Is the University of Cincinnati men's basketball program back? Sure feels that way.
Mick Cronin inherited a program that was in shambles in 2006 following the ousters of Bob Huggins and Andy Kennedy. Players transferred, recruits did an about-face and attendance plummeted. What a difference six years makes. Cronin has led the Bearcats to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 trip this year.
Cronin was masterful in resurrecting this year's team after a 5-3 start including losses to Marshall and Presbyterian. A 23-point loss to crosstown rival Xavier ended with an ugly brawl that resulted in the suspensions of four UC players including starting center Yancy Gates. "We were so far from the NCAA Tournament we couldn't see it with binoculars," Cronin said.
But the Bearcats persevered, winning 10 of 11 in one stretch and notching victories over eight top-25 opponents including 2nd-ranked Syracuse in the Big East Conference Tournament. UC lost to in-state rival Ohio State to end its NCAA Tournament run, but progress was measurable this season.
UC won more games against top-25 opponents than any team in the country and advanced to the Big East Tournament championship game for the first time. Cronin was praised for his words following the fight with Xavier, but it was his team's performance in the aftermath that drew the most acclaim.
So how do the Bearcats build off this season's success? A talented corps of players likely will return for next season led by the dynamic guard trio of Sean Kilpatrick, Cashmere Wright and Jaquon Parker. While UC will miss the post presence of Yancy Gates and the venerable Dion Dixon, the future appears bright for the Bearcats' program
In 2006, being the men's basketball head coach at UC was a dream job. At the time it was anything but for most prospective head coaches. Cronin wasn't going to miss an opportunity to coach his hometown team, sink or swim. Coming off a 26-win season and Sweet 16 berth, it's smooth sailing for the Bearcats and Cronin.
NOTES, QUOTES
Bearcats continue the upward trend
--Cincinnati has increased its win total in each of Mick Cronin's six seasons as head coach. The Bearcats won 11 games in 2006, 13 in 2007, 18 in 2009, 19 in 2009, and 26 each of the past two seasons.
--The Bearcats reached the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. It was their 26th appearance overall.
--UC eclipsed the 25-win plateau for the second straight year, the first time it has had back-to-back 25-plus win seasons since the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
FINAL RECORD: 26-11, 12-6, fourth in the Big East Conference.
2011-12 SEASON RECAP: You could divide UC's season into two parts: pre-brawl and post-brawl. In the first eight games including the 23-point loss at Xavier, UC went 5-3 including losses to Presbyterian and Marshall. But the fight that occurred with 9.4 seconds left in the loss to the Musketeers sent UC in a different direction. Suspensions resulting from the fight prompted UC to play four guards. The Bearcats won 10 of 11 games, and built confidence. Finishing fourth in the Big East Conference was enough to get UC into the field, but it solidified its seed with a win over No. 2 Syracuse in the Big East semifinals. The Bearcats reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001 with victories over Texas and Florida State, before losing 81-66 to Ohio State in the regional semifinals.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The fact that we've climbed the ladder and that we've had some success in March is great, but ... from the day I took the job, it's always been a long-term proposition for me, so we're always trying to do things to get better each year" -- UC head coach Mick Cronin.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THE GOOD NEWS: The success of the four-guard offense this season might come in handy next year. The Bearcats will bring back three of their top five scoring guards from this season, and their top 3-point shooters. Mick Cronin has the program in great shape coming a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and Sweet 16 berth.
THE BAD NEWS: The Bearcats will sorely miss the steady leadership of Dion Dixon and post presence of Yancy Gates. While UC will be experienced in the backcourt, the frontcourt will be another matter. Cheikh Mbodj, a 6-foot-10 junior center from Senegal averaged just 9.7 minutes due to injuries and inconsistent play. Justin Jackson, who averaged 21.1 minutes per game, was a defensive force at times, but limited offensively with Gates on the court. No other big man averaged more than 8.3 minutes this season for UC.
KEY RETURNEES: UC will return four of its top six scorers for next season, including guards Sean Kilpatrick, Jaquon Parker and Cashmere Wright. Parker averaged 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in a seven-game stretch including the two NCAA Tournament wins. Shot-blocking specialist. Justin Jackson will be a junior. The Bearcats will miss Yancy Gates, but 6-foot-10 junior Cheikh Mbodj returns along with highly-touted 6-foot-7 sophomore Shaq Thomas who was ineligible this season but practiced with the team.
PLAYER NOTES:
--Sophomore G Sean Kilpatrick was named Second Team All-Big East Conference after averaging 14.6 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 42.4 percent from the field, and 36.4 percent from 3-point range during the regular season. He tied for first in the Big East for made 3-pointers.
--Yancy Gates finished his career at UC as the sixth player in school history to amass 1,400 points and 900 rebounds. Gates' 132 career games played is tied with Larry Davis for third in school history. Gates finished his career as UC's 14th-leading scorer with 1,485 points and ninth on UC's all-time rebounding list with 916.
--Dion Dixon leaves with 137 career games played, a school record. Dixon played 1,231 minutes this season, third-most in a single season in UC history. Dixon is UC's 22nd all-time leading scorer with 1,282 points.
