Down goes UC

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

To Presbyterian 56-54

Picked to finish 2nd to last in Big South

[Kahns Krazy]

Mick is going to blame it on the lack of publicity he's getting.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Are you telling me Presbyterian wouldn't win the A-10?!?!?!?!?

[Masterofreality]

AHHH, HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Nothing like playing that killer non-conference schedule.

No bench points and Cashmere Wright sucks.

Oh, and the attendance is N/A.

Nice day in Clifton. FB and BB both lose.

[smileyy]

Good quote from the ESPN conversation thread:


Cincy schedules a bunch of nobodies and still manages to lose.

[XU05and07]

On a positive note for Mick...only around 4500 (rough estimate) people saw, so it didn't actually happen.

Right?

[MuskieCinci]

I tried to watch the game too but it wasn't televised anywhere. Lucky for UC there is no evidence, so maybe they can just pay off the 300 fans that were there to act like the game never happened.

[smileyy]

I figure that all that a schedule like that does is get you to play down and coast for your entire non-con schedule.

Whereas with XU's non-con schedule, there's a motivation for every single game, either through sleepers, or "revenge" games, or simply a difficult opponent (and sometimes all of the above).

[Kahns Krazy]

I tried to watch the game too but it wasn't televised anywhere. Lucky for UC there is no evidence, so maybe they can just pay off the 300 fans that were there to act like the game never happened.

It was on gobearcats.com. With 7 seconds to go in a 2 point game, you could have had your choice of seats in the lower bowl.

[Snowboarder]

You will not be laughing when UC beats you in the Crosstown Shootout!

[BMoreX]

At least these games against basketball powerhouses will help the Bearcats later in the season.

[danaandvictory]

You will not be laughing when UC beats you in the Crosstown Shootout!

No, we'll still be laughing.

[boozehound]

I can't wait see how Cronin spins this one...

[THRILLHOUSE]

I can't wait see how Cronin spins this one...

Me too. Not much quotes in the initial Enquirer article, other than Cronin saying he was "paranoid" about playing Presbyterian...whatever the f-ck that means. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111119/SPT0101/311190117/Blue-Hose-stun-UC-Fifth-Third-Arena

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Lost to Presbyterian at home in front of the biggest crowd so far (4960)......no wonder they got booed by their own fans. They should drop out of the ranking next week.

[joe titan]

UC starts the game 1 for 14 and still blows a 15 point lead in the last 9 minutes. Two really --gulp-- call CG&E-- gulp--plays at the very end when Gates misses front end of bonus FT, UC manages to get the rebound and Kilpatrick despite UC still in front by 1, acts like he never played a game with an actual time clock, throws up a bad shot w/ 10 seconds left in the game which gave Presby their last shot.

Just to show Mick likes to watch XU game film, UC then replicates the same defense XU tried vs. Ohio St, and lets Presby hottest shooter take and make an uncontested 3 to take the lead.

Of course Mick cannot admit he was out coached badly all game long; it's a players' game.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Found some Mick quotes:

"We're not tough enough yet. I knew this was coming, but obviously I failed to get my point across the last two days."

"We are not blowing anybody out. We don’t have seniors coming off the bench to drop the hammer. That's not realistic now."

"It’s (practice) not going to be very pretty, because I got nails to pound."

What a loser. Was not aware it took seniors on the bench to beat powerhouses such as the Presbyterian Blue Hose.

[joe titan]

Mick's getting senile too. Gates has played for 4 years. Just b/c he will not graduate until 2020 does not mean he is not a senior. Wright as well has been the program 4 years and but for the unfortunate year he missed b/c of injury, he would be a senior.

Although both Gates & Wright are starters, maybe if the great recruiter found some way to recruit a full complement of scholarship players his bench might include some seniors.

[gladdenguy]

You will not be laughing when UC beats you in the Crosstown Shootout!

hahahahahahahahahaha. We definitely could lose?
But, right now when a team loses at home to Presbyterian.....I don't know how confident you should be.

[coasterville95]

I listened to Coach's comments. He started off by blaming player injuries and a short bench. Then he moved right along to putting all the blame on the team. He tried to coach them, he really did or so he claims, they just don't want to listen to him. He says he has the most delusional locker room in college basketball.

Then he goes on to say he predicted this loss, that he was paranoid of them. Whatever the heck that means

If I were a supporter of that program, Coach's comments would have me more worried for the state of the program than the performance on the court.

Cronin: you are in your sixth year, these are all players you recruited, you have had a chance to instill your program. You don't have the baggage of your predecessors players or style of play. Yet your team fails to improve and attendance continues to shrink

This on top of the football team getting blown out by that powerhouse known as Rutgers.

Don't despair, UC fans, for there will be athletic excellence occurring on your campus tonight at Nippert Stadium. Perhaps a team with Xavier in it's name will win. Wouldn't that be the perfect sports trifecta: UC football loses, UC basketball loses, Xavier football wins at Nippert. All on the same day. And this fresh of XU basketball beating Miami the night before. I hear the Redhawks are heading to your arena soon!

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Found some Mick quotes:

"We're not tough enough yet. I knew this was coming, but obviously I failed to get my point across the last two days."

"We are not blowing anybody out. We don’t have seniors coming off the bench to drop the hammer. That's not realistic now."

"It’s (practice) not going to be very pretty, because I got nails to pound."

What a loser. Was not aware it took seniors on the bench to beat powerhouses such as the Presbyterian Blue Hose.
Oh... those familiar excuses. Isn't he the precious thing? He is such a constant source of amusement! He should stay with UC for a long long time.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Cronin post game press conference

http://www.gobearcats.com/allaccess/

[X-band '01]

Okay everybody, seriously, how much did UC win by today?

It's funny when one poster thinks PC won, but 22 other similar posts? April Fools day is still 5 months away.

[smileyy]

No, we'll still be laughing.

Beat me to it.

[smileyy]

I think I might have figured it out...

1. Mick recruits players with baggage
2. Mick knows baggage gets put under the bus
3. Mick throws players under the bus

The explanation for Mick's reasoning when they win is a little more complicated:

1. Winners get trophies
2. The people on top of trophies are very small
3. Mick Cronin is very small
4. Winning is about Mick Cronin

[Fireball]

I listened to Coach's comments. He started off by blaming player injuries and a short bench. Then he moved right along to putting all the blame on the team. He tried to coach them, he really did or so he claims, they just don't want to listen to him. He says he has the most delusional locker room in college basketball.

Wow. Mick certainly did learn a few things from Huggins. Sounds like every post-game Huggins interview I ever listened to.

[Michigan Muskie]

Presbytarian's basketball team scored only 11 more points than its football team did today. And they still beat UC. Oof.

[bobbiemcgee]

How do you get beat by Blue Ho's. Was he playing the women's team?

[Blueblob4life]

My day is complete

[BMoreX]

Just saw the Presbyterian team at the Outback in Kenwood.

[smileyy]

Man, they only get Outback when they knock off a top-25 opponent? I'd hate to think what they eat when they lose...

[xuvictory]

I am perplexed. Isn't this the same uc team that cronin was wining about just 2 weeks ago... that wasn't getting enough respect?
The ONE that should have been ranked higher in the polls - because "we have more players back from last year's team than some of these teams ranked ahead of us". As much as I dislike Huggins, cronin has taken wining and b*tching to a whole new level.
Next time try, proving your ranking on the court, you classless tool.:eek:

[xuvictory]

I am perplexed. Isn't this the same uc team that cronin was wining about just 2 weeks ago... that wasn't getting enough respect?
The ONE that should have been ranked higher in the polls - because "we have more players back from last year's team than some of these teams ranked ahead of us". As much as I dislike Huggins, cronin has taken wining and b*tching to a whole new level.
Next time try, proving your ranking on the court, you classless tool.:eek:

Looks like the spelling for wining should be whining...my bad!

[paulxu]

The Blue Hose are just down the road from here in a little place called Clinton.
Have about 1300 students (about same size as Wofford, but Wofford plays in the Southern Conf. which is a lot better...Furman, App St, Davidson, etc.)

Hard to imagine UC lost to them. They won't be ranked next week.

We are so lucky to have a good coach like Mack instead of a Cronin.

Mack = "no excuses, no explanations...we're not done yet."

Cronin = one excuse after another, after another, ad nauseum.

[vee4xu]

You will not be laughing when UC beats you in the Crosstown Shootout!

Really? Your team just lost to Presbyterian? Did you read that? Presbyterian. UC lost to a religion today and will get some religion shortly after noon on December 10th.

[joe titan]

we better see the XU student section "equipped" with blue hose at the Shootout.

[PM Thor]

This isnt really fair, UC lost to a religion. It's like if I took on Mormons.

I HATE dayton.

[danaandvictory]

Here's a PM from Snowboarder:

Maricon
We are going to whip you Homo!!!! X fans are a bunch of snobs and pansies!!!

Hey, at least he can call people fags in two languages. What a doucher.

[Xavier]

UC's offense is horrible. I don't think Mick goes over offense in practice....or anything, for that matter.

[Billy]

Presbyterian? PRESBYTERIAN??

Hilarious. Suck it, Cats!

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Xavier is a school full of Douches. Your girls are ugly and your a bunch of FAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b126/GingerDragon/gif%20files/facepalmzzzp11.gif

[XUFan09]

Xavier is a school full of Douches. Your girls are ugly and your a bunch of FAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is entertaining. Any other gems, or are you done making a fool of yourself? :D

[xnatic03]

I can't believe I'm the first to say this but.....

You mean to tell me Presbyterian wouldn't win the A10?!?!?!?


Also, it's you're (as in "you are"), Snowboarder.....glad to see you learned some grammar in school....

[xnatic03]

Xavier is the epitome of a holier than thou dump.

and you're on a rival's message board after your team lost......go heat up a coat hanger and burn your roommate with it....

[xubrew]

What a ridiculous loss.

Presby is still in the transitional stage and therefore cannot play in the postseason.

Since moving up in 2007, they had five RPI top 200 wins in their entire div1 history before today.

Before beating UC, they lost to Western Carolina.

This would have been considered a bad loss for UC when their team sucked in the years right after Huggins left.

Presby. They lost to freakin PRESBY!!! They will struggle to go .500 in the Big South. They're the kind of team that an NIT caliber team could have a bad game against and still beat.

I'm in shock. Seriously. It's the kind of game that you don't make any sort of a point to watch or even look in on. Now I'm wishing like hell that I had. Great for Presby!! It's certainly a high point for a team that can't play in the Big South Tournament, and even if they could wouldn't get very far.

[xubrew]

You will not be laughing when UC beats you in the Crosstown Shootout!

Your team lost to a religious colored gardening tool. That's a sure sign that you're team is shitty. When you're shitty, you shouldn't talk shit because it is hard to do so without smearing it all over yourself.

dumbass...

[THRILLHOUSE]

I can't believe I'm the first to say this but.....

You mean to tell me Presbyterian wouldn't win the A10?!?!?!?




You weren't the first to say it

[CinciX12]

UC has always been more of an academics school. They don't have time to worry about these silly sporting events they were embarrassed in today.

[xnatic03]

You weren't the first to say it

My bad Thrill....I even went over all the posts to not repeat someone else's work....totally scanned over yours....

[Fireball]

If Presbyterian plays football, they might have just scored themselves an invitation into the Big East.

[blobfan]

...I'm in shock. Seriously. It's the kind of game that you don't make any sort of a point to watch or even look in on. Now I'm wishing like hell that I had. Great for Presby!! It's certainly a high point for a team that can't play in the Big South Tournament, and even if they could wouldn't get very far.
Apparently Cronin didn't think it was worth watching any Presby games, too. Nice coaching job!

[xubball1993]

"The most surprising score of the season so far. Blue Hose over Bearcats. Wow"

Andy Katz tweet

[Muskie1000]

Apparently Cronin didn't think it was worth watching any Presby games, too. Nice coaching job!

Would Presby even had any footage for him to watch? Oh wait it was probably the responsibility of his players to find it.

[Masterofreality]

Would Presby even had any footage for him to watch? Oh wait it was probably the responsibility of his players to find it.

HAHA! Reps.

Nothing like losing to a team with a nickname of "Blue Hose".

I understand that SucKS has Hanes College on the schedule next year.

Their nickname is.................wait for it.....................



"Pink Panties".

[danaandvictory]

Here's another one:

Puta
Your a little BITCH!!!!!!!!!

Let's not be too harsh on Snowboarder. He obviously is at least functionally literate in two languages, which is admirable. Further, he's one of the 1% of UC fans that were aware a basketball game was being played yesterday afternoon. These are significant facts.

[Cheesehead]

How sad is it when a HS football game held on your campus outdraws your own D-1 basketball game by thousands?

....and Mick really is a complete douche. His excuses and whining are just ridiculous.

[Smails]

This is a sad sad day for Xavier fans...I fear this might be the beginning of the end of the Cronin tenure. I for one will miss his warm, endearing personality.

[xuwin]

This is a sad sad day for Xavier fans...I fear this might be the beginning of the end of the Cronin tenure. I for one will miss his warm, endearing personality.

It's definitely going to be a big hit to the Xavier strength of schedule and rpi.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

You will not be laughing when UC beats you in the Crosstown Shootout!


Here's a PM from Snowboarder:

Maricon
We are going to whip you Homo!!!! X fans are a bunch of snobs and pansies!!!

Hey, at least he can call people fags in two languages. What a doucher.


Here's another one:

Puta
Your a little BITCH!!!!!!!!!

Let's not be too harsh on Snowboarder. He obviously is at least functionally literate in two languages, which is admirable. Further, he's one of the 1% of UC fans that were aware a basketball game was being played yesterday afternoon. These are significant facts.

He's an odd one. I wonder if he is the same guy who creates screen names just to neg rep me on posts from months/years ago...

[waggy]

It's definitely going to be a big hit to the Xavier strength of schedule and rpi.

X's non-conference RPI SOS is currently projected to be #2. X's overall RPI SOS (including A10 games) is projected to be #6. These are incredible numbers if they bear out. X's schedule is so deep with good teams, that no one or two having a worse than projected season will have any significant effect on X's ability to show it's worthiness.

[bleedXblue]

Martian Mick is at it again. Predicting a loss AFTER the loss. Classic. It's not the teams fault, it's the players fault. He tried to tell them so.....just ask Mick.

How about just saying your team stunk it up and has a lot to work on ?

The guy just can't help being a tool.

I love it.

[Blueblob4life]

UC has always been more of an academics school. They don't have time to worry about these silly sporting events they were embarrassed in today.

You're right. Except when there was this drunkard of a basketball coach who was dishonorably discharged from his position, then they cared about their team.

Or that time they had a great football coach who decided to go for the greener pastures of another Catholic school with a better student base (but he still can't really win).

So it seems like they only care about their sports when they have a coach who makes them look somewhat respectable in the win column..........otherwise, why the hell would anyone care about watching some dude named Yancy get beat by some Blue Hose? That's an ugly sight right there.

[xubrew]

If Presbyterian plays football, they might have just scored themselves an invitation into the Big East.

They do!!

[coasterville95]

For those of us that are more visual - here is what I got to see when I went to check out the Presby men's basketball home page:

Enjoy it while it lasts at:
http://www.gobluehose.com/SplashPage.dbml?SPLASH_AD_ID=554189

Full article:
http://www.gobluehose.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18100&ATCLID=205336104

I haven't read the article yet, but I think it claims somewhere that the big difference maker for the Blue Hose was that the UC fans were not in their seats 30 minutes before tipoff. :)

[Kahns Krazy]

Dick Cronin is really an ass. Who says that kind of shit about his own team. I have never heard a coach take more credit for wins and none for losses ever. Having said all that, he's perfect for UC.

[xudash]

Dick Cronin is really an ass. Who says that kind of shit about his own team. I have never heard a coach take more credit for wins and none for losses ever. Having said all that, he's perfect for UC.

Imagine the disparity in these programs if Mack stays with X and the YTG stays with UC for the next 3 to 5 years.

That attendance number was very telling.

[Blueblob4life]

Dick Cronin is really an ass. Who says that kind of shit about his own team. I have never heard a coach take more credit for wins and none for losses ever. Having said all that, he's perfect for UC.

In a sort of twisted sense, I feel just a tiny bit bad for them. They're getting shat upon by their own coach. So cool. I know that makes me sound dirty (believe me I feel dirty) but there comes a point where it's just not fair on a human level. These kids don't need to get shit on by their coach, who won't develop them as players or as people. Not fair to them and a true disservice.

Shame, Dick Cronin.

[Juice]

Imagine the disparity in these programs if Mack stays with X and the YTG stays with UC for the next 3 to 5 years.

That attendance number was very telling.

It's reached the level of Brian Gregory where you don't want UC to do so poorly that they fire Mick. I hope he continues to do just enough to keep his job and have the program live in mediocrity.

[xudash]

It's reached the level of Brian Gregory where you don't want UC to do so poorly that they fire Mick. I hope he continues to do just enough to keep his job and have the program live in mediocrity.

Agreed. The problem is he failed miserably at that yesterday.

Oops. I stand corrected: his players failed miserably.

[zanesxu]

To Presbyterian 56-54

Picked to finish 2nd to last in Big South

FYI, Mr. TwoTimes... this was you 3,700th post... fitting it was UC losing to Presbo...

[Davis Love III]

This loss might be worse than St. John's losing to Fordham last year. This is embarassing. I cannot believe "Dick Cronin" is trying to say that he told everyone this was going to happen. What a clowndick.

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f*** the prom queen!"

[bleedXblue]

This loss might be worse than St. John's losing to Fordham last year. This is embarassing. I cannot believe "Dick Cronin" is trying to say that he told everyone this was going to happen. What a clowndick.

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f*** the prom queen!"

Losing to Fordham is not even close to this loss.

1. Fordham and St Johns are rivals in NYC
2. Fordham has been D1 for decades
3. Fordham can occasinally pulls their heads out and play well

[xubrew]

This loss might be worse than St. John's losing to Fordham last year. This is embarassing. I cannot believe "Dick Cronin" is trying to say that he told everyone this was going to happen. What a clowndick.

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f*** the prom queen!"

"CLOWNDICK" is now my new favorite word. Reps..

[XUFan09]

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f*** the prom queen!"

He says in a Sean Connery voice.

[coasterville95]

So, the Bearcats are back in action tonight at 5th/3rd High School Gym to claim redemption at the expense of Northwestern State. (that's NW Louisiana according to the Enquirer preview)

So - who you got?

Northwestern State - Duh!, I want SucKS to fail miserably, at everything!

Cincinnati - Watch it there now, another loss to a cupcake, and their brand new AD, who might be looking to make a name for himself, and he might actually have a rolodex full of qualified basketball coaches! He may replace Cronin! We can't risk that kind of change!

Monday Night Football - What happens over in that high school gym tonight has no bearing on us either way!

[Tardy Turtle]

This loss might be worse than St. John's losing to Fordham last year. This is embarassing. I cannot believe "Dick Cronin" is trying to say that he told everyone this was going to happen. What a clowndick.

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f*** the prom queen!"

Your best???? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD5GtohtRYU#t=0m40s)

[Snipe]

This isnt really fair, UC lost to a religion. It's like if I took on Mormons.

I HATE dayton.

Mormons would be a tough out for sure. I would like to see how they match up with the Jews.

[Snipe]

This is a sad sad day for Xavier fans...I fear this might be the beginning of the end of the Cronin tenure. I for one will miss his warm, endearing personality.

They just gave him an extension last year. UC is cash strapped. They don't have money to both buy out Mick and afford a new coach at the same time.

Somebody would literally have to step up and agree to donate money just for the expressed purpose of firing Mick and hiring someone knew. They just don't have it in the budget right now.

I remember taunting a few UC fans last year after the season was over and he quickly signed an extension. "Ha Ha! You guys are stuck with Mick!". They really had no answer. The UC fans I know don't like Mick.

Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin remains with Bearcats, receives extension (http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-04-04/cincinnati-coach-mick-cronin-remains-with-bearcats-receives-extension#ixzz1eN9YJ3CS)


University of Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin will remain as coach of the Bearcats after negotiating a six-year extension of his contract, sources close to the process told Sporting News. The extension locks Cronin in as coach of the Bearcats through the 2016-17 season.


Cincinnati's Cronin gets extension (http://www.9news.com/sports/college/191705/613/Cincinnatis-Cronin-gets-extension)


The extension, which is still pending the approval of the university's board of trustees, will give Cronin an annual salary of $1.25 million.

After this year, Mick Cronin will have 5 years and $6,250,000 left on his contract. UC doesn't have the coin to buy that out and then hire someone else.

They are stuck with Mick. Last year's Bearcats were the best thing that happened to Bearcat haters everywhere. They gave him a raise and an extension. Look at how he packs the seats! Get used to it UC fans, it is gonna be a long dark ride.

[Kahns Krazy]

Mormons would be a tough out for sure. I would like to see how they match up with the Jews.

FYI, the term "Jew" and "Jews" is a derogatory term to Jewish people. I didn't know this either, until one of my public servant friends pulled me aside and told me that it was.

I HATE dayton.

[Masterofreality]

FYI, the term "Jew" and "Jews" is a derogatory term to Jewish people. I didn't know this either, until one of my public servant friends pulled me aside and told me that it was.

I HATE dayton.

How would they consider Hebrew? Would that be equivalent to Negro? Equivalent to Catholic?

Jew seems to be equivalent to Christian. But I'm not Jewish.

[LadyMuskie]

Paulxu's post in the Dear Xavier Fans thread got me thinking - how do the naming rights for 5/3rd Arena work? How abysmal does the UC season have to be before the people that matter at 5/3rd get tired of hearing their company's name mentioned in the same breath with the stink rising up from Clifton?

[coasterville95]

Well, Cattitude put a hurting on NW State.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Saw this on twitter:

"Mick Cronin issues open invite for Duke, UNC, Kansas or UK for a neutral site game"

LOL. Good luck with that Mickey.

[paulxu]

Why would anyone want to play that guy. He's a ridiculous excuse for a coach.
If had gone to UC, I would be an XU supporter now; no way I could live with his crap, throwing his players under the bus.

Speaking of UC fans, what the hell is with them?
They have a half billion dollar budget, 41,000 students, 34,000 live in Ohio (the rest probably are in Northern Ky), they've got to have 100 times more alumni living in Cincinnati than X, their arena seats 13,176....and here is the attendance for the first 4 games:

4,624
4,542
4.960
4,505

I would be ashamed to call myself a fan of this program. It may be a good school, but its fan base is 3rd rate.

[bleedXblue]

Saw this on twitter:

"Mick Cronin issues open invite for Duke, UNC, Kansas or UK for a neutral site game"

LOL. Good luck with that Mickey.

He is the king of Tooldome.

Who the f does he think he is ?

Those program could care less about UC.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Tonight's crowd of 4,505 is UC's smallest of season. With that piss poor fan support and joke of a coach, why would any high level recruit want to go to UC? Some quotes from UC players about the small crowds:

Gates: "I guess when it's Big East play, they'll come (to) see the other teams."

Kilpatrick: "We came out for the first warm-up and we were like, 'Yo, nobody's coming.'"

[STL_XUfan]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111121/COL03/311210144/Doc-s-tough-take-UC-basketball-November-seriously

Actual quote from the article:

"He says UC's lack of fan support hurts its chances to play in places such as Hawaii, because they "aren't charity events. People (hold them) to make money.'"

Mick is now blaming the fans for his schedule.......

http://l0r3nz-music.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/facepalm-lion.jpg

[Masterofreality]

Somehow Xavier has been able to put together a representative schedule without those neutral site games against KY and Kansas. Hell, Xavier got Purdue on the schedule for a home and home in freaking July. Memphis was put together in June.

College basketball schedules are not finalized years in advance, but months in advance. The Yellow Toothed Gnome (thanks Surf) consciously chose to feast at the pastry cart- and he got a razor blade inside of his muffin. He continues to blame everyone but himself.

He is the definition of a "tool".

[LadyMuskie]

Tonight's crowd of 4,505 is UC's smallest of season. With that piss poor fan support and joke of a coach, why would any high level recruit want to go to UC? Some quotes from UC players about the small crowds:

Gates: "I guess when it's Big East play, they'll come (to) see the other teams."

Kilpatrick: "We came out for the first warm-up and we were like, 'Yo, nobody's coming.'"

I can't believe I'm saying this, but somewhere deep down in my heart I feel sort of bad for the players. I mean, yes, I know they made the choice to go to UC so it's on them. But, how demoralizing must it be to walk into an arena the size of Fifth Third and see basically no people in the stands? Obviously, they're smart enough to realize that they have no fans, no support. I feel bad for them. I can't help it. They were duped into thinking that they'd be playing big time ball at a Big East school, and now they're practically playing for the University of Siberia.

My sympathy, however, does not extend to Cronin, the fans, or the school itself, and at some point one of the players will say or do something very UC-like which will piss me off and then I'll get over this feeling. But right now, I do feel a little sorry for them.

[jhelmes37]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but somewhere deep down in my heart I feel sort of bad for the players. I mean, yes, I know they made the choice to go to UC so it's on them. But, how demoralizing must it be to walk into an arena the size of Fifth Third and see basically no people in the stands? Obviously, they're smart enough to realize that they have no fans, no support. I feel bad for them. I can't help it. They were duped into thinking that they'd be playing big time ball at a Big East school, and now they're practically playing for the University of Siberia.

My sympathy, however, does not extend to Cronin, the fans, or the school itself, and at some point one of the players will say or do something very UC-like which will piss me off and then I'll get over this feeling. But right now, I do feel a little sorry for them.

I definitely feel sorry for them. Think about how Nancy must be feeling. With him in the mix, he'd have made the tournament (the real one) every year, he would have improved every year, and hate him or not, with him in the lineup this year, holy shit. He made the wrong choice by a mile.

They shoulda done their homework, for sure.

The other quote was more telling, IMO. Gates: "I guess when we play the BE guys, they'll come to see the other teams." Wow. Think about that. He's GUESSING that the FANS OF THE HOME TEAM will come to see the OTHER BIG EAST TEAMS. Let that sink in. He hopes if his team's own fans won't come and see his team, they will come in and see another team. That sucks.

[Masterofreality]

No sympathy. Think Michigan fans have any sympathy for Oh-ho-ho State?

All of SucKS issues are self imposed. No one else is to blame. The jaundiced leprechaun's continual whining makes it even worse.

I understand that Sippin Mick is now petitioning the NCAA to re-classify the Presbyterian game as an exhibition- since Presby is still in their transitional phase.

[Cincypunk.org]

Also from Mick Cronin on how frustrated he was after the loss to Presbyterian:


“I have slept four hours in two days. I have taken more stomach pills in four days that they might have to pump my stomach. I haven’t left my house. I’m embarrassed to stop and get coffee.”

[Porkopolis]

Doc serving as UC apologist while taking a slap at Xavier:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111121/COL03/311210144/Doc-Tough-take-Nov-basketball-seriously?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

[GoMuskies]

I don't really see a slap at Xavier in there, but he certainly lets UC and its fans off easy.

[xnatic03]

I didn't see him taking a shot at Xavier. I also didn't see him serving as a UC apologist. It seems as though he is questioning this scheduling strategy to get ready for the Big East. I know a lot of people here don't like him as a writer, but I don't think there's anything in this article is taking shots at Xavier...He's probably right...We as Xavier fans will probably be the first to remind UC fans that their team lost to Presbyterian. (I know I will gladly remind some of them).

[Kahns Krazy]

Every once in a while, I have the same thoughts. Then something always changes my mind. The game was on last night while I was doing some work (the price of living with the enemy). I watched UC players flex and scream after getting a block on Northwestern State University (Motto- "We're the first 16 seed to ever beat another 16 seed"), listened to Terry Nelson talk about how great UC is playing (at one point, he actually described UC as playing "championship level" hoops") and read Cronin's comments this morning about how this was obviously the best game they had played against the best team they have played.

They are freaking delusional, and Mick is the chief cause. The idea that they don't get invited to Hawaii because they don't have enough fan support, combined with the implication that he's trying to get UNC, Duke or Kentucky to play him on a neutral court as though that's the only way he can make his schedule tougher, just makes me hate him more.

Don't forget that Mick is famous for his A-10 bashing. Don't feel sorry for anyone in 5/3 arena. They are all on the same team.

[xnatic03]

I have no sympathy for them. NONE. Mick thinks UC should skip ahead of many of the traditional powers because they won 1 NCAA game last year and because he inherited a bad situation, so everyone should feel bad for poor wittle Micky boy. Kentucky plays UNC, Indiana, and Louisville every year, plus 3 games in a preseason tourney, where's he going to fit UC into that? UNC played Michigan State (and will play UK as well) along with some other toughies.....where are they going to fit a neutral court game in for ol' Mickey's ballclub? If a "small little Jesuit school" like Xavier can put together home and homes with the types of teams they have, UC should be able to. Mick does things his way and when he is questioned about them, it becomes someone else's fault that things are the way they are. It's never his fault. That's the part about him I think I dislike most.....he lacks any culpability in anything he does.

[GoMuskies]

It's not like UC has to play UNC or Duke, either. If they played a bunch of MAC teams, some Horizon teams, an A-10 team here or there, maybe a MWC foe, the schedule would be passable. But they have insisted on scheduling the lowest of the low majors almost exclusively. It's baffling.

[xnatic03]

It's not like UC has to play UNC or Duke, either. If they played a bunch of MAC teams, some Horizon teams, an A-10 team here or there, maybe a MWC foe, the schedule would be passable. But they have insisted on scheduling the lowest of the low majors almost exclusively. It's baffling.

100% agree with this. Playing Missouri State, Bowling Green, Duquesne, etc. looks a helluva lot better than the dregs they are playing. These are not just teams from the worst conferences that they are playing....these are the teams from the bottom of the worst conferences. Absolutely pathetic.

[xubrew]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111121/COL03/311210144/Doc-s-tough-take-UC-basketball-November-seriously

Actual quote from the article:

"He says UC's lack of fan support hurts its chances to play in places such as Hawaii, because they "aren't charity events. People (hold them) to make money.'"

Mick is now blaming the fans for his schedule.......

It's official. Mick Cronin needs a publicist. At the very least, he needs to stop talking. Sometimes coaches put their foot in their mouth, and it's funny. I don't think Mick is putting his foot in his mouth. He actually believes this nonsense...or at the very least thinks he can make everyone else believe it.

I'm literally staring at this with my mouth open right now.

No tournaments want UC because the attendance is poor in November. Oh my God.

UC's schedule is weak because they can't get any good teams to play them. Even better.

He's been emailing the ESPN "scheduling honchos." I didn't know ESPN was the sports administrator for basketball at UC and that it was expected of them to put together a better schedule.

The one thing I do believe is that Kentucky, Duke, UNC and Kansas won't play them on equal terms. However, other teams will. To say that Northwestern State and Presby are the highest caliber teams they can get is completely off the wall. Duke, UNC and Kentucky specifically may not play them, but I bet Wisconsin would. I bet Purdue would. I bet Clemson, and Florida State, and Florida, and Illinois, and Baylor, and Kansas State, and Oklahoma State, and Memphis, and Vanderbilt, and Missouri, and Mississippi State, and other teams probably would IF the game was on national television.

Hell, as someone else said, even playing MVC, MAC or top tier MAAC teams would be a significant upgrade.

Mississippi State goes to Detroit for a home-and-home this year. Detroit. Yet, UC can't get anyone to play them.

If Vanderbilt will play Saint Mary's home and home, they'll play UC.


I don't understand why the attendance is THAT poor. Alabama is a football school, but the fans do get behind winning basketball. Even though Bama has played weak teams at home, I believe they've drawn more than 9k for every game. Now that they've won the Puerto Rico Shootout, they'll likely sell out most of the rest of the OOC schedule, and all of the SEC schedule. They're doubling up UC despite the fact that their football team is still playing in meaningful games.

I could see if UC wasn't ranked (which, they're not now), but it's almost unheard of for any major school to be in the rankings in basketball and draw that poorly....even early in the season against weak opponents. Many early buy games don't sell out, but there are more than 5000 people there. Way more.

Maryland's crowds have been low, but they're losing. Same with UCLA, they're off campus, and their horrible. That's understandable. UC's crowds aren't. Wright State will likely draw more fans when they play Charlotte than UC has at their first four home games. WSU isn't ranked, and isn't in a major conference.

[X-band '01]

How many preseason tournaments have respectable attendance figures? I'm guessing that the only respectable ones would be Maui and maybe Old Spice right about now (which has Disney World in the backdrop).

And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't UC just play in Maui LAST season?

[RealDeal]

100% agree with this. Playing Missouri State, Bowling Green, Duquesne, etc. looks a helluva lot better than the dregs they are playing. These are not just teams from the worst conferences that they are playing....these are the teams from the bottom of the worst conferences. Absolutely pathetic.

The problem Mick has with playing these guys is uc might lose and Mick wouldn't have a built in excuse like if he played UK or Kansas. It's all about the built in excuse with Mickey.

[xubrew]

How many preseason tournaments have respectable attendance figures? I'm guessing that the only respectable ones would be Maui and maybe Old Spice right about now (which has Disney World in the backdrop).

And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't UC just play in Maui LAST season?

UC was in Maui two years ago.

The Maui has respectable attendance in the sense that the gym is full, but it's just that, a gym. I don't think it seats more than 2000 people. They literally roll the bleachers out. About ten years ago or so, it wasn't air conditioned, and there was the outline of a volleyball court over the basketball court.

So, to your point, many of the preseason tournaments are made for TV events. It's Thanksgiving. The goal isn't to sell tickets. The goal is for families to turn on the games after dinner as a means of not having to talk to one another.

[paulxu]

It must really suck to be Mick Cronin, whine about Duke not scheduling you for a neutral court OCC game...and know that Xavier did exactly that in the Meadowlands.

[coasterville95]

MoR: Great jab about reclassing Presby as an exhibition. Let em, then face NCAA sanctions for playing too may exhibition games. (They already used up their two!)

Cronin is in his sixth year. So, barring special circumstances, every player, even those who red-shirted a year, should have been recruited by Cronin. Even if recruited as high school juniors, that would still be during Kennedy, and as a lame duck coach - who took volunteers from the football team to fill his bench, I doubt he did much recuriting.

That means all of these guys knew what they were getting into. They knew the glory days of Cincinnati Bearcat basketball were over, their big name coach was gone. That they were buying into the hope of a new coach who would hopefully bring the program back from the dead faster than he has. They took a gamble on Cronin. They lost. No Sympathy.

Sympathy for UC basketball players ended when Deonte Vaugn left. IIRC, he was the last Huggins/Kennedy era recruit who, even though he KNEW the Titanic was sinking, stayed aboard and went down with the ship. At probably the expense of his pro career.

[MADXSTER]

The problem Mick has with playing these guys is uc might lose and Mick wouldn't have a built in excuse like if he played UK or Kansas. It's all about the built in excuse with Mickey.

Well what's mick's excuse for losing to Presb. If I was Duke, UK, Kansas I'd be saying, if you can't beat Presb. why the hell would we schedule you.

[Juice]

When Mick says that he can't schedule Duke and UK, he most likely means he can't get a home and home with them. The little turd is a coward would never dare dream of playing one game against one of those teams in their gym.

[xubrew]

When Mick says that he can't schedule Duke and UK, he most likely means he can't get a home and home with them. The little turd is a coward would never dare dream of playing one game against one of those teams in their gym.

Mick emailed ESPN and asked them to schedule him against UNC, Duke, UK and Kansas. ESPN didn't do it, and that's why the schedule sucks.

Lord help us.

[XULucho27]

Ugh, someone remind me NOT to read the comments section on Enquirer articles. It's a dumpster fire of sadness that makes me want to punch EVERY SINGLE uc fan in the face. But still, they're like a drug, I'm hooked on seeing how delusional some of these people are.

Also, if Mick is bitching about there being TOO MANY good teams in the Big East, and that being a bar to their overall success, how on earth would scheduling the likes of Duke, UNC, or UK help in any way. This guy is incredibly diluted.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Sympathy for UC basketball players ended when Deonte Vaugn left. IIRC, he was the last Huggins/Kennedy era recruit who, even though he KNEW the Titanic was sinking, stayed aboard and went down with the ship. At probably the expense of his pro career.

Yeah, Vaughn was the only guy I felt a little bad for. He was the only player worth anything those first couple of Cronin years. Then struggled a little his senior year and in typical Mick fashion was thrown under the bus. At that time Mick Cronin's brother had a twitter account and would routinely rip on Vaughn, then I think he deleted his twitter account once Mo Egger called him out.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Ugh, someone remind me NOT to read the comments section on Enquirer articles.

Whenever I click comments on any Enquirer article I tell myself "never again"...someday I will actually heed this warning.

[X-band '01]

Also, if Mick is bitching about there being TOO MANY good teams in the Big East, and that being a bar to their overall success, how on earth would scheduling the likes of Duke, UNC, or UK help in any way. This guy is incredibly diluted.

Exactly. Logic is not in the Gnome's vocabulary.

But this is the same guy who couldn't wait to get Memphis, SMU, Houston, Central Florida and East Carolina into the Big East so UC could be one of the "top dogs" in the conference.

[Masterofreality]

Also, if Mick is bitching about there being TOO MANY good teams in the Big East, and that being a bar to their overall success, how on earth would scheduling the likes of Duke, UNC, or UK help in any way. This guy is incredibly diluted.

Well, since Big Least teams are actually playing some real games prior to the league schedule this year, and losing them, that myth may be wiped out too. Notre Dame was blown out by Mizzou and GTown lost to Kansas last night.

Pittsburgh lost at home to Long Beach, who is pretty good, but it was at Pitt, and St. Johns lost at MSG. West Virginia lost to Kent.

Hmm. Real games, real losses.

[danaandvictory]

Yeah, Vaughn was the only guy I felt a little bad for. He was the only player worth anything those first couple of Cronin years. Then struggled a little his senior year and in typical Mick fashion was thrown under the bus. At that time Mick Cronin's brother had a twitter account and would routinely rip on Vaughn, then I think he deleted his twitter account once Mo Egger called him out.

One of the most shameful episodes in sports media in this town was when Lance McAllister went on the radio after UC lost to DePaul and openly accused UC players -- including Vaughn -- of shaving points.

This isn't the first or the fifth time I've brought this up here. The fact that Lance didn't get suspended or otherwise censured (at least by UC) is still mind-boggling to me.

[X-band '01]

That's assuming that Lance wasn't suspended or privately censured/disciplined. To me, what's amazing is that he wasn't sued for slander.

Then again, I'm guessing the ratings for his show at that point weren't high enough that would suggest that someone in the athletic department was even remotely listening to the broadcast that day.

1530 Homer Podcast (UC-DePaul) (http://1530homer.com/cc-common/mediaplayer/playerccas.html?mps=LanceMcAlister.php&mid=http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/CINCINNATI-OH/WCKY-AM/090310_1_mcalister.mp3?CPROG=PCAST%3FCCOMRRMID&CPROG=RICHMEDIA&MARKET=CINCINNATI-OH&NG_FORMAT=sports&NG_ID=wcky1360am&OR_NEWSFORMAT=&OWNER=&SERVER_NAME=www.1530homer.com&SITE_ID=1120&STATION_ID=WCKY-AM&TRACK=)

[danaandvictory]

That's assuming that Lance wasn't suspended or privately censured/disciplined. To me, what's amazing is that he wasn't sued for slander.

He probably used enough weasel words to get around a slander suit.

You would think that UC would have made some sort of statement in Vaughn's defense and condemned it, especially coming from a broadcast partner.

[THRILLHOUSE]

One of the most shameful episodes in sports media in this town was when Lance McAllister went on the radio after UC lost to DePaul and openly accused UC players -- including Vaughn -- of shaving points.

This isn't the first or the fifth time I've brought this up here. The fact that Lance didn't get suspended or otherwise censured (at least by UC) is still mind-boggling to me.

Yep I remember that, disgusting of Lance to accuse Vaughn of that. I think it was that moment that made me lose what little respect I had for him. Him blocking me on twitter just topped it off.

[coasterville95]

Though for other reasons, that is still one of the podcasts i have kept around,

Whenever I need a good laugh at UC basketball.

Quotes like "They acted like the ball in their hands was a foreign object"

Shoot!?!!? They can't even Pass!"

Banging on the desk multiple times

Proclaiming that UC should just end the basketball program, and give all the money to Brian Kelly and the football team.

Making sure everybody knew very well how much DePaul sucked that year. 0-18 or some such in conference play.

Ranting and raving about packing peoples bags, and how they should never put on the bearcats uniform again.

Ahh, good times.

I'm thinking that was recorded like immediately after the DePaul game, when emotions were raw. But still to accuse the best man on the team of shaving points and trying to throw the game??

[X-band '01]

That was the day of the DePaul game - that was a noon tip on a Tuesday during the conference championship week. As Lance correctly pointed out, it was something that was unscripted since he had no way of knowing or expecting that UC would ever lose such a game.

Back then, UC was 0-10 in March under the Gnome. The DePaul loss should have been the low point of Cronin's career, but he managed to top that last Saturday. I'm going to go out on a limb and just assume that none of the local talk-show hosts were accusing UC players of point shaving this time around.

[gladdenguy]

Whenever I click comments on any Enquirer article I tell myself "never again"...someday I will actually heed this warning.

Ha, I do the exact same thing.

[xubrew]

Good news everyone!!!

I just emailed ESPN and asked them to schedule a home and home between Xavier and North Carolina. Expect to see them in the Cintas Center next year.

[Masterofreality]

Good news everyone!!!

I just emailed ESPN and asked them to schedule a home and home between Xavier and North Carolina. Expect to see them in the Cintas Center next year.

Guffaw.....Chuckle.....Chuckle.....ha!

[BMoreX]

UC just lost to Marshall in OT.

[Titanxman04]

UC just lost to Marshall in OT.

And i thought that day couldnt get better...

[xubrew]

UC just lost to Marshall in OT.

Unlike Presby, Marshall is actually good. They have a shot at making the tournament. The only question is will UC have a good enough year to make this a notable win for Marshall.

[Porkopolis]

As a graduate of both Marshall and Xavier I don't think my day could have been any more perfect!

[Xavgrad08]

A love Cronin's quotes after a loss. let the excuses and name calling begin.

[coasterville95]

Did YTG blame

Inexperienced young team
Injuries and/or short bench
Attendance/ lack of fan support

And then proceed to throw the team under the bus Marshall rode in on?

[Titanxman04]

Did YTG blame

Inexperienced young team
Injuries and/or short bench
Attendance/ lack of fan support

And then proceed to throw the team under the bus Marshall rode in on?

YTG cracks me up. I'll be crushed when he gets fired.

[Masterofreality]

No he just pulled the "We're in the Big East, and Marshall is better than a lot of teams in our league." card.

Hey, Jaundiced Leprechaun, we know what league you are in. Who the "F" cares?

[Titanxman04]

No he just pulled the "We're in the Big East, and Marshall is better than a lot of teams in our league." card.

Hey, Jaundiced Leprechaun, we know what league you are in. Who the "F" cares?

Can we get a transcript?

[MADXSTER]

UC attendance?

[Titanxman04]

At least a freaking ZJ?

[xubrew]

No he just pulled the "We're in the Big East, and Marshall is better than a lot of teams in our league." card.

One of the teams in UC's league that Marshall is better than is UC.

[Snipe]

Cronin is signed through 2017.

Remind every UC fan you know of that fact, and smile. Don't even insult them. Just say something mushy like "Hey, UC will come around. Mick is getting some great experience. He is laying a solid foundation in Clifton and the fact they have signed him through 2017 gives them a lot of stability".

They would hate you for that. They hate their future. They have six years of Mick left on the docket. Can you imagine? It is going to get to the point where all they get from us is pity. I wouldn't do Mick Cronin to a dog. If I had an ex-wife, I couldn't even do Mick Cronin to her. I just couldn't do anyone like that. Nobody deserves that. They have six more years of that. They got Mick!

[Masterofreality]

UC attendance?

Just over 7,000.

[Masterofreality]

December 10 is finally the chance to stick the dagger in the Borecat myth of superiority for good.

Like Byron Larkin says, when you've got your hands on the throat, the only time you let go is to get a better grip.

They are down and out. Time to kick the sheet out of them, roll 'em to the curb, and send them to a season of total darkness and empty seats.

No mercy. I want a 50 point win!!!!

[xubball1993]

"I was proud of the fact that the people of Cincinnati finally showed up for Mick's team," Marshall Coach Herrion said. "Maybe some of it was us. Look at the (UC) attendance. There's a little disrespect for the program in that regard."

[Xpectations]

December 10 is finally the chance to stick the dagger in the Borecat myth of superiority for good.

Like Byron Larkin says, when you've got your hands on the throat, the only time you let go is to get a better grip.

They are down and out. Time to kick the sheet out of them, roll 'em to the curb, and send them to a season of total darkness and empty seats.

No mercy. I want a 50 point win!!!!

We're UC's Super Bowl.

[XUOWNSUC]

Remind every UC fan you know of that fact, and smile. Don't even insult them. Just say something mushy like "Hey, UC will come around. Mick is getting some great experience. He is laying a solid foundation in Clifton and the fact they have signed him through 2017 gives them a lot of stability".



Are you gonna do this when you go to the next uc football game this Saturday (or whenever the hell their next home game is)? :D

[Cheesehead]

No he just pulled the "We're in the Big East, and Marshall is better than a lot of teams in our league." card.

Hey, Jaundiced Leprechaun, we know what league you are in. Who the "F" cares?

REAL men don't make excuses and accept some of the blame. Mick is not a real man. He is a whiny midget baby.

[X-band '01]

Just over 7,000.

In other words, about 4,000 UC fans and 3,000 Marshall fans.

[Porkopolis]

In other words, about 4,000 UC fans and 3,000 Marshall fans.

Yes, that is pretty accurate!