"I was wrong about Mick Cronin..."

BearcatAlum1 · 03-06-2011, 10:10 AM

I've seen plenty of threads that have fans confessing they were wrong about Mick. Most state, "I questioned if he was the guy, but I'm now in full support of Mick."

What exactly does this mean? We're hot and playing well right now, but we're going to eventually lose again (hopefully not!!!). Will these people and critics once again call for Mick's head if we fall on tough times?

I am in favor of criticism, but even losses do not mean the coach must go. I think Mick has proven that: 1) he knows basketball; 2) players can succeed in his system; 3) players improve in his program; 4) he is capable of leading this program back to national heights; and 5) he can be a personal relations nightmare with some of his statements

.

I just hope people still support the coach and program when things are not going nearly as well. We're going to lose games. Mick will make some mistakes, just like ALL other coaches. BUT, when things are going poorly, we need to have a fanbase that still attends home games, still creates a great homecourt advantage, still buys season tickets and still believes in our coaches/players. We need an atmosphere like we had yesterday...it was electric!

Criticism is fine. I'm in favor of criticism. But, it doesn't mean we have to jump on the "fire Mick Cronin" bandwagon that a few people always seem to form because they long for Bob Huggins and criticize every little move that is made.

psax889906 · 03-06-2011, 10:56 AM

That faith in the program (and coach) is being built as we speak. The backlash after the UCONN game wasn't that bad. I'd be interested to see how people responded if we lost to Villanova on Wednesday...

It's something that's built over time. If they can have another successful season next year and get back to the NCAA Tournament again, I think that will help solidify a lot of the good will being built right now. Some people will never come around or come back. But at the same time a lot of people are coming back right now and a lot of new UC fans are being created as we speak.

ohioubearcat · 03-06-2011, 11:06 AM

I was also thinking about this with the recent success the program has had. I've always been on the fence with Mick, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but growing more impatient the past year or so. To me I think the crititcism of Mick was mostly unfair, considering the circumstances, but sometimes warranted.

I'm not ready to give Mick a lifetime contract like Huggs had up until Zimpher came to town, but Mick should be getting the support Bob recieved. This would easily be one of Huggins top 10 teams if he were still here. With continued support of the coach and the program by the fans, we can bring this town back to the basketball powerhouse it once was.

Like BA1 stated.....this program will go through more struggles, but I think Mick has proved that he is more than capable to handle the job. I'm curious as to what people think it will take in order for the fanbase to put their complete trust in Mick like Huggs had. Can he ever get it, or are there too many people that want to hate on him just to hate?

Best week to be a bearcat fan in the past decade.....hands down!

psax889906 · 03-06-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohioubearcat

Like BA1 stated.....this program will go through more struggles, but I think Mick has proved that he is more than capable to handle the job. I'm curious as to what people think it will take in order for the fanbase to put their complete trust in Mick like Huggs had. Can he ever get it, or are there too many people that want to hate on him just to hate?

Some will never come back- but at the same time new fans are being garnered by their recent play.

ohioubearcat · 03-06-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psax889906

Some will never come back- but at the same time new fans are being garnered by their recent play.

I might be naive here but I can't believe some fans would never come back if Mick restores the program back to the national spotlight.

Hypothetically what if he brings the program to a level that Pitt is now operating at? In the NCAA each year, competitve in the BE, and every few years seems to have the type of team that has a legitimate final 4 run in them.

bearcat jeff · 03-06-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BearcatAlum1

I've seen plenty of threads that have fans confessing they were wrong about Mick. Most state, "I questioned if he was the guy, but I'm now in full support of Mick."

What exactly does this mean? We're hot and playing well right now, but we're going to eventually lose again (hopefully not!!!). Will these people and critics once again call for Mick's head if we fall on tough times?

I am in favor of criticism, but even losses do not mean the coach must go. I think Mick has proven that: 1) he knows basketball; 2) players can succeed in his system; 3) players improve in his program; 4) he is capable of leading this program back to national heights; and 5) he can be a personal relations nightmare with some of his statements

.

I just hope people still support the coach and program when things are not going nearly as well. We're going to lose games. Mick will make some mistakes, just like ALL other coaches. BUT, when things are going poorly, we need to have a fanbase that still attends home games, still creates a great homecourt advantage, still buys season tickets and still believes in our coaches/players. We need an atmosphere like we had yesterday...it was electric!

Criticism is fine. I'm in favor of criticism. But, it doesn't mean we have to jump on the "fire Mick Cronin" bandwagon that a few people always seem to form because they long for Bob Huggins and criticize every little move that is made.

Great post BA1. Playing in this league there will always be ups an downs. The margin between 3rd and 12th in this league is razor thin. Next year there will be 6 newcomers on the team. I think they have a good enough base to still be good, but somebody is going to have to give them quality minutes off the bench. The potential starting line up will be solid with Cash, Dixon, Kilpatrick, Jackson and Gates. I'm excited about Sanders and his potential to contribute immediately. I will feel much better if UC signs a solid juco big that allows them to be 7-8 deep.

psax889906 · 03-06-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohioubearcat

I might be naive here but I can't believe some fans would never come back if Mick restores the program back to the national spotlight.

Hypothetically what if he brings the program to a level that Pitt is now operating at? In the NCAA each year, competitve in the BE, and every few years seems to have the type of team that has a legitimate final 4 run in them.

Some is a relative term. Might be a couple thousand- might be a couple hundred. As you're pointing at, it depends on the overall success of the program as winning cures all.

Bearcat_NTS · 03-06-2011, 11:57 AM

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.

BearcatAlum1 · 03-06-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearcat jeff

Great post BA1. Playing in this league there will always be ups an downs. The margin between 3rd and 12th in this league is razor thin. Next year there will be 6 newcomers on the team. I think they have a good enough base to still be good, but somebody is going to have to give them quality minutes off the bench. The potential starting line up will be solid with Cash, Dixon, Kilpatrick, Jackson and Gates. I'm excited about Sanders and his potential to contribute immediately. I will feel much better if UC signs a solid juco big that allows them to be 7-8 deep.

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.

ralph1950 · 03-06-2011, 01:07 PM

Everybody loves you when you win (except those who hate you for going to work for Rick Pitino).

03-06-2011, 10:10 AM	#1
BearcatAlum1 Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dayton Posts: 1,008	"I was wrong about Mick Cronin..." I've seen plenty of threads that have fans confessing they were wrong about Mick. Most state, "I questioned if he was the guy, but I'm now in full support of Mick." What exactly does this mean? We're hot and playing well right now, but we're going to eventually lose again (hopefully not!!!). Will these people and critics once again call for Mick's head if we fall on tough times? I am in favor of criticism, but even losses do not mean the coach must go. I think Mick has proven that: 1) he knows basketball; 2) players can succeed in his system; 3) players improve in his program; 4) he is capable of leading this program back to national heights; and 5) he can be a personal relations nightmare with some of his statements . I just hope people still support the coach and program when things are not going nearly as well. We're going to lose games. Mick will make some mistakes, just like ALL other coaches. BUT, when things are going poorly, we need to have a fanbase that still attends home games, still creates a great homecourt advantage, still buys season tickets and still believes in our coaches/players. We need an atmosphere like we had yesterday...it was electric! Criticism is fine. I'm in favor of criticism. But, it doesn't mean we have to jump on the "fire Mick Cronin" bandwagon that a few people always seem to form because they long for Bob Huggins and criticize every little move that is made.

03-06-2011, 11:06 AM	#3
ohioubearcat Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 136	I was also thinking about this with the recent success the program has had. I've always been on the fence with Mick, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but growing more impatient the past year or so. To me I think the crititcism of Mick was mostly unfair, considering the circumstances, but sometimes warranted. I'm not ready to give Mick a lifetime contract like Huggs had up until Zimpher came to town, but Mick should be getting the support Bob recieved. This would easily be one of Huggins top 10 teams if he were still here. With continued support of the coach and the program by the fans, we can bring this town back to the basketball powerhouse it once was. Like BA1 stated.....this program will go through more struggles, but I think Mick has proved that he is more than capable to handle the job. I'm curious as to what people think it will take in order for the fanbase to put their complete trust in Mick like Huggs had. Can he ever get it, or are there too many people that want to hate on him just to hate? Best week to be a bearcat fan in the past decade.....hands down! __________________ "They just really took us to the woodshed on the backboard," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said about the Bearcats' rebounding dominance.

03-06-2011, 10:56 AM	#2
psax889906 Epic Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Omaha Posts: 1,944	That faith in the program (and coach) is being built as we speak. The backlash after the UCONN game wasn't that bad. I'd be interested to see how people responded if we lost to Villanova on Wednesday... It's something that's built over time. If they can have another successful season next year and get back to the NCAA Tournament again, I think that will help solidify a lot of the good will being built right now. Some people will never come around or come back. But at the same time a lot of people are coming back right now and a lot of new UC fans are being created as we speak.

03-06-2011, 11:57 AM	#8
Bearcat_NTS Epic Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: #DumpMick Posts: 7,333	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.

03-06-2011, 01:07 PM	#10
ralph1950 Epic Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,542	Everybody loves you when you win (except those who hate you for going to work for Rick Pitino).