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Sunday, December 28, 2008

BIG EAST ROSTER UPDATE: CINCINNATI

INCOMING TRANSFER ALERT: Ibrahima Thomas, 6-foot-11 C from Oklahoma State

Not long after receiving his release from Oklahoma State, 6'11 big man Ibrahima Thomas has found a new home after a recent visit to Cincinnati. The Ex-Oklahoma State Big Man Chooses the Big East School (FoxSports.com), according to a source close to Thomas.

Projected 2009-2010 Roster:

Seniors: Mike Williams* (PF), Deonta Vaughn (PG), Steven Toyloy (C/BF)
Juniors: Larry Davis (SG), Rashad Bishop (G/F), Kenny Belton (F/C), Alvin Mitchell (G/F), Anthony McClain (C), Darnell Wilks (F)
Sophomores: Yancy Gates (BF), Dion Dixon (G), John Riek** (C), Ibrahima Thomas ***(C)
Freshmen: Sean Kilpatrick (G), Cashmere Wright**** (PG)

*- There is a possibility Mike Williams can petition the NCAA for a sixth season of eligibility because he missed the 2006-2007 season as a transfer student from Texas and the 2007-2008 season due to injury.

**- John Riek remains a verbal commitment to UC, but as of 12/29/2008 he is still awaiting clearance from the NCAA to be eligible for a scholarship to enroll at Cincinnati

***- a transfer from Oklahoma State, Ibrahima Thomas will sit out the spring (09) and fall (09) semesters and be eligible in December of 2009. He will have 2 1/2 tears of eligibility.

****- Cashmere tore an ACL in the fall of 2008 and is sitting out the 2008-2009 season as a medical redshirt. He will have four years of eligibility beginning in 2009-2010




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The scholarship situation for Mick Cronin and his Cincinnati Bearcats is a little unclear with a potential waiver for Mike Williams to apply for to receive a 6th year from the NCAA. Williams can apply for a 6th season after the 2008-2009 year, if granted, the Bearcats can potentially return all 13 players for 2009-2010. Of course, that number of 13 is assuming John Riek (see below) ends up enrolling at UC.

However, the latest addition in mid-year Oklahoma State transfer Ibrahima Thomas throws a little more uncertainty into the picture. First of all, UC had 12 scholarship players on their current roster with the 13th and final spot seemingly being held for Riek, who is still waiting for NCAA clearance of his academic record to be eligible to receive a college scholarship. Now, Riek seems to be out of the Bearcat mix for 2008-2009 as Thomas would receive the 13th and final scholarship.

Thomas had played in seven games for Okie State this season, averaging 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in a little over 20 minutes a contest. As a freshman Thomas averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds a game playing in 33 contests. He had a career high of 19 last year against Texas and scored 18 in a game earlier this season against Tulsa. Even though Thomas stands at 6-foot-11, he is not afraid to step outside and shoot from the three-point arc (made 11 last season). He is not a physical player, but there is definitely a lot to work with as he has room to grow his game more.

The native of Dakar, Senegal had prepped at Stoneridge Prep in California before signing with the Cowboys and coach Sean Sutton. After playing in seven games under new coach Travis Ford this year, Thomas decided to look for a new school and settled on Cincinnati quickly, despite interest from Rutgers and others.

Even with the uncertainty of scholarships, the Bearcats received a quality commitment this fall when Notre Dame Prep guard Sean Kilpatrick made a commitment following a visit to the school back in October.

Kilpatrick was a hot commodity last spring among Big East schools as he attempted to become eligible after his senior season at White Plains (NY) High School where he was an offensive machine, lighting up the scoreboard on many occasions and often in front of college coaches. Kilpatrick made a brief verbal commitment to St. John's at one point in the recruiting process and also has had Providence high on his list of interested schools, but after a visit to UC this past weekend, he felt it was time to end the recruiting process. Next up is a commitment to his academics to make certain there are no more hold-ups in getting his college career going. Kilpatrick was an AAU teammate of SU freshman Mookie Jones and WVU frosh Kevin Jones with the Westchester Hawks.

John Riek took the college basketball recruiting scene by storm in July of 2007 with a breakout performance at the Lebron James Skills Academy. Immediately following that performance the NBA Draft talk began to surface and a literal tug-of-war for his services began between those at Our Savior New American in Long Island and people trying to get him to the Winchendon School in New England. Eventually, Riek ended up at the Winchendon School where he played sparingly late in the season due to injuries. The injuries also hampered him greatly at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp as Riek still pursued his goal of being drafted this past June in the NBA Draft, but he ended up pulling out prior to the draft.

Several things still cloud Riek's future with the Bearcats and when (or if) it will begin. First was the matter of the SAT (or ACT) test to become eligible for the Bearcats, which Riek reportedly received a qualifying score. Those close to Riek believed the NCAA Clearinghouse will allow his transcripts, but that has yet to happen for Riek to enter UC on a scholarship. Coach Byrnes at Winchendon acknowledged that Riek's English had a ways to go for him to foresee Riek being able to tackle the SAT's successfully. As of October 10th, Riek Will Miss the First Semester (ZagsBlog.net) at UC because a qualifying standardized test score had not been posted in time to allow him to enroll for the first semester. Riek still hoped to enroll in December, but the addition of Thomas seems to indicate that it was not going to happen. Now, a scholarship would have to open between now and the 2009-2010 season for Riek to join UC if Williams gets his medical waiver.

Secondly, and an area likely to see the NCAA look very closely at, is the state of his amateur status. Riek burst onto the scene in Akron last summer (a performance he has yet to duplicate since) and he seems to have been pulled in every direction since, with it always being the intention of finding the shortest route to the NBA. A Hoops on Hoops blog piece by Dick 'Hoops' Weiss in early July took a look at the Riek situation, calling it a 'cautionary' tale about a young 7-footer who "went to IMG in Florida to work out, signed with an agent and became a major disappointment at the Orlando pre-draft camp." So, you can see where the question in that story comes, as Weiss indicates Riek 'signed' with an agent. It is possible 'Hoops' was just assuming that the move to IMG and the declaration for the draft was a process lined up by an agent, but in any event, expect the NCAA to look closely into this.

Mick Cronin is adding talent and depth to the UC program with very good recruiting. These factors are certain to increase the college basketball odds of seeing the Bearcats challenge for a spot in March Madness in the near future under coach Cronin.


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Friday, December 05, 2008

ISLAND REWARD FOR CINCINATTI

December 5, 2008


Life is good for members, and fans, of the Cincinnati football program. Not only will they get to spend New Years in Florida playing in the Orange bowl as the Big East's BCS representative for winning the conference title, but they get to spend an early December weekend in Hawaii closing their regular season against the Rainbows.

Hawaii has left the island and has played powerhouses such as Florida, Oregon State and Boise State (all losses) already this year, so this is the first time they will welcome a nationally ranked foe to the 50th state this season.

The Bearcats (6-1, 10-2) look to cap their tremendous regular season with a reward for their players, but the work is not done. Do not expect UC head coach Brian Kelly, who will be in much demand these coming weeks, to allow any letdown. The Bearcats defense will be put to the test, but they have been able to pass them throughout the season.

The NCAA Football Odds list UC as a 7 1/2 point favorite in a game of teams with differentiating styles. The Bearcats will be playing for conference pride, but this game has all the makings of one too close for comfort.

Prediction:

Cincinnati 34
Hawaii 31

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