CINCINNATI 2007-2008 SNAPSHOT

May 2, 2007


Head Coach: Mick Cronin
2006-2007 Record: 11-19 (2-14 in Big East)

Returning Players:
John Williamson, Senior (Forward)
Marvin Gentry, Senior (Guard)
Jamaul Warren, Senior (Guard)
Marcus Sikes, Senior (Forward)
Deonta Vaughn, Sophomore (Guard)

Eligible Transfers:
Mike Williams, Junior (Forward)
Adam Hrycaniuk, Senior (Center)

Incoming Recruits:
Larry Davis (Guard)
Rashad Bishop (Guard/Forward)
Kenny Belton (Forward/Center)
Jason Henry (Forward)
Anthony McClain (Center)
Alvin Mitchell (Small Forward)

Graduated Players:
Cedric McGowan
Ronald Allen

Transferred Out:
Tim Crowell


Open Issues:
Cincinnati currently has used their full allotment of scholarships (13) for the 2007-2008 season. There are no players testing the NBA waters and all the recruits are signed.

Summary:
It has been quite a ride DOWN for the Cincinnati Bearcat program. In the last 24 months they moved from Conference USA, had three head coaches (Bob Huggins, Andy Kennedy and Mick Cronin) and went from an NCAA team, to an NIT team to a team that did not even make their conference tournament last season.

In his 12 months as head coach at UC, Mick Cronin has been working diligently in re-stocking the program. Another eight new players will suit up next season for the Bearcats and since the last game under Andy Kennedy in the 2006 NIT, the ENTIRE roster has turned over. In fact, Mick Cronin has secured 17 commitments in 12 months on the job (counting Tim Crowell and two commitments for 2008 and one in 2009)! That is quite a bit or work on the recruiting front.

After finishing their first season at 2-14 in the Big East under Cronin, the Bearcats will be looking for much improvement in the 2007-2008 season. It is going to be interesting to see how all these new players mesh together. The Bearcats seemed to find ways to lose games last year and were often severely overmatched in the Big East when it came to the size and physical nature of the conference. Through recruiting and transfers the Bearcats will be much more ready to battle in the Big East next year and they have also continued to upgrade the athleticism of their team which should allow them to play Cronin's preferred style for the full 40 minutes.

The Bearcats will definitely be improved next season and could push for .500 in the conference if everyone meshes well quickly. I am concerned that they still lack a true PG to run the show consistently and their young frontline will have to mature physically in a hurry, but Mick Cronin has his team headed in the right direction and a bid to the NIT next season is a very realistic goal after the mess they were in last season.