(02-21-2018 08:59 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  Mid-major is fluid and undefined. Some talking heads now regard any non-P5 as mid-major. That's nonsense. By that definition, two of the last four national champions were mid-majors (Villanova, UCONN).

There's a thread on one of the Louisville boards about hiring Chris Mack and many of the comments suggest it's a great move for him from "mid-major" X to the ACC. So that's a perception of X and the new Big East from just 100 miles away?

I'm no cheerleader for the AAC and like many believe UC must keep pushing toward the P5. But AAC bashing has certainly become fashionable among our local media (James Rapien, Ken Broo for example on the rare occasions I hear either one). Three top 25 teams right now (just two from the new Big East); three in yesterday's tournament bracket by Lunardi compared with just two from the high profile Pac 12 in that same projection.

Bottom line: mid-major doesn't apply to basketball; particularly for the AAC or the new Big East.

Bottom line: UConn and Memphis need to pull their weight for this conference to be respected by the national media. There is no reason why the AAC shouldn't be getting 4-5 bids each year in the tourney. Until that starts happening on a consistent basis, the P6 narrative will continue to exist with the BE as #6.

(02-21-2018 08:59 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  Bottom line: mid-major doesn't apply to basketball; particularly for the AAC or the new Big East.

Mid major has always been a basketball term and definitely applies. However regular multiple bid conferences outside the BCS/P5 have always been considered major. CUSA wasn't mid-major when we were there, nor is the American now.

Regardless of what you think of the conference it can be overcome in basketball. Gonzaga is as major a program as there is but it's fair to call the WCC mid-major. Same with Wichita prior to the AAC. Conference affiliation is not a reason for not having an elite program.

(02-21-2018 10:37 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(02-21-2018 08:59 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  Bottom line: mid-major doesn't apply to basketball; particularly for the AAC or the new Big East.

Mid major has always been a basketball term and definitely applies. However regular multiple bid conferences outside the BCS/P5 have always been considered major. CUSA wasn't mid-major when we were there, nor is the American now.

Regardless of what you think of the conference it can be overcome in basketball. Gonzaga is as major a program as there is but it's fair to call the WCC mid-major. Same with Wichita prior to the AAC. Conference affiliation is not a reason for not having an elite program.

Good catch on my choice of words; I agree that mid-major has been in common usage for basketball. Had I written that sentence better I would have said that mid-major didn't apply to AAC or (new) BE basketball and certainly not to UC.

(02-20-2018 04:28 PM)JFlight21 Wrote:  

(02-20-2018 12:11 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Not sure how you can watch basketball and say UC doesn't run organized offense. They run a ton of sets to get Clark and Washington post touches. Particularly with Washington they've been really good at getting him the ball in the right areas so that he has an easy turn for his hook shot. They will sometimes bring their bigs away from the basket and run something to get Evans posted...or clear out the lane for and Evans/Cumberland drive. They get a ton of open 3s every game, but running good stuff as well.

There are times they get a little bogged down... often those times seem to me when they are too committed to running a specific set and take too long to get it going when a good defense anticipates what they are doing, but it isn't because they aren't running offense.

I completely disagree that they run 'sets' to get Clark and Washington the ball. If the opponent has any sort of strength up front, Clark and Washington are getting the ball 15 feet from the hoop. They get pushed off the block and the post up offense becomes ineffective because Mick makes zero adjustments.

Maybe try a cross screen or even a duck in from the other big off of some ball screen action. It looks like Mick conditions these guys to throw the ball into a post up at any opportunity even if Clark is 17 feet from the hoop or Brooks is there as the shot clock winds down (this actually happened against WSU!!).

I don't think any would accuse Mick of being an adaptable coach. He is a hard headed coach that tries to fit his players to the system rather than the other way around. It is beyond frustrating to watch and it seems the story will end the same it always does: a loss to a team in the NCAAT team that has comparable talent.

Mack does a great job of getting O'Mara the ball on the block in space

Mick isn't able to do the same with Gary who is a much better 1 on 1 scorer on the block.

Mick finally has the team to make a run I just hope his coaching allows them to.

It's interesting watching Clark as i know from watching him the past 4 years and also his hs highlights he definitely likes to get the ball outside of the paint and work off the dribble. He's not as effective catching the ball at the basket and hitting shots. He's not your traditional post up player.

(02-21-2018 12:20 PM)dsquare Wrote:  It's interesting watching Clark as i know from watching him the past 4 years and also his hs highlights he definitely likes to get the ball outside of the paint and work off the dribble. He's not as effective catching the ball at the basket and hitting shots. He's not your traditional post up player.

The key for Clark is when he catches the ball he needs the spacing so that the double can't get there quickly. The high post is great because he usually uses his quickness to create the angle. He doesn't really go through you inside and he's not the most physical guy down there.

Washington is the opposite. I think since the Mississippi State game Mick has mostly done a great job of getting him touches inside 10 feet and he's been almost automatic when he gets them.

(02-21-2018 01:03 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Washington is the opposite. I think since the Mississippi State game Mick has mostly done a great job of getting him touches inside 10 feet and he's been almost automatic when he gets them.

kyle is capable of carrying us through tight games because he's really the only one that can consistently make shots over people.


Kwash was our kenpom MVP vs UCLA, @ Temple, and Houston.


Can't do it from the bench though.

Wichita State was pushing Washington far enough away from the basket where he was not getting shots in his range. I have no idea if that was due to Wichita State's hard work or lack or work by Washington.

Shamet not playing vs Tulane. Too bad he did not get sick two days earlier

(02-21-2018 08:19 PM)doss2 Wrote:  Shamet not playing vs Tulane. Too bad he did not get sick two days earlier

Marshall is probably confident WSU can beat Tulane without him. If they had Cincinnati tonight bet he'd be playing.

(02-21-2018 01:36 PM)CallMeSlim Wrote:  

(02-21-2018 01:03 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Washington is the opposite. I think since the Mississippi State game Mick has mostly done a great job of getting him touches inside 10 feet and he's been almost automatic when he gets them.

kyle is capable of carrying us through tight games because he's really the only one that can consistently make shots over people.


Kwash was our kenpom MVP vs UCLA, @ Temple, and Houston.


Can't do it from the bench though.

Not a big fan of putting Washington on the bench for long periods.

(02-21-2018 08:19 PM)doss2 Wrote:  Shamet not playing vs Tulane. Too bad he did not get sick two days earlier

I hope this is not where we are now as a program, hoping for our opponents to come in with a player or two down. I'd rather think the real Bearcat spirit is to take their best shot, and still come out on top.