The Bearcats may have lost three in a row, but Mick Cronin
isn't ready to push the panic button yet.
His focus, rather, has been on correcting the mistakes his
team has made in recent games.
"You can't make the mistakes that we made in our last game
and win," said Cronin. "You can't be a good team making that many mistakes
because it negates your talent level."
What mistakes is he talking about?
"It could be a defensive breakdown. It could be a lack of
communication--not talking on defense," said Cronin. "It's unacceptable. Leaving
your feet to pass, could be a bad shot, not block out."
Sean Kilpatrick agrees they're not playing the way that they
could and if they don't fix things, it could be a rough ride the rest of the
way.
"We haven't been playing to our full potential," said
Kilpatrick. "And if we continue to go down this road then it could be a very
long season for us."
One way to change the course they're on is to return to
playing fast-paced basketball.
That's something Cronin has brought to his players'
attention.
"That's what coach talks about," said Kilpatrick. "Just
getting back to the way we play, speeding the game up a lot faster. Lately we've
been playing slowed down to the competition and with the team that we have, if
you can play fast then it would be a lot more points racking up on the
scoreboard."
Each of the websites has their own formula for the way they
rank the players and recruiting classes as a whole. The only website that I
could find a formula for was Scout.com. If you can do simple math it's a pretty
easy system to calculate. If you're interested check it out here.
--According to Scout.com Cincinnati had the 2nd best
recruiting class in the BIG EAST. They had West Virginia with the number one
recruiting class in the conference. And According to 247Sports.com, UC had the 4th
ranked recruiting class with Rutgers as having the best class.
As I mentioned earlier this week, take each of these rankings with a
grain of salt. But it is interesting to see where others have the Bearcats ranked.
It has been a long and arduous process for Butch Jones and
his coaching staff.
Traveling, long hours at the office and sacrificing time
with their families, the coaches at Cincinnati have been hard at work to secure
the best available players for the recruiting class of 2012.
Today Jones announced the names of 30 players who are part
of what is considered the most successful recruiting class in program history.
"Today is kind of a culmination of over a year's worth of
work by our coaches working to what we feel is attract the best caliber
student-athlete here to the University of Cincinnati," Jones said.
Of the 30 new players, nine of them enrolled early. Jones
believes that can only help push the program in the right direction.
"To me that's critical as we continue to elevate our
football program," Jones said. "You graduate a highly successful senior class,
so to be able to bring nine individuals in I think that's going to make spring
football extremely competitive."
And there should be plenty of competition to go around.
When you look at the list of players coming in, every
position was covered. And not only have the Bearcats added depth to each
position, you'll notice they've added size as well.
An issue Jones felt needed to be addressed
"The thing we have really lacked in our football program is
big body types," said Jones. "You know run and hit guys."
It would appear that those "run and hit" guys have been
added.
And while the recruiting process is over for the newest
members of the football team, the work for Jones and his coaches is not quite
done.
They'll continue to go on the road, spend time away from
their families and search for players to add to the list of recruits for 2013.
Here is the Signing Day Class for 2012:
(Early Enrollees)
DB Kevin Brown 6-1 195 Indianapolis, Ind./ Lawerence Central
RB Deionte Buckley 5-9, 195 Indianapolis, Ind./ Warren
Central
DL Jonathan Burt 6-3, 248 Indianapolis, Ind./ Warren Central
LB Errol Clarke 6-2, 210 Miami, Fla./ Central
QB Bennie Coney 6-2, 210 Plant City, Fla./ Plant City
TE DeShawn Dowdy 6-4, 222 Akron, Ohio/ North
DB Marcus Foster 6-1, 190 Troy, Ohio/ Troy
QB Trenton Norvell 6-4,215 Daytona Beach, Fla./ Seabreeze
DL Josh Posley 6-2, 238 Indianapolis, Ind./ Warren Central
DL Alex Pace 6-3, 284 Cleveland, Ohio/ Ginn Academy
DB Leviticus Payne 5-9, 176 Southfield, Mich./ Southfield
OL Caleb Stacey 6-4, 280 Cincinnati, Ohio/ Oak Hills
OL Kyle Williamson 6-5, 275 Cincinnati, Ohio/ Madeira
--In case you're wondering here's a positional breakdown of this year's recruiting class:
QB- 2 RB- 4 WR- 3 TE- 1 OL- 4 DL- 3 DB- 8 LB- 5
Why is stealing recruits such a bad thing? There's nothing in the rules that says it can't be done...
Throughout the recruiting process there's always the
possibility to lose a potential recruit to another school.
It happens all the time.
Dennis Norfleet, a highly touted running back from Michigan,
originally committed to play football for Cincinnati. However, at the last
minute changed his mind and de-committed to attend Michigan instead.
While it may anger coaches and fans, there's nothing in the
rules that says a player cannot change his mind.
I was listening to the radio on my way home from the big
Singing Day press conference and Mo Eggar brought up a couple of good points--1)
Until a player has signed on the dotted line, he's still technically available.
Regardless of what a player says a verbal commitment means nothing. 2) If
stealing recruits is going to amp up a rivalry or add fuel to the fire on
gameday, then what's wrong with that? Sports involve rivalries and storylines
anything to make the games even more interesting is a good thing.
Although the last of the college football games have been
played, awards have been presented and the BCS Champions have been crowned, there
is still one day that has fans waiting with bated breath--Signing Day.
Tomorrow UC Head Coach Butch Jones will announce the 2012
signing class and leave Bearcat football enthusiasts debating over who the future
stars of the gridiron will be.
To some, the list of commits will be no surprise. Those fans
have been keeping a watchful eye on message boards and recruiting websites, maybe
even probing an inside source for info on a local player or two.
For them, Signing Day will
only be confirmation of their "insider knowledge."
Others, however, will be viewing the list of signees for the
first time.
Regardless of how long you've been following a recruit or how
much information you may think you know, the one question fans will
consistently as is--how many stars is he rated?
Yet, one thing fans need to keep in mind is that those
rating systems mean squat when it comes to projecting a player's future.
For example, consider these former Bearcats who received low
ratings or no ratings at all coming out of high school and are currently
playing in the NFL:
Punter Kevin Huber,
class of 2004- Not rated by any scouting website. Led college football in
net punting average in both 2007 and '08 and won the national punting title in
2007. Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL
Draft.
Offensive Lineman
Jeff Linkenbach, class of 2005- Not rated by any scouting website. Signed
with the Indianapolis Colts in 2010 as an undrafted free agent. He is currently
listed as their starting right tackle.
Linebacker Connor
Barwin, class of 2005- Rated an average of two stars by most scouting
websites. Drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2009 NFL
Draft. He is currently listed as the starting weak side linebacker.
Safety Haruki
Nakamura, class of 2005- Rated an average of two stars by most scouting
websites. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL
Draft. He is currently listed as second on the depth chart at free safety
behind Ed Reed.
While there may be some validity to what the scouts have to
say, take their analyses with a
grain of salt.
There may or may not be some diamonds in the rough. But if I
were you, I'd wait to judge these players for myself.
The start of the 2012 season is only eight months away.
-- I took the time to watch some videos of some former Bearcats. One of my favorite players to watch back in the day was Haruki Nakamura. Check out some of his highlights from 2007:
Although the college football season is over, two of UC's
football players were in competition this past weekend.
Derek Wolfe and Isaiah Pead participated for the North team
in the 2012 Senior Bowl.
The North defeated the South 23-13 and Pead was named MVP
after setting a Senior Bowl record with 98 yards on two punt returns in the
first half. He was also the North's leading rusher with 31 yards on eight
carries.
It was only the second time in the 62-year history of the
Senior Bowl that a player from Cincinnati was named MVP. The last Bearcat to
earn the honor was Jackie Lee in 1960.
Check out the full story of the Senior Bowl on Cincinnati.com
-- @iPead tweeted after the game: "This week has been a blast and ending it with a win tops it off! Thanks for all the love and support! Always #BearcatNation"
-- If you'll recall Pead was also the MVP of the Liberty Bowl and the 2011 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year. Here are some highlights from Pead's BIG year:
I just want to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Chris Gundrum and I'll be taking care of the blog while Paul is up in Indy this week. I hope to take the knowledge I've gained under his tutelage and provide you with top notch coverage of the Bearcats. At the very least I'll try post something entertaining so you won't have to read the same thing over and over again. You can also follow me on Twitter @ChrisGundrum.
Just as a little editorial note for all the bloggies out there. My other job with CBSsports.com has me in Indianapolis all week with the Super Bowl. I know, it's a real tough assignment. Going to be a real tough week of work.
Anyway, this leaves me away from the blog for the week. But have no fear! I have tossed the keys to the more than capable Chris Gundrum, who you've seen writing a number of different pieces here on the site.
He'll hold your hand through Signing Day and watch over all the fair-weather basketball fans standing on the ledge.
No worries, I'll be back next week once. Although, after a week away, some of you might wish I'd go back to Indianapolis, but too bad. You're stuck with me.
Much of the conversation at yesterday's media availability revolved around the health of Sean Kilpatrick and, really, the health meters of the entire team right now.
Kilpatrick admitted he's playing through pain from a groin injury and hip pointer. He said his lateral movement is the biggest aspect of his game affected by the injury. That said, he's not about to be taking any time off.
"I'm playing," he said assertively. "You get injured in the offseason."
They're currently enjoying a stretch of one game against Rutgers in 13 days, a nice reprieve from three games in six days against UConn, WVU and Syracuse.
Mick Cronin actually alluded to the schedule a bit yesterday. "Anybody in basketball that I respect said the same thing, we ran out of
gas against Syracuse," Cronin said. "I was unhappy and that's an excuse in my world. My
friends in the pros say the schedule can get you beat at times. At
Connecticut, at West Virginia probably reared its head Monday night
against Syracuse -- and Syracuse reared their head, they have great
players."
The great news being with the most difficult portion of the schedule in the rearview mirror, UC should be able to get to the business of winning games they're supposed to, which they've done well this season outside of one Saturday afternoon against St. John's.
For what it's worth (and likely very little considering the wild results around this conference on a daily basis) the KenPom genius computer has UC favored to win seven of the next eight games.
In fact, four of the next five games come against teams KenPom ranks 100 or higher.
For comparison, four of the last five opponents were ranked 35 or lower -- the Cats came out of that stretch 3-2.
Considering UC will play so many games against teams they are favored to beat, the coach's platform of keeping the correct mental state makes sense. Avoid laying an egg -- like WVU did at St. John's on Wednesday -- and they should be in contention to win every game. "You get to this point in the year you have to make sure you are ready to
play at gametime," Cronin said. "This time of year I just try to keep my team in the
right mental state where we are happy to be playing. It's almost like
the dog days of baseball in July. Too early to see the light at the end
of the tunnel right now but it's definitely late enough where it's not
new and fun anymore."
--- Rutgers will be playing with a point to prove Saturday night at the RAC, always a dangerous combination.
They suffered a brutal 69-64 loss to DePaul on Wednesday. Mike Rice claimed his team blinked then curled up and went away as it squandered a double-digit second-half lead at home. The Blue Demons may be better, but they are still DePaul.
"We have to understand that the worst thing that happened for us was they lost," Cronin said. "now they are going to go back and refocus and sharpen up."
Of course, win or lose in the game previous, the Bearcats seeing a full effort from their opponents will be an adjustment they'll need to get used to.
For the team who rarely seems to get the respect they deserve -- or at least Cronin has openly discussed as much over the last year or so -- that respect is being shown by opponents and crowds alike.
They have run into some hostile atmospheres.
"Coach Boeheim called it one of his biggest bounceback wins, guy's been coaching 30 years," Cronin said. "We've gained the respect, for whatever reason, as a team. So teams are ready to play against us. We have to understand that. You have a sellout crowd on Saturday night at Rutgers, you have to understand that it's like Connecticut going in there. That's a big game for them." --- It may be a little early to be looking at Bracketology, but why not.
From the seat they currently sit in today, the view and perspective looks similar to those surrounding Cronin and the Bearcats.
"I don't think there is any question we've got to win games," Cronin said. "I could
probably say that about everybody right now in our league other than
Syracuse."
Joey Brackets had the Big East getting eight teams in. While Cronin admitted the conference won't be sending 11 teams into the Dance again this year, another question remains looking across the big picture.
"But then you look around the country and say, 'well, who is going to get
in? Seriously, look around, there is so much parity," he said. "It's going to be a
rough year to be on that committee is my prediction going forward."
They are offering the four-ticket Big East package for just $59. That includes parking. There are other deals as well.
My job isn't to push tickets on this is an absurd offer. --- If you missed Bearcats Sports Weekly with Mick Cronin and Tommy G last night, here's the link. --- Scott at Bearcats Blog has been on a perimeter defense kick all week. He touched the legal limit for screen grab: blog post ratio on Wednesday and went into the statistical abyss yesterday. Being familiar with the statistical abyss, I hope he remembered to occasionally come up for air.
One observation from his research was that eight of the last nine guards went above their season average for points. So, yes, the perimeter defense hasn't been shutting anybody down lately. However, it's also worth noting that of those nine, only four were over their average by more than five points (Wayns, Cheek, Napier, Browne). Plus, there have been a total of 15 guards with decent point averages UC faced in Big East play. Those are the only four to score more than five points over their average.
Napier only had 17 points with a minute and change remaining and Browne, well, that lofted 3-pointer still stings.
That doesn't mean the stats are wrong and UC's perimeter defense deserves accolades, not in the least, however, it should be noted that while it hasn't been spectacular, this hasn't been a consistent problem.
--- The lack of turnovers created the last two games on the other hand...
Both West Virginia and Syracuse only turned the ball over eight times against the UC defense.
Entering those games, the Bearcats were forcing an average of 16 turnovers a game in Big East play and forced every team into double-digit turnovers.
Indeed, that stat -- along with the deflection stat -- drives this team. Both have been significantly down the last two games. "Coach Cronin, he was saying we don't play defense no more," Yancy Gates said. "We have to get our edge back on defense."
For the record, Rugers comes into the game 12th in the Big East in turnover percentage on offense. This could be a team ripe for the picking. (Get it...)
What if......no, we're not going there on a happy Friday.
--- Maybe for the first time ever I'll utter this sentence: I agree with Jeff Goodman. The rise of Notre Dame this year is one of the most shocking developments of this season.
--- On the football front,Joe Reedy wrote this story on Derek Wolfe at the Senior Bowl. Reeds is usually pretty accurate with his draft round predictions, but I've heard Wolfe going higher than the fifth-sixth round number he put out there.
--- A new helmet prototype showed up. Feeling another Ring of Red game with these guys.
--- Sad news this morning in hearing that former UC/Bengals quarterback Greg Cook has passed away, according to WCPO.
Cook was a special player and in fact held a number of Bengals rookie passing records until Andy Dalton snapped them this season.
--- I would ask what the heck is wrong with Kevin Garnett, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to know. --- Feeling like a weird, creepy weekend is upon us for some reason. No real football, trip to New Jersey, just not the norm. That's why this odd, creepy video seems apropos.
Not much on basketball in the Breakfast today with a media availability coming this afternoon with Mick and players. I'll have more from that.
As always, follow me on Twitter (@pauldehnerjr) for updates on any news or notes that would come out of the afternoon press conference.
Let's eat....
--- Want to start with the Senior Bowl as practices continue this week. Isaiah Pead has been receiving some love from a few media outlets and teams alike.
The predictable rumors are swirling of the Bengals interest in the UC running back.
Apparently Bengals RBs coach Jim Anderson spent much of the postgame practice this week talking with Pead. I'm still unsure how he fits into the Bengals backfield with Bernard Scott being a similar back, but I selfishly would be elated to be able to keep covering Isaiah the next few years.
--- Pead says he'll have a bunch of family around for the game and hopes to play well. Obviously a great game wouldn't hurt his stock, but it's far from the ultimate measuring stick.
Remember, Mardy Gilyard was MVP in 2009 after racking up 160 yards, but on draft day he slid to the first pick of the fourth round. --- Ran into JK Schaffer at the basketball game this week and he said his experience in the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Saturday wasn't fantastic. Not because he didn't play well necessarily, but because he got dinged up early in the game and had to come out.
JK's exposure opportunities are limited right now, so missing that much of an all-star game wasn't a great break. He weighed in at 6-3 1/2, 227 pounds, by NFL standards that will be a little undersized. For example, the smallest linebacker on the Bengals roster is Keith Rivers at 6-2, 235.
Still, putting on a few pounds between now and then as well as a nice pro day at UC should do the trick to put him on the radar.
Still believe Schaffer will get his shot in camp next year, whether he's drafted late or picked up as an undrafted free agent. Then he'll have an opportunity to do what he does best and that's make plays. By the way, I'm not just saying this because this is the UC blog, I truly believe Schaffer will be on a 53-man roster next season barring injury.
His consistency, intelligence and inherent ability to find the football are too valued by NFL teams for it not to pay off.
"Derek Wolfe/DT/Cincinnati: Wolfe is not flashy nor a
defender that makes a lot of plays on the ball. What he does so well is
hold the point of attack and control blockers. This allows his
teammates to get to the action and make the play. On more than one
occasion Wolfe was double teamed by blockers yet did not give up an inch
of room. He's going to make some defensive coordinator happy at the
next level." --- The question isn't who, but how many Bearcats end up in Philadelphia, right?
He has UC with four returning starters on offense, six on defense and two on special teams. Those calculations rank 96th out of 120 nationally.
Remarkably, UC will be the only team in the conference not returning their quarterback. And even UC will return a QB that started three games and went 2-1. Can't remember seeing that kind of signal-caller retention in any league I've covered before.
Steele's offense calculation still seems a little low to me. I'd count Travis Kelce, Eric Lefeld, Sean Hooey, Austen Bujnoch, Anthony McClung and Alex Chisum for six. Regardless, UC will be one of the youngest teams in the conference. Though, there's plenty to like among the young talent. --- Sidenote: WVU (assuming they are in the league) will be the undeniable preseason favorite. (Secondary sidenote: This is not different than every year)
Greg Schiano to the Tampa Bay Bucs? I'll only say one word and move on before I get myself in trouble. Wow. --- One bit of basketball. What in the name of Derrick Coleman is going on in the Big East conference right now?
Up is down, down is up, DePaul winning is not a surprise, Pitt winning is, Rutgers losing is a surprise, everyone is scared of Notre Dame.
No team (not named Syracuse) should be favored by more than five points on any given night. Period.
--- Randomness...
--- Fact of the case: If you let your phone ringtone go off in the middle of a Slovakian violinist concert, he will call you out musically.
--- Blake Griffin doing what Blake Griffin does, but, to quote White Men Can't Jump: And a hook shot! --- Big Lead posted thisvideo of weightless cats. I can't stop giggling and I don't know why. --- In honor of the Greg Schiano to the Bucs reports, I think this video seems appropriate.
In an world where 41 percent of college football teams changed coaches the last two years, Whit Babcock and Butch Jones took a step toward securing stability in an inherently unstable environment.
CINCINNATI -- Approached
with the concept of being one of the most tenured football coaches in
the Big East, Butch Jones could only call the thought "comical."
After
all, only two seasons ago, he arrived at the University of Cincinnati
following in the footsteps of the most successful coaches in school history.
Seems like just yesterday. Only, in the constantly changing landscape
of college football, yesterday might as well be yesteryear.
Since
Brian Kelly exited the football banquet in December of 2009, six of
the eight programs in the Big East experienced coaching changes. Skip
Holtz, Charlie Strong and Jones entered that year. Last season, Paul
Pasqualoni took over at Connecticut and Dana Holgorson assumed the
top job in West Virginia. Shoot, Pitt employed four different coaches
since Jones arrived.
Only
Greg Schiano at Rutgers and Doug Marrone at Syracuse -- by one year
-- own more head coaching experience in this conference than the
2011 Big East Coach of the Year.
While
the Big East might be the face of transient coaches, it reflects a
deeper trend of instant gratification across the sport.
Take
into consideration of 120 FBS schools, 49 experienced at least one
coaching change the last two years.
"The
great programs always have stability behind them," Jones said.
On
Tuesday, Jones sat in the Bob Goin Team Room and signed on for
stability. Like the contracts of Mark Dantonio and Brian Kelly before
them, those signatures on his three-year extension that would keep
him in Clifton through 2017 don't guarantee much more than less ink
in the pen.
Stability
takes off quicker than Isaiah Pead when living at the epicenter of
prime poaching territory.
Athletic
Director Whit Babcock doesn't know that he owns an answer for how to create coaching stability in an inherently unstable
environment. Not many do. But he hopes, not only the contract extension,
but the proactive nature with which he sought answers to all the
concerns regarding the football program, will strengthen the tether
attaching Jones to UC.
"The
history with the money that's involved in it and football and the
immediate pressure to win, I don't know that all of those are good
things necessarily, but it is the nature of the business," Babcock
said. "I also think you have to compete on more than just money. I
think money is important but if that is the sole driving factor -- it
better be built on relationships and opportunity to win and all those
other things."
Jones
and Babcock both nodded as their press conference turned to topics of
atmosphere and family driving the desire to keep this connection
together. Words about building foundation and something special may
be only words, but they represent the desire to make up for any
monetary discrepancies with intangibles.
"We
got to work across the board, facility-wise, staff-wise, salary-wise,
stadium-wise, amenity-wise, to keep moving these things forward,"
Babcock said.
Bearcats
fans need not be reminded what happened the last two times their
coaches completed a third season as Jones will do in the fall.
Michigan State and Notre Dame know. Nobody can see the future and for
every program in the country not named Alabama and LSU, the crystal ball is
murky.
The
entire system needs an overall. Bolting and buyouts dominate the
conversation while interim coaches and unfulfilled promises to
student-athletes own the headlines. Loyalty seems to come around less
often than franchise quarterbacks.
Jones
would like to see that change. Not speaking with schools showing
interest and signing the extension with UC represent his latest step
toward being part of the change.
"As
a coach it takes time to build football programs, too," Jones said.
"We have a great industry. It is an honor and a privilege to be
able to coach college football. I also think that both sides need to
come to an agreement from longevity on both sides with coaches being
able to stay at places to really build their infrastructure and
really put their personalities into a football program, also, them
being able to stay there. But on the other side, also the
administration being able to stay with it in an instant gratification
society where people want things right now. Sometimes it takes time
to build and if you take shortcuts and try to take the easiest way,
they don't pan out over the long period of time."
Neither
Babcock nor Jones took a shortcut with this deal.
While
building undeniable stability and loyalty in this era of college
football is near impossible, both sides put in writing on Tuesday
their belief UC is trending in that direction.
