Questions and Answers

Bearcats Blog apologizes for the lack of Memorable Bearcats and Games posts this week. We'll get back to that next week. Today, we'll do questions and answers, starring myself.

What Big East coach picked St John's to win the Big East?

Rick Pitino did. He said he would have picked UC to win, but didn't want to put that pressure on Mick. I don't know what's happened to Rick Pitino the past year. Well, we all know what's happened to Rick Pitino in the past year, but I meant more basketball wise. Louisville never seemed to get the right mix going last season, after the disappointing loss to Michigan State in the Elite 8. The Cards have a couple of big recruiting classes coming in the next few seasons, so we'll see if Pitino still has the magic.

What Bearcats Blog first team Big East player was booted from his team?

That would be Jamine Peterson of Providence. It hasn't been said what made Keno Davis boot him off the team, but the leading scorer and rebounder won't be back. I don't know if it's going to be such a terrible thing for the Friars. Peterson earned the nickname of Greedy from the Friar faithful. Maybe that's just a cool nickname, but it also means he was a black hole once he touched the ball. Peterson didn't care as much about defense as Friar fans would have liked, but who really played defense on Providence last season? I think the answer was no one. I like watching Providence play because their brand of basketball is exciting. I would rip my hair out if I were a Providence fan though. Especially after the disaster against South Florida. Looking back on it, both the South Florida games were disasters for Providence. The first meeting saw the Friars blow a 12 point lead with 2 minutes left and a 5 point lead with 11 seconds left. They would lose in OT. In the second meeting, they gave up a 7 point lead with 5 minutes left, took a late lead, but gave up a lay up to Dominque Jones, who was fouled by Curry, who got hit with a technical. Providence probably doesn't want to see them on the schedule twice next season.

I heard from Brian Bennett that Phil Steele's list of All America teams came out. Were any Big East players on it?

Yes. On the second team were Pitt Panther stars Dion Lewis, Jonathan Baldwin and Greg Romeus, and Mountaineer Robert Sands. The fourth team featured WVU back Noel Devine and UConn LB Lawrence Wilson.

What about Steele's Big East team?

What about it? Get off Phil Steele already. No one cares.

Is there talk of the Big East getting rid of the double bye in the Big East Tournament?

Yes there is. I'm a big fan of getting rid of the double bye. It was stupid from the get go. For one, it punished every team who had to play on Tuesday. It also punished the teams who received the double bye, not counting Louisville, who won the whole thing. The first year, Pitt and UConn lost. Last season, everyone lost but West Virginia, and they almost lost their first game. They are speculating about a pure 16 team bracket, with 4 games on Tuesday, 4 on Wednesday, and the quarter finals starting on Thursday. That seems about fair. I think the top 4 play on Tuesday. That seems to be the most fair way to do things. I mean, if you play well enough to earn a top 4 seed in the ridiculous Big East, than I think you deserve a day off in the tournament. And if you lose, you deserve the shame an extra day.

Let's get back to Brian Bennett. Would he like to see Cincinnati in a non-conference rivalry game every year?

Glad you asked. The answer is yes. He, like every Bearcat fan and none of the spineless Buckeye fans, would love to see Cincinnati and Ohio State play every season. Ohio State would much rather play Akron and Toledo and other MAC schools before playing the other major conference team from Ohio. That's because Ohio State is scared of losing Ohio. The teams play again in 2014. I'm predicting a Cincinnati victory on this date.

Is there a New Jersey blog Big East ranking for next season? I have a need to see one. It's my crack.

Great question, and yes there is. It's right here. Thank you New Jersey Hoops Haven for putting out such a list today. I'll run down the top 5 for you if you are too lazy to click. Villanova, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virgnia, Georgetown. That's rather vanilla. They pick Cincinnati 12. Shockingly, they have DePaul in last place.

Speaking of Big East talk, is it true that you are participating in something for the East Coast Bias in the next couple of weeks? 

Yes. I'll tell you when things get posted over there and you can check them out. It's a roundtable deal, with things from Orange 44, Voodoo 5, Eye of a Panther, The Nova Blog, Pitt Blather, and lots of other email address I don't recognize. Pretty much every blog listed is involved. It should be awesome.

NBE Basketball says in their latest Big East roundup that UC might be better with this roster. Thoughts?

I agree. The person who wrote that said that it was clear that the players hated each other last season, and it would be addition by subtraction. Believe me, there are a ton of people who think that UC was better off losing one player in particular this season. I think it should help UC. I've written about it this issue myself. What, with rumors that Bishop and Lance hated each other, Bishop hating Mick (getting kicked off the team didn't help that not be true), and Vaughn and Lance playing horribly along side each other all season. I think UC has a nucleus of players that genuinely like each other. At least they follow each other on twitter.

After that seemingly awkward answer, how does Brian Bennett rank the Big East running backs?

I should link Brian at least once, so there that is. He, like everyone else with eyes, ranks Pittsburgh first, and West Virginia second. He has UC 4th, behind UConn. That seems about fair. He looks for big things from Isaiah Pead, and so do I. I'm really pumped about my boy Darrin Williams getting touches this year. I think he's going to be a home run threat on kick returns, and getting handoffs and screens.

Can we get one last reminder about UC baseball?

This weekend, UC plays host to Georgetown. The Bearcats need to win to guarantee they make the Big East tournament. Georgetown kinda sucks, 5 Big East wins, but spoilers are everywhere. Show up and root the Bearcats onward and upward.

Big East Tournament Day 1 Recap

Day one of the Big East Tournament is in the books. Let's take a look back how day 1 went down.

11. Cincinnati 69 14. Rutgers 68 - This game was covered in the recap posted a little earlier.
Up next: 11 Cincinnati v. 6 Louisville (ESPN 20 min after conclusion of game 3. Est 9:25 pm)


9. South Florida 58 16. DePaul 49 - Minus an early second half rally, South Florida dominated DePaul. Dominique Jones went off for 20-9-4 assists-4 steals, and Mike Mercer added 14-5. Will Walker went for 20-5 for the losing Blue Demons. Mac Koshwal had 8-10 as well. South Florida got win 20, their first 20 win season since 1990. Congrats Bulls.
Up next: 9 South Florida v. 8 Georgetown (ESPN 12 pm)


13. St John's 73 12. Connecticut 51 - In the shocker of the day, St John's dominated UConn nearly all 40 minutes en route to a huge win. Sean Evans powered the Red Storm with 19-10, while Paris Horne and Jason Browlee both had 13. In what could be Jim Calhoun's last game, Kemba Walker had 12 for UConn. The Huskies had 19 turnovers, while St John's had 10 dunks. It'll be interesting to see if St John's has enough in the tank to keep this up.
Up next: 13 St John's v. 5 Marquette (ESPN 20 min after game 1. Est: 2:25 pm)


10. Seton Hall 109 15. Providence 106 - The craziest game of the day came in this one. That score was in regulation. The teams took 146 shots and and 82 free throws. Seton Hall had a 16 point halftime lead, and lead by as much as 27 in the second half, and lead 96-72 with 5:54 left. The Friars went on a 34-13 run to close the game, and had a shot to tie as regulation ended, but Duke Mondy couldn't connect. For the Hall, Herb Pope had 27-15-5 assists, Jordan Theodore 21-6 assists, and Jeremy Hazell with 18. Providence was lead by a 38-16 effort by Jamine Peterson, 16-12 by Bilal Dixon and 15 by Marshown Brooks.
Up next: 10 Seton Hall v. 7 Notre Dame (ESPN 7 pm) 

Cincinnati 92 Providence 88

(Enquirer)

Cashmere Wright's career high 24 propelled the Bearcats to their second highest point total of the season, and win 14 (14-7 5-4), as the Cats outgunned the Providence Friars (12-9 4-5) 92-88. Cash's 24 were the 6th time a Bearcat scored 20 this season. It was also a UC season high, and UC high in any game against Providence. The Friars are known for not playing the best defense, and the Bearcats sure took advantage of that Saturday night, shooting 32-58 for a whooping 57%. The Bearcats also kept up the good 3 point shooting by going 8-18. Free throwing shooting was terrible, and it almost let the Friars back in the game. The Cats were 20-41. Awful. Rashad Bishop had 16-6 for Cincinnati, Lance Stephenson (9 rebounds) and Deonta Vaughn 12, and Darnell Wilks surprised with 10. Wright also had 4 boards, 5 assists and 3 steals. For PC, Sharaud Curry matched a career high with 27. Jamine Peterson had 19, Marshon Brooks 12, and Vincent Council put up 10-5-6 assists. The Bearcats kept serve at home, which is important as they head back on the road where they have struggled. Let's take a look at how the game played out.

Action started with the teams putting shots on each other's faces. Providence made 3 triples to start the game, before Cashmere Wright scored UC's first 7. Peterson would make another 3, and PC lead 16-12 4 minutes in. Providence would nail their first 6 from deep in a lights out start. Rashad Bishop scored 8 of his points early in keeping the Cats close. Lance Stephenson did not start, and didn't enter until the 14 minute mark. He must be having problems with the ankle. Providence would build a 6 point lead as we hit the under 12 timeout, 24-18. Darnell Wilks entered the game and had a scoring explosion. Well as far as Darnell Wilks goes. Wilks scored off a hook, a left hand lay up, and a monster dunk back (pictured here). Wilks had 4 points the last 5 games, and scored 6 in 1:21. Stephenson added some points around a Peterson jumper, and the Cats had tied the game. Something unseen this season occurred after Marshon Brooks made a Friars 3. Lance Stephenson hit a 3 pointer for Cincinnati. This is the first time IN HIS CAREER Lance has made 3s in back to back games. No joke. The teams would trade the lead for the rest of the half with fast paced action. Wright would hit Bishop to give UC it's first lead, and it's second after Cash hit a 3 of his own. PC answered with a Duke Mondy 3. Curry, Vaughn, Peterson, Stephenson and Bilal Dixon, Vaughn again, and Wright all scored as the half came to a close at 44 all. Providence shot 50% in everything the half. 17-34 8-16 2-4. Peterson lead the way with 14-3-2 blocks, Curry had 9, and Coucil had 4 boards, 3 assists. UC shot 17-33 5-11 5-8, lead by Wright's 13-3 assists-3 steals. Bishop had 10, Lance 7, and Wilks 6. One player who did nothing was Yancy Gates. There were lots of people who though Yancy would have a big day against PC, but he was invisible for the most part.

Cincinnati started the second half by jumping out to a 5 point lead. Ibrahima Thomas scored 2 of his 4, and Rashad Bishop hit from 3. Peterson hit a 3, and Vaughn followed with his only 3 for UC. The Friars scratched even with Peterson's last basket for the game, and 2 free throws by Curry. The Friars took a 3 point lead at 60-57 after a Council 3 and a steal and breakaway dunk on Darnell Wilks' head by Marshon Brooks. That would seem to fire the Bearcats up. Yancy Gates scored his first field goal on a putback dunk, and followed with a steal as Providence was bringing the ball up the court. PC would foul, and the score would be 60-59 at 11:57. After the break, Cash got to the rim, scored, and got fouled. He would miss the free throw, but Lance Stephenson would get the rebound and get fouled. He would miss both though. On the next trip for UC, Cash would miss a rare field goal attempt, but Bishop cleaned it up for a 3 point UC lead. Cash picked a Providence pocket and raced down the court for a dunk. Stephenson followed that with a lay up, and UC was on a 10-0 run. Peterson would miss 2 free throws, PC was 9-18 at the stripe all night, and Cash would hit a dagger 3 for a 10 point UC lead. The lead stayed 10 down to the 3:58 mark, with UC ahead 75-65. Providence would press, and UC took advantage. The Cats broke pressure for a Gates dunk off a nice pass from Wright, a Gates alley oop from near half court by Lance, and 2 Stephenson free throws for a 81-67 lead. The Cats would let the lead slip due to poor free throw shooting. Deonta Vaughn hadn't missed a free throw in Big East play, and the percentages caught up to him. Vaughn was 5-10 on the day. Cash was great from the field, but only 3-7 at the stripe. My best friend Dion Dixon entered the game with 2 minutes left and UC up 12, and continued the funk he was in during the Louisville game. Dixon committed a turnover, after Vaughn made 2 free throws, would miss 2 fts, and Curry hit a PC 3. Dixon would then throw away the inbound pass up 8, but PC couldn't capitalize. Vaughn hit 1 free throw. The Friars missed a shot on their next possession, and fouled Wright, who made both. Was an 88-77 lead with 39.7 left safe? No. Curry made a lay up, Jaquon Parker (who only played 9 minutes, had 6 points 3 rebounds) made both free throws. On the other end, PC got a traditional 3 point play by Brooks. Vaughn made 1 of 2, and Curry drilled a 3. Cash missed both foul shots, and Curry made another 3 to cut the lead to 3 with 6.6 left. Parker would add to the drama by missing his first free throw. But Parker iced the game with his second, and provided us with the final. 

All in all, it was a nice win. The defense seems to be going to hell, which is a very bad sign with offensive minded Notre Dame on Thursday. It was nice to win, despite nothing from Gates and Toyloy. Gates had 7-7, and Toyloy had 3 turnovers to 1 point, 1 rebound. The free throw shooting was horrendous. Bishop was 1-4, Wright 3-7, Vaughn 5-10, Stephenson 3-6, and Dixon 0-2. The offensive rebounding was gone as well, only 8. The Bearcats couldn't afford to lose this game, and winning it was nice. Let's hope Mick has the boys ready to make a run, because the going is getting tough from now on. 

Bearcats too much for Friars

(Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)

The Cincinnati Bearcats improved to 14-7, 5-4 in the Big East, with a 92-88 win over the Providence Friars. Providence is now 12-9, and 4-5 in conference. The Bearcats were powered by a career day from Cashmere Wright. Cash went for 24-4-5 assists-3 steals in his first start since December 16. Darnell Wilks tossed in 10 points, including the monster dunk back that's pictured. For the Friars, Sharaud Curry matched his career high with 27. Jamine Peterson had 19. 

The game was like the opposite of Louisville game. The Bearcats fell behind 9-3 and Providence couldn't miss. The Friars made their first 6 3s, and had a 26-19 lead halfway through the 1st half. Wright and Wilks would power the UC offense, and the Cats were able to match the Friars 44 at the half. The Bearcats went on a 13-0 run down 60-57 in one of their best 5 minutes of the season. The lead would be 9 with 25 seconds left, but due to missed free throws by Deonta Vaughn and Wright, Curry would hit 2 shots from deep to make it a 3 point game. Jaquan Parker made a free throw with 5 second left to seal it. 

This was a nice win for UC, as they have to win against similar teams to them if they want to make the NCAA tournament. More on Monday. 

Know Your Opponent: Providence Friars edition

The Bearcats look to bounce back after a tough loss at Louisville, and nearly a week off, as they host the Providence Friars Saturday night at 8 on ESPNU. The Friars are coming off a huge win over Connecticut Wednesday. The Friars and Bearcats are both 4-4 in the Big East. This is a pivotal game as a result. The first round bye is huge in the Big East tournament, and there is some other tournament in March. How do the 13-7 Bearcats and 12-8 Friars stack up? What a great question. See the answer after the jump.
Last thing. If you want to read about Providence until your eyes bleed, check out our good friends FriarBlog and  Friars Basketball. I'm pretty sure there's nothing to do in Rhode Island besides talk about Providence and watch Family Guy.