Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball

In a night reserved for a record in futility, the West Virginia Mountaineers lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats Wednesday night 62-39 in Morgantown.

The Mountaineers (15-6), who had their worst shooting night since 1951, converted just 10 of 50 field goals, to shoot twenty percent from the floor.

The much anticipated showdown against a Bearcats team which Huggins coached for 16 years never materialized, as Cincinnati got off to an early lead and were never challenged.

The Bearcats were content to pack in a zone, allowing WVU to shoot mid-range jumpers the entire evening.  The usually potent WVU three-point attack was anemic, hitting just 1-for-22, a Darris Nichols jumper from the top of the arc, midway through the second half. 

Due to West Virginia's inability to convert, the Bearcats manhandled the Mountaineers on the boards, out rebounding WVU by a 47-26 margin.

Nichols led WVU with 17 points, helped by a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line.  It was the ineffectiveness of the other starters which was the story. 

Joe Alexander, bothered by a groin injury, was 0-for-10 from the field.  The usually reliable Alex Ruoff was 1-for-12, and Da'Sean Butler shot 4-for-15. 

It appeared the Mountaineers were suffering from a hangover from last Saturday's two-point loss to Georgetown and did not have an answer for Cincinnati's energy and athleticism.

The two consecutive losses at home may jeopardize West Virginia's bid to make the NCAA tournament.  With a good portion of the Big East schedule to be played, the Mountaineers have time to right their ship. 

However, things do not get easier as they must travel to play Providence on Saturday.

Cincinnati (10-11), which has begun to make noise in the conference with recent wins against Villanova and Louisville, was led by Deonta Vaughn's 18 points.

It was the end of the 2001-2002 season. The future of Bob Huggins with the Cincinnati Bearcats was up in the air.

Mick Cronin was told by an assistant close to the Cincinnati coach, that Huggins was ready to head back down that country road to his home and coach the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Knowing he would not be named the Bearcats next coach, Mick Cronin had to make an agonizing decision: stay with Cincinnati and risk losing a job or take another job offer elsewhere.

He chose the latter.

No one can blame him for the decision he made to leave. Everyone thought Huggins was heading to West Virginia, including himself.

Huggy-Bear changed his mind late. He wanted to stay in the Queen City.

The decision was made too late, however, for Cronin. The '97 UC graduate decided to leave the program. He was just being a professional. He was just trying to climb the coaching ladder.

Then, on came the dogs, or perhaps, the birds.

It was not the decision to leave that angered Huggins and many Bearcat fans. It was the choice of going south to Louisville, to join Rick Pitino as an assistant coach for the Cardinals: a long-time conference rival of the Cats.

Ever since, tension has boiled over between the two. Although both dance around the questions concerning their relationship, it is evident that, well, they are not too fond of each other.

The rest is history. Cronin is noted nationwide as the NCAA's best assistant coach with Louisville. He then takes the head coaching job at Murray State, leading them to two NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons.

Huggins, on the other side of the spectrum, was disliked by new UC President Nancy Zimpher. A couple athletes in trouble, plus an embarrassing DUI led to his untimely firing, leaving his beloved program in the most impossible situation. A year later, he took the job in Manhattan, Kansas, as head coach at Kansas State.

Manhattan was livid. A packed house showed up for his first press conference. Purple "Huggy-Bear" shirts were sold on every street corner in the entire town. The former Bearcats coach had found a new home. A home that appreciated is superior coaching ability.

Then, before he could even lead the university to an NCAA Tournament, he left.

So, how can Huggins blame Cronin for leaving? Mick was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

This blame is coming from a man who took a giant chunk out of the "Little Apple" when he abandoned Kansas State for his alma-mater West Virginia. We went from being in the Little Apple Hall of Fame, to the Hall of Hate. He went from loved to despised.

Some can say Mick went to Louisville for selfish reasons. With Huggins, not just some, but all will say Huggins went back home for selfish reasons. He knew it was his last chance to do so.

Now, both are exactly where they want to be. Both are at their alma-maters. Both are at a place where they could coach forever.

It just goes to show that everything happens for a reason.

If anything, the two should be proud for each other. Huggins developed Cronin into a fine basketball coach. Cronin recruited Huggins some of the best players he ever coached.

Tonight, their teams will square off in Morgantown, West Virginia, in front of the national audience on ESPN.

One has to believe the players understand the magnitude of this meeting, because it is off the charts.

Cronin, already having taken down former mentor Rick Pitino, will look for his Bearcats (9-11, 4-3) to do just the same to Huggins' Mountaineers (15-5, 4-3).

As entertaining as this game may be with all the story lines, history, and drama, the thing I will be most watching for is the pregame handshake, or even a nice little pregame hug.

For the blind Bearcat fan, it may be an awful reminder of what transpired over the last five seasons.

But for the true faithful, it will be fun to watch Huggins jump up and down on the sideline, or even chase referees to the locker room. But most of all, it will be entertaining to watch little Mick Cronin to continue to lead his Bearcats to big places.

On Saturday afternoon, the Fifth Third Arena returned to traditional form as Cincinnati upset Pittsburgh.  

Screaming my head off from tip-off to the final horn, I was reminded of the days when Steve Logan and Dwyane Wade battled for the Conference USA Title, and of the epic struggles between Louisville and the Bearcats when "home" for the 'Cats was still called "The Shoe."  

Ah, those were the days—Bob Huggins, Skyline, and Bearcat Basketball.  Days of promise, dominance, and titles.  

Those days have been gone for a couple of years now.  But on Saturday, in the closing minutes, the Shoemaker Center was back.

And it's here to stay!  

Using good half court offense and defense, UC was able to slow down the high scoring Panthers.  Getting Dejuan Blair in foul trouble went a long way as well.  Being constantly pulled never allowed the big freshman to find his groove.
 
But this is not a recap of the game—those came out on Sunday.  This is a story of a once dominant champion taking a knockout blow, crumbling to his knees in sweat and agony—and now his chin has lifted again.  The look of determination that only true fighters have has once again resurfaced, and watch out Big East, because the Bearcats are back!  

Now let's not blow our heads and expect a conference championship and Final Four run.  Even a fighter has to shake off the cobwebs after a big blow.  At 9-9, a shot at the big dance does not seem very promising.  But with two-thirds of the Big East schedule to play and road trips to UConn, Georgetown, Pitt, and West Virginia looming, I think that may be too much to expect this year.  A trip to the Big East Tourney and NIT however, is very much in sight.

Some may say this is not much of an accomplishment, and I as a long time Bearcat fan would have to agree—usually.  But after the two seasons of drought, the rain is starting to come.  

If you had asked any coach in the Big East at the beginning of the season whether UC would be tied with the most wins after 6 games, he would have laughed in your face.  Heck, I would have—but that is where they sit. 

A lot of early nonconference losses will hurt their chances at the Big Dance, but a solid conference run will get them into the Big East tourney. If they do well there, it could get them a birth into the NIT.   
 
Up next for the 'Cats is an always tough UConn team at home.  UConn comes fresh off a big win much like UC with a victory over Marquette.  And even though Connecticut is having an off year compared to their normal Top 25 selves, they still come in having all 5 starters averaging double figures in points. 

They are no pushover that’s for sure.  Of their 5 losses, none are critical.  The worst is a home loss to a solid Providence team.  

On paper UConn would seem to be able to handle the Bearcats—but then again so did UC's last six opponents and only two were able to.  Since this game is in Cincinnati, I’m going to go with UC—if it were in Connecticut it would be a different story.  

I was at the game on Saturday to scream, hoot, and holler.  I was part of a day when the Shoemaker Center returned—and so did the Bearcats.

Another ranked Big East team visits Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, and another ranked Big East team leaves with an L. 

For the second time in a week, the rapidly improving Cincinnati Bearcats pulled an upset—this time a hard-fought 62-59 battle of attrition victory over No. 16 Pittsburgh on Saturday—moving Mick Cronin’s troops into a tie for second place in the Big East standings with a 4-2 mark. 

UC (9-9, 4-2) has now doubled last year’s conference win total, and there are still 12 games on the slate. 

I don’t think I need to toot my own horn and tell you that “I told you so,” but I will say this: While I’m not completely shocked that Cronin’s squad has gotten this much better this fast, I am definitely in awe of what has occurred so far in 2008. 

The Bearcats have by far and away the most impressive wins in conference play of any of the 16 teams.  Louisville, Syracuse, Villanova, and now Pittsburgh?!  It’s an incredible story, and for Bearcat fans, there are no words to describe how sweet each of these wins has been.

Everyone knows the story by now, but it’s unbelievable that in only one year’s time, UC is now beating teams that it couldn’t come within 20 points of last season.  Making this even more impressive is the fact that none of the six freshmen on the team were rated in the Top 50 by any recruiting service. 

Oh by the way, these Bearcats are basically the least experienced team in the entire nation.  The roster does not include any players in their 3rd scholarship year.  According to Cronin, no other team in America can say that, it’s “unheard of.” 

All signs point to this team continuing to improve.  The kids all have great attitudes and are willing to do anything to win ballgames.  They listen to the coaches, and are eager to correct their mistakes.  Cronin and his staff have the Bearcats playing extremely hard, and it has shown in the defensive and rebounding statistics lately. 

Most importantly though, this team has learned how to win—both on the road (at Louisville) and at home where they are 3-0 in league play.  Confidence is growing stronger by the day.

Sophomore Deonta Vaughn (16.7 ppg, 4.3 apg) has embraced the leadership role bestowed upon him by Cronin.  Senior John Williamson (9.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg) has also answered the bell.  Freshman forward Rashad Bishop has been gigantic in the two upset wins over Villanova and Pittsburgh.

So far, Cronin has Rick Pitino, Jim Boeheim, Jay Wright, and Jamie Dixon’s attention.  The rest of the Big East coaches might want to take notice—or else Mick'll getcha.

From the normal sports fan's perspective, the game on Saturday between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh looks pretty standard. Pittsburgh is riding high off their impressive win over Georgetown Monday night at home, and Cincinnati is coming in having taken a shot to the face from Notre Dame. Up at half time, the Bearcats got their butt handed to them in the second half by Notre Dame's Luke Harangody who had 24 of his 25 points in the second half.

So is there a chance for this young yet talented Bearcat team?

Three weeks ago this question probably would have never been posed. Pittsburgh, win or lose against Georgetown, would have come out swinging had they lost and would have been flying high with confidence had they won.

But now the game actually has some relevance. This same Bearcat squad that lost to the likes of Belmont at home and got creamed by an average UAB team on the road has gone on to post wins against rival Louisville, Syracuse, and #19 Villanova in the last three weeks.

Now I don’t care who you are and what else you did during that stretch, but beating those three teams in a three week span is impressive. Supposing to follow the pattern of last year’s conference games in the Big East, UC was expected to fall fast once conference play began. Already at 5-7 it looked like UC's season was down the drain.

But anyone truly following the team would have noticed a slight upswing in performance. After a very rocky beginning of the season leading up to conference play UC had three very important losses. Yes losses to the likes of N.C. State, at the time  #17 Xavier, and #2 Memphis.

Now what can we learn from these games? Simple, they lost all three games by 10 points are less.

Now, after getting blown out by UAB and losing to Belmont and Illinois St., playing with a middle of the pack ACC team, a top 25 rival, and the number two team in the nation is improvement. A lot of improvement. They are three and three sense, losing a couple they shouldn’t have and winning three no one thought they would.

That’s what you get with a young talented team, lots of explosion, and lots of inconsistency...Which is why this weekend UC has a chance. 

Deonta Vaughn, who was just named the Big East Player of the Week, scored 20 or more points in the past three games leading up to the ND game. He has been the leader of this team and with a little defense Pittsburgh will have a scrap on their hands come Saturday.

Now, stopping Pittsburgh is easier said than done. Freshman star Dejuan Blair is coming off a big game against Georgetown. He is a threat on the offensive and defensive ends of the court, which is rare for a freshman. Throw him in with junior forward Sam Young and you have a very dangerous duo.

Pitt’s front court has been hurt this year losing two starters to injury, but Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin have both stepped up to fill in. So with a small yet powerful frontcourt and a veteran backcourt this Pitt team means business.

But the circumstances are right. This game is in Cincinnati. They are coming off a tough loss from earlier in the week and will come out swinging for the fences. Pittsburgh comes in riding high and any loss of focus would not go well.  If Vaughn has a big game and the Bearcats continue to hit the boards like they have been, which is likely because of a slight size advantage, Pitt will be in for a long night.

But will it be enough? Who knows? Guess you will have to watch and find out!

Say what you want about the Cincinnati Bearcats athletic administration—or that former coach who now coaches at West Virginia—but what you cannot say is that Mick Cronin cannot coach.

Nor can you say his kids cannot play.

We all know the story: Cincinnati President fires beloved, former Bearcats Head Coach Bob Huggins. Andy Kennedy, current Ole Miss head man, takes over on an interim basis. Kennedy gets consideration for the job, but ultimately does not want it, and does not get offered the position.

No one blames him.

In steps Mick Cronin, long time assistant to Huggins.

Immediately, one had to have respect for the man, as it seemed he was single-handedly trying to rebuild a team that had been ripped apart by a tornado.

He was left with one guy worthy of a scholarship, two walks-ons, and please do not forget Ronald Allen.

In no time, Cronin was on the recruiting trail in what appeared to be a five-year rebuilding process. He brought in a plethora of junior college transfers—none of whom would have been playing Big East basketball had it not been for the Bearcats.

Cronin also snagged soon-to-be stud Deonta Vaughn from Indiana; at the time, it was not a big deal.

After a season of losses to the ever formidable Wofford's of the world and two wins in the Big East conference, the team is beginning to put the remaining pieces of a powerhouse back in place.

The JUCO talent on the squad sometimes seems to go unnoticed; it’s not like Cronin just threw a bunch of guys on the basketball court—he not only filled a roster, but filled a roster with good basketball players.

The JUCOs only have one year of Division I experience but they play as if they have three.

It is now that the team is finally reaping the benefits of their struggles.

Led by sophomore guard Vaughn, the Bearcats stand at 3-2 in the Big East.

For the average man, 3-2 is just one game over .500. In fact it is. But to many of the Bearcats fans it is much more than that: it is a sign of things to come.

As for Cronin, life has not been so easy. Message boards were calling for his head just games into the season. The administration, so pleased with football coach Brian Kelly, was not at all impressed with Cronin.

If they have not eaten their words yet, they might want get out the fork and knife, and do it fast.

Not only has Cronin wowed everyone with his recruiting capabilities, he is beginning to get recognition as a solid basketball coach and deservedly so.

The six freshmen on the team are improving rapidly. From losses to Bowling Green and Belmont, 20 point thrashings against UAB and Illinois State, to now road wins at Louisville and home upsets against Syracuse and Villanova.

If you do not call that progress; I call you blind.

They may not make the NCAA Tournament this season, they may not end up with more than eight wins in the Big East, but the maturation of the young guys on the team is staggering.

They play hard. They play scrappy. They are prepared. Say what you want bitter Bearcats bums, but Mick Cronin is about to take the Cats further than the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Lucky for you, when it happens, you can just sit back and say you knew it was going to all along.

Cronin may be a little guy standing in at 5'7" (is that generous?) but he is going to be doing big things for the University of Cincinnati.

Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Maybe you could even head out to Fifth Third Arena: Home of the Vaughn show.

I have received some requests to bring Jux’s Weekly Word out of retirement, where it has been since my college days at Miami (OH).  I will have to scale down the vulgarity in order for it to be published.  Nonetheless, it’s back.

Make A Shot, Will Ya?    

Gotta give it up to Rick Majerus and the Saint Louis Billikens for turning in the all-time performance for making you want to stab both of your eyes with a fork.  In its A-10 opener against GW, this atrocious basketball team lit up the scoreboard with 20 points.  Total.  20 points total.  Yes, that really happened.  It's easily the lowest output since the shot clock era began in 1986.  Majerus and his genius X's and O's were only able to scrounge up three field goals the entire first half!  Reports from DC came in stating that more than 1,000 fans actually puked and cried during the game.

Honorable mention goes to Tom Izzo’s Spartans, who lost to Iowa 43-36.  36.  Pardon me Drew Neitzel, but will you do me a favor and uh, GET OUT!  I’ve been tired of you for three years now, but this is the last straw.  Michigan State now joins Duke and Xavier as teams I have boycotted watching.

Welcome Back…I Think

I don’t know about you, but I’ve really been enjoying watching games on ESPN this season.  More so than in the past.  I wasn’t sure why…then I saw that Dick Vitale was about to come back from a throat injury.  Ohhh, ok.  No wonder!  It was nice to have that break from listening to Dickie V constantly and unrelentingly slurp and bend over for Duke and North Carolina. 

Hall of Fame Coaches Beware

I already wrote an article about this, but I want to talk about it again—and yes, I am biased; what are you gonna do about it?  What the Cincinnati Bearcats and Coach Mick Cronin have done this month is nothing short of spectacular…and to most, shocking.  Starting out with a stunning 58-57 win over former boss Rick Pitino on New Year’s Day, Cronin just finished knocking off Syracuse and (17) Villanova this past week, landing UC (8-8, 3-1) at 2nd place in the Big East.

The Bearcats managed just two total wins last season in conference play (2-14) so they have passed last year’s total with 14 games still to play.  If Mick can guide this team to an 8-6 mark the rest of the way, they will be in the postseason.  Anybody predict THAT??

NCAA May Lift Text Messaging Ban in Recruiting...What About Pix Messages?

The NCAA had thought about not allowing coaches to send text messages to recruits, but have said nothing about PIX messages.  I for one would think that coaches at schools with a decided population of sexy females would utilize this feature to show recruits “what they’ll be able to enjoy” when they arrive on campus.  Saves the cost of an official visit…  just a thought….

Where did all these "People" come from?

Have you seen Washington State play yet?  If not, I would advise against it.  First of all, this team plays at a brutal slow-motion pace.  Secondly, the numbers on the back of their jerseys are in Font Size 12,000.  It’s really weird and well, in my opinion, very dumb.  And finally, this team is the biggest collection of lurches and goons that I have ever seen.  It’s too much.  I've seriously never seen anything like this.

But hey, they win a lot of games.  Hats off to Tony Bennett. 

     
What Happened To YOU?

Now I don’t want you to answer me because your voice is the worst thing since unsliced bread, but what happened to your team, Bruce Weber?  Starting with an inexcusable home loss to Tennessee State on Dec 30, your Illini have now lost five in a row, landing you in the basement of the Big 10 at 0-4.  That includes a home loss to garbage-ey Penn State.  You are now 8-9 overall.  No dancing for you this season.

That’s it for the first edition of the revived Jux’s Weekly Word.  More to come. 

Two and a half years ago something happened to one of the greatest people in the world of college basketball. 

Bob Huggins' latest DUI was a blessing in disguise for the University of Cincinnati.

Not only would they have a perfectly okay reason to get rid of the coach who had graduated less than five percent of his basketball players, but also the guy that would replace him was primed and ready to coach in big-time college basketball.

Enter Andy Kennedy.

Kennedy, the former UAB shooting guard would lead his former team’s rival on the court as head basketball coach of the University of Cincinnati.  Kennedy was an assistant under Huggins from 2001 to 2005 and was his recruiting coordinator so-to-speak.

Finally, Kennedy's coaching career had reached a pinnacle. The guy who started at the University of South Alabama twelve years prior had finally gotten his dream job.

That season as interim coach for the Bearcats, his team went 21-13, 8-8 in the Big East and made an appearance in the NIT quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden.  

However, at the end of the season, despite strong student and alumni support, UC President Nancy Zimpher and Athletics Director Mike Thomas opted to not give Kennedy the permanent head coaching position.

His dream job was no longer his job. What could Kennedy do? 

With his success at Cincinnati, Kennedy didn’t have to look for jobs. Jobs began looking for him. And when the Ole Miss Rebels came calling, Kennedy answered.

Last season, the Rebels made vast improvements in their basketball program.  Kennedy took a team that had previously won 14 games to the SEC tournament and a berth in the NIT, where the Rebels made a second round appearance before falling to Clemson.

This season, the Rebels are sitting at 14-1, losing only to seventh ranked Tennessee on the road at the buzzer. 

Kennedy has matured into a great coach to go along with his great personality.

He was named the 2007 SEC Coach of the Year, and it couldn't have happened to a better guy. 

Mick Cronin's young, inexperienced Cincinnati Bearcats just completed a brutal nonconference schedule with a six-point win over instate rival Miami.  

The hard-fought victory saved Cincinnati from a winless December, snapping a five-game losing streak.

As Mick prepares to face off against his former boss Rick Pitino on New Year's Day at Freedom Hall, the Bearcats know every game will be a battle in the Big East conference. 

However, I'm not sure the rest of the Big East contenders know what kind of battle they’ll face when the Bearcats appear on their schedules. 

Why should anybody in the Big East be concerned with a 5-7 rebuilding Cincinnati squad?

The answer is that Mick Cronin has his kids hungry—starving even—for victories. 

Half of the team is made up of seniors who want to leave their mark—including scrappy, fearless point guard Jamual Warren. 

The other half consists of eager freshmen famished for playing time.  Each Bearcat is willing to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes in order to get on that basketball court. 

After Cincinnati's fifth loss in a row last Sunday in Raleigh against a taller, more experienced NC State club, it was evident that the Bearcats were improving.  Down by 12 early, Mick's boys scrapped and clawed until it was a one-possession game with three minutes to play. 

It was the third straight game against top competition (@ Xavier, vs. Memphis) in which UC found itself in the game down the stretch.

After the loss, Cronin said his team needed some sort of reward for their efforts.  He didn't want his young kids to lose to the faith.

The Cats got that reward in a tough, grind-it-out win against the pesky, patient Redhawks by holding Miami's leading scorer Michael Bramos to only two points. 

Now that the nonconference gauntlet is complete, Mick's troops know what level of effort they’ll need to compete, and now, win, against good teams. 

While the Bearcats are at least a year away from being a serious Big East threat, I guarantee you that nobody will enjoy playing against them.  Mick has his crew pressin', trappin', hustlin', and battlin' on every possession. 

And no matter how many points Cincy trails by, these guys just will not give up. 

Don't expect the Bearcats to be in the race for a Big East championship this season, but don't be surprised if you see a score flash across ESPN's Bottom Line that has Cincinnati topping one of the conference favorites.        

It's pretty hard to believe that in December, the UC basketball season is over while UC football is still going.

Welcome to the current state of Bearcat hoops.

The University of Cincinnati President wanted the larger-than-life Bob Huggins out of her way so she could be the face of the Institution—now she can no longer show her face.

Enter Mick Cronin. The diminutive, babyfaced coach makes Mike Fratello look like Tito Ortiz. 

Coach Cronin has the huge task of rebuilding a program that has been condemned from the foundation up. Before you start shedding tears for coach Cronin, remember—he took this job fully aware of its status.

He was not dealt a bad hand, or a hand at all. He did not "inherit" this program. He asked for it. It was once a proud program in his home town and he wanted to go home.

Maybe he should have spoken with Ken Griffey Jr. before making his decision.

Some fans try and tranquilize themselves by playing the "Woe is Mick " card, making his plight look worse then it really is—which is sad, because we all can see he has a tough job. 

They claim now the only recruits he could get were those no one wanted. Not true.

A convenient white lie to try and sell your point of view? Sure, but the truth is John Williamson was recruited by the Big East, Big Ten, and the Big 12, among others. Jamaul Warren looked to be headed to Memphis after high school, and Deonta Vaughn was a University of Indiana recruit.

It appears to me that some fans are just looking for excuses and unfairly blaming the recruits. Under the circumstances, I think Mick has done a masterful job of recruiting. It's his coaching and the all-important ability to motivate that seem to be his major shortcomings.

When UC was searching for a new head coach. I thought Mick Cronin was a great candidate, and not a bad hire either. His work ethic is the stuff of legends. However, it's the little things that concern me, and make me wonder if he is ready to lead a big time program in a big time conference, with all the pressure that comes with it.

I have seen no proof of his players getting better. Most seem to have taken a step backwards. The barbs he shoots at his own players in the media shows a lack of saavy and maturity.

Losses to low-major teams at home cannot be allowed to become the norm. Mick has yet to connect with the fans and bring them back. At times it seemed his own team has thrown in the towel.

Feel sorry for the fans, not Mick—because he chose this. I don't believe in giving him a "pass"; passes kill programs. Ask Depaul, who gave Joey Meyers pass after pass because his father was a legend there.

UC should be actively looking for the next big thing. The Huggs era is a memory now and I'm sure there are quality guys who wouldn't mind following behind Mick Cronin. I was secretly hoping Kevin O'Neil would stay under the radar and perhaps become UC's head coach next season.

While Kevin is no John Wooden, he seems to have what this team needs right now—a kick in the pants.

The time is right to nab a good coach. Why wait till Cincinnati is known for being a lousy program before you start looking to hire?  Believe it or not, there are high school kids who don't remember a good UC team.

We can always say wait till next year, but next year never comes. St. Johns lost Lou Carnaseca and they are still waiting for next year. Georgetown lost John Thompson II , and how many years did they have to wait for next year? And don't forget UNLV.

Don't think that I want Mick's head on a platter. But I think it would be wise to start looking and keep our options open. Before you know it, we could be deemed mediocre just like the Blue Demons.

And it could be avoided.