NCAA Tournament Style of Play

Much like last night's game, I will mention in brevity the former Bearcat coach that is Bob Huggins.

Now that that is over, let us move onward to bigger and better things, such as, I don't know, the fact that Cincinnati finally beat a top-15 RPI team?! Or that dunk Yancy Gates had at the beginning of the game (I know you talked about it around the water cooler)?! Yes, Cincinnati finally played up to their potential and beat a big-name tournament team, and yes, we defeated Cincinnati's Prodigal (or dysfunctional) son returned for a moment of glory. We finally played to Cronin's acceptance level, and looked like the UC teams of old.

And I just want to say, that every time Wilks touches the ball my heart is literally in my throat, and I want to scream. But he didn't do too much damage, and was flying all over the court trying to be Space Jam and rebound dunk from the opposite side of the court.

Player of the Game Yancy Gates

Like there was any argument. Gates played big-boy basketball: the kind of game we need every game down the stretch. The best game I've seen him play.

Underrated Player of the Game Rashad Bishop
Bish had a pretty solid game overall. He played some solid D and handled the ball fairly well. He's still no pure point guard, but he alleviates some pressure from Vaughn, which down the stretch in the NCAA TOURNAMENT, he'll be what we need to make our Cinderella story run to the championship

Non-Player of the Game Bob Huggins
The dude deserves some credit. He was UC's coach for 399 victories, and is a main reason why we've known such success in Cincinnati. Even though he was the opposing coach, he deserves the nod.

Bummer of the Game Offensive Rebounding

On both ends of the court. We didn't really do it all too well, and West Virginia seemed to have half of their points on second chance offensive boards. It really hurt not having Williams in there throwing bows around to get some boards, but we made do and won the game. He's questionable for Sunday, and we need him down low to bang up against those bigger Syracuse inside players.

The End is Not the End

Looking back a few posts, I've noticed that it has been mentioned, in almost any post (by myself),that UC is in a "must-win" situation.  Such is life in the Big East conference.  And this scenario especially falls into line tonight against West Virginia.  

ESPN's Bracketology still has Cincinnati listed in the elusive "first four out" category for the NCAA tournament.  We've ultimately lost our chance in the regular season to beat a ranked opponent, so there's really no room for mistakes the rest of the year.  

I see two options for this game:  Win or DIE.  End of story.  There's no other options, we HAVE to win this game.  If we can't beat West Virginia at home, then we can't beat Syracuse at Syracuse, and we will soon find ourselves moping through the NIT tournament.  There's no reason to believe we can't beat West Virginia, especially at home.  We played pretty well against an amazing Pitt team, and very well (except for rebounding) against a 1 or 2 seed Louisville team.  We come out agressive, hold WVU to 20% shooting like last season, and actually see some of our jumpers fall, we'll be around the water cooler tomorrow talking about that awesome dunk Yancey Gates had, or that ridiculous behind the back alley oop from the opposite side of the court that Vaughn made to Brandon Miller.  Otherwise, it'll be coffee, spiked with Vodka, and Bob Huggins will be clucking back to WV with his big bird suit on.

Here's how you can play along at home: either a) go to the game if you're in Cincinnati, or b) go to your respective bars, clubs, living rooms, or computers, and cheer your little faces off.  And LET'S GO CATS!!

Tournament Resume Reset

From now until Selection Sunday, we will be examining what has to be done for the Bearcats to make it to the Dance. Unless they pull a "Cincinnati-sports" and start losing constantly, thus crushing our feeble hopes like so many oyster crackers onto the bowl of chili (and tears) that's sits before us on the dinner table of life. Let's do this:

Bracketology:
Still has the Cats in the "last four out" group after the beating that we took in Pittsburgh (which was, by the way, not a bad game by the Bearcats. We hit shots and I would argue that we played the best defense that has ever been played on a team that still shot over 65% from the floor. We turned the ball over too many times in the first half leading to an early deficit that we could not crawl out of. In many ways, the UC-Pitt game mirrored the countless times that the Steelers have beaten the Bengals in the last few years. Get an early lead and then play solidly the rest of the way and don't allow any big runs. And, injure any Cincinnati player that is giving you trouble.) (How's that for a parenthetical addendum?)

Remaining games that MUST be won:
Either Louisville on Saturday or Syracuse on March 1st.
South Florida -- March 3rd
Seton hall -- March 7th

**We need to beat a legit ranked team. Duh. Louisville would be a HUGE win. Doy. The wrinkle is, there's a good chance we can get away with losing to WVU next Thursday if we're able to beat Loserville or Syralose(rs) (I know, thanks) because we would still be undefeated against nontournament teams as long as WVU doesn't shit the bed against a the relatively easy opponents that they have left this season.

Remaining game that I care most about:
West Virginia -- Feb. 26th

**The Bob Huggins supporters wore out their welcome in this city like two years ago. The dude was a good coach who did a lot for the program, collected large and well-deserved compensation for it, brought in some great players, kind of got a little slimey in the last couple of years, moved on, and (probably) inadvertantly drove all the rednecks and briars in the entire UC fan base to show their real colors and stop supporting the UC basketball program. I would love for guys like Mick Cronin and Deonta Vaughn, who constantly have to hear about all this Huggins Glory Days shit, to go 2 and 0 against him and the toothless Huggins fans. Sure I'd give Huggins a clap or two when they announce him at the Shoe a week from today, but then I'd revel in the Bearcats just stomping on Huggins' team and embarrasing their families.

The Straight Gravy:
UC needs a top 20 win and 12 losses or less and they are IN the tournament. Period. Exclamation point!

This Is It, Don't Get Scared Now

Pittsburgh. No. 1 RPI. Defending Big East Champions. These, and many other adjectives describing Pitt may make them sound like a formidable opponent, but that's because they are.

Later today, our mighty Bearcats will make the trek to the Steel City for a showdown that could go down in the books as one of epic proportions. Just think how awesome it'd be if we wake up tomorrow morning, fresh off of our victory celebration, to watch 3 straight hours of Sportscenter, just too see the likes of Scott Van Pelt and Stu Scott recap what some may call an "upset." Pretty awesome, huh?

The thing is: it could happen. Yes, Pittsburgh has 3 potential All-Big East picks in Young, Blair, and Fields, but we have a little unknown player named "Deonta Vaughn" who could, at any time, score 100 straight points, and a growing man-child in Yancey Gates, hungry for annihilation. It won't be easy. Some people aren't too optimistic about this game, but I say, "Be optimistic." Here are some key strategies, surely to allow us to come out the victor.

Rebound the Frickin' Ball
Everyone knows we got manhandled against St. John's, but we were the better team, so it could more or less "slip by." Pittsburgh is not going to miss easy shots, and they are not going to let us get any. Come on, Cats (Gates, Williams, Toyloy), get in there and throw some D's and bows on it!

Literally Shoot the Lights Out
We shot 62% against St. John's. 62%?!?! Now I'm not expecting another performance like that, but honestly, it has to be close. The way this is accomplished is to NOT SETTLE FOR 3's! I know we have some shooters, but it's not alwaysthe best option. Unless it's Vaughn. We need to work their inside men with some shots down low, maybe try to get them into foul trouble.

Don't Get Intimidated
Most important point. Gates has shown he can roll with just about anyone, and Vaughn is one of the best pure shooters in the league, so why not take that into this game and act like you own Pitt's gym? Yes, there'll be thousands of screaming Pitt fans, but do what they you should do, and picture them all naked, then chuckle because who comes to a basketball game naked? That'll ease the tension. You could even play that "ooh ooh oh OOH OHH Oh Oh oh oh" song they play before every game, that'll get'em fired up.

The Smackdown Layeth

Cincinnati completed its second sweep of the B.East season, capitalizing on an "easy-win" situation over St. John's.  7-5, now tied for 6th in the B.East.  

How about Yancey manning up beyond belief?  And when was the last time that Vaughn was the 3rd leading scorer when he still scored about his average?  (Never).  We tried our best to lose by giving St. John's literally infinity offensive rebounds; however, they're St. John's, so they didn't capitalize.  After Georgetown we were selected as one of the ever-coveted "last-four-out-of-the-tourney" team.  I'm looking on the bright side of things, as far as UC is concerned, and my optimism may be more wishful thinking than anything else, but regardless, we have a good team this year, THIS year.  Time will tell how the season plays out, but I think we deserve to go to the NCAA tournament, and I think we will.  And when this happens, I will fill out every bracket with the Bearcats as the victors, naturally.  

Player of the Game: Yancey Gates

Making his second straight POTG nomination, Gates did some serious work and took it to the struggling Red Storm.  He made mere child's play of their big men, throwing down 21 in one of his best overall games.  Good work, kid.

Underrated Player of the Game: Mike Williams

There you go, son!  Finally getting back into it!  Williams is Gates' compliment, and with the added threat down low we're going to be hard to beat during (what's that?) TOURNAMENT TIME!

Bummer of the Game: Rebounds

As I said before, we got manned up in the o-rebounding category.  We do that to Pitt or Louisville, and keep giving them second chances, we will get run over.  We're lucky it was St. Johns.

St. John's: Trap Game Or Next Stop On The Tourney Train?

FIRST. FOUR. OUT! FIRST. FOUR. OUT! Say it with me: FIRST FOUR OUT!

For those of you who 1. Have followed Bearcats basketball for the last three years and 2. Know anything about college basketball media, attaching "First four out" to the Cats is a pretty loaded statement.

After UC went into D.C. last weekend and smacked the Hoyas in the mouth, ESPN's Bracketologist, Joe Lunardi, has shifted his prediction of UC to "Not in" the NCAA tournament, to one of the last four team's that will be left out of the tournament "if (and this is important) Selection Sunday was today."

The last time UC was mentioned in the NCAA tournament conversation was about 10 minutes after the selections were made for the 2006 tournament. This makes the Bearcat's inclusion into the "Last Four Out" category a pretty big deal.

The next step, of course, is to move into the actual predicted field for March Madness and that is only done by winning games. Especially games you should win, like tonight against St. John's. Here's what it will take:

1. Shrug off complacency
The Cats are getting the most cred any UC basketball team has received since 2006, before any of these players were wearing the black and red. The way veterans deal with that cred is to continue to prove that they ARE on that level.

2. More Solid defense from Davis and Bishop
Undoubtedly, the play of these two guys has taken the Cats from where they were early in the conference season to where they are now. Them complimenting Vaughn and the more or less consistent play of Gates and Williams down low, makes for an outstanding press and great pressure defense in the half court man-to-man.

3. Hey, let's stop making these stupid turnovers, you guys
Taking care of the ball is a constant worry for this PG-less team, especially for Vaughn and the guards. You know who doesn't make turnovers, Rashad Bishop (look it up). I'd like to see him control the ball at the top of the key a little more, let Vaughn run free and set up a good shot.

4. 5/3 Arena
This game, and all subsequent home games need to be sold out and absolutley nuts. I want the damn thing to burn down when Huggins comes to town. I'm about to book a flight for that Thursday I'm so fired up.

Bearcats Make Hoyas Georgefrown

Georgetown Sweep. 6-5.  Mature.  Attractive.  These are phrases that a mere 3 weeks ago we would have uttered only under our breath, embarrassed to say we actually "believed" they would happen this season.  But, they did.  The Bearcats took care of business in the Verizon center, overcoming yet another deficit, putting excitement in a season that started bleak and depressing.  

Yes, we swept a young Georgetown team who, when faced with a challenge, has failed all year.  But last time I checked (and I checked on Saturday) they still had "Georgetown" on their jerseys, and a sweep of Georgetown is good no matter what.  THIS is the Cats, the team Cronin has claimed actually does exist all season long, and the NCAA tourney-worthy team.  But, BUT, we are in the Big East, where anything and everything can happen.  While the Cats are worthy of our praise/laud/contentment, there is still a long remaining schedule of 7 B.East games, none of which are going to be a walk in the park.  So, let us continue with high hopes, but still that sense of urgency.

Player of the Game (besides Vaughn): Yancey MFing Gates.  

The difference Gates has down low compared to McClain and Toyloy is not really worth putting into words, because Gates is a MAN, and will literally rip limbs off if need be whereas Biggy cries at the thought of contact.  The Cats turned to Sir Yancey late in the game to do serious work down low, and he was the reason we won.

Underrated Player of the Game: Larry Davis

Consecutive good games is giving a prior LD-Hater (myself) a reason to be excited and go out and buy a #11 jersey.

Non-Player(s) of the Game: The UC Fans in Section 433

That's right folks, we were at the game.  My trusty counterpart and I made the trek to D.C. from NYC to cheer on our beloved Cats.  I personally even got the post-game wink from none other than Coach Cronin.

Bummer of the Game: Turnovers (again)

We had to go to OT to beat a very struggling Georgetown team with 17 Turnovers.  We have no chance against the likes of Louisville and Pitt.  With Vaughn having 6 of his own, we need to figure something out.

US Bank Arena Showdown!

It's becoming quite normal for us Bearcat faithful to see a couple different teams represent Cincinnati on the basketball court.  You have the second-half team in the Villanova game, who settled for 3's (while not making them), couldn't drive, had only 11 free throws, and played turnover-full (17!) ball.  Not surprisingly, we lost.  

Then you have Notre Dame-game UC, with selfless play, made shots, drives to the lane, and only, wait for it, 5 TURNOVERS!!  It's amazing how different teams show up at different times.  Granted that Villanova is a super hot and sexy team right now, and Notre Dame seems to be in a downward spiral of destruction, but we showed up on Wednesday night.  

We didn't really stop Harrongody, but who cares?  It's obvious he can't win a game by himself.  We've said it here like 400 times, but UC is going to win if they play turnover-free ball.  We've got the talent, why not just pay attention when you're passing the ball?  Only committing 5 Turnovers in any game is excellent.  

Player of the Game(besides Vaughn): Larry Davis

Never thought I'd say this one, but LD came with that fire only a man named Larry can fully bring.  He ran, he jumped, he shot, he scored, he passed, he stopped the 3-point threat of McAlarney, and he even moved some people in the crowd.

Underrated Player of the Game: Yancey Gates

Gates put in a solid effort once again.  This kid is going to be a stud in the years to come, and I just hope he stays at UC.  Let's hope he doesn't do the whole "Demarr Johnson/Kenny Satterfield" thing and think he's NBA worthy at an early age.  We all saw how that worked out.

Bummer of the Game: US Bank Arena

Time and time again US Bank area shows how to put on a classic basketball game.  With great atmosphere, easy access for students, and an all-around "fun experience," the question arises: Why doesn't UC play here every game?  Way to go Bankers!  Sarcasm....

Why does UC think it's a good idea to play here?