Save ‘Selection Sunday’ for 2009! Unless you’re looking forward to our men’s basketball team getting into the NIT (National Invitation Tournament) this year. The UC Bearcats have had a roller coaster type season. They hold a 10-12 (5-5 Big East) record, as of press time. Although they only sit 3.5 games behind conference leading #6 Georgetown, the Bearcats appear to be a long shot to reach the NCAA tournament come March.
Head coach Mick Cronin and the guys are still a year away.
The ‘Cats had a rough start to the 2007-2008 campaign. They lost two out of their first three games to mid-major conference opponents (Belmont and Bowling Green), then hit a rough five-game losing streak, including a five-point heartbreaking loss at cross-town rival #13 Xavier.
The Bearcats then stormed Freedom Hall and took out rival Louisville with a thrilling one-point victory. When things looked like they were turning around, the team suffered bad losses to conference foes St. John’s and Notre Dame.
After suffering those losses, the ‘Cats upset #21 Pittsburgh, and stunned former head coach Bob Huggins and his West Virginia Mountaineers, with a 23-point road victory. Sprinkled within those wins are a few more missed opportunities, which include bad losses at Seton Hall, a one-point loss to surging Connecticut, and a home loss to #16 Marquette, a game in which the Bearcats held a nine-point lead before allowing the Golden Eagles to close out the first half on a 15-2 run.
This all brings us to now.
The young and inexperienced Bearcats would probably have to run the table and win a game or two in the Big East Conference tournament to have a realistic shot at the ‘Big Dance.’ Unfortunately, they have games remaining against Georgetown, Pitt, and UConn: three of the top four teams in the conference.
Next season, the ‘Cats will return everyone minus seniors Marvin Gentry, John Williamson, Jamual Warren, and Marcus Sikes. Returning to lead the Bearcats next season will be talented sophomore floor general Deonta Vaughn, who averages a team high 17.8 points, along with freshman standouts Rashad Bishop and 6’11” Anthony McClain anchoring the front court.
Both freshmen have been streaky all season, showing signs of their emerging talents.
Joining the nine returning players will be highly touted recruits Yancy Gates and Cashmere Wright. The 6-foot-9, 245 pound Gates (Withrow High School) is the ninth ranked power forward in the nation and #26 in the ESPN 150. Wright is the eighth ranked point guard in the nation and #69 in the ESPN 150.
The ‘Cats will also return junior power forward Mike Williams, who should boost the team’s rebounding and inside presence. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound transfer from the University of Texas is sitting out this season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, which occurred during preseason workouts.
The Bearcats have four remaining home games against St. John’s (2/13), South Florida (2/20), Providence (3/2), and DePaul (3/6) over the next month. Tickets are free to students with a valid student ID and can be picked up at the Lindner Center ticket office or ordered online at .
Be early, be loud, wear black and support our squad while you get a sneak peak at next season’s Big East dominance.