RE: Depth+Tough Schedule=Deep NCAA Run

[Gary Rowe]

IMHO and elite 8 run this year is highly unlikely. We have depth in several positions only because nobody stands out...case in point...center. We are highly inconsistent and really don't have a defined leader on the team. There is no KMart, Nick, Steve... I wish I believed otherwise but I will consider this year a coaching success story with a strong Conference USA showing, a tournament bid and a first round victory.

As for next year I completely agree that we should be a top 5 team, and, IMHO have a real shot at all the marbles. With all the talent we will have next year, there may be issues with playing time, some discontent, but that is the kind of problem we WANT to HAVE.

Gary

-----Original Message-----
From: Darryl Gilliam [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 10:51 AM
To: address@hidden
Subject: [UC Basketball] Depth+Tough Schedule=Deep NCAA Run



I know most of you will not agree with the subject line but I believe that this years team may make a deep run in this years NCAA tourney for the following two reasons:

Depth

This is the first Bearcat team in a VERY long time that could go 8-9 players deep.  

This may at first appear to be a negative because there arent 5 very good players on this team but I am a firm believer that teams with deep benches go further in the tourney than teams with 5 good players but no bench help.  Not to mention the fact that this team will drastically improve over the next two months.  There arent a lot of teams in the country that could go two deep at 4 of the 5 positions.

Schedule Strength

The non-conference schedule was tough but not nearly as tough as C-USA will be this year.  Louisville, Marquette, Memphis, and yes even East Carolina will be very good this year.  This will be the first time since the inception of C-USA could end the season with four ranked teams.  While this may be the end of Cincy's long run as conference champs, this will help us tremendously in the tourney.  

Over the past 5-7 years our problem has been lack of competition.  There were periods of stretches where we did not have to get up for our opponents because they simply were not good.  This is in stark contrast to the NCAA tourney where you have to get up for every single game.  Our adversity early in the season and throughout C-USA play will make this team tough to beat during the tourney.

Bottom Line:  Look for an Elite Eight bid this year and a pre-season top 5 ranking this year.



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