"I was wrong about Mick Cronin..."

[BearcatAlum1]

Originally Posted by Bearcat_NTS

The one thing that I never really thought about was the evolution and improvements that Mick has made as a coach. I guess I never really thought that he was learning on the job too along with this senior class. I think he has finally turned the corner as a coach, and hopefully can sustain this success. I think next year will be the testament to see who the "true fans" are because they are going to be reliant on newcomers, especially in the paint and will probably struggle and some points of the season.

There will definitely be struggles.

However, we return 3 starters: Cash, Dixon and Gates.

We return Cash at point guard, which should provide stability in our offense. Dixon returns at the shooting guard spot and has played well there all year. Gates gives us a 6'9" 260lb post player that offers defense and scoring. The foundation is fine for next year. Also, these three are our top 3 scorers this season...

Question marks for me:

1. Can Kilpatrick continue to improve his game, or is he content? He needs to improve his defense and ball-handling. If he can do that, he'll get 15pts/game.

2. Can JJ add weight? He must bang in the post and give us 25-30 minutes/game. If JJ adds weight, we'll be fine.

3. What will Kelvin Gaines contribute in the frontcourt? He is considered the most athletic and physical big man on the roster, but will that translate into solid minutes in the game?

4. How will Parker contribute?

5. What freshmen will contribute, and to what extent?

********Yes, I'm still enjoying the current season and am extremely excited for BET and NT play to begin. That being said, this is a forum for fans and this is well within reason to discuss as we enter post-season play.***********

[ohioubearcat]

Originally Posted by BearcatAlum1

There will definitely be struggles.

However, we return 3 starters: Cash, Dixon and Gates.

We return Cash at point guard, which should provide stability in our offense. Dixon returns at the shooting guard spot and has played well there all year. Gates gives us a 6'9" 260lb post player that offers defense and scoring. The foundation is fine for next year. Also, these three are our top 3 scorers this season...

Question marks for me:

1. Can Kilpatrick continue to improve his game, or is he content? He needs to improve his defense and ball-handling. If he can do that, he'll get 15pts/game.

2. Can JJ add weight? He must bang in the post and give us 25-30 minutes/game. If JJ adds weight, we'll be fine.

3. What will Kelvin Gaines contribute in the frontcourt? He is considered the most athletic and physical big man on the roster, but will that translate into solid minutes in the game?

4. How will Parker contribute?

5. What freshmen will contribute, and to what extent?

********Yes, I'm still enjoying the current season and am extremely excited for BET and NT play to begin. That being said, this is a forum for fans and this is well within reason to discuss as we enter post-season play.***********

I would add 1 Question.....Any way Yancy leaves early?

[bearcat jeff]

Originally Posted by BearcatAlum1

1. You're absolutely correct about the margin for error being razor thin. All it takes are a few games for people to deem the season a "success" or "failure."

2. We are going to have a decent drop-off on defense next year. Believe it or not, but this team will lose valuable pieces: experience, size and athleticism. While the graduating seniors are not the most offensively gifted, they play great defense and have size. Ibra is 6'11". Bishop 6'6". Both those guys play solid defense, with Bishop among the best wing defenders in the BE.

3. I don't mind JJ at the 4, but he MUST gain weight. He needs to add 20lbs in the offseason.

4. A few freshmen must step-up. Jermaine Sanders and Shaq Thomas are the obvious candidates, but we will also need Gaines to have a productive season. I also expect Jeremiah Davis or Ge'lawn Guyn to emerge as the backup PG, getting about 10 minutes a game.

I think a full offseason and summer will do wonders for JJ. I'm very excited to watch his development. He has the ability to hit 12-15 ft. shots and with some added size his driving game will improve.

I'm giving G the early nod to get minutes at the point, but not counting out JD with his size and ability to score. G is more of a true point and defensively he would be better pressing.

[bearcat jeff]

Originally Posted by ohioubearcat

I would add 1 Question.....Any way Yancy leaves early?

I don't think so. If he plays a full season with the energy he has the past 5 games, and really works on his post game over the offseason, he could be a first round pick after next season.

[ralph1950]

Originally Posted by ohioubearcat

I would add 1 Question.....Any way Yancy leaves early?

With a real possibility of the NBA going on strike and Mick being able to point out what the senior year meant to K Mart I would doubt it.

[JeromyM]

eventhough it was just in warmups yesterday....I watched Jackson stroke 5 or 6 threes in a row. He can shoot the ball....I feel he gets too nervous right now, and gets frustrated really easily. I can't count how many times he's came out of a game...and punched his seat prior to sitting down.....If you've seen Gaines, you will know that guy is built like a WWE wrestler, another year in the weight room, this kid will be big as Yancy...I feel Gaines will contribute. Our bench will be a question mark next year...and should we go with a three guard lineup? Cash, Dixon, and SK?? I just wish Cashmere would drive more...open the game with a couple drives and that opens up the pass. Dixon....I look to have a similar season to this year. SK, could have a breakout season 14-18 pts a game, if he can learn to drive a little better. I look for Parker to transfer in the offseason. I don't know what really happened to him...but he's done nothing this season. He played better than Cashmere last season....this year...he can't get into a game. We will be in a situation where freshman will have to contribute for us to have a successful season. We have the potential for another 20 win NCAA tourny team....I know one thing....I doubt we'll be picked 12 again next year.


WE HAVE THE BEST BACKCOURT IN THE NATION NEXT YEAR!! NO DOUBT IN MY MIND.

[david aka the TYZ]

Originally Posted by ohioubearcat

I would add 1 Question.....Any way Yancy leaves early?

Originally Posted by bearcat jeff

I don't think so. If he plays a full season with the energy he has the past 5 games, and really works on his post game over the offseason, he could be a first round pick after next season.

Depends on who he listens to. I'm sure he'll have the whispers in his ears to go and get paid. And it's not an issue of is he ready or not, so lets not go there. We all know he's not ready, that doesn't mean he won't declare. That never seems to be a factor with players. If he listens to Mick and it seems his father would be in Mick's corner then he will stay. If he listens to the stupidity of the world then he might do something stupid.

[psax889906]

Originally Posted by JeromyM

eventhough it was just in warmups yesterday....I watched Jackson stroke 5 or 6 threes in a row. He can shoot the ball....I feel he gets too nervous right now, and gets frustrated really easily. I can't count how many times he's came out of a game...and punched his seat prior to sitting down.....If you've seen Gaines, you will know that guy is built like a WWE wrestler, another year in the weight room, this kid will be big as Yancy...I feel Gaines will contribute. Our bench will be a question mark next year...and should we go with a three guard lineup? Cash, Dixon, and SK?? I just wish Cashmere would drive more...open the game with a couple drives and that opens up the pass. Dixon....I look to have a similar season to this year. SK, could have a breakout season 14-18 pts a game, if he can learn to drive a little better. I look for Parker to transfer in the offseason. I don't know what really happened to him...but he's done nothing this season. He played better than Cashmere last season....this year...he can't get into a game. We will be in a situation where freshman will have to contribute for us to have a successful season. We have the potential for another 20 win NCAA tourny team....I know one thing....I doubt we'll be picked 12 again next year.


WE HAVE THE BEST BACKCOURT IN THE NATION NEXT YEAR!! NO DOUBT IN MY MIND.

Justin's battle is a psychological one. Yes he needs to continue to work on his overall game and add weight- but his maturation is going to add so much to his game. Once he's able to harness all of his energy he'll go to the next level. I have little doubt from what I've seen/read/heard about him that he will take those next steps. The only question is how quickly?


JaQuan has to make his mind up like guys like LD and Biggie did. He could transfer to a smaller school and become a full time starter. Or, he could work his ass off and using his experience and skills become a valuable member of this team. I think he can still be a very valuable member of this team next year.

I don't know about best back court in the nation but it will certainly be the best back court in Mick's 6 years here.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by bearcat jeff

I don't think so. If he plays a full season with the energy he has the past 5 games, and really works on his post game over the offseason, he could be a first round pick after next season.

I agree. No way Yancy goes pro after this year unless he averages 20 and 10 in the Tourney and leads this team to a National Championship. Even then, I think he would come back.

As for SK, I think BA1 posed the question about him being content or would he continue to improve. I can tell you from everything I have read, he is a gym rat. You can already see his defense improve from the beginning of the year until now. I expect SK to be our leading scorer next year unless Yancy has a Kenyon Martin senior year which is not out of the question.

[david aka the TYZ]

Originally Posted by BearcatAlum1

There will definitely be struggles.

However, we return 3 starters: Cash, Dixon and Gates.

We return Cash at point guard, which should provide stability in our offense. Dixon returns at the shooting guard spot and has played well there all year. Gates gives us a 6'9" 260lb post player that offers defense and scoring. The foundation is fine for next year. Also, these three are our top 3 scorers this season...

Question marks for me:

1. Can Kilpatrick continue to improve his game, or is he content? He needs to improve his defense and ball-handling. If he can do that, he'll get 15pts/game.

2. Can JJ add weight? He must bang in the post and give us 25-30 minutes/game. If JJ adds weight, we'll be fine.

3. What will Kelvin Gaines contribute in the frontcourt? He is considered the most athletic and physical big man on the roster, but will that translate into solid minutes in the game?

4. How will Parker contribute?

5. What freshmen will contribute, and to what extent?

********Yes, I'm still enjoying the current season and am extremely excited for BET and NT play to begin. That being said, this is a forum for fans and this is well within reason to discuss as we enter post-season play.***********

Good points. Offense wasn't our strength this year, so I don't see the losses this year making it any worse. Hopefully one of the freshman can come in and replace what Bishop provided offensively and even Davis who always seemed to have a big shot in big games. Gaines and JJ's improvement should easily replace what Thomas brought offensively. The question is defense. We win with two styles of defense. One was a good press implemented at the right times. Davis and Wilks were very instrumental in this so that could be a concern. Second was great halfcourt defense. Where he have gotten beaten was when players leave their man to help and leave that guy for an open jumper. Two of the main culprits for this were Kilpatrick and Jackson. I think they will both improve in this area. That is typical freshman stuff. Both of these players want to be better and will put the work in to do so.