CINCINNATI TOPS XAVIER IN CROSSTOWN RIVALRY

Bearcats snap three-game series slide to city rival, now 15-0 on season

While the sports news around the country is fixated on this weekend's NFL Playoff match-ups, fans in Cincinnati have a different topic of conversation. The 15-0 Cincinnati Bearcats.


Last night the Bearcats matched the 1998-1999 team with the second-best start in school history with a 66-46 drubbing of rival Xavier in the annual rivalry game before a crowd of more than 13,000 which included Cincinnati baseball legend Pete Rose at Fifth Third Arena. Local product Yancy Gates led the home team with 22 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

“More proud of the win," said Gates afterwards when asked about his performance. "If I had to choose (between points or rebounds), it would be the rebounds. Down the stretch that was the key of keeping them off the glass. At halftime, we were down 2 or 3 on the boards. We wanted to come out at half and change that.”

Cincinnati used full court pressure, which turned Xavier over 17 times, and a strong performance on the glass, outrebounding their opponent 36-29 for the game, as key factors of UC ending their three-game losing streak in the series to the Musketeers. However it was the play of Gates that had his coach most proud afterwards.

"Yancy decided it was time to win the Crosstown Shootout," said Mick Cronin. "The more we got him the ball; the more we got separation. Made them defend him more inside and got us to the free throw lane. He was definitely the difference.”


The Bearcats got off to a slow start and a Jamel McLean put-back basket gave Xavier a 10-4 lead with 13:38 left in the half and UC went scoreless for a 5:20 stretch that was broken by a Dion Dixon basket with 11:46 left in the half. This started a 22-5 run where Cincinnati took a lead they would never relinquish and when Gates scored with 2:35 left in the half, the lead was 11, 26-15. Gates scored 8 points in the run.

The Musketeers would chip away at the lead and another McLean basket would pull them within five points, 35-30 with 15:05 left in the second half. UC answered with 11 consecutive points to take their biggest advantage of the night, to that point, of 16 points, 46-30 with 12:38 left on a Larry Davis three-pointer. The score would never be closer than 13 points again as the Bearcats put away the game on the way to the 66-46 victory.

Dion Dixon added 16 points and 9 rebounds while Cashmere Wright scored 10, making all eight of his free throw attempts. As a team UC was 15 of 16 from the line on the night.

Tu Holloway, the Musketeers’ leading scorer at 21.3 points per game, managed only five on 2-of-13 shooting. As this game often does, it got physical and tempers flared a bit as Holloway was issued a technical for an elbow.

"They were a tough physical team," said Holloway. "They made it hard to get to the easy baskets. They were just a physical team."

Cronin credited his team's maturity this year in not getting caught up in the environment and keeping their cool, unlike some times in the past in the rivalry.

“Something happened at the other end that no one retaliated and we got the advantage," said Cronin. "I told our guys in pregame that everything we’ve talked about in maturity would be shown tonight.”

The Bearcats were also able to use their depth with the fullcourt pressure and players are sticking to their assignments defensively, another sign of the maturation of the team and program under Cronin.

"The thing about pressing is if you can throw them off their rhythm, Tu Halloway missing free throws because he is tired," pointed Cronin to a key element of his game plan. "The strength is our depth and we can run teams down and it shortens the shot clock. It stops them from possibly running a play that the coach calls. It’s a little easier to do it when you have a veteran team, and that is the luxury I have this year.”

Now the veteran club will face the toughest test of all in a difficult spot, heading to the Pavilion to face top-10 Villanova on Sunday in a building where the Wildcats have won 44 straight. Cronin hopes his big man is ready to bring his game once again.

"I have to point out to him that he has to do that again on Sunday and we have to get him the ball when he decides to dominate the paint on offense," said Cronin.

Sunday should be a good one. You can never let up in the BIG EAST as the next challenge is right around the corner. Even when your 15-0!

CINCINNATI REMAINS UNBEATEN...LOOKING FOR RESPECT!

Cincinnati continued their hot start by blasting Georgia Southern Tuesday night at Fifth Third Arena by the score of 99-54. The Bearcats improved to 9-0 on the season with the victory.

"Probably the best game we’ve played for forty minutes and as well as we played against Dayton," said coach Mick Cronin. "We defended until the buzzer against Dayton, but tonight we played offense and defense."

The Bearcats raced out of the gates once again, leading 8-2 at the start and never looking back, grabbing a 50-23 lead at the half and keeping the pedal to the medal all game. Six players scored in double figures and the team was credited with 26 assists on 35 made field goals against just nine turnovers, showing a new dedication to sharing the basketball this season.

“A lot of that has to do with the guys in the locker room taking ownership of why we lost close games last year," Cronin said following the game. "Because of what we went thru together, it has made them better. Now they are easier to coach because they understand the things they did wrong that cost us some games and the NCAA Tournament."

With Deonta Vaughn and Lance Stephenson in the backcourt last season expectations where high for UC last season. However they struggled in close games and the heralded duo never seemed to gel on the court. Things seem different this season, but the coach believes it has more to do with who they have and how they have matured than what they lost.

"It's not Lance and Deonta being gone; its guys taking ownership," Cronin said of the team chemistry. "Rome wasn’t built in a day. It isn’t an overnight process for every team.”

On Tuesday night, Rashad Bishop, Yancy Gates, Dion Dixon and Ibrahima Thomas all scored a team-high 12 points while Larry Davis (11 points) and Sean Kilpatrick (10) also came off the bench to reach double figures. Point guard Cashmere Wright set the tone with a stat-line of nine points and seven assists against just one turnover and remarked after the game about the balanced effort of the team this season.

“I think it makes it easier knowing that anyone on the floor can score, said Wrigth. "You aren’t referring to one person. Anyone that is open you can throw the ball to, and they will make the shot.”

UC shot 56% from the field and held a healthy advantage on the glass. Still, at 9-0, UC is not getting much attention for their hot start. Their win over Dayton opened some eyes, but the pollsters and fans have not seemed to buy into the impressive start yet. Last night a crowd of just 4,523 showed up to see the contest.

“We stay focused on winning games, getting better, and improving," Cronin said. "I choose to focus on the people that come to games, and we appreciate that. We keep trying to give them a good show.”

The preseason rankings and current Top 25 polls are also things that the players and coaches are using as motivation tools to keep working hard and improving, as chances to impress more skeptics are ahead.

“A lot of people aren’t giving us as much respect," said Yancy Gates. "It doesn’t bother us but we notice it. It helps us stay focused on what we are trying to do. We feel that if we keep playing with high intensity and with energy, we’ll get some of the respect that we deserve.”

"That’s the great thing about it is that we will get our chance," added Cronin. "The longer we stay unranked, it bothers them, and I can use that.”

This Saturday the Bearcats can add a 'name' school to their resume when Cincinnati travels to the Ford Center in Oklahoma City to meet the Oklahoma Sooners for a 9 pm tip time. It will be a good test ahead of the Big East schedule which begins later this month.

--game quotes courtesy of www.gobearcats.com

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NO. 25 CINCINNATI FALLS AT UAB, 64-47

Following the emotional and intense crosstown shootout loss Sunday night at rival Xaiver, seeing a letdown of sorts from Cincinnati Wednesday night when they faces UAB was expected. However, this effort was more than a letdown as the Bearcats Suffer a Setback at UAB (Cincinnati Enquirer) in a 64-47 loss.

The Bearcats can almost certainly kiss good-bye their top 25 ranking and head coach Mick Cronin does not want to hear any excuses because of their previous game.

“One team was humble and hungry to win,” said UC coach Mick Cronin following the game in the Enquirer. “The other team was overconfident and uninterested.”

UAB Had Something to Prove Against No. 25 UC (Birmingham News) as the Blazers raced out to a 34-19 halftime lead and outrebounded the Bearcats 29-14 in the opening 20 minutes.

“We played like we had no energy,” Cronin told the Enquirer. “Whether that comes from Sunday night, we’d better grow up because we play in a conference where you’ve got to play tough games every game.”

Cincinnati, now 6-3, closes out their pre-conference schedule with Lipscomb and Winthrop at home before hosting Connecticut on December 30th to open Big East play.

Before conference play begins, UC will need to find a way to get senior Deonta Vaughn playing better. After struggling in the loss at Xavier Sunday night, Vaughn was just 2-9 from the field against UAB and committed five turnovers. After averaging over 15 points a game in his first three years as a Bearcat, Vaughn is averaging just 10 points a game this year and seeing his shooting percentages drop to career lows as well. If UC is going to challenge in the Big East like many believe they can, Deonta Vaughn will need to be producing at, or near, his previous levels.

Dion Dixon led UC with 13 points in the loss at UAB as the entire Bearcat club struggled offensively. Cincinnati shot just 32% (19-61) from the field in the game and 3-22 from three-point range. Add in 17 turnovers and it was a recipe for disaster for the Bearcats.

CINCINNATI FALLS IN EMOTIONAL CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT CLASSIC

There has been a lot of exciting battles in the crosstown shootout between Cincinnati and Xavier over the years. In a rivalry that has seemed to have lost some luster in recent seasons, last night's game might have brought the emotions back as Tempers Flare Like Crosstown Shootouts of Old (Cincinnati Enquirer) before the Musketeers pull off the upset in double overtime, 83-79.

Pushing, shoving and two technical fouls made for a tense atmosphere after Xavier’s Jordan Crawford and UC’s Rashad Bishop got into a scrum with just over seven minutes left in the first half, and each drew a technical foul.

Seconds after the dust-up, Bishop had to be restrained from going after Crawford. A few minutes later, both teams nearly went at it at midcourt during a TV timeout.

After emotions simmered, a classic of a basketball game ensued as 12 ties, nine lead changes and two overtimes followed. Cincinnati rallied in regulation to force OT as Lance Stephenson again showed his enormous potential with a game tying drive to the basket in the final seconds. In overtime, Xavier Rallies to Send Crosstown Shootout into First Ever Double Overtime (Cincinnati Enquirer) before X outscored the Bearcats 9-5 in the second OT.

The big difference in the game was from the foul line. Xavier was 28 of 36 from the stripe while UC was a poor 10-22. Also, Immaturity Helps Doom the Bearcats (CNati.com) as Mick Cronin's team lost their cool and focus. Stephenson glared down the Xavier bench, repeatedly jawed with Musketeers players, found himself in the middle of an altercation and even spent time talking at Musketeers coach Chris Mack, at least according to XU coach in CNati.com.

"True toughness is dealing with the environment and winning the game," Cronin told CNati.com.

It is a lesson for the Bearcats, one that will serve them well, despite the loss, once the Big East battles begin later this month.

Stephenson finished with 22 points for UC. Yancy Gates came off the bench to score 18 in 40 minutes and Deonta Vaughn added 13. Vaughn, however, was just six of 19 from the floor and one of seven from three-point range. He finishes his Crosstown Shootout career with a 1-3 record against XU as the Musketeers have now won three in a row in the series.

RANKED BEARCATS PLEASE COACH IN WIN, FANS DISAPPOINT

Cincinnati played like the nationally ranked team they are on Tuesday night as Mick cronin's team shot 57% fromt he floor, outrebounded Texas Southern 47-25 and placed seven players in double figures in a 94-57 rout at Fifth Third Arena.

The win uppded UC's record to 5-1 as they head into a nine-day break before returning to action against Miami (OH) on December 10th. On Tuesday, Depth Shined for #22 UC (CNATI.com) as Rashad Bishop (14) and Dion Dixon (13) led the seven players reaching double figures. Freshman phenon Lance Stephenson was not one of the seven in double figures, scoring just seven points himself, but he led the Bearcats with 11 rebounds and 7 assists in the contest.

Still, even with the easy win, a coach needs to find something to be unhappy about. However, Mick Cronin was not upset with his team, instead Cronin was Disappointed in the Fans (CNATI.com) as 6,825 showed up to see No. 22 Cincinnati.

Former UC star Nick Van Exel had a good view of the action and received a rousing ovation from the UC fans that did show. Van Exel is a first-year assistant coach with Texas Southern and last night watched as his alma mater UC Breezed Past Texas Southern (Cincinnati Enquirer) for the win.

BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: CINCINNATI

August 28, 2009

Commitment Alert: Justin Jackson, 6-foot-8, 210-lb power forward out of Montverde (FL) Academy

Earlier this week Cincinnati and Mick Cronin picked up their first commitment for the class of 2010 with the news that Justin Jackson, a Power Forward, Chooses the Bearcats (Cincinnati Enquirer)over Missouri.

Projected 2010-2011 Roster:

Seniors: Larry Davis (SG), Rashad Bishop (G/F), Anthony McClain (C), Darnell Wilks (F)
Juniors: Yancy Gates (BF), Dion Dixon (G), Ibrahima Thomas **(C)
Sophomores: Sean Kilpatrick (G), Cashmere Wright*** (PG), Jaquon Parker (G), Lance Stephenson (G)
Freshmen: Justin Jackson (PF)

**- 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.

***- Wright 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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With the 2009-2010 Cincinnati Basketball Roster showing seniors Deonta Vaughn and Stephen Toyloy, Mick Cronin and his staff have at least two scholarships at their disposal for the 2010 recruiting class. One of those two scholarships has been taken with the recent commitment from Montverde Academy PF Justin Jackson this week.

Jackson is an athletic power forward that likes to attack the rim off the bounce and will also do work on the glass. He is a very solid pick-up for UC and showed consistent effort on the AAU trail this summer with Team Stat/Reach 1 Teach 1 out of Florida.

With one scholarship open, the big target is Wheeler (GA) G/F Jelan Kendrick. While Kendrick's recruitment has been tight-lipped, UC has long been considered to be solidly in the mix for the versatile star that had a tremendous summer on the AAU and camp scene.

The commitment of Jackson might take UC out of the mix for additional frontcourt help, but the Bearcat staff has also been involved with Patterson School 7-foot center David Nyarsuk and 6-foot-10 Maine Central Institute center Waverly Austin who told NBE he expects to make an official visit to Cincinnati in the near future. Griffin McKenzie, a 6-foot-9 power forward out of Cincinnati (OH) - Moeller was another big man that mentioned interest in UC this summer.


In the class of 2011, UC got a visit recently from Jeremiah Davis a very highly-touted guard. UC remains very involved with Chane Behanan, who was previously a UC verbal commitment. The 6-foot-7 Behanan has re-opened his recruitment since moving from Cincinnati to Kentucky.

The scholarship situation for Mick Cronin and his Cincinnati Bearcats for the 2009-2010 season was a little unclear with a potential waiver for Mike Williams to apply for to receive a 6th year from the NCAA. The Bearcats looked to be at the 13-player limit with the incoming additions of Sean Kilpatrick and Jaquon Parker, who committed to UC earlier in the spring. However, the waiver request was withdrawn and with that opening Cincinnati makes a big splash in the college basketball world by adding a commitment from the mega-talented Lance Stephenson.

Stephenson, nicknamed 'Born Ready' on the NYC playgrounds, has been a basketball prodigy groomed to be a high NBA draft pick since his early teens. However, the NCAA/NBA rule forcing kids to attend at least one year of college basketball after high school has delayed the Stephenson gravy train. Previously, schools such as Kansas, Arizona, Maryland, St. John's, Memphis, Florida International and others seemed poised to add Stephenson to their programs, but one-by-one each moved in other directions as questions on Stephenson's amateur status and the pending legal case where he and a Lincoln HS teammate allegedly groped a female classmate this past year.

Stephenson's talent is unquestioned and adding the physically gifted and chiseled 6-foot-5 guard to the mix will make the Bearcats a very interesting club in 2009-2010. With senior Deonta Vaughn and sophomore Yancy Gates, suddenly UC has a very potent offensive trio. They also have a deeper pool of complimentary players to fill in around the trio and they could be a team to watch climb the Big East standings this season if the chemistry fits.

Stephenson is very used to having the ball in his hands often. The ability for him and Vaughn to gel together is a big key in their potential success. In the past, Stephenson has been easily frustrated when things are not going smoothly and his expresses his displeasure to teammates, coaches and officials. He will be seeing top defenders each and every game in college, so his personality will be tested and with that will come the test of the team's chemistry.

Now, with a commitment out of the way, fans will watch the NCAA's move as they will undoubtedly look deep into his eligibility, both from an academic side (which most likely should be in order) and from an amateur side. As a basketball prodigy, many have tried to get close to Stephenson and his family, so we will see how diligent the NCAA is in the wake of recent questions around OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose and others...

Parker, who committed earlier in June, had originally committed to Old Dominion earlier this spring. The 6-foot-4, multi-talented guard help lead the King's Fork Bulldogs to the to the Group AAA state championship and was named the Associated Press State Player of the Year. Parker averaged over 18 points and about 10 rebounds and three assists as a senior for his 31-1 squad.

It was believed that Parker would be headed to prep school for the 2009-2010 season. He had decided to re-open his recruitment after several high majors began to inquirer, including Marquette, UConn and Georgetown, this spring. However, after performing well enough on his SAT exam, Parker realized he could qualify for college by taking just two summer courses. Once those are completed, he will join the Bearcats for next season.

Parker is a physically powerful 6-foot-4 guard that will also mix it up in the lane. He has the ability to play all three backcourt positions, but most likely will play the 2/3 in college.

The Bearcats received a quality commitment last 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.

'Born Ready', Kilpatrick and Parker will not be the only new faces in the UC program on the court next season as mid-year Oklahoma State transfer Ibrahima Thomas throws a little more size into the line-up.

Thomas had played in seven games for Okie State this past 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.

Mick Cronin is adding talent and depth to the UC program with very good recruiting, putting the UC program back into position to challenge for an NCAA Tournament bid in 2009-2010 and beyond, something the program became very used to under one of Cronin's mentors, Bob Huggins.

BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: CINCINNATI

June 30, 2009

Commitment Alert: Lance Stephenson, 6-foot-5 G from Lincoln (NYC) High School

According to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv, the Lance Stephenson recruiting saga is finally over as, according to a Source: Stephenson Picks Cincinnati and will play for Mick Cronin and the Bearcats next season. After seeing nearly every other college option back away from Stephenson, UC swooped in quickly in the last week and secured a commitment.

Projected 2009-2010 Roster:

Seniors: Deonta Vaughn (PG), Steven Toyloy (C/BF)
Juniors: Larry Davis (SG), Rashad Bishop (G/F), Anthony McClain (C), Darnell Wilks (F)
Sophomores: Yancy Gates (BF), Dion Dixon (G), Ibrahima Thomas **(C)
Freshmen: Sean Kilpatrick (G), Cashmere Wright*** (PG), Jaquon Parker (G), Lance Stephenson (G)

**- 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




Read More...Click 'Read Rest of Article' Below!!!


The scholarship situation for Mick Cronin and his Cincinnati Bearcats was 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 look to be at the 13-player limit with the incoming additions of Sean Kilpatrick and Jaquon Parker, who committed to UC recently. However, it looks as if the waiver did not go through and with that opening, Cincinnati makes a big splash in the college basketball world by adding a commitment from the mega-talented Lance Stephenson.

Stephenson, nicknamed 'Born Ready' on the NYC playgrounds, has been a basketball prodigy groomed to be a high NBA draft pick since his early teens. However, the NCAA/NBA rule forcing kids to attend at least one year of college basketball after high school has delayed the Stephenson gravy train. Previously, schools such as Kansas, Arizona, Maryland, St. John's, Memphis, Florida International and others seemed poised to add Stephenson to their programs, but one-by-one each moved in other directions as questions on Stephenson's amateur status and the pending legal case where he and a Lincoln HS teammate allegedly groped a female classmate this past year.

Stephenson's talent is unquestioned and adding the physically gifted and chiseled 6-foot-5 guard to the mix will make the Bearcats a very interesting club in 2009-2010. With senior Deonta Vaughn and sophomore Yancy Gates, suddenly UC has a very potent offensive trio. They also have a deeper pool of complimentary players to fill in around the trio and they could be a team to watch climb the Big East standings this season if the chemistry fits.

Stephenson is very used to having the ball in his hands often. The ability for him and Vaughn to gel together is a big key in their potential success. In the past, Stephenson has been easily frustrated when things are not going smoothly and his expresses his displeasure to teammates, coaches and officials. He will be seeing top defenders each and every game in college, so his personality will be tested and with that will come the test of the team's chemistry.

Now, with a commitment out of the way, fans will watch the NCAA's move as they will undoubtedly look deep into his eligibility, both from an academic side (which most likely should be in order) and from an amateur side. As a basketball prodigy, many have tried to get close to Stephenson and his family, so we will see how diligent the NCAA is in the wake of recent questions around OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose and others...

Parker, who committed earlier in June, had originally committed to Old Dominion earlier this spring. The 6-foot-4, multi-talented guard help lead the King's Fork Bulldogs to the to the Group AAA state championship and was named the Associated Press State Player of the Year. Parker averaged over 18 points and about 10 rebounds and three assists as a senior for his 31-1 squad.

It was believed that Parker would be headed to prep school for the 2009-2010 season. He had decided to re-open his recruitment after several high majors began to inquirer, including Marquette, UConn and Georgetown, this spring. However, after performing well enough on his SAT exam, Parker realized he could qualify for college by taking just two summer courses. Once those are completed, he will join the Bearcats for next season.

Parker is a physically powerful 6-foot-4 guard that will also mix it up in the lane. He has the ability to play all three backcourt positions, but most likely will play the 2/3 in college.

The Bearcats received a quality commitment last 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.

'Born Ready', Kilpatrick and Parker will not be the only new faces in the UC program on the court next season as mid-year Oklahoma State transfer Ibrahima Thomas throws a little more size into the line-up.

Thomas had played in seven games for Okie State this past 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.

Mick Cronin is adding talent and depth to the UC program with very good recruiting. The Bearcats already have a commitment from the class of 2011 with local standout Chane Behanan hoping to follow in the footsteps of Yancy Gates. We will track the UC recruiting targets as they emerge this summer as well in the class of 2010.