UC Notes

Tomorrow is National Signing Day, so there are a bevy of recruiting notes flying around. I thought it would be prudent to post them here so we are all informed. Tomorrow will be a breakdown of all the signing action, and class ranks and what have you.

The first note is from basketball. On the heels of his outstanding performance against Providence, Cashmere Wright is the Big East Freshman of the week. Congrats out to Cash, let's keep it going.

A couple Senior Bowl notes to start. 

• Tony Pike started and was 5-12 45 yards. Tony also had 1 run for 6 yards. Not a great day. 
• Mardy Gilyard had a huge day with 5 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. He also averaged 26 yards on kick returns, and 12 on punt returns. 
• Mardy's success was noted by CBS' Rob Rang. 

Recruiting news and rumors and news.

• Winton Woods product Dominique Brown made his collegiate decision, and it was Louisville. The sticking point between UC, Ohio State and UofL was playing quarterback. I guess he wasn't going to see action in Columbus or Cincy the next couple years, and Louisville's QB prospects are wide open after roughly half the state of Kentucky took snaps last season. 
• Former UC recruit Luke Massa ended up choosing to attend Notre Dame. This wasn't a surprise because he's in love with Brian Kelly, and he would follow BK through the gates of hell. Luke Massa is really dedicated. 
• North Ft. Meyers WR Tre Boston, such an awesome name, was going to attend UC, but has chosen to go to smelly North Carolina. I don't know why someone as cool as Tre would want to go to a place where you aren't allowed to wear shoes, and where there is so much tar lying around that it will get stuck to your heels. Seems like a bad place.
• In the 'maybe good news' department, the much more awesomely named Munchie Legaux has cut his choices down to UC, and CU. Munchie is a dual threat QB who plans on majoring in sports medicine. According to himself he has "good lower body mechanics, and looks to pass first." This kid sounds like a winner. I don't know much, but when the chips fall, I want Munchie Legaux on my side. (It's the second item here. Don't be fooled by the headline.)
• Let's wrap things up with some good news shall we? We shall, good call. WR Anthony McClung, from Pike HS and teammate of Dyjuan Lewis, had switched from Louisville to Cincinnati. Anthony is a do it all slot receiver, and I think he could make a big impact at UC. He was a Wildcat QB for his team, and it would be interesting to see if he would perform that role here. McClung chose UC after not being sure what was happening with Louisville. He said Louisville tried to switch his position and grey(red) shirt him. With McClung, Lewis and Vidal Hazelton joining the fray, UC looks to be loaded at receiver.

That's all for this Tuesday edition of UC Notes. I know you are all waiting for Lost tonight, and anything you can get your hands on to pass the time is gravy. I have no idea when national signing day ends, but I'll put something up right after, and I'll try my best to keep you updated through the day.

Oh Say Did UC?

Time to hit up the Cincinnati news on this Friday afternoon. Just a quick site bit, the Louisville preview for the game Sunday afternoon will probably go up tomorrow. If it somehow doesn't, it will be up Sunday morning well before noon. Quick fact that will be be in the preview. The Bearcats have played the most, and won the most at Freedom Hall more than any Louisville opponent. Plus, the Cats won the 1962 National Title in Freedom Hall. Let's hit some news.

• I can't find anything on the status of Lance Stephenson. Since Born Ready was labeled day to day, I expect him in the lineup Sunday at noon.
• Speaking of Lance, here is an SI article that (coughhackcough) Paul Daugherty wrote. This is like a week old, but I'm pretty sure I didn't post a link and I know you get all your UC news here. Right? Say yes for my fragile ego. 
• This article from CNati questions if Jaquon Parker is the missing piece. I hope that he can step in and play the point, and that would be huge. I'm not totally against giving Cashmere Wright another look in spurts. I'm all for Parker starting Sunday.
• Louisville was taken down by Seton Hall last night in a nightmare scenario. There was some controversy at the end. Jerry Smith made a 3 with .7 remaining. As Seton Hall was set to inbound, there was a whistle and the player with the ball took 2 steps on the court. All the players turned towards their benches, so that could be chalked up to confusion. However, Seton Hall's inbounds pass was tipped back out of bounds. The inbounder would run the line, an absolute clear violation, and Seton Hall would inbound and make free throws. Youtube: here. 
• The Wall Street Journal decided to have their yearly piece about how awesome the Big East is. Worth a read, or otherwise I wouldn't have linked to it. 
• Luke Winn writes a great Power Rankings on SI every Thursday. UC isn't mentioned, but it's one of my favorite reads of the week. Good job Luke.

That about does it on the basketball news. Let's hit the gridiron.

• Another SI bit. Stewart Mandel, from Cincinnati, did a report card of the coaching hires. Spoiler alert: Butch Jones got an A-. Louisville's Charlie Strong got the best grade, A+, and South Florida's Skip Holtz received an A-. Big East AD's are hitting it out of the park this year on paper.
• Dyjuan Lewis, a 4 star receiver from Indianapolis, recommited to Cincinnati. Nice job getting him back Butch Jones. Great decision Dyjuan.
• Here is a slightly dated Big East recruiting breakdown. Lewis answers a question asked in the piece, and is UC's best recruit. 
• QB recruit Luke Massa is being wooed by Notre Dame. The St. X star said "Then (on Thursday) Notre Dame offered (a scholarship). I was definitely pretty excited. Who wouldn't be excited about an offer from Notre Dame? I'll be visiting there Jan. 30, and then make my decision after that." Great. Sounds like he might be going.
• Alex Daniels and Aaron Webster were named to the Texas vs. The Nation all star game. Good for them. 
• Mel Kiper has his rankings up. They are insider so no link. Tony Pike fell out of his top 5 QBs. Mardy Gilyard is his 4th best WR. Armon Binns is 2 on the list for next year.
• Our main man Josh Katzowitz has an interview with Butch Jones up on GoBearcats. 

Finally, Brian Bennett at ESPN's Big East blog has a shit load of UC related things. You should read his blog, but then forget about it when I link to stuff about it. The following bullets are all his.

• Big East games of the Decade: UC v. Pitt #3. UC vs South Florida from October 2007 #9.
• Coaches of the Decade: #1 Brian Kelly. Don't boo or get angry, just let the last BK mention be a good one.
• Programs of the Decade: UC #5. Top 4: Miami, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.
• Half Decade Team: WR Mardy Gilyard, OG Trevor Canfield, CB Mike Mickens and P Kevin Huber.
• Big East Game of the Year: 

1. #7 Cincinnati vs West Virginia. 
2. #5 Cincinnati vs Connecticut
3. #1. Cincinnati at Pittsburgh

That didn't end confusingly at all. Thank you so very much for taking the time to read the blog. Shout out to whoever read this in Belgium. Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the Louisville preview. It won't be up in the morning, probably the afternoon. There will be the normal quick result post and the full reaction Monday. As for the rest of the week, I'm not sure. The Cats don't play until the next Saturday, so if you have any ideas for what you want me to write about, leave a comment.