Re: Cronin II

[richard l. kandell]

More from Mick's talk:

Returning Team Members:

McGowan - nicest kid you would ever want to meet - knows he needs to be team leader and has stepped up.

Allen - 2 years ago he averaged 2 points for an NAIA team - reason: too slow, too weak, not quick enough.  Has improved in those areas, but he is neither strong enough, quick enough, nor fast enough to play college ball at this level.

Tilford - Didn't agree with Cronin on studies or work ethic and was asked to leave.

Downey - was actually on recruiting visits at Christmas during freshman year - will be denied, but Cronin has great recruiting ties and that's what he was told, and he believes it.  Would be starting point for UC had he stayed, got terrible input from some adults around him, and yes, he did ask to come back, but by that time too late.

Offense:

Cares more about it then the last full time "permanent" coach.  Need at least one pure shooter, he was guy on staff who pushed for Field Williams.  Told story about last year in conference tourney - Murray had big lead whittled down to about 3 points, inserted pure shooter, made 3 3's in a row, game over.  Kid couldn't guard anybody, but you can hide that for brief periods.

Defense:

Would like to press if possible, not the crazy all out type of thing that gives up one lay-up after another, but gets the occasional steal and takes time off the shot clock.  Need depth and shot blockers to do it -believes in playing as many people as he can -"my 9-10 guys can beat your 5-6 guys."  (ed. note.  I'm not sure we're going to be deeper than UConn, 'Cuse, 'Nova, etc., on a regular basis)

This & That:

Was offered Ole Miss job, but held out for UC - neither he nor his wife wanted to live in Oxford, Miss.

While at UC he couldn't get an interview for a head coaching job anyplace - did not make the final list at any school - he's convinced it had to do with the reputation of the program - which was not correct but that was how the program was viewed.  At the time Huggins was telling him that he was probably leaving for West Virginia, and what a great school it was, and how terrific Morgantown was.  He really didn't want to go to Morgantown; Pitino called him at just the right time.  He contacted other AD's and was told that UC would never hire him directly as head coach, that they would do so only if he went someplace else and had head coaching experience.  He was scared to death to leave, Pitino kept asking him if he was sure - told him his relationship with Huggins would never be the same, time would heal some of the wounds, but not all.  First year at UofL he was on the final list for a head coaching job at several schools.

He mentioned that he found out UC had had people watching him last year during a good portion of the season.

Emphasis on not spending time recruiting kids there is no way they can sign.  Repeatedly tells assistants not to waste their time.  Believes the closer you get to your campus the higher the percentage of likelihood you will sign recruit.  He or his staff have good contacts all over the country, except California - he's never been too high on recruiting California, there are, of course, exceptions to a rule, but don't look for a lot of west coast kids.  Texas, on the other hand, is a gold mine - UT, even when it is good, can only sign so many kids, and UC can beat any other Texas school - most of the Texas kids want to leave the state - too hot and too football oriented, last year had 133 Texas' kids sign Division 1 scholarships.

Don't look for a lot of Mickey D. AA types - believes most are looking for 1-2 years before turning pro, wants quality 4 year players if he can get them.  Again, there are always exceptions to a rule.  Cited Villanova as example - 4 years ago had terrific recruiting class, first 2 years ordinary results, kids stayed, by junior and senior years they were national power. 

On recruiting types of players, always room for for 1 or 2 outstanding athletes with lower basketball skills, and 1 or 2 with specific skills (like a shooter) with limited athleticism, but team should be made up mostly with people who are reasonably good athletes AND have good basketball skills.   Cited Kenyon's senior year team as ideal example of who was there.  Cited Kenyon as example of how hard it is to make NBA - was absolutely awesome his senior year, yet is an ordinary or slightly above type of NBA player.  However, can make a great living overseas - cited Pete Michael, makes $750,000/year playing overseas.  This year's UC team doesn't have anyone he thinks is a likely NBA player, though there are 3-5 that could develop sufficiently to play overseas.

Will post more if I can remember anything else he said of real interest.

Richard K.