningham wearing a "Taco Bell" hat (see picture for hat) early in the game when UC was winning.  Why did he take it off?  Was that the Bearcats "mojo"?  Another question worth raising.  Former Bearcat and current Boston Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis was in the stands cheering on his Cats.  Wasn't Kevin at the UCONN game?  Did he see only two games this year....both losses?  We hope Kevin snuck in a win,  other wise is he a bad luck charm?   

So next year when the Bearcats return to a BCS game it doesn't' matter if they stay with P Diddy at the Ritz or if Tony Pike runs on 2nd down.  It will again come down to if "Willy" can keep the Taco Hat on for the entire game and if Kevin can get a Bearcat win under his belt during the season.

Apologies

My deepest apologies on coverage from Miami.  Due to strict compliance orders, tight schedules, and laptop/internet mayhem, things didn't go as according to planned as I would have liked.  I am going to try and re-post blogs I saved sometime in the next few days.

Once again, I apologize.  Sometimes, technology just isn't your best friend.

No News Was Bad News

Sorry for the "void" in our coverage of UC sports the past few days.  First off, we did not get credentials for the game because we are not a "legitimate" news source.  Secondly, we did have some coverage planned outside of the game but logistical problems with  laptops, wireless service and technology in general screwed that up.

We will be back later today with some closing thoughts on the Orange Bowl after we unpack our bags and start getting back into basketball.