Jason

[quote name='#22' date='30 November 2009 - 04:11 PM' timestamp='1259611866' post='835013'] ...though surely you've followed enough NCAA ball by this point to know that rankings before conference play are meaningless and will only make you feel worse when some unranked team comes in and knocks your team off. I mean, the fact that a team that went to the NIT last year was ranked in the top 5 before they even played someone this year is ridiculos. [/quote] I realize rankings right now don't mean much, but considering what this program has been through the bast 5 years, it's a positive step.

[quote name='Jason' date='24 November 2009 - 09:08 PM' timestamp='1259111285' post='832963'] If Cincy wins the Maui, they will have beaten 2 ranked teams, [b]will that be enough to get them ranked??[/b] [/quote] 22 in the AP, 24 in the USA Today!

[quote name='#22' date='26 November 2009 - 02:13 AM' timestamp='1259216039' post='833194'] That game should never have gone to overtime. Yancy was [i]clearly[/i] fouled. [/quote] Too true. But I want to know why Lance had the ball at the end of regulation? If I were Mick I would have had it in Deonta's hands.

[quote name='#22' date='24 November 2009 - 10:40 PM' timestamp='1259116809' post='832976'] Why did all of the great college basketball teams pass on the kid? Why were his only offers from FIU, UC, and a rebuilding Memphis team? [/quote] Kansas was after him for a while. But he had eligibility concerns, and they backed out.

If Cincy wins the Maui, they will have beaten 2 ranked teams, will that be enough to get them ranked??

[quote name='#22' date='05 November 2009 - 10:24 PM' timestamp='1257474292' post='823252'] or a complete bust who winds up in the back of several Clifton police cruisers. I'd say it's 50-50 at this point. [/quote] As long as he plays well who cares?

[quote name='#22' date='05 November 2009 - 08:14 PM' timestamp='1257466445' post='823228'] I know that I shouldn't come onto other fan's boards and start trouble, but I am really looking forward to seeing how Lance turns out. [/quote] He's gonna be a good one.

100% Eligible per ESPN.com!

Mike DeCourcy on Lance Stephenson: [quote][b]What's been the most impressive preseason showing so far?[/b] [b]DeCourcy[/b]: As far as what I've seen with my eyes, it's been [b]Cincinnati freshman Lance Stephenson[/b]. I watched him practice and scrimmage last week, and it's fairly obvious he is going to have a spectacular season. I sat next to a veteran NBA scout at the practice who was impressed with Stephenson's demeanor, body language and selfless play. That's because those issues were of concern when Stephenson arrived at Cincinnati from Brooklyn's Lincoln High. The scout compared him to Portland's Brandon Roy because, like Roy, Stephenson "can do it all," the scout said. While Stephenson comported himself properly, he tore up the gym like few players I've seen in a Division I practice. Every offensive possession was another opportunity to do something extraordinary. Stephenson is the most physically powerful wing to enter college basketball since – since – I'm sorry, but I can't remember a young wing with this degree of strength. He also is a better passer than most of the top freshman point guards. Stephenson should concentrate harder when taking open shots. He's great at making tough, guarded shots but tends to lose focus when presented a wide-open jumper. Right now, there aren't many more negatives. [b]Some of my competitors were debating Wednesday on Twitter who will be the top five college freshmen this season. Nobody mentioned Stephenson. They will be regretting that, soon.[/b] [/quote] Hurry up already NCAA and rule him eligible. I'm getting sick of them fucking around and waiting until 2 days after the last minute to rule on our players!

The latest on Stephenson: [quote][b][size=4]Stephenson avoids jail time[/size][/b] ESPN.com news services Updated: July 11, 2009, 3:21 PM ETComment / Email / Print Forward Lance Stephenson, who has committed to play at Cincinnati this fall, agreed to a plea deal and will not serve jail time in his sexual assault case. Stephenson, ranked No. 12 in the ESPNU top 100, pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor disorderly conduct on Friday and will seek counseling and perform three days of community service, according to the New York Daily News. The 6-6 Brooklyn (N.Y.) Lincoln High School player, a 2009 McDonald's High School All-American who was considered the top high school player in New York state last season, had been scheduled for a July 15 trial. A source told the Daily News: "His lawyer moved up the court date from next week and had him take conditional discharge." Stephenson and another player from Lincoln, Darwin Ellis, were charged after being accused of groping a 17-year-old girl near the high school in early October 2008. "Mr. Stephenson is looking forward to transitioning to college life and is pleased to put this matter behind him," his lawyer, Alberto Ebanks, said, according to the Daily News. Not everything is resolved with Stephenson, however. A source with knowledge of the NCAA enforcement process told ESPN.com's Andy Katz in late June that the NCAA is expected to look into Stephenson's amateur status. Stephenson was part of a documentary, called "Born Ready," and a tour of the Under Armour factory while visiting Maryland earlier this year. Multiple coaches who recruited Stephenson told ESPN.com that they expected an NCAA investigation into Stephenson's amateur status as soon as he committed to a school. Sources said at the time that Cincinnati isn't worried about Stephenson's status or, for that matter, the assault case. Stephenson averaged 28.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists at Lincoln, and graduated as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the state with 2,946 points.[/quote]

[b][size=3]Stephenson, Cincy a good match[/size][/b] Link: [url="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/columns/story?columnist=biancardi_paul&id=4299039"]http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/...&id=4299039[/url] With the state's all-time scoring record, four Public School Athletic League titles and two state championships under his belt, there was little left for Lance Stephenson to accomplish at Lincoln High School (Brooklyn, N.Y.) except to choose his college destination. That seemingly never-ending process finally came to an end for Stephenson on Tuesday when he signed a financial aid agreement with Cincinnati. (He was unable to sign a letter of intent because he made his decision after the late signing period concluded in May.) Stephenson has been a fixture on both the New York City and national high school basketball scene since his junior high years. For the most part, he has lived up to his lofty reputation. [b]He's a winner, and the type of player who wants the ball and delivers in crunch time. Stephenson's talent is undeniable,[/b] but he does have a few chinks in the armor that need smoothing out before he reaches his full potential. [b]Strengths[/b] This big, burly shooting guard is a natural scorer, who is always in attack mode on the offensive end. Stephenson loves having the ball in his hands. He is best at taking his strong body to the basket. [b]There are few high school players out there who combine great strength with a lightning-quick first step to the basket like Stephenson does. In transition, he can get to the rim at will,[/b] often times working through contact and finishing at the foul line. Stephenson does his damage off the dribble, and is primarily someone who beats his defender with the straight-line dribble-drive. Because he's so powerful, he can get close to the basket with not much work. Once there, he senses his scoring opportunities, and usually delivers the knockout punch. [b]Stephenson has good vision, and is a willing passer when he sees the open man. He has shown the ability to give up his shot to an open teammate with a better look.[/b] His points, first and foremost, come on drives to the basket, but beyond that Stephenson has displayed a consistent pull-up jump shot off one or two rhythm dribbles. While his 3-point shooting and overall range have improved, it is still an inconsistent facet of his game at this point, but there is no doubt that when he gets hot shooting the ball, defenders are forced to come out and guard him because [b]he is one of the most difficult players in the country to check one-on-one.[/b] Take, for instance, a game televised on ESPN in December in which Lincoln took on nationally ranked Duncanville (Texas) High School. Stephenson had a second quarter no one will soon forget, scoring 19 points against a team featuring several Division I prospects. When it comes to rebounding, Stephenson excels on the offensive glass. Because he is such a hungry scorer, he attacks the offensive boards, resulting in several second-chance points. He is stronger than most high school players, especially guards, and may be the best backcourt rebounder in the country. He is also a capable defensive rebounder, often grabbing errant shots and racing the length of the court for scores. It's no secret how exciting Stephenson can be in the open court. [b]Defensively, Stephenson has all the tools to be an absolute lock-down defender.[/b] When faced with a challenge, he is one of the best defenders in the country. His strength, size and warrior-like mentality make him capable of guarding from multiple positions on the floor. For example, if he could learn how to chase shooters off screens, with his size, he could block jump shots and harass scorers all over the floor. He could front a bigger post player, or even push players off the block, because of his strength. He could even guard a point or a wing off the dribble if he focuses on keeping them out of the lane. As he continues to develop on the defensive end, Stephenson could also be handed the responsibility of guarding the opponent's top scorer. [b]Weaknesses[/b] Although Stephenson is terrific off the dribble, he does have a tendency to over-dribble, which can have a negative effect on his team's offense. He kills any sort of offensive momentum because he tries to do too much. At times, he feels the need to hunt down a quick shot, rather than letting the scoring opportunities come to him out of the natural flow of offensive sets, reads or broken plays. Despite his solid mid-range game, he needs to learn how to pull up softer and stay in control of his jump shots to avoid drawing offensive charge calls. Stephenson must do a better job of working to get open shots, including coming hard off screens his teammates set for him. Overall, he needs to develop a better understanding of how to play without the ball in his hands. [b]Stephenson's future with the Bearcats[/b] There are still some unresolved legal issues Stephenson must deal with before beginning his college basketball career. (July 15 is the next time he will face a judge on charges of sexual assault stemming from an incident in the fall.) From a basketball standpoint, Cincinnati is a good fit for Stephenson. If Stephenson molds well with the other players and understands his role, he's going to be in a beneficial situation. Approaching this opportunity with the right attitude is going to be Stephenson's most crucial responsibility. With returning veterans on the Bearcats' roster, Stephenson may feel that he has to come in and prove something. Instead, he has to improve on his skill set. Stephenson has growing to do, and Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin, an established and successful coach, is a guy who can groom him and keep him grounded. As an assistant at Louisville and Cincinnati, Cronin has coached players of Stephenson's caliber in the past. From that experience, I am certain he will demand exceptional play from Stephenson without being demeaning. [b]Next season, the Bearcats could make a surge into the top half of the Big East. [/b]That would be a remarkable achievement, considering how void of talent the program was when Cronin took the job. Now he'll go into the 2009-10 season with Stephenson and returning standouts Deonta Vaughn and Yancy Gates (both double-digit scorers in 2008-09). Stephenson will be joined in the Bearcats' backcourt by sophomore point guard Cashmere Wright. Wright missed all of his freshman campaign with a torn ACL.

[quote name='IKOTA' post='782942' date='Jun 30 2009, 01:35 PM'][b]We got him![/b] Lets just hope he's eligible. If so, I see: PG: Cash Wright SG: Deonta Vaughn SF: Lance Stephenson PF: Yancey Gates C: Stephen Toyloy Then, after Thomas becomes eligible its a free for all as their 5 best players could very well be Wright, Gates, Stephenson, Vaughn and Thomas but how do you fit them in the lineup together besides your lineup? That would leave them thin at rebounding as Gates would be your only legit rebounding threat. Thomas, even though he's 6'10" is soft as they come and doesn't like to bang at all. I think we'll see plenty of rotations and pressing style, full court, up tempo game that Cronin's been wanting to play here since he arrived. This IS the year the Bearcats get back to the tourney.[/quote] [s]Source? I can't find anything official.[/s] Nevermind, I found it.

Assuming we do get him is he SG or SF? A lineup of PG: Cashmere Wright SG: Deonta Vaughn SF: Lance Stephenson PF: Ibrahima Thomas C: Yancey Gates could be pretty damned good.

[quote name='JC' post='782806' date='Jun 29 2009, 12:41 PM']I would think talent would reflect their record?[/quote] Last year's record more reflected their youth than their talent. And losing their only true PG before the season started sure didn't help. Vaughn is a very good player (1st team all big east as a sophomore) and Gates is a beast in the making. They also have a very good player transferring in from Ok St. I think Stephenson could put them right in the thick of things if he's anywhere near as good as he's supposed to be.

Nice win tonight for UC. Mick is now 2-0 against Bobby. Great game for Yancey Gates. I hope this was his coming out party.

[quote name='Jason' post='742994' date='Jan 28 2009, 09:52 PM']Way to go tonight Cats! Win over Georgetown! Woo Hoo![/quote] One more time! A win AT Georgetown is a good win. Even if G was struggling. If UC gets to 20 wins in the Big East, they should make the tournament. And they have 4 more winnable games, and they might be able to win at least 1 conference tournament game as well.

Way to go tonight Cats! Win over Georgetown! Woo Hoo!

[quote name='Bunghole' post='733894' date='Dec 20 2008, 09:03 PM']Being a Bengals fan as you are, UC losing should rank low on your radar.......[/quote] They won. And I missed it for the fucking blue jackets [b]pre-game show![/b]

[b][size=7]FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!![/size][/b] I was watching the UC game on Fox Sports and at 8:30 they cut away from the game for the blue jackets pre-game show. I missed the fucking end of the game for a FUCKING pre-game show for a team I don't give a flying fuck about and a game I can't fucking watch anyway since I don't have the NHL package. What the fuck!!! :steamed: :steamed: :steamed:

[quote name='IKOTA' post='731468' date='Dec 10 2008, 04:20 PM']Man, that Melvin Levett dunk was insane.......the human helicopter. Good memories fo sho. I remember watching Duke vs UC at Willie's in Montgomery with a group of like 20 friends and that whole place went nuts after that play. Executed that play perfectly. I think William Avery hit a halfcourt shot and Duke thought they won the game but he shot it too late, barely.[/quote] Melvin sure was fun to watch.

A sign at the talent increase from last year. Last season if Vaugn only scores 7 points, there is no way UC wins by 33. Even against a bad team.

[quote name='Bunghole' post='725911' date='Nov 20 2008, 06:02 PM']Let's not get hasty! UC's Big East B-ball schedule is a LOT more brutal than their football schedule. And they haven't proven anything yet. You know, it's funny...I always hated UC's b-ball program but I kinda like their football team.[/quote] Yes, the Big East is a tough BB conference, but the talent level at UC is SOO much higher than it has been the past couple years, I believe they will at least have a winning record this year.

[quote name='Go Tory Go!' post='725415' date='Nov 19 2008, 03:23 PM']The only winners in town right now play at Nippert Stadium, and they'll be taking on Pitt Saturday evening with the Big East title and a BCS bid on the line. Come early, be loud, wear red.[/quote] You forgot the team that plays in the Shoe at 5/3rd Arena.

Wow, this years UC team is deep, athletic and big.

Yancey Gates was a manchild among boys tonight. That kid is gonna be a stud! I know South Dakota isn't exactly a power house (then again, neither is VMI ) but UC looks so much better this year. And now that FSN Ohio is carrying the games rather than 19XIX, I'll actually get to see most of their games again. :party: :party: