Dixon Leads UC to Win over Miami
Wednesday, December 22
Friday, December 17
Rough start
Cats crushed in conference opener
By Hunter Tickel | Senior Reporter
If Tuesday's Big East opener for the Cincinnati women's basketball is an indication of what awaits them in conference play, the Bearcats are in for a long season.
Projected to finish 15th in the Big East this season, the Bearcats were bested in every facet of the game by the Cardinals: fundamentals, style, athleticism and cohesion as they lost 78-40 at Fifth Third Arena.
"We wasted people's times today, said head coach Jamelle Elliott. "We wasted the [referee's] time, we wasted the fans' time and we wasted Louisville's time. We didn't show up today. We might as well have stayed in the locker room with the performance we put on today."
UC committed a season-high 31 turnovers and shot worse than 32 percent from the floor.
A reoccurring theme throughout the night was Cincinnati settling for jump shots or giving the ball away, while the Cardinals took high-percentage shots and scored 38 points in the paint to the Bearcats 12.
"We need a post player," said freshman guard Kayla Cook. "When we get in the Big East, we are going to be facing 6-4, 6-5 and our tallest player is barely pushing 6-1. They don't have any experience in the Big East either, so I think we are slacking in the post."
Point guard Shareese Ulis is the only returning player that garnered significant playing time from last year's squad that finished 4-12 in the league. UC is inexperienced, returning just 27 percent of minutes played and 28 percent of scoring from last season.
"I just told them when I walked into the locker room, ‘Welcome to the Big East,' " Elliott said. "That's what they signed up for. They came to Cincinnati to play against these teams. I've got to hope that they are ready to do that."
The Bearcats appeared rusty after having ten days off as they prepared for their exams last week.
"[I told them] you guys have five minutes to get that out of your system and then we have to be ready to play," Elliott said. "Five minutes turned into 40 minutes. It's just one of those games where nothing went our way."
Ulis entered the night averaging a team-leading 15.7 points per game. She drew double teams on the perimeter from the outset and never found a comfortable flow against UL. The senior finished with 14 points and just two assists.
"I feel like I have to get these guys involved in order for us to be a great team," Ulis said. "If I can't get them to be with me, we don't have a chance at winning. Tonight I didn't play as good as I normally do and it carried over to everyone else."
Ulis scored the team's first basket after nearly eight minutes had surpassed as they struggled in their half-court sets.
By the midpoint of the first half, the contest was all but finished with UC falling behind 21-2. The Bearcats got on the score sheet for a second time with 8:06 remaining in the opening half.
The Bearcats totaled a season-low 40 points and allowed the Cardinals to shot better than 58 percent as they scored 18 points in transition.
After its Big East opener, the Bearcats step out of conference play again at 2 p.m. Saturday against Wright State at Fifth Third Arena.
Monday, November 29
Huskies Halt Cincy
By Hunter Tickel | Senior Reporter
Following consecutive BCS appearances the past two seasons, the Cincinnati Bearcats became bowl ineligible Saturday after a 38-17 loss to Connecticut at a sold-out Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
"[Missing a bowl is] very disappointing, it's one of our program goals," said head coach Butch Jones. "We have to keep building. There are a lot of kids that hurt. We all hurt."
The loss dropped the Bearcats to 4-7, clinching a losing season and ensuring an end to Cincinnati's streak of four-straight bowl appearances.
Turnovers — after plaguing UC all season — were fatale again as the Bearcats committed five against UConn, including four interceptions of Zach Collaros.
Collaros had an opportunity to pull the Cats to within four points before halftime inside Connecticut's 10-yard line, but his pass took a costly bounce after being tipped by UConn's Kendall Reyes. The interception gave the Huskies possession inside the Cincinnati red zone.
UConn running back John Todman put his team ahead18 points with a one-yard touchdown run just seconds before halftime.
The Bearcats orchestrated an 88-yard drive — capped with a three-yard touchdown scamper by Collaros — to pull within a one possession with less than nine minutes to play.
But five snaps later, Todman ceased the Bearcats' comeback with the second of his game-high three touchdowns.
With nine receptions for 107 yards against the Huskies, Cincinnati wide receiver Armon Binns surpassed 1,000 yards for the season. The wide out became the ninth receiver in school history to reach the milestone.
"He has had a great senior season," Jones said. "He's played like a senior should play. He's provided great leadership. He's created a model for our younger players at the receiver position for years to come."
The Bearcats will take the field for the final time in 2010 on Senior Day at noon Saturday against Pittsburgh at Nippert Stadium.
"It's [about] going off as winners, sending our seniors off as winners," Jones said. "[Having] momentum going off into the winter and into our strength and conditioning program. For our younger kids, they have to continue to learn about critical plays and get back to work tomorrow."
Monday, November 22
Monday, November 15
Friday, November 5
Tuesday, November 2
Thursday, October 21
Sunday, October 10
Tuesday, September 14
Friday, September 10
Wednesday, June 23
England Face Must Win Against Slovenia
In a group labeled “easy” by the English press, England has two mere points heading into its final 1st round match of the World Cup.
The Three Lions face group leaders Slovenia Wednesday, June 23 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a critical tilt for both teams.
Slovenia needs a draw in order to feel safe; while it’s likely England will need a win to avoid a shocking elimination.
England tied the U.S. and Algeria in their first two matches while scoring only one goal. Even with these disappointing results, head coach Fabio Capello has maintained a positive relationship with his players.
“Really good, every time I speak to the players they follow me,” Capello said. “Whether they win or lose, we are still a team.”
Some of the blame has been placed on the shoulders of former captain John Terry, who lost his armband after his affair. Terry won back the attitudes of some fans and teammates with his recent apology. Capello has backed him through all the controversy and said he never considered dropping him for the squad.
“He is an important player for us,” Capello said.
New elected captain Steven Gerrard is aware that England’s clock is ticking following their listless games.
“After the Algeria performance, we need to focus on getting a win,” Gerrard said. “I have already seen the signs the last few days in training. We can’t wait for this game.”
The Three Lions dominated qualifying winning their group while losing one game when their World Cup berth was secured.
“In our qualifying games we were really confident, we played aggressive football, we pressed really well, we were compact and difficult to beat,” Gerrard said.
England has resembled a shell of the side that cruised through its European qualification in South Africa. Progression to the Round of 16 will be determined by England’s finishing ability in this match.
“Although we haven’t lost a game here [World Cup], things mess up in our performance,” Gerrard said. “We want to start the game very well–get the goal that we need in the final third.”
Following the Algeria game, the English were booed off the field by their fans. Gerrard said it’s up to his team to respond to the criticism in a positive manner.
“I can certainly understand it,” he said. “People have expectations; we have a lot of support out there. They expect us to win football matches and we as players take responsibility.”
It’s evident the media and fans in England are unhappy with the team. Gerrard and the rest of the English side will look to restore nationalism in their country.
“We want to change the perception of our team so far,” Gerrard said. “We want to make the nation proud and happy. A good win tomorrow will certainly give the people more confidence.”
The majority of teams under performing at the World Cup hail from the European continent. There’s speculation that the long club season in Europe, especially the EPL, where most of England’s internationals ply their trade, has contributed to these struggles.
“Maybe the long season in England does affect us, it is a difficult question to answer,” Gerrard said. “If you look at how we’re training we look fit and hungry. We need to translate that onto the pitch.”
Sunday, June 6
Thursday, May 27
The Writer Readers Love to Hate
This man speaks with a relaxed, calming presence. Every couple of minutes, he cracks a joke.
It may come as a surprise, but I am referring to highly opinionated CBSSports.com columnist Gregg Doyel.
He commonly bashes coaches and players with the labels “failure,” “lousy,” and “embarrassing,” but in this instance he refers to himself.
The 40-year-old says that often times he fails to convince his readers that the opposite stance he takes on a subject is right. Most of them despise him, but they continue to avidly read his articles and interact with him.
“I’m thrilled they do, but I can’t explain it,” he responds frankly. “The ones that comment at the end of my stories and rip me do seem to really not like me, but they keep coming back.”
Doyel is notorious for his weekly “Hate Mail” in which fans voice their opinion and he responds with intense and sometimes witty comments.
From: Max
Barry Bonds is probably wiping his ass right now with this article.
If he goes to the pokey after his federal trial for perjury, he'll have lots of people wanting to help with that.
Doyel grins as he says “Hate Mail” is one of his more popular pieces. As a columnist it would be more fulfilling for him to receive credit for his longer, well-developed articles.
“ ‘Hate Mail’ is a little bit embarrassing, because I get the most compliments for ‘Hate Mail’,” Doyel says bashfully.
Contrary to popular belief, Doyel doesn’t speak arrogantly when referring to himself; nor does he have a false sense of his writing ability. He says that he accepts he is not one of the elite writers in the business, while humbly taking pride in that he is one of the better columnists.
“This is the damn truth, to sit here and pretend that I’m not would be an absolute insult to me,” he quickly shoots off. “It would be lying, it’d be false modesty. I don’t need anybody to tell me I’m good. I know how good I am.”
Doyel’s speaks in the same tone readers hear in his writing.
“A combination of conversational and confrontational. I want to write like I talk,” he says with the slightest trace of a southern country accent.
The Mississippi native has a unique style of writing that is rare for today’s industry. “There is no point in telling the audience what they already know, so typically my articles are bound to be disagreeable,” he says.
“That is the safe way to go through life and I don’t want to do that,” Doyel explains. “Most things I write are going to tick off a portion of the people. I look at it is as a prosecutor; I am laying out my case.”
When he is not covering an event, he works from home in the suburbs of Cincinnati, where nearly a hundred media passes can be found dangling on his wall. Buried in the thick of the lanyards are credentials to some of the world’s greatest sporting events including: the Super Bowl, World Series and the Masters. Hanging next to his passes, is a framed 1983 Letter to the Editor of Sports Illustrated from Doyel at the young age of 13. A plaque he insists that his wife nailed up.
Doyel has long been known for never backing down to anyone.
“He is not afraid to speak what’s on his mind and he makes you think,” says Mo Egger, former co-host with Doyel on the radio program 1530 Homer. “And he is not afraid to go after sacred cows in sports.”
He has criticized an unending list of names with the biggest ones being: Rick Pitino, Jim Calhoun and Chad Ocho Cinco.
Egger describes a situation where they interviewed former Reds manager Wayne Krivsky.
At the time Jay Bruce at the time was hitting .400 in the minors but was not starting for the Reds, Egger says. Doyel asked the coach what he was waiting for, for him to hit .600.
“He challenged him in a way that I don’t think most media people in town would, Egger says. “That really woke a lot of people up.”
Confrontation is the name of the game for Doyel. In one instance, he gutted Hall of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun in an article and drove two hours to an Indiana basketball game to meet with him face-to-face alone in the visitor’s locker room. Calhoun then gave Doyel a heated response.
“There is nothing more to that than being able to feel good about yourself,” he says. “It didn’t change the way I feel about him, it just made me feel good that I’m tough.”
Doyel appears tough too. He hides his age with a baldhead haircut, a small distinct goatee beard and a physical stature that is maintained by his hobby acquired four years ago.
They are scattered across his office floor: a pair of fresh sweaty boxing gloves, bag and head brace. Doyel doesn’t let people forget the fact that he is 4-0 as an amateur fighter, by showcasing four of his trophies prominently on display as you enter the room.
In the professional realm of sports journalism, it is critical to remain unbiased and to not fall into the fan categorization. Doyel successfully maintains objectivity
“Gregg is pretty upfront, he doesn’t care who wins and who loses,” Egger notes.
Another method behind the madness for the way Doyel writes is that a softer style will draw a smaller audience.
“People like to read anger, they don’t like to read happiness,” Doyel notes. “They’d rather read someone telling me I should die in a fiery crash and me [saying] okay, but you go first.”
Egger says that he learned a whole new way of thinking about sports and gained a different prospective from Doyel.
“Greg always asks what more there is to it than meets the eye. He taught me without trying how to.”
Located across from Doyel above his laptop are four pictures of Salvador Dali paintings. In one of them, emerging from a cracked, dark globe overcast by shadow is a man whose blood has seeped onto the lifeless terrain. This unique and unsettling form of art personifies how Doyel tries to write and serves as a memoir.
Doyel says the sporting event he loves covering most is the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It is the one competition every year that he tells his boss he would prefer to write about.
“He was the first person on the air to really talk about (Mixed Martial Arts),” Egger reminisces. “He was really on the radio at the forefront of that right when it was taking off.”
Doyel’s personality is different in a lot of ways from the way he is perceived on paper. He has an uncanny sense of humor.
“He is a funny guy, hanging around him, he makes you laugh,” Egger explains. “He works really hard. I really respect how far he’s gotten.”
Doyel is well aware of how he is perceived by his readers and it fuels his apathy towards them. It doesn’t stop him for sustaining his aggressive, authentic stroke.
“It doesn’t bother me that readers generally think I’m a jerk,” he explains, “because I know I’m really not, but for some reason Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde comes out when I write.”
His intense voice was a spontaneous development that occurred overnight when he was asked to write columns for CBS Sports.
“It came out of nowhere,” he exclaims. “I had no idea what my voice was going to be. I thought I was going to be conversational but in an amusing way.”
Doyel says his goal was never to become a controversial writer but that it is his natural way of expressing himself.
“I didn’t try to become this and I don’t try to do it this,” he sincerely says. “It just came out.”
He uses hand gestures to emphasize certain points and fluid, convincing eye contact to support his statements.
One of Doyel’s dislikes is Sports Illustrated, and he has said that he would not work for them. This statement spans from a number of reasons.
“I’m not sure I can write for them from a pure talent standpoint,” he notes.
But he is referencing the SI that he wanted to contribute to when he was younger.
The quality of SI has also dropped over the years according to Doyel. Part of this presumption is attributed to the lay offs that the journalism realm is trying to withstand.
“What I dislike about Sports Illustrated is it used to be the best magazine in the world,” he explains. “It used to have 15 of the best writers in the country. I could write for Sports Illustrated now. I don’t want to read a magazine that I am good enough to write for. I want to read a magazine like the SI was when I was growing up.”
As a columnist Doyel also writes with a distinctly different swing than a magazine publication. He states his opinion, and his voice is always constant. In SI, there is a more narrative and descriptive approach.
“They tell you stories, where as I want to tell you what I think about stories,” he explains. “It’s a very egotistical way to write and self-centered, but I am good at it. I’ve got this natural voice that wants to be very antagonistic.”
Another obstacle SI and all sporting magazines face is timeliness. In an online age, a lot of people want their news and they want it right after it concludes. This is part of the reason why Doyel contributes to a website.
“They’re a weekly magazine, so Rick Rielly can tell me who won the Masters eight days ago. I already know that,” he points out.
Doyel says he would prefer reading about the event the same day it happens even if the quality isn’t as good.
ESPN The magazine has become the juggernaut that SI was in the late 20th century according to Doyel.
“ESPN has a staff of 60 while SI only has 15,” he notes.
Doyel attempts to distance himself from the similarities between him and Jay Mariotti. He talks with anger and a touch of hatred when mentioning his name.
“It’s an easy comparison because Jay Mariotti is a flamethrower and is always mad at somebody,” he explains. “I typically am a flamethrower too. It is also wrong because he is very gutless. From a long way away he throws his flames, where as I will go right up to them and tell them.”
He speaks openly and friendly, but sometimes a touch of passion and intensity will come out.
Doyel is prideful about the way he does business. He can handle criticism, but if you question the way he does his job, that’s when you bring out the inner beast.
“The difference between me and Mariotti is this, he plays a tough guy on TV,” he clearly states. “I am a tough guy. To be compared to him pisses me off.”
Doyel has rarely been spotted in public by a fan or critic.
“One time at a stupid gaming convention,” he remarks. “It took a dork at a gaming convention to recognize me.”
Tuesday, May 18
Tim Brown - Set to Appear at the Pinnacle of all Sports
By Hunter Tickel | The News Record
Roughly 8,400 miles away from the University of Cincinnati, former Bearcat Tim Brown received the news that he had been selected to New Zealand’s 2010 World Cup team.
“We had a domestic camp here in New Zealand and then I went to a big press conference and they named the team,” Brown said.
Brown was a Bearcat from 2000-03. He made 71 appearances and was a three-year starter. He earned a wealth of awards: academic All-American honors, All-Ohio, All-Conference USA and All-Region.
Brown credits his college soccer career at UC for molding him into the player he is today. The school provided him with a scholarship that paved the way for him to become a professional athlete on the world’s biggest stage.
“I don’t think I could have gotten here without playing at Cincinnati,” Brown said. “The way that we moved up as a soccer power in Cincinnati inspired me to take my game as far as I could.”
Brown will serve as vice captain of the national team, nicknamed the All Whites, a role he has served since 2007 and is still surreal to him.
“It’s a massive honor and something I try not to take for granted,” Brown said. “It’s something that I don’t think I ever thought would happen.”
New Zealand is an infant on the world stage, having failed to qualify for the World Cup in 28 years since the nation’s lone appearance. Brown will have plenty of butterflies as he steps on the field for his first tournament game of the world’s most-watched sport.
“I imagine there will be lots of nerves,” Brown said. “With privilege comes an awful lot of responsibility. It’s been [a while] since we last qualified for a World Cup and it’s a really important time for [soccer in] New Zealand.”
Brown has made 27 international appearances for New Zealand since his debut in 2004, but has yet to find the back of the net for his country.
“[Scoring at the World Cup] would be tremendous,” Brown said. “I think I’d lose it.”
Brown remains in touch with his former Bearcat teammates despite living on the other side of the planet and plans to attend former teammate Tom Weable’s wedding in the United States next year. Weable, along with three other former teammates, will travel to Brown’s matches at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Weable remembers one of Brown’s shining individual moments at UC. The Bearcats had a
kick-off after cross-town rival Xavier had scored and Brown noticed the Xavier goalkeeper was off his line after celebrating.
“He drove the ball 70 yards into the upper corner of the goal,” Weable said. “It was by far the best goal I have ever seen.”
Brown has played professionally in Australia’s A-League with the Wellington Phoenix since 2007, but says he misses the camaraderie he had with coaches and teammates at Cincinnati. Making the NCAA tournament in 2003 — his final season — was the highlight of his career as a Bearcat.
Brown and the All Whites will kick off their first of three opening-round games against Slovakia Tuesday, June 15, and can be seen on ESPN at 7 a.m.
Brown said within the squad there is a belief that New Zealand can advance past the group stage.
“I think it would be massive. We would shock the world,” Brown said. “There is a quiet confidence we can pull it off.”
Friday, April 16
Thursday, March 25
College Basketball's Hoosiers
The college basketball season began in November with 347 potential national champions, but following the conclusion of March Madness only one team will be left standing.
That team might just be the Butler Bulldogs.
The No. 12 Bulldogs are winners of 19 straight, the longest active winning streak in the nation.
The Bulldogs have a recent history of success in the NCAA Tournament. In 2003 and 2007 Butler advanced to the Sweet 16, knocking off the likes of Mississippi State, Maryland and Louisville.
Butler is no stranger to college basketball’s biggest stage, having appeared in the tournament five times in the last nine years. It will be making its fourth consecutive appearance this year.
Butler has become an elite program. In the last 10 years Butler has had eight seasons with at least 20 wins, has been ranked every year since the 2006-07 season and has been nearly unbeatable at Hinkle Fieldhouse posting a 71-6 record in its last 77 games.
No other team in the nation has been as consistent and successful as Butler in the last four years. The Bulldogs have gone 112-21 during that period.
Winning is the only thing current Butler players know how to do.
Butler does not play in a power conference, but it can no longer be considered a ‘Cinderella’ nor a mid-major.
This season the Bulldogs have quality wins over Ohio State and Xavier. Butler was also the only team in the nation to go unbeaten in conference play.
Sophomore forward Gordon Hayward leads Butler in three statistical categories; points per game with 15, average rebounds per game at eight and in blocks at 0.8 a game.
He is 6’9” and 207 pounds but he handles the ball like a point guard, has the range of a shooting guard and understands the fundamentals of basketball.
Hayward defies the laws of physics on the basketball court; rarely do you come across a player like him.
Experts are recognizing the talent that the Horizon League Player of the Year possesses.
Former Coach Bob Knight, the record holder for career wins, mentions in his TV broadcasts, that Hayward utilizes the pump fake to shoot over defenders, a move that few players use.
Purdue and Indiana both passed on the young prospect, a move both Big Ten powers undoubtedly regret.
Another Bulldog, sophomore guard Shelvin Mack, joined Hayward last summer on the USA Men’s U19 World Championship team.
Mack is second on the team in points, steals and assists.
These two players have the chemistry, leadership and experience to lead Butler to its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Many ESPN analysts in the preseason said Butler was a legit Final Four candidate, which goes to show how talented this team is and how high the bar has been set for the program.
It will be considered a disappointment for Butler if it doesn’t at least advance to the Sweet 16.
The small school with an enrollment of 4,200 located in Indianapolis, the site of the national championship, has the potential to hoist the trophy at the end of another long college basketball season.
That team might just be the Butler Bulldogs.
The No. 12 Bulldogs are winners of 19 straight, the longest active winning streak in the nation.
The Bulldogs have a recent history of success in the NCAA Tournament. In 2003 and 2007 Butler advanced to the Sweet 16, knocking off the likes of Mississippi State, Maryland and Louisville.
Butler is no stranger to college basketball’s biggest stage, having appeared in the tournament five times in the last nine years. It will be making its fourth consecutive appearance this year.
Butler has become an elite program. In the last 10 years Butler has had eight seasons with at least 20 wins, has been ranked every year since the 2006-07 season and has been nearly unbeatable at Hinkle Fieldhouse posting a 71-6 record in its last 77 games.
No other team in the nation has been as consistent and successful as Butler in the last four years. The Bulldogs have gone 112-21 during that period.
Winning is the only thing current Butler players know how to do.
Butler does not play in a power conference, but it can no longer be considered a ‘Cinderella’ nor a mid-major.
This season the Bulldogs have quality wins over Ohio State and Xavier. Butler was also the only team in the nation to go unbeaten in conference play.
Sophomore forward Gordon Hayward leads Butler in three statistical categories; points per game with 15, average rebounds per game at eight and in blocks at 0.8 a game.
He is 6’9” and 207 pounds but he handles the ball like a point guard, has the range of a shooting guard and understands the fundamentals of basketball.
Hayward defies the laws of physics on the basketball court; rarely do you come across a player like him.
Experts are recognizing the talent that the Horizon League Player of the Year possesses.
Former Coach Bob Knight, the record holder for career wins, mentions in his TV broadcasts, that Hayward utilizes the pump fake to shoot over defenders, a move that few players use.
Purdue and Indiana both passed on the young prospect, a move both Big Ten powers undoubtedly regret.
Another Bulldog, sophomore guard Shelvin Mack, joined Hayward last summer on the USA Men’s U19 World Championship team.
Mack is second on the team in points, steals and assists.
These two players have the chemistry, leadership and experience to lead Butler to its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Many ESPN analysts in the preseason said Butler was a legit Final Four candidate, which goes to show how talented this team is and how high the bar has been set for the program.
It will be considered a disappointment for Butler if it doesn’t at least advance to the Sweet 16.
The small school with an enrollment of 4,200 located in Indianapolis, the site of the national championship, has the potential to hoist the trophy at the end of another long college basketball season.
Monday, March 15
March Madness
http://issuu.com/newsrecord/docs/tnr_-_3.15.10/7
My take on the Midwest region of the NCAA Tournament.
My take on the Midwest region of the NCAA Tournament.
Saturday, February 27
Thursday, February 25
Saturday, February 13
Cats Claw Out Huskies Heart
Valentines Day weekend represents the turning point in an up and down season for the Cincinnati Bearcats. While you may have been spent the holiday enjoying company with a special someone and an expensive dinner, I was taking in the single life and watching as my Bearcats captured a signature road win versus Connecticut.
All the pre-game hype was about Hall of Fame Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun, who was making his return from a three-week leave of absence due to health problems. The Huskies were under the microscope because of a mid-season slump, having dropped four out of their last five. This traditional powerhouse has not lived up to its billing with three future NBA draft picks currently on the team; Kemba Walker, Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson. Experts were discussing UConn’s likelihood of missing out on the tournament throughout the week.
But what about the Bearcats? The Huskies are America’s team but is there really that little interest in UC? Cincinnati is in the home stretch of their quest to make their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2005. Senior guard Deonta Vaughn has shouldered the burden of UC’s rebuilding process for four years; how can you not root for him to make his first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Let me bring you up to speed on Cincinnati’s current tournament resume. The Bearcats have two quality wins against Maryland and Vanderbilt, both locks to make the field. They also beat bubble teams Notre Dame, South Florida and swept Connecticut.
Cincinnati (15-9, 6-6 Big East) is No. 52 in CollegeRPI.com and currently sits in the middle of a crowded, bubble heavy Big East. To this point in the season, UC has played average. It doesn’t have any terrible losses, just a couple bad ones against Seton Hall and St. John’s on the road. The main problem is they don’t have any signature wins versus top-25 opponents and are currently 2-6 on the road.
Saturday’s win is convincing to the selection committee because they swept a fellow bubble team and they did it on the road. A lot of Cincinnati students had written them off prior to the game. They had dropped three of their last four games, but the Bearcats are not that far out of the field. The loss against Syracuse officially put the Bearcats on the outside looking in. There are still plenty of opportunities to play our way in, which the reason why the Bearcats made the move to the Big East.
The Bearcats have a huge match up on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at South Florida where they hope to knock them off for a second time. They have a chance to create some separation from the bubble teams in the conference. It is no longer a must win game because of the win at UConn . They then face Marquette at home, which is another bubble team, and UC has to protect their home court. The biggest game left on UC’s schedule is home game on Mar. 2 against Villanova. The Bearcats can officially quiet all critics who say they are not worthy of being in the field of 65 with a win versus No. 4 Villanova. Look for UC to split its remaining six games and be dancing come March.
Sunday, January 17
Donovan can lead US to World Cup run
Tickel Yer' Fancy
By Hunter Tickel | The News Record
Published: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Landon Donovan, the greatest American-born soccer player, set foot on an English pitch at Emirates Stadium Saturday, Jan. 9, in his Premier League debut.
The 27 year old is playing at the highest level of his career. Against Arsenal on Saturday, Donovan didn’t resemble the same player that had failed to impress fans in his three previous stints in Europe.
Donovan finally caught a break with Everton, as he was given a chance to start his first game in arguably the world’s best league.
Donovan played inspiring soccer against Arsenal, a world powerhouse. He assisted on Everton’s first goal in the 12th minute with a perfect delivery off a corner kick.
He played with pace, helped his teammates on defense and, most importantly, he played with the same confidence and swagger he showed when playing in America.
His efforts contributed toward Everton earning its first tie against Arsenal since 1996.
But Donovan isn’t the only American on Everton making his presence felt.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard was recently named by the team as one of the top-12 Everton players of the decade, and he continues to prove that he is one of the best goalkeepers in soccer.
Howard could start for any team in the world, but U.S. fans will be fortunate enough to have him starting for their team come June.
We’re just five months away from this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. Not every player’s spot on the U.S team is secured, and several players currently playing abroad are still looking to earn their place on the national team.
Clint Dempsey shouldn’t have too much to worry about.
The Fulham midfielder is currently tied for the top scorer on the team with six goals, one shy of the 10th leading scorer in the league. He was the only goal scorer for the U.S. at the last World Cup, and even more will be expected from him this summer.
Jozy Altidore, a forward for Hull City, has cemented his place in the starting lineup with his club as expected, but it may not be enough for him to get significant minutes in the World Cup. He has yet to score in 15 league games.
Midfielder Stuart Holden has a crucial decision to make after finishing up his contract with Houston, making him a free transfer for European teams. There are rumors circulating that Rangers in Scotland is interested, but if he cannot get playing time immediately, he would be better served to stay in the United States for the time being.
Many players in Europe are making a late push to make the cut for the U.S. team. The determining factor will be whether or not these players can get a regular playing team with their clubs leading up to the World Cup.
An American duo, midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu is currently playing for Rangers.
Beasley saw a huge drop off in form with Rangers last year and has not made an appearance for the U.S. national team since last summer, but as of late he has
re-emerged with two goals and four assists in his last five games with Rangers.
I’m guaranteeing right now that Beasley will make the U.S. national team and start at least one game in the World Cup.
Edu made his return to soccer in December after a knee injury sidelined him for seven months. If he plays at the level he was performing at before the injury, not only will he make the team, he will be starting for the United States.
If there is one American whose bubble is close to bursting, however, it’s the talented - yet disappointing - midfielder Freddy Adu.
Adu was once dubbed the most talented young player in the world and the savior of
U.S. soccer, but he has failed to be consistent.
Adu is on his third loan in as many years, this time with Aris, of Greece. If he is unable to break into the first team, Adu may be out of options. A to return to the states may be in order if this loan fails.
American players are sprinkled all over Europe and, playing time or not, it has to be a positive sign for U.S. soccer moving forward. With some of America’s best players making their presence felt across Europe, I like our chances against Europe’s and the rest of the world’s national teams this summer in South Africa.
Thursday, January 7
Impressions on Bearcats win over Cal State Bakersfield
The Bearcats blew out the roadrunners and sent them crawling back to California like they were supposed to.
But wait isn't this the first week of January? Why is UC playing a team that are in their first year of division one play, three games into conference play?
First and foremost, UC had problems scheduling their last non-conference home game. One because any elite school is sane enough to know they do not want to play UC at the Shoemaker Center, excuse me Fifth Third Arena. Secondly head coach Mick Cronin did not want to schedule another game around Christmas time.
The game actually turned out to be more of positive than I thought it would be. This year's team is the deepest squad since the Bob Huggin's days. With that said, this team is also very young and has a lot to learn. Freshman Cashmere Wright for instance has gotten little playing time this season and probably would have started last year if he hadn't gotten hurt, but that was when he was our only point guard. Freshman Jaquon Parker was supposed to be his back up but has not gotten those minutes because Vaughn played point last year and feels comfortable there now.
Last night was a chance to give these boys minutes in a game at the mid-season point. Parker played 15 minutes and was 3-5 from three. Wright played 23 minutes, the most since Vaughn was moved back to point guard and after only playing 17 minutes in the last three games combined. Fan favorite center Anthony "Biggie" McClain played a season high and an efficient 13 minutes. He was 4-5 from the field with eight points and eight rebounds.
Cronin played a total of 13 players, including the first ever minutes for local boy Alex Eppensteiner from Elder. More importantly it allowed Cronin to rest Vaughn, Stephenson and Gates who all played under 18 minutes. That off the heels of those three players collectively playing 100 minutes against Pitt.
This game will pay off in late February and March when players starting feeling the grind of playing some many minutes. This game was more than just another 29 point win against a small school.
But wait isn't this the first week of January? Why is UC playing a team that are in their first year of division one play, three games into conference play?
First and foremost, UC had problems scheduling their last non-conference home game. One because any elite school is sane enough to know they do not want to play UC at the Shoemaker Center, excuse me Fifth Third Arena. Secondly head coach Mick Cronin did not want to schedule another game around Christmas time.
The game actually turned out to be more of positive than I thought it would be. This year's team is the deepest squad since the Bob Huggin's days. With that said, this team is also very young and has a lot to learn. Freshman Cashmere Wright for instance has gotten little playing time this season and probably would have started last year if he hadn't gotten hurt, but that was when he was our only point guard. Freshman Jaquon Parker was supposed to be his back up but has not gotten those minutes because Vaughn played point last year and feels comfortable there now.
Last night was a chance to give these boys minutes in a game at the mid-season point. Parker played 15 minutes and was 3-5 from three. Wright played 23 minutes, the most since Vaughn was moved back to point guard and after only playing 17 minutes in the last three games combined. Fan favorite center Anthony "Biggie" McClain played a season high and an efficient 13 minutes. He was 4-5 from the field with eight points and eight rebounds.
Cronin played a total of 13 players, including the first ever minutes for local boy Alex Eppensteiner from Elder. More importantly it allowed Cronin to rest Vaughn, Stephenson and Gates who all played under 18 minutes. That off the heels of those three players collectively playing 100 minutes against Pitt.
This game will pay off in late February and March when players starting feeling the grind of playing some many minutes. This game was more than just another 29 point win against a small school.
Sunday, January 3
Cats 2-0 in Big East, Big Monday next
Hunter Tickel | The News RecordThe University of Cincinnati men’s team is almost halfway through its season, but the daunting Big East schedule has just begun.
UC knocked off in-state rival Miami just as students were leaving for break.
Then came the Crosstown Shootout at the Cintas Center against Xavier. The Bearcats dropped a double-overtime thriller against the Muskies 83-79.
Then UC hit the road to play the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Bearcats couldn’t keep up and UAB won by 17, handing the Bearcats their second-consecutive loss.
“We have played a tougher schedule,” said head coach Mick Cronin. “Who in the Big East played back-to-back road games against Xavier and UAB? We played three great neutral site games. We have already shown that our guys will compete at a high level.”
UC returned home and easily took care of Lipscomb and Winthrop just before Christmas in the final tune ups before Big East play.
Then came a season highlight when the Cats opened conference play in Fifth Third Arena in front of more than 10,000 fans with a 71-69 victory against No. 10 Connecticut. Freshman guard Lance Stephenson won the game when he knocked down two free throws with .7 seconds remaining giving UC its third win of the season against a top-25 team.
The Bearcats maintained momentum when they traveled to New Jersey for the final game of Winter break to face Rutgers.
Despite being down five points at halftime, UC rallied and beat the Scarlet Knights
65-58.
The bench made all the difference against Rutgers, scoring 34 points versus 31 points from the starters.
“That was the difference in the game, our second unit came in the game and got us the lead,” Cronin said. “We went from down to tied or down to up. The bench takes effect now, here on out for the rest of the season.”
The win gave UC (10-3, 2-0 Big East) a share of first place in the conference and matched the school’s best start in league play since 2005-06.
“We’re a team that is recruited to be a big strong, athletic team,” Cronin said. “We have to play that way. We’re as big and strong as any team in America.”
Next up, the Cats will be featured on ESPN’s Big Monday. First place in the Big East will be up for grabs when Pittsburgh (12-2, 2-0) comes to Fifth Third Arena, 7 p.m., Jan. 4.
Pittsburgh enters Monday’s game fresh off a 10-point win at then undefeated Syracuse. A win would give the Bearcats its first 3-0 start in the Big East.
“For three years since I got the job, it’s the chicken and the egg when you’re trying to rebuild a program and they don’t want to put you on Big Monday,” Cronin said. “I have been lobbying and fighting hard to the conference office to get Big Monday and the eyes of the basketball world on Monday night will be on Fifth Third Arena so we need to pack the arena.”
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