Khatmandude

Bearcats just signed a PG for the 2008 class named Cashmere Wright. He chose UC over Tennessee and is listed as the 75th best player in the country and the 11th best PG. He originally commited to Clemson but decided to open his recruiting back up. That makes him and Yancy Gates as the 2008 recruits thus far with 3 scholarship left for 2008. Darnell Wilkes, who was another 2008 recruit, graduated early and did coursework and is playing this year ... he's a 6'8" SF with some skill who will take Jason Henry's place on the roster as Henry didn't make the grades to play. That's too bad since he's a baller. Anyways, Wright is a good defender who likes to play like a true PG with scoring as a last option but that doesn't mean he can't score. He's actually very good at scoring if he has to but would rather pass first. 6'0" 190 lbs or so, looked pretty skinny to me with really long arms. He's a good recruit for UC who should be a Satterfield type PG for 3 or 4 years.

[quote name='IKOTA' post='496635' date='Jun 6 2007, 08:54 PM']Jason Henry may not be eligible, it's "up in the air" right now. [/quote] I don't see Jason Henry being a Bearcat.......but Mick had a backup plan for this year in Darnell Wilkes, the 6'8" 200 lbs SG/SF who had originally commited for 2008 but became a 2007 recruit recently. Here's an article about him reclassifying: [url="http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070711/SPT0101/307110025/1064"]http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../307110025/1064[/url] [quote][size=4][b]UC recruit ready for '07[/b][/size] BY BILL KOCH | BKOCH@ENQUIRER.COM University of Cincinnati basketball coach Mick Cronin today added one player to his recruiting class of 2007 and subtracted one from the class of 2008. Darnell Wilks, a 6-8 forward from Nashville’s Pioneer Christian Academy, who originally made an oral commitment as a member of the 2008 recruiting class, has enrolled at UC and is expected to be eligible to play this season. “Wilks is enrolled in school,” Cronin said. “He starts tomorrow.” With UC already at its full allotment of 13 scholarships for next season, someone will have to go if Wilks is to play this season. That could be Jason Henry, a 6-7 forward from Harmony Community School in Cincinnati, who has not yet qualified academically to play this season. Cronin said that Wilks, who has already spent four years in high school, was recruited all along with the understanding that he might be able to play this season if he made the academic progress he needed to be eligible. “His high school coach thought he may need an extra year, so recruiting analysts ranked him as a Class of 08 guy,” Cronin said. “But we knew all along there was a chance he could qualify this year. We’ve just been waiting to make sure he achieved his qualifying status. Really it was a decision that was up to Darnell and his coach.” Carl Reed, Wilks’ coach at Pioneer Christian Academy and his legal guardian, said Wilks “did an excellent job in the classroom. “Originally, when we reclassified him we thought he would need those two years to meet his academic eligibility but he came along so strong in that first semester, he came in so focused in the classroom last year, that we knew he was going to be able to make it.” Wilks averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists last season. “He can play with anybody in the country,” Reed said. “He was recruited by Tennessee, Auburn, Iowa State and UTEP, but he wanted to go to Cincinnati all along. “He’s a 6-8 wing. He’s an elite level athlete. He puts you in mind of Tracy McGrady. He has improved his ball skills which have allowed him to be a legitimate perimeter player. How much he plays (as a freshman) depends on his commitment to the weight room and his commitment to playing defense on that level.” Cronin said Wilks will remind UC fans of James White. “He’s a high flyer,” Cronin said. “He can shoot the ball. He has a very good stroke from the perimeter. He’s 6-8, but he’s not a power forward. He’s 198 pounds and he’s a face-up player. “He’s got to get stronger but Darnell is a high-level player. He’s got tremendous skills and athleticism. He has to develop his strength. He knows that. I think that’s why he chose to come now.”[/quote]

Jason Henry may not be eligible, it's "up in the air" right now.

[url="http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/SPT0201/705100332/1035/SPT"]http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...100332/1035/SPT[/url] [quote][size=4][b]UC has recruiting on a roll [/b][/size] Column by The Post's Lonnie Wheeler Now that he has players, Mick Cronin, who has certainly earned them, finds himself in a position to get more. That's just how it works. "Your players are your best recruiters," says the University of Cincinnati's second-year basketball coach, who only wishes that his first year could have started like this. "By far. And their families and their parents. "Last year, we were trying to bring in recruits and looking at who would be our student hosts. Now, players who play for us know what we're about, what we stand for, what kind of people we are, and they can speak from experience. Also, they're the eyes and ears. If we bring in a kid who doesn't fit for some reason - if something got revealed on a visit, maybe a character flaw - I want to know. It was something we just didn't have before, because we didn't have players." The fact that he came up with some in Season One - enough to put a team on the floor, at least, and win a couple of games in the Big East - is remarkable unto itself. To understand what Cronin was up against last year, when he assumed his dream job a couple of weeks before the spring signing period, it's necessary to take a look at this year, and how he goes about the serious business of recruiting. He has signed four incoming freshmen, among them 6-11 Anthony McClain, and received verbal commitments from two more. Two highly rated recruits from the class of 2008, including local man-child Yancy Gates, have already agreed to come to Clifton. Another local, Danny McElroy, has pledged to join them the following year. "Put it this way," explains Cronin, ducking into a Bruegger's Bagels for a cell-phone signal. "People who are getting jobs this spring are trying to get involved with guys we've been recruiting, and they just can't. There's too much ground to make up. With the elite guys, their process is too far along now. The process is so early for the great players. It's almost, get this over with." It means, in turn, that the best prospects must be recruited at least two years in advance of graduation, and often three. It means that Cincinnati's class of 2008 should be even better than its class of 2007, which is an evolutionary advance over its transition class of 2006. Cronin has three scholarships yet to give for 2008, and they'll eventually go to players he has actively sought since last summer. This summer, meanwhile, he'll conduct a two-day elite camp bursting with eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders who will sample Cincinnati's style and facilities. "Planning ahead is the key to really putting a great team together," Cronin points out. "Being early on a kid is vital. You can't send them anything but a questionnaire until the end of their sophomore year, so you have to call their coach. You've got to get them to your campus. "That's why local recruiting is so important. Those kids can get to your campus because of proximity. It's a built-in recruiting advantage. They can come to camps. You can tell their coach, our guys play three nights a week at 7 o'clock, and they can come in and play pickup games with our players." For that reason, the significance of Gates' recent announcement should not be underestimated, in spite of the fact that he has fallen sharply in the recent ratings of recruits. Gates committed early because he didn't want another year, or even half a year (if he had signed in next November's early period), of phone calls, letters, text messages, Internet rumoring and ceaseless questioning. Cronin fully understood how critical Gates was to his recruiting momentum, and it was tempting to toss a sleeping bag onto the big fellow's doorstep in Madisonville. But Cronin also understands the need to play the game at the prospect's tempo. So he backed off a bit. "I don't think it's a good strategy," he says, "to text-message a kid a thousand times, until you're driving him nuts. Some kids I text-message every day. Some kids I don't, because that's not what they're looking for. You've got to get a feel for the recruit. I'm into winning, and it's going to come down to doing things the way the family and coach want things done. It's different with every kid." And that's a thankful thing. Otherwise, the numbers could overwhelm the diligent seeker of talent. "I'm a numbers guy," observes Cronin, "so to sign six guys, we've got to recruit probably 20. It takes almost three-and-a-half to four guys to get one recruit. And that's way down from the number you start with. So now, when you're recruiting 20 guys to get six, you've got to recruit the kid, you've got to recruit at least one family member and at least one of the coaches, high school or AAU. So now you're dealing with 60 people on a daily basis as a staff." While Cronin is dancing to that crazy beat at Cincinnati, Sean Miller is doing the same at Xavier, as is Billy Gillispie at Kentucky (Cronin's old roommate at one of the all-star camps, when both were high school coaches), Rick Pitino at Louisville (Cronin's former boss), Thad Matta at Ohio State, Bob Huggins at West Virginia (Cronin's other former boss), and Kelvin Sampson at Indiana. With those luminaries hereabouts, no cranny of the country will be combed for players like the one extending in all directions from Fifth Third Arena. "Recruiting in this area, there are no layups," Cronin concedes. "A kid has a lot of options." For that reason, he'll perpetuate the Bearcats' interest in Texas - represented in the 2007 class by shooting guard Larry Davis - along with everywhere east of the Mississippi. McClain was persuaded to come from Maryland, where his high school coach, Trevor Brown, is a long-time professional acquaintance of Cronin's. "I met him when we recruited DerMarr Johnson to UC," recalls the latter. "We've always stayed in touch. Our business is all about networking." Having lived the camp life as a young coach, plugged himself into the AAU circuit, headed up recruiting for Huggins and Pitino and run his own show at Murray State, Cronin's network was in place when he arrived at Cincinnati. His new program, however, was not. A year later, the contrast is blinding. Cronin hasn't seen his baby daughter as much as he would like, but he's seen every basketball player he thinks can help UC, and signed a bigger share of them than anyone might have imagined. "Last year at this time, we were still trying to figure out who we should go after," he says. "To take a line from a Hollywood actress, we're in a much better place now." The roster for next year is full-up with players who are either freshly committed or newly experienced. The spring signing season ends Wednesday, and there appears to be nothing more that Cronin can or needs to do by that time. On the other hand, he's quick to note, "There's always a chance. Never say, 'This wraps up our recruiting class,' because one thing I can tell you is, you never know." Contact Lonnie Wheeler at lwheeler@cincypost.com[/quote]

[quote name='Jason' post='482011' date='May 3 2007, 04:42 PM']Our recruiting class is ranked 19th for the upcoming season! That does counth Texas transfer Mike Williams, but not Adam H. I wonder where it would rank if you add him since he didn't play last season. [url="http://collegehoopsupdate.com/html/recruiting_class_07-08.php#cincinnati"]http://collegehoopsupdate.com/html/recruit....php#cincinnati[/url][/quote] That same site lists McClain as the #25 prep player in 2007. Henry is also a top 50 player according to many recruiting sites and Alvin Mitchell; while about #90 right now, should move up to about #60 or so. He didn't play much AAU ball or summer ball so no film was available for people to evaluate him besides his HS game film. That guy can score and he will immediately make an impact.

Thanks Jaime. I'm going to get some tapes of Alvin Mitchell as people are really hyping him up and believe he will be an impact Freshman this upcoming year. Apparently he didn't play too much of AAU ball so was really under the radar. Florida was believed to be really interested in him until their primary recruiting focus at the SG signed with them but Mitchell could be better. Can't wait for the season!

[quote name='Jason' post='475517' date='Apr 20 2007, 11:38 PM']This thread should be pinned![/quote] I second your motion Hey Jaime........

All the letters of intent that Cronin was waiting for have been received ......... [url="http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/042007aac.html"]http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl.../042007aac.html[/url] [quote]April 20, 2007 CINCINNATI, Ohio. - University of Cincinnati men's basketball coach Mick Cronin announced today (April 20) that Jason Henry (Cincinnati, OH/Harmony Community), Anthony McClain (Fort Washington, MD/National Christian Academy) and Alvin Mitchell (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Cardinal Gibbons) have signed National Letters of Intent with the Bearcats. Henry, a 6-7 small forward/guard, McClain, a 6-11 center, and Mitchell, a 6-5 small forward, will be eligible to play the 2007-08 season for UC. Henry, who played locally last season at the Harmony Community School for Rodney Crawford, put up 21 points and six rebounds a night. Henry is ranked as the No. 17 small forward and No. 69 player overall by Scout.com. "Jason is a multi-talent basketball player," says Cronin. "At 6-7, he has great ball skills and has all the tools to become a great player. He will need to get a little stronger but he has all the natural ability to be outstanding. I look forward to working with him and we are happy he decided to become a Bearcat." One of the biggest and most talented players available in the late signing period, McClain will be an offensive and defensive presence for the Bearcats in the lane. Last season, he averaged 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots per game playing for coach Trevor Brown at the National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md. McClain is the No. 6 center in the country according to Rivals.com and was among the top 100 players. "Anthony is a great kid," said Cronin. "We are really excited to have him join the program. Obviously, we needed to add size to the team and he is almost 7-0 without shoes. Most importantly, he plays big as a shot blocker. I look forward to helping Anthony grow as a person and a player. We are excited to have him join our family." As a senior, Mitchell averaged 33.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while playing for head coach Buddy Pressley and Cardinal Gibbons High School. There he led the Chiefs to a 26-4 record and a place in the state semifinals. His accomplishments on the floor earned Mitchell Florida's Class 4A Player of the Year honor, first-team all-state and first-team all-Broward County accolades. Mitchell is considered the No. 26 small forward prospect by Scout.com. "Alvin is an explosive guard that can score the ball from beyond the arc as well as take it to the basket with authority," said Cronin. "A big-time talent with a world of potential, he comes from a great high school program - Cardinal-Gibbons - and is coached by one of the best in the business, Buddy Pressely. We are happy to have Alvin join the Bearcat family." Henry, McClain, and Mitchell will join Kenny Belton (Greensboro, NC/Dudley), Rashad Bishop (Newark, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep), and Larry Davis (Houston, TX/Alief-Hastings) who signed with UC during the early signing period in November.[/quote]

[quote name='Master Shake' post='474888' date='Apr 19 2007, 07:12 PM']Sucks to see Crowell go... I know he's probably the least talented guy on the squad, but he played hard and was our only true point guard. Vaughn and Warren (and hopefully Bishop) will be adequate at point and are all better scorers, but I think there will be many times next season when we'll miss the playmaking that Crowell would have brought. Hopefully this means the staff is confident that Jason Henry will get eligible, because we sorely need a quality starter at 2-guard (Gentry and Warren should be coming off the bench, not starting, on a decent team, and Davis and Mitchell are supposedly not as "ready" as Henry).[/quote] Wow, I had a very long reply to your post but lost it when someone sent me a PM. I will try to recreate the original masterpiece... Certainly agree that Crowell was least talented and therefore I dont think we miss him at all. He was never a playmaker so his playmaking abilities cannot be missed IMO. I will miss his attitutude and willingness to play defense though. As for the scorers you mentioned, I don't consider Warren a scorer at all, but I see what you are trying to say that he is a better scorer than Crowell. Also, good point about Bishop being able to run point as he has been playing PG in HS this year. Also, Henry if eligible has the ability to run the point from his forward position allowing Vaughn and maybe Mitchell or Davis to be in the game for their scoring. Henry's coach (ex UC player Rodney Crawford) said that Henry is working very hard on his academics in order to be eligible this upcoming year so I will take an optimistic approach towards him. Henry is 6'7" but cannot shoot it too well; I dont think, so I don't know about him playing the 2. The quality starter you seek at the 2 could come in the form of Alvin Mitchell who I think will surprise alot of people and be an impact player for the Cats once he gets used to the college game. The guy is a scorer. Definitely agree that Warren and Gentry should not be starting for a team if that team has any postseason aspirations. They could be good backups though and could provide energy on the defensive end. Larry Davis could surprise some people also as he has been described as a more athletic Field Williams, but he is coming off of an ACL injury so I don't know if it's fair to have any expectations of him right now. I think the team looks like: PG-Vaughn, Warren, Bishop SG-Mitchell, Gentry, Davis, Miller SF-Williamson, Henry, Bishop PF-Williams, Sikes, Belton, Williamson, Adam H C-Adam H, McClain (interchangeable really), Belton, Or something like that at least..........I think there will be multiple lineups that Mick tries in trying to determine what will work best. Alot of newcomers this upcoming year. BTW, 2007 recruiting class is being ranked in the top 25 nationally and 2008 as the beginnings of a top 10 class with Wilkes and Gates as the foundation. Look for another PG and a SG in 2008 along with another C as the primary focus in recruiting. Also, I'm trying to find out more about the whole BJ Mullen rumor as he is a top 10 player nationally who has committed to OSU verbally. He's a 7 footer as well.

As I had mentioned earlier, UC was already at its scholarship limit at 13 before they signed McClaine, who put them at one above the max allowance. Well, that problem is no longer one, as Tim Crowell is gone. He will transfer to a Div II school. Here is what he had to say: From the UC release: [quote]"I have decided to transfer to a Division II school for my senior season," said Crowell. "I had a great experience as a Bearcat and love my teammates. I wish the team great success next year and want to thank the people of Cincinnati for their kindness; I have really loved my time here."[/quote]

[quote name='Jason' post='474762' date='Apr 19 2007, 03:10 PM']ESPN's recruiting board has him the #16 center, and 103 overall. I think Adam H may be the starting C next year (at least to start the year), with McClain rotating in, and occasionally Adam and Anthony will be on the floor simultaneously.[/quote] ESPN has proven in the past to be an unworthy source to trust when it comes to player rankings. Scout, Rivals, Hoop Scoop etc... all have him rated MUCH higher and the schools who were recruiting him give credibility to the higher rating on him. Regardless, he's a damn good signing by Mick and he staff. As for starting at C, it doesn't matter who starts...both will see significant playing time this year. Can't wait till the season starts!

Anthony McClaine - 6'11" or 7 foot, depending on which day you catch him. -6th best center prospect in the class of 2007 -Rated #41 to #51 depending on which scouting source you look at -Potentially dominate on the defensive end, offense needs some work but is serviceable on that end -Picked UC over UCONN, Georgetown, Florida and Tennessee -Runs the floor extremely well for man his height -His HS coach loves Mick Cronin and had a big part in his recruitment process -Nicknamed "Biggie" Any guesses as to the starting lineup next year? I think that with so many new faces, we will see multiple lineups in preseason and early on in the regular season but when it's all settled, I think the most successful one will be: PG: Vaughn (even though he's not really a PG) SG: Mitchell w/ Gentry first off bench SF: Williamson or Mike Williams PF: Mike Williams or Adam H C: McClaine Nice job Mick!

[quote]Wednesday, April 18, 2007 [b]More on McClain :[/b] I've just been told by a source that Anthony McClain is on his way to Cincinnati. He will be here by tonight, and it looks like he'll be doing "recruiting visit" stuff tomorrow. Wouldn't be too terribly surprised to see him commit/sign his letter of intent tomorrow. But, as I always caution, there's never anything set in stone until he signs his name on the dotted line. I do know, though, the coaching staff is very confident it'll get McClain.[/quote] [url="http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/cincybearcats/2007/04/more-on-mcclain.asp"]http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/cincy...-on-mcclain.asp[/url] I do emphasize the same thing as this blogger that nothing is set in stone until he signs his name on the dotted line but everything I have heard so far is coming true so I am pretty happy.

[quote name='Jason' post='474246' date='Apr 18 2007, 05:58 PM']As bad as UC was this past season, I don't have a problem with that.[/quote] There's some ethics questions that arise when you have this sort of situation though unless it was made clear to last year's incoming class or a member of that class that their scholarship may be taken away the following year. Mick had to put together a team in a matter of a couple of months so the scenario where the players were informed of the scholarship situation cannot be ruled out. Also, someone could possibly go on academic scholarship and Tim Crowell would be the prime candidate to do that............if not, then pull a Jim Calhoun and just release him from the scholarship

[quote name='Jason' post='474202' date='Apr 18 2007, 04:37 PM']So this is [b]someone you know[/b], and not a website/media report?[/quote] Yes, but there are websites that are reporting it as well but nothing is official right now. The information I have is that he SHOULD be on campus tomorrow. Even with all this happening, I still have some questions regarding his ACT which he just took this past Saturday. He has to get a passing score in order to be eligible so there are still some questions surrounding this whole situation. Also, UC is at its scholarship limit already so someone will have to come off scholarship. Things should clear themselves up in the next couple of days.

[quote name='Jason' post='474188' date='Apr 18 2007, 04:12 PM']??? Source?[/quote] Can't divulge but it is a reliable source. I hate it when other people do that but I will be that guy this time. Sorry. Take it for what its worth without a source for now. Also, apparently Yancy Gates' HS coach Walt McBride said that Ohio State committee (verbal) BJ Mullen said he would decommitt and follow Yancy to UC. Mullen is a top 10 player in 2008 but I don't believe he will decommitt based on the information available. BUT, the coach said it on radio on Lance McAllister's show so there must be something that caused him to say that. Also, Mullen and Gates played (AAU?) ball together. Guess this one will just have to play out before we know more. I am very happy about the McClaine commitment though.

Anthony McClaine will be a Bearcat!!! I think it will be official soon, maybe today or tomorrow. Georgetown made a late push but in the end Mick got the job done.

[quote name='whodey24k' post='472948' date='Apr 16 2007, 02:48 PM']cronin is proving to be a great recruiter. Hopefully he becomes a better coach.[/quote] He's already proven that he's a great recruiter since back in his assistant days with UC and Louisville. I also hope he becomes a better coach but he's learned from 2 of the best so he's got a good foundation. On a side, there is a player by the name of Dee Bost who will most likely commit to UC if he's offered a scholarship. I think he has to reclassify as 2008 for some reason and may attend a prep school in 2007 but he's a 6'2" guard who "has ACC talent". It would be nice to get him, he's a nice player! Mick's 2008 class will be highly regarded nationally..... watch

6'8" 255 lbs Yancy Gates committed (verballed) to UC and is going to be holding a press conference to announce he will be playing for Mick Cronin. He's been rated anywhere from 17th best to 24th best player in the country in his class. A little description of him from a NBA draft site: [quote]“Yancy chose Cincinnati over Indiana and Georgetown,” Duncan said. “He is a great commitment for UC, and will be huge in Mick Cronin bringing the program back up to the prominence that Bob Huggins had it at in years past.” "It is going to be downright scary how good Yancy can become, if he buys into Coach Cronin’s system at UC and utilizes his immense physical abilities more effectively in college." "Gates has the ability to beat more traditional power forwards off of the dribble from the outside with his remarkable quickness for a player with such freakish strength. He can keep defenders honest with his ability to hit the three, but can also kill you inside of the paint with his ability to jump through the roof and his feathery soft touch. The skill set that he possesses is not matched by many in his class, and his physical attributes can be matched by only a select few." "Draft fans should surely keep an eye on Gates, as he has all of the physical traits that NBA teams are looking for in a power forward, to go along with the raw skills on the perimeter that truly make him a special player potentially. If Yancy is able to play consistently once he hit’s the Big East and continues to develop at merely an average rate, it will be awfully surprising not to see him in NBA jersey by the time it is all said and done."[/quote] --This commitment along with Darnell Wilkes (6'8" --66th best player) and the Bearcats have the makings of a top 10 recruiting class. --Also, 7 footer Anthony McClaine SHOULD be committing very soon to play this upcoming year!!! Hate to call this a done deal for obvious reasons, but this commitment SHOULD come soon as UCONN has given up recruiting him pretty much and the Hartford Courant paper states that McClaine was the Huskies' top recruiting target up until recently when they found out he would be commiting to a different school. UC and UCONN were his final 2 choices! [url="http://www.courant.com/sports/college/husky/men/hc-ucmen0414.artapr14,0,5322472.story?coll=hc-headlines-huskymen"]http://www.courant.com/sports/college/husk...dlines-huskymen[/url]