Oh, my lord. Cincinnati.

[ucp990411]

The bottom half of the AAC has improved markedly since the league was born.

Unfortunately the top half hasn’t. Good, but not elite teams.

Next year a resurgence of Memphis, Wichita State, and UConn will strengthen the middle of the AAC. And in two years I think we will see the top of AAC putting teams in the tourney whom are nationally elite.

Yeah Tulane is on a roll.

 

[VAHuskyFan]

View attachment 41220

I enjoy the casualness with which Cronin is being “held back” in this photo. His assistant coach on the left isn’t even looking at him.

 

[Fishy]

Reminds me a slightly less skilled version of Pitt back in the day. Hard physical type players, that get away with maybe more than they should in the regular season. Once tournament time rolls around, they've a tough time playing 'clean'.

And then Cronin gets tight on top of that.

EDIT: @EROCK CONN got there first

I actually disagree.

Pitt was just straight out thug-ball.

Cincy is not - they're a pretty clean defensive team.

What I see is that Cronin really develops tunnel vision at times.

Iowa threw a zone at Cincinnati when they went down 13 in the first half and it really took Cincy way too much time to adjust to it - it almost looks like Cronin starts looking at his guys and forgets to check in on the opponent.

 

[intlzncster]

I don't think anyone would prefer the former when the NCAA tournament appearances result in embarrassing eliminations more often than not. Correct me if I'm wrong but the team used as an example of consistent success and appearances in this debate is usually Kansas.

Using Kansas as a model is not exactly giving anyone a fair shake. We'd be closer to Cincy in that game.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I actually disagree.

Pitt was just straight out thug-ball.

Cincy is not - they're a pretty clean defensive team.

What I see is that Cronin really develops tunnel vision at times.

Iowa threw a zone at Cincinnati when they went down 13 in the first half and it really took Cincy way too much time to adjust to it - it almost looks like Cronin starts looking at his guys and forgets to check in on the opponent.

You'd think that'd be conquerable by hiring a good assistant or someone to sit up top and clue him in to the forest & not the trees.
Given Cincy, Pitt & UVA - there is undeniably a theme that great SYSTEM defensive teams are not built for the NCAA tournament. Was true with Syracuse until somehow the Carmelo run undid their hex.

 

[Travelman6]

See bearcats, that is what you get for not losing to Uconn! You would have dropped down to an 8 seed and faced a team that was in the top 25 less than you!

But ya, recent results, when looked at as a whole are really super depressing. 2-11 in 2nd round games coupled with five first round losses since 1997. Well, they'll always have 2001 and 2012!

 

[intlzncster]

I actually disagree.

Pitt was just straight out thug-ball.

Cincy is not - they're a pretty clean defensive team.

What I see is that Cronin really develops tunnel vision at times.

Iowa threw a zone at Cincinnati when they went down 13 in the first half and it really took Cincy way too much time to adjust to it - it almost looks like Cronin starts looking at his guys and forgets to check in on the opponent.

Fair, I thought they had 2 guys with four fouls on the bench with 8-10 min to play. Checked the box and not sure that's right; one starter, one reserve. I thought they were in foul trouble against Nevada last year as well. Memory doesn't serve there.

As far as adjusting, they mostly can't shoot. But you're right, Mick doesn't even try. Good move going to zone.

 

[the Q]

I actually disagree.

Pitt was just straight out thug-ball.

Cincy is not - they're a pretty clean defensive team.

What I see is that Cronin really develops tunnel vision at times.

Iowa threw a zone at Cincinnati when they went down 13 in the first half and it really took Cincy way too much time to adjust to it - it almost looks like Cronin starts looking at his guys and forgets to check in on the opponent.

So was mich st. Yet they’re allowed to get away with it.

The game they call them as tight as a Pitt game will be the first.

 

[joober jones]

Seeing the carrot go down provided some much needed laughs for the family. For the conference, not so much.

 

[UConnNick]

What a loser

What does Cronin do, get a little notepad and write down all his excuses for losing applicable to that opponent before the game starts?

 

[uconnfan68]

I actually disagree.

Pitt was just straight out thug-ball.

Cincy is not - they're a pretty clean defensive team.

What I see is that Cronin really develops tunnel vision at times.

Iowa threw a zone at Cincinnati when they went down 13 in the first half and it really took Cincy way too much time to adjust to it - it almost looks like Cronin starts looking at his guys and forgets to check in on the opponent.

The weak press befuddled them. Saw 1 10sec call. Only saw about 2 minutes of game.

 

[kobe]

See bearcats, that is what you get for not losing to Uconn! You would have dropped down to an 8 seed and faced a team that was in the top 25 less than you!

But ya, recent results, when looked at as a whole are really super depressing. 2-11 in 2nd round games coupled with five first round losses since 1997. Well, they'll always have 2001 and 2012!

god those back to back buzzer beating losses in 97 and 98 still hurt soooo bad.

 

[Robertelamin]

god those back to back buzzer beating losses in 97 and 98 still hurt soooo bad.

Maybe they won’t be as bad as the ones in 20 and 21.

 

[Walker11]

Using Kansas as a model is not exactly giving anyone a fair shake. We'd be closer to Cincy in that game.

No one would prefer to be Cinci. The debate I am referring to is whether you would prefer 4 championships with some terrible seasons mixed in, or consistent excellence with only 1 championship. I think most argued the former, probably with tennispro leading the charge on the latter.

 

[olehead]

Mick Cronin is Marty Shottenheimer.

Spot on football comp. Or Bud Grant from the 70's.

 

[gsmooth]

No one would prefer to be Cinci. The debate I am referring to is whether you would prefer 4 championships with some terrible seasons mixed in, or consistent excellence with only 1 championship. I think most argued the former, probably with tennispro leading the charge on the latter.

No question the 4 NCs with some bad seasons mixed in. Because after having a bad season,usually with a young team with whole sale changes (93, 97, 01, 07) you know player development and good coaching will get you a chance at a NC every 3-4 yrs. just my 2 cents
Unfortunately, we have had 3 straight seasons of not making the big dance, the first time since the 80s. We are way off.

 

[AdamaNation]

Reminds me of Pittsburgh with Jamie Dixon

Crushing defense with zero offense except for Sam young. Good comp.

 

[the Q]

No question the 4 NCs with some bad seasons mixed in. Because after having a bad season,usually with a young team with whole sale changes (93, 97, 01, 07) you know player development and good coaching will get you a chance at a NC every 3-4 yrs. just my 2 cents
Unfortunately, we have had 3 straight seasons of not making the big dance, the first time since the 80s. We are way off.

Ncaa In 2021.

 

[Travelman6]

god those back to back buzzer beating losses in 97 and 98 still hurt soooo bad.

If I could give you a facebook style sad face I would. Still remember seeing those as a teen.

 

[auror]

I hope not. Houston is in their backyard in Tulsa for the first two rounds. First round they should win, 2nd round, well, that's up in the air vs Iowa St/Ohio St.

Tulsa is the same distance from Houston as Richmond, VA is from Storrs.

 

[Lynyrd]

I actually disagree.

Pitt was just straight out thug-ball.

Cincy is not - they're a pretty clean defensive team.

What I see is that Cronin really develops tunnel vision at times.

Iowa threw a zone at Cincinnati when they went down 13 in the first half and it really took Cincy way too much time to adjust to it - it almost looks like Cronin starts looking at his guys and forgets to check in on the opponent.

The tunnel vision is dead on ... there was a point in the game yesterday when they flashed to Cronin and his lips were all chapped like he hadn’t considered food or water for days and he was barking like some panicked dog. Damn funny.

 

[mauconnfan]

They have to be wishing he took the UNLV job they just have to.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

They were a borderline top25 team all year. 7 seeds are teams 25-28. Seems about right?

 

[Rico444]

UCF is not getting past Duke.

The way things are going for this conference, I'll take a non-blowout.

 

[Chief00]

You need to be able to score under duress in the tournament. Cincy has trouble doing that.

 

[auror]

They were a borderline top25 team all year. 7 seeds are teams 25-28. Seems about right?

They lost to a team that was ~40th though.

 

[JeepCSC]

Although the way refs are calling games now....


That 2009 Big east was so strong. Didn't they get 4 teams to the elite 8 and two to the final 4 (6 or 7 in the S16 too)? Uconn of course going down to MSU and Nova getting creamed by UNC. Always felt if Uconn had gotten past MSU, they were the only team in the field other than duke that could have given unc a run for their money. msu was literally the worst matchup for uconn in the bracket, ugh.

Duke lost by like an average of 10 points in the two games against UNC that year and I think something like 5-1 during Lawson’s career. They just weren’t built to stop his speed.

 

[kobe]

You need to be able to score under duress in the tournament. Cincy has trouble doing that.

i think there is enough evidence now to prove that this "elite" defense is really only elite against conference foes and has failed us in the NCAA tournament time and time again.

Here's some numbers of what they've given up in the last 4 NCAA tournament losses --

St. Joes - 78 points, 1.26 PPP
UCLA - 79 points, 1.25 PPP
Nevada - 75 points, 1.14 PPP
Iowa - 79 points, 1.18 PPP


so when you play against good teams and can't stop anyone it really amplifies our lack of talent. which mick for whatever reason has been awful at recruiting consistently. we'll get a few guys here and there but too much of our roster is made up of 9-13 men on good teams. it is what is at this point.

some dopey P5 school!!! PLS SAVE US

 

[Scrutineer]

It was embarrassing to lose to that MSU team.

Completely outclassed talent wise and found a way to get dominated down low for far too long. They killed us on the offensive glass despite supposedly having 2 stud bigs to their zero

Would we have lost if Dyson had played?

 

[gsmooth]

Tulsa is the same distance from Houston as Richmond, VA is from Storrs.

You are right, that's true. It's not like Columbus for Cincinnati. But it's the closest location to Houston of all the sites and a lot Houston fans make the trip. They wouldn’t make the trip if the Cougars were in Hartford. Well, they didn't in 2015 when I went to the AAC tourny.
The point was it was a relatively easy trip for them and they were playing Ga St. . I am glad they blew them out. I hope they can win against Ohio St.

Tulsa is the same distance from Houston as Richmond, VA is from Storrs.