Link-o-rama - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site

STORE AUCTIONS CATAPULT FOR STUDENT ATHLETES FOR RECRUITS FOR FANS UCATS C-CLUB MEDIA SERVICES MARKETING/IMG COLLEGE

Link-o-rama

Jan. 12, 2009

(10:32 a.m.): I know fans are frustrated with the basketball team right now, and since the UConn loss, many of them are questioning whether a moral victory means absolutely anything in the grand scheme. While the term 'moral victory' is cliched and admittedly kind of a stupid thing to get excited about, I think you have to look at the Bearcats performance on Saturday this way: if they play like that more often, they'll have a chance to win some games in the Big East this year. They play like they did last Wednesday against Providence - which, in reality, was pretty troubling and disappointing - they might win two.

So from that aspect, you almost have to look at the loss to UConn as a positive step. Not a moral victory; a positive step. And for fans who say, 'Well, we're UC. We shouldn't have to stoop to being positive about nine-point losses at home,' you have to remember that this is not the same UC program you glorify from years past. That went out the door when Bob Huggins left (this is not a commentary on why or how he left, because honestly, he probably needed to go). I'm not saying the Bearcats can't reach that level again, because I think it's possible they could. But to base your expectations for this team while keeping in mind what the squads of the early 90s accomplished, it's just a ridiculous notion. Two totally different animals. If you're a UC fan, you have to temper expectations. Of course, maybe it's easier for me to say that.

All of that, though, goes away if the Bearcats play poorly and lose to Rutgers on Wednesday.

Anyway, something I meant to write about the other day: UConn coach Jim Calhoun thinks Yancy Gates is going to be a stud in this league.

"Hasheem Thabeet couldn't average 14 and 10 without the point guards we have," he said after Saturday's game. "As (Gates) develops, people will get him the ball at the right spots. We recruited Andrew Bynum before he went to the NBA. He's a little smaller - not much - version of Bynum. He has a beautiful soft touch. He's one of the best young players in the league. He can battle almost anyone in the league. I think the future of Cincinnati is good."

Some other links:

Where do you think DeAngelo Smith fits in to the NFL Draft? The Sporting News has mostly positive reviews. Though I've gotta say, the final thought - "Smith would be a steal in the second round, but could come off the board earlier" - is a little much. Though I think he legitimately could play in the NFL, I think Smith will be lucky to get drafted by the sixth round.

As you know, Brandon Underwood will play in the East-West Shrine Game in Houston at 3 p.m. Saturday. He will be wearing his familiar No. 8 jersey for the East squad. Check him out if you've got nothing else going on that day.

I called Don McMillan (UC quarterback from 1946-49) on Sunday and talked with him for more than an hour so I could get some The Odyssey fodder. But I called him too early. He was busy watching the Eagles-Giants game when I got a hold of him the first time. I told him I'd call him back, because I could sense he wanted to finish watching the game. Perhaps because he wanted to watch Brent Celek and Trent Cole play for their chance to go to the NFC championship game. I don't know if you saw this, but a nice feature on Celek in the Newark Star-Ledger a few days ago and this one from today's Delaware County Times.

Then, in the AFC championship game you've got katzonthecats favorite Haruki Nakamura and former UC assistant John Harbaugh who will battle to go to the Super Bowl against Pittsburgh. From Nakamura's latest twice-weekly journal he writes for the Carroll County Times.

After the UC-UConn game, I set up to write the Rock 'N Roll Party in the media ... um, lounge, I guess you could call it ... where one of the TVs was set to the Ravens-Titans game. I wasn't paying much attention, but I did see Nakamura drop that gift INT late in the game. Brutal. Still, he's been an impressive addition this year in Baltimore. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.