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.
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A few things:
ReplyDelete1) People are all upset about Lunardi not including us in his "expert" opinion of who will make the NCAA Tournament. Of course it'd be great to be on the elite list, but I honestly think his assessment is accurate at this point in time. We've played well this year, but haven't done anything out of the ordinary yet (turns out beating Georgetown and Notre Dame aren't as good as we once thought, yet wins against respectable names nevertheless), and it's going to take some good wins (without bad losses) to make it. I think we'll get there by beating Louisville and West Virginia at home, as well as beating South Florida and Seton Hall to close out the season (Syracuse would not only be gravy but also the cherry on top of the whip cream on top of your generous serving of chocolate pie after eating the largest and most delicious Thanksgiving meal ever made).
2) I heard it's already a sold out crowd for the WVU game. Is this because they're honoring Huggins, because people want to see the Bearcats put a whooping on Huggins' team, or because people are finally coming around to what we knew all along that this team is legit? My guess is a little bit of it all. Regardless, it'll be quite the atmosphere, probably similar to the ones I remember in the days of yore.
3) I hate Louisville. All the city is good for is the Kentucky Derby. I have respect for their program and impressive basketball tradition, but nothing makes me happier than beating them. My favorite game as a student at UC was when Field Williams hit what appeared to be a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired in regulation, however after further review, one foot was on the line, so our win over the likes of Francisco Garcia and Teaquan Dean was prolonged 5 minutes of overtime, which made it even sweeter.
So, yeah, I'm pumped for these last few games. I think it will be a favorable end to the season that will yield a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
If UC does not make it into the tournament this year, I vow to pee on Xavier's campus (again). Why Xavier? Because they are stupid.
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