Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats on the Right Track

It’s not very often that a team who finishes its season on a six-game losing streak is considered to be moving in the right direction. 

But, ask just about any Big East coach, and you’ll hear that Mick Cronin has turned around the Cincinnati program from abysmal to competitive in just two seasons. Last season, Cronin’s first at his “dream job,” with a makeshift last-second roster, the Bearcats finished dead last in the Big East.  This season, playing virtually the same players, UC moved up six spots, while quadrupling last season’s conference win total. 

While some Bearcat fans are impatient with Cronin’s progress, any expert or coach will tell you that he has done a remarkable job, given the situation. 

This season was a success.  The goal was to make it to Madison Square Garden to play in the Big East tournament.  That was accomplished.  Not only that, but a leader has emerged—6’1” guard Deonta Vaughn, a unanimous first team All Big East selection.  The best part?  Vaughn is just a sophomore.

Before UC ran out of gas down the stretch, Cronin had the scrappy never-say-die Cats sitting in sixth place in the Big East, and, unbelievably, there was talk of post-season play.  How did he do it?? 

His best big man, former McDonald’s All-American Mike Williams, was lost for the season with an Achilles tear before practice even started.  His top ranked recruit, 6’7” guard Jason Henry, didn’t qualify academically. 

The rest of the roster?  Deonta Vaughn, five JuCo’s who frankly would struggle to crack the starting line-up at most mid-major schools, and a stable of unheralded freshmen. 

Pretty incredible that this team won any Big East games!

As for the future, it looks promising.  Already committed for next season: 6’9” man-child Yancy Gates, Ohio’s Division I Player of the Year; lightning-quick prolific-scoring point guard Cashmere Wright from Savannah, GA (ranked among the Top 15 at his position by most publications); and Dion “D Double” Dixon, the best guard in the Chicago Public League.

Not to mention the return of Mike Williams, a 6’8” beast in the low post, and the transfer of Nick Aldridge from Western Carolina—where all he did was average 19 ppg his freshman season. 

And Mick may have one or two more recruits on the way. 

Finally, three freshmen, Rashad Bishop, Larry Davis, and Anthony “Biggie” McClain, received minutes and all showed flashes of solid potential. 

Rebuilding is a gradual process.  Cronin, the workaholic Cincinnati kid, is doing a phenomenal job.  I can’t wait for next season.