Down The Drive: FanPosts

Bearcat Belt - Awesome Fan Gear

2013-04-23T20:38:27Z

I designed this belt - check it out. Subtle but loud enough to show some pride. Admittedly I make money every time somebody else buys my design, but I challenge anyone to make a better one. I'd love to see some awesome BearCat belts around the streets of the Nati. Going to be making Reds and Bengals belts shortly unless someone beats me to it.

http://www.beltcraft.com/collections/recently-crafted-belts/products/bearcat-suede-belt

impromptu UConn gamethread

2013-03-02T19:32:59Z

- hey, we're wearing the legible black jerseys

- Cash just missed a 3, but, he was able to jump this time. i'd estimate him to be at 70%

- no Justin Jackson

- NO SHABAZZ NAPIER

- 15:58. Cheikh Mbodj with a ghastly play that defies desxcription

14:12 1st, down 6-2

- WE HIT A BASSSSKET WE HIT A BASSSKET

- Big Man Point Counter: 2

- i've decided we need 16ppg from our five big guys to win. am I cheating by calling Rubles a big guy

- Big Man Point Counter: 4

11:22 1st, up 9-8

- Rubles shoots ANOTHER 3. my couch may have been punched

- BMPC: 6, a play that bring back the "ill-advised 30 footer" as an offensive faciliatator

- he didn't call bank

7:52 1ST, down 16-13

- hey, we're wearing the legible black jerseys

- Cash just missed a 3, but, he was able to jump this time. i'd estimate him to be at 70%

- no Justin Jackson

- NO SHABAZZ NAPIER

- 15:58. Cheikh Mbodj with a ghastly play that defies desxcription

14:12 1st, down 6-2

- WE HIT A BASSSSKET WE HIT A BASSSKET

- Big Man Point Counter: 2

- i've decided we need 16ppg from our five big guys to win. am I cheating by calling Rubles a big guy

- Big Man Point Counter: 4

11:22 1st, up 9-8

- Rubles shoots ANOTHER 3. my couch may have been punched

- BMPC: 6, a play that bring back the "ill-advised 30 footer" as an offensive faciliatator

- he didn't call bank

7:52 1ST, down 16-13

Bearcats Vs. The Bubble

2013-02-24T18:55:14Z

A dark cloud appears to be floating above the tract houses of Bearcat Township. A season that began fraught with promise seems to be slowly derailing, framing a fanbase with discontent in the aftermath of loss after loss after soul crunching defeat and DEAR GOD WE CAN'T THROW A PENNY INTO THE OCEAN AND I THOUGHT WATCHING MUNCHIE WAS FRUSTRATING. But, fret not, because as much as we've sucked (and it's less "sucked" and more "run into your toughest competition with your most important player at 30%") the rest of college basketball has sucked more, leading to the worst bubble in a while. As a result, we're not a bubble team. We're not even close. For proof, I consulted The Bracket Matrix, an excellent collection of 90 brackets located at http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix.htm. We're listed as "in" in drumroll, please.....dadadadada..........90. The bubble, for the purpose of this metric, is every team listed in between 45 and 89 brackets, and the universal "next four out". As a point of comparison, we're 19-8, 7-7 BigE, 50 RPI, 38 SOS.

Kentucky(19-8, 10-4, 2nd SEC ) 6-8 v. top 100| RPI/Rank: 0.5929/45 | SOS/Rank: 0.5612/46

California(18-9, 10-5, 4th PAC12 ) 5-9 v. top 100| RPI/Rank: 0.5956/40 | SOS/Rank: 0.5737/31

Mississippi(20-7, 9-5, 4th SEC ) 5-5 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5752/57 | SOS/Rank: 0.5162/125

Baylor(16-11, 7-7, 6th BIG12 ) 5-9 v. top 100| RPI/Rank: 0.5682/64 | SOS/Rank: 0.5761/27

St. Mary's(24-5, 12-2, 2nd WCC ) 5-3 v. top 100| RPI/Rank: 0.5968/39 | SOS/Rank: 0.5232/115

Temple(18-8, 7-5, 6th ATL10 ) 7-5 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5904/49 | SOS/Rank: 0.5612/46

Villanova(18-10, 9-6, 7th BIGE ) 6-9 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5844/54 | SOS/Rank: 0.5739/30 - Lest you forget, we beat they a$$ about ten days ago. Not getting in over us.

Virginia(18-8, 8-5, 4th ACC)6-2 v. top 100, RPI 77, SOS

Arizona State(20-8, 9-6 B12)5-6 v. top 100 RPI 88 - RPI 88. End argument here.

Boise State(18-8, 6-6, 5th MWC ) 5-6 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5928/46 | SOS/Rank: 0.5505/70 - 4 of the 5 are over the 51-100 section of the top 100. Plus I've watched them play basketball. Not getting in over us.

Charlotte(18-7, 6-5, 6th ATL10 ) 7-5 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5780/55 | SOS/Rank: 0.5294/107 - Little-known Black History Fact: the A-10 is filthy this year. This is the only resume that's kinda close to ours. However, ours is better.

Maryland(19-8, 7-7, 6th ACC ) 3-7 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5639/65 | SOS/Rank: 0.5308/103 - We're better. Next.

Southern Miss(21-7, 10-3, 2nd USA ) 3-6 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.6052/35 | SOS/Rank: 0.5419/87

St. John's(16-10, 8-6, 9th BIGE ) 4-7 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5743/59 | SOS/Rank: 0.5694/35 -REALITY CHECK PEOPLE. THIS IS OUR WORST LOSS. THE SADDEST MOMENT OF OUR SEASON WAS AT THE HANDS OF A BUBBLE TEAM.

keep calm, carry on, and FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WIN TODAY

California(18-9, 10-5, 4th PAC12 ) 5-9 v. top 100| RPI/Rank: 0.5956/40 | SOS/Rank: 0.5737/31

Mississippi(20-7, 9-5, 4th SEC ) 5-5 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5752/57 | SOS/Rank: 0.5162/125

Baylor(16-11, 7-7, 6th BIG12 ) 5-9 v. top 100| RPI/Rank: 0.5682/64 | SOS/Rank: 0.5761/27

St. Mary's(24-5, 12-2, 2nd WCC ) 5-3 v. top 100| RPI/Rank: 0.5968/39 | SOS/Rank: 0.5232/115

Temple(18-8, 7-5, 6th ATL10 ) 7-5 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5904/49 | SOS/Rank: 0.5612/46

Villanova(18-10, 9-6, 7th BIGE ) 6-9 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5844/54 | SOS/Rank: 0.5739/30 - Lest you forget, we beat they a$$ about ten days ago. Not getting in over us.

Virginia(18-8, 8-5, 4th ACC)6-2 v. top 100, RPI 77, SOS

Arizona State(20-8, 9-6 B12)5-6 v. top 100 RPI 88 - RPI 88. End argument here.

Maryland(19-8, 7-7, 6th ACC ) 3-7 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.5639/65 | SOS/Rank: 0.5308/103 - We're better. Next.

Southern Miss(21-7, 10-3, 2nd USA ) 3-6 v. top 100 | RPI/Rank: 0.6052/35 | SOS/Rank: 0.5419/87

keep calm, carry on, and FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WIN TODAY

No Munchie Offense

2012-11-25T23:57:08Z

It looks like the no Munchie offense is not very good. Kay may have fewer turnovers, but points are what wins, and we're not scoring much. Temple and USF are not good measuring sticks because they have poor defenses. Three points against the R is terrible. People who wanted Munchie out and Kay in got what they asked for. When the bowl game rolls around I'm hoping Munchie is in. Kay is not bad, but he's not very good either.

Share of Big East Title?

2012-11-25T01:01:19Z

Congratulations on your win over S Florida... with the losses by Rutgers and Louisville, y'all are back in it.

While there is no way you can get the automatic BCS bid any more due to tie-breaker rules, you can still claim a share of the Big East title by beating UConn next week. Combine that with a Louisville win over Rutgers and BAM! 4-way tie (with Syracuse). In that case, Louisville wins the tie-breaker (sorry).

But hey, a share of the title is something to be proud of, isn't it?

There are only 3 ways this can turn out now.

Rutgers beats Louisville (doesn't matter what Cincinnati does)

Louisville wins, Cincinnati loses

Louisville AND Cincinnati win.

Congratulations on your win over S Florida... with the losses by Rutgers and Louisville, y'all are back in it.

But hey, a share of the title is something to be proud of, isn't it?

There are only 3 ways this can turn out now.

Rutgers beats Louisville (doesn't matter what Cincinnati does)

Louisville wins, Cincinnati loses

Louisville AND Cincinnati win.

Poll

What do you think will happen?

Rutgers wins Big East outright

1 votes

3-way tie (RU/UL/SU)

0 votes

4-way tie (RU/UL/SU/UC)

5 votes

6 votes | Poll has closed

EMERGENCY BACKUP DOUBLE GAMETHREAD IN A GAMETHREAD HERE

2012-11-23T23:28:28Z

- I'm growing a wee bit worried about Mr. Opper, who hasn't been seen or heard from since we got blown out 10-3 by Rutgers. (yes, I know a one score margin does not typically constitute blowout. I also went to that game. we got whipped.) Then I remembered: retail. Just in case, backup gamethread since we're lucky enough to have football and basketball playing [future]AT THE SAME DAMN TIME[/Future]. Important statistical analysis below.

South Florida at Cincinnati

Where: Nippert Stadium.

When: Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN/700WLW

Weather: it's cold and windy

2012 records: Bearcats 7-3 overall, 3-2 Big East, Bulls 3-7, 1-4

Team Statistics from the esteemed cfbstats.com

	South Florida	Opponents
Scoring: Points/Game	23.4	27.5
Scoring: Games - Points	10 - 234	10 - 275
First Downs: Total	219	228
First Downs: Rushing - Passing - By Penalty	101 - 96 - 22	82 - 127 - 19
Rushing: Yards / Attempt	4.58	3.66
Rushing: Attempts - Yards - TD	368 - 1686 - 13	407 - 1489 - 16
Passing: Rating	118.80	151.32
Passing: Yards	2301	2634
Passing: Attempts - Completions - Interceptions - TD	343 - 192 - 12 - 14	321 - 219 - 2 - 15
Total Offense: Yards / Play	5.61	5.66
Total Offense: Plays - Yards	711 - 3987	728 - 4123
Punt Returns: Yards / Return	7.33	4.00
Punt Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	18 - 132 - 0	9 - 36 - 0
Kickoff Returns: Yards / Return	15.45	24.27
Kickoff Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	29 - 448 - 0	15 - 364 - 0
Punting: Yards / Punt	39.34	38.25
Punting: Punts - Yards	44 - 1731	53 - 2027
Interceptions: Returns - Yards - TD	2 - 29 - 0	12 - 114 - 0
Fumbles: Number - Lost	16 - 11	10 - 7
Penalties: Number - Yards	71 - 643	82 - 774
Time of Possession / Game	27:48.30	32:11.70
3rd Down Conversions: Conversion %	44.83%	41.67%
3rd Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	145 - 65	144 - 60
4th Down Conversions: Conversion %	44.44%	85.71%
4th Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	9 - 4	7 - 6
Red Zone: Success %	90%	85%
Red Zone: Attempts - Scores	30 - 27	40 - 34
Field Goals: Success %	80%	78.3%
Field Goals: Attempts - Made	20 - 16	23 - 18
PAT Kicking: Success %	90.9%	93.1%
PAT Kicking: Attempts - Made	22 - 20	29 - 27
2-Point Conversions: Success %	40%	33.33%
2-Point Conversions: Attempts - Made	5 - 2	3 - 1

	Cincinnati	Opponents
Scoring: Points/Game	31.1	17.9
Scoring: Games - Points	10 - 311	10 - 179
First Downs: Total	212	191
First Downs: Rushing - Passing - By Penalty	100 - 94 - 18	74 - 106 - 11
Rushing: Yards / Attempt	5.44	3.96
Rushing: Attempts - Yards - TD	392 - 2131 - 20	353 - 1397 - 7
Passing: Rating	132.92	114.18
Passing: Yards	2310	2409
Passing: Attempts - Completions - Interceptions - TD	289 - 156 - 11 - 17	362 - 200 - 11 - 10
Total Offense: Yards / Play	6.52	5.32
Total Offense: Plays - Yards	681 - 4441	715 - 3806
Punt Returns: Yards / Return	11.55	6.53
Punt Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	22 - 254 - 0	19 - 124 - 0
Kickoff Returns: Yards / Return	25.96	24.52
Kickoff Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	25 - 649 - 0	29 - 711 - 1
Punting: Yards / Punt	42.10	42.09
Punting: Punts - Yards	42 - 1768	55 - 2315
Interceptions: Returns - Yards - TD	11 - 149 - 1	11 - 167 - 1
Fumbles: Number - Lost	15 - 7	14 - 8
Penalties: Number - Yards	56 - 530	68 - 604
Time of Possession / Game	28:45.60	31:14.40
3rd Down Conversions: Conversion %	44.78%	37.27%
3rd Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	134 - 60	161 - 60
4th Down Conversions: Conversion %	57.14%	52.94%
4th Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	7 - 4	17 - 9
Red Zone: Success %	83.33%	67.74%
Red Zone: Attempts - Scores	42 - 35	31 - 21
Field Goals: Success %	72.2%	75%
Field Goals: Attempts - Made	18 - 13	20 - 15
PAT Kicking: Success %	97.4%	100%
PAT Kicking: Attempts - Made	39 - 38	16 - 16
2-Point Conversions: Success %	-	66.67%
2-Point Conversions: Attempts - Made	0 - 0	3 - 2

Pick: Cincy 31-21, high chance of sleepwalking.

Iowa State vs. Cincinnati

Location: whatever UNLV's stadium is called, 6:30pm Friday

Records: both 4-0

TV/Radio: CBS Sports Network (1322 on TW, 613 on DirecTV, 219 on FiOptics, 531 on Insight)/ WEBN 102.7 or http://www.iheart.com/live/1701/

screw statistical analysis. they're good, we're gooder. Sean Kilpatrick guarding Will Clyburn is a bit worrisome, however. they run a lot and jack up a lotta threes.

Pick: Cincy 87-75.

South Florida at Cincinnati

Where: Nippert Stadium.

When: Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN/700WLW

Weather: it's cold and windy

2012 records: Bearcats 7-3 overall, 3-2 Big East, Bulls 3-7, 1-4

Team Statistics from the esteemed cfbstats.com

	South Florida	Opponents
Scoring: Points/Game	23.4	27.5
Scoring: Games - Points	10 - 234	10 - 275
First Downs: Total	219	228
First Downs: Rushing - Passing - By Penalty	101 - 96 - 22	82 - 127 - 19
Rushing: Yards / Attempt	4.58	3.66
Rushing: Attempts - Yards - TD	368 - 1686 - 13	407 - 1489 - 16
Passing: Rating	118.80	151.32
Passing: Yards	2301	2634
Passing: Attempts - Completions - Interceptions - TD	343 - 192 - 12 - 14	321 - 219 - 2 - 15
Total Offense: Yards / Play	5.61	5.66
Total Offense: Plays - Yards	711 - 3987	728 - 4123
Punt Returns: Yards / Return	7.33	4.00
Punt Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	18 - 132 - 0	9 - 36 - 0
Kickoff Returns: Yards / Return	15.45	24.27
Kickoff Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	29 - 448 - 0	15 - 364 - 0
Punting: Yards / Punt	39.34	38.25
Punting: Punts - Yards	44 - 1731	53 - 2027
Interceptions: Returns - Yards - TD	2 - 29 - 0	12 - 114 - 0
Fumbles: Number - Lost	16 - 11	10 - 7
Penalties: Number - Yards	71 - 643	82 - 774
Time of Possession / Game	27:48.30	32:11.70
3rd Down Conversions: Conversion %	44.83%	41.67%
3rd Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	145 - 65	144 - 60
4th Down Conversions: Conversion %	44.44%	85.71%
4th Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	9 - 4	7 - 6
Red Zone: Success %	90%	85%
Red Zone: Attempts - Scores	30 - 27	40 - 34
Field Goals: Success %	80%	78.3%
Field Goals: Attempts - Made	20 - 16	23 - 18
PAT Kicking: Success %	90.9%	93.1%
PAT Kicking: Attempts - Made	22 - 20	29 - 27
2-Point Conversions: Success %	40%	33.33%
2-Point Conversions: Attempts - Made	5 - 2	3 - 1

	Cincinnati	Opponents
Scoring: Points/Game	31.1	17.9
Scoring: Games - Points	10 - 311	10 - 179
First Downs: Total	212	191
First Downs: Rushing - Passing - By Penalty	100 - 94 - 18	74 - 106 - 11
Rushing: Yards / Attempt	5.44	3.96
Rushing: Attempts - Yards - TD	392 - 2131 - 20	353 - 1397 - 7
Passing: Rating	132.92	114.18
Passing: Yards	2310	2409
Passing: Attempts - Completions - Interceptions - TD	289 - 156 - 11 - 17	362 - 200 - 11 - 10
Total Offense: Yards / Play	6.52	5.32
Total Offense: Plays - Yards	681 - 4441	715 - 3806
Punt Returns: Yards / Return	11.55	6.53
Punt Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	22 - 254 - 0	19 - 124 - 0
Kickoff Returns: Yards / Return	25.96	24.52
Kickoff Returns: Returns - Yards - TD	25 - 649 - 0	29 - 711 - 1
Punting: Yards / Punt	42.10	42.09
Punting: Punts - Yards	42 - 1768	55 - 2315
Interceptions: Returns - Yards - TD	11 - 149 - 1	11 - 167 - 1
Fumbles: Number - Lost	15 - 7	14 - 8
Penalties: Number - Yards	56 - 530	68 - 604
Time of Possession / Game	28:45.60	31:14.40
3rd Down Conversions: Conversion %	44.78%	37.27%
3rd Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	134 - 60	161 - 60
4th Down Conversions: Conversion %	57.14%	52.94%
4th Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions	7 - 4	17 - 9
Red Zone: Success %	83.33%	67.74%
Red Zone: Attempts - Scores	42 - 35	31 - 21
Field Goals: Success %	72.2%	75%
Field Goals: Attempts - Made	18 - 13	20 - 15
PAT Kicking: Success %	97.4%	100%
PAT Kicking: Attempts - Made	39 - 38	16 - 16
2-Point Conversions: Success %	-	66.67%
2-Point Conversions: Attempts - Made	0 - 0	3 - 2

Pick: Cincy 31-21, high chance of sleepwalking.

Iowa State vs. Cincinnati

Location: whatever UNLV's stadium is called, 6:30pm Friday

Records: both 4-0

TV/Radio: CBS Sports Network (1322 on TW, 613 on DirecTV, 219 on FiOptics, 531 on Insight)/ WEBN 102.7 or http://www.iheart.com/live/1701/

screw statistical analysis. they're good, we're gooder. Sean Kilpatrick guarding Will Clyburn is a bit worrisome, however. they run a lot and jack up a lotta threes.

Pick: Cincy 87-75.

CoachPoach 2012: The Short List

2012-11-22T22:44:31Z

- just read the CBJ to KY getting serious article (link: http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/11/22/3680038/kentucky-football-coaching-search-butch-jones )and wanted to throw this up before life gets busy. If the guy's willing to entertain frickin' Kentucky, we're screwed if/when Michigan State (flat out, if they call, I say "job well done" and help him pack), Tennessee, or Arkansas call. Might as well be prepared for Life After Butch.

1. Willie Taggart, Western Kentucky Head Coach

- He should be our first choice. Only thing is, he's likely to be Tennessee or Kentucky's 2nd choice too.

2. Bobby Petrino, former Arkansas HC

- i don't think we can afford him, but it's worth the shot. Getting a big money coach might be good for brownie points in ConferencePoach 2014.

3. Luke Fickell, an ohio state university defensive coodinator

- Did an admirable job under wacky circumstances in his year at OSU. I'd like to see what can be accomplished with the stability of Cincinnati (yes, I used the word stability in reference to UC's coaching job. i hope your exploding head didn't ruin your leftovers).

4. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas A&M OC

- this is Johnny Manziel's OC. Bennie Coney, by nearly all accounts, is a better athlete than Johnny Manziel. wrap that round your cerebral cortex for a second.

5. Sonny Dykes, Louisiana Tech HC

- Good recruiter, fun offense, I'd be indulged.

6. Matt Campbell, Toledo Head Coach

- when in doubt, poach the best coach in the MAC. I'd like to see him with a couple years to prove he can recruit, though. likely who we'd end up with.

6. Kerry Coombs, an ohio state university DB Coach

via cdnimg.visualizeus.com

1. Willie Taggart, Western Kentucky Head Coach

- He should be our first choice. Only thing is, he's likely to be Tennessee or Kentucky's 2nd choice too.

2. Bobby Petrino, former Arkansas HC

- i don't think we can afford him, but it's worth the shot. Getting a big money coach might be good for brownie points in ConferencePoach 2014.

3. Luke Fickell, an ohio state university defensive coodinator

4. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas A&M OC

- this is Johnny Manziel's OC. Bennie Coney, by nearly all accounts, is a better athlete than Johnny Manziel. wrap that round your cerebral cortex for a second.

5. Sonny Dykes, Louisiana Tech HC

- Good recruiter, fun offense, I'd be indulged.

6. Matt Campbell, Toledo Head Coach

- when in doubt, poach the best coach in the MAC. I'd like to see him with a couple years to prove he can recruit, though. likely who we'd end up with.

6. Kerry Coombs, an ohio state university DB Coach

via cdnimg.visualizeus.com

Musings On (What Better Be)A Beatdown

2012-11-21T00:55:08Z

13:40, 1st. up 16-11.

- Titus Rubles' pump fake is MIGHTY. hell, i missed the dunk looking the other way

- thing about this new pace: our turnover numbers are damn near doubling, but they don't seem completely out of control. as i say that, Rubles attempts a no-look pass.

- i've seen two discernible plays run. both were for Ge'Lawn Guyn.

- Cheikh Mbodj not only looks smaller, he looks younger. Benjamin Button swag

- from a guy who remembers the Roy Bright/De'Andre Coleman/Cedric McGowan/John Williamson -error- era, it still does something to me to watch a 6'10" guy get subbed out for a 7'1" guy

- #20 for Campbell's curls are mildly disorienting

- hate to admit it, these last few minutes have not been very good basketball

- it's too early to a

- pretty screen and roll from SK to Nyarsuk

31-15 7:22 1st

- a guy just got kicked in the head by Nyarsuk. Twice. that's one of those "A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH" moments

- 15 minutes in, it looks like we're better at shooting 3's than free throws

- JaQuon Parker going to the rim makes me want to think of adjectives, but this format makes it near impossible

- our guards have been remarkably good at offensive rebounding (JP was always like that, it's new from SK, Cash, and Gwyn

- Kelvin Gaines sighting

41-26 1:28 1st

- Campbell's actually pretty good so far. nice set and jumper versus really good D

- Davis just went coast to coast and drained a 25 footer right before halftime

HALF

13:40, 1st. up 16-11.

- Titus Rubles' pump fake is MIGHTY. hell, i missed the dunk looking the other way

- thing about this new pace: our turnover numbers are damn near doubling, but they don't seem completely out of control. as i say that, Rubles attempts a no-look pass.

- i've seen two discernible plays run. both were for Ge'Lawn Guyn.

- Cheikh Mbodj not only looks smaller, he looks younger. Benjamin Button swag

- from a guy who remembers the Roy Bright/De'Andre Coleman/Cedric McGowan/John Williamson -error- era, it still does something to me to watch a 6'10" guy get subbed out for a 7'1" guy

- #20 for Campbell's curls are mildly disorienting

- hate to admit it, these last few minutes have not been very good basketball

- it's too early to a

- pretty screen and roll from SK to Nyarsuk

31-15 7:22 1st

- a guy just got kicked in the head by Nyarsuk. Twice. that's one of those "A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH" moments

- 15 minutes in, it looks like we're better at shooting 3's than free throws

- JaQuon Parker going to the rim makes me want to think of adjectives, but this format makes it near impossible

- our guards have been remarkably good at offensive rebounding (JP was always like that, it's new from SK, Cash, and Gwyn

- Kelvin Gaines sighting

41-26 1:28 1st

- Campbell's actually pretty good so far. nice set and jumper versus really good D

- Davis just went coast to coast and drained a 25 footer right before halftime

HALF

Know Your Victim, Er, Opponent: Tennessee-Martin

2012-11-11T15:05:27Z

The Cincinnati Bearcats begin basketball season today facing the highest expectations in damn near a decade. As a guy who still vividly remembers looking across the stands at Wofford and having the "we're screwed" feeling, it's highly refreshing to look to the University of Tennessee at Martin with the reassuring knowledge that this game will be over by about 3:15 and some freshman is going to have a game far exceeding their -talent- expectation level today.

Good news for the Skyhawks: they return four starters from last year. Bad news: last year they finished 4-27, including 0-for the OVC. They're a team molded much like the Bearcats, in that they like to run and feature three guards, an inside/outside forward, and a big guy down low. Note: the Skyhawks have only played one game, so stats may be a bit skewed.

Guards

UTM:

3 Terence Smith G 6-4 185 R-So. 10ppg, 5 rpg, 1 apg. may be suspended for a flagrant-2 from last game

4 Bobby Jones G 6-3 185 Jr. 5ppg, 2rpg

22 Justin Childs G 6-4 190 Jr.

JUCO transfer Jones and backup freshman Dee Oldham are considered the highest regarded guys.

Cincinnati:

Cash, Killa, 'Quon. Some may call them the Three Amigos. I refer to them as The Way, The Truth, and The Light. If you need a scouting report on these guys, you're not reading a FanPost made at 9am anyway.

Forwards

UTM:

10 Mike Liabo G/F 6-6 195 Jr last year's leading scorer, resident 3-point shooter

33 Myles Taylor F 6-7 250 So. 24ppg, 5rpg

Cincy:

Titus Rubles

Cheikh Mbodj

from pictures, Taylor is built like a tank. He kinda looks like Kenny Belton.

2PM. Game on. 5th/3rd Arena. Good seats are assuredly still available. If not, -shame on us all- game's on Fox Sports Ohio or KISS 107.1fm.

Guards

UTM:

3 Terence Smith G 6-4 185 R-So. 10ppg, 5 rpg, 1 apg. may be suspended for a flagrant-2 from last game

4 Bobby Jones G 6-3 185 Jr. 5ppg, 2rpg

22 Justin Childs G 6-4 190 Jr.

JUCO transfer Jones and backup freshman Dee Oldham are considered the highest regarded guys.

Cincinnati:

Forwards

UTM:

10 Mike Liabo G/F 6-6 195 Jr last year's leading scorer, resident 3-point shooter

33 Myles Taylor F 6-7 250 So. 24ppg, 5rpg

Cincy:

Titus Rubles

Cheikh Mbodj

from pictures, Taylor is built like a tank. He kinda looks like Kenny Belton.

2PM. Game on. 5th/3rd Arena. Good seats are assuredly still available. If not, -shame on us all- game's on Fox Sports Ohio or KISS 107.1fm.

New SBN Template is Awful

2012-10-10T13:04:34Z

I would prefer going back to old template for SBN blogs. I cannot find things on this site anymore. Links are broken, graphics are too big in some places. The contact us link is broken. I cannot find the list of blogs I am a member of. Coepltely sucks in my opinion. You may have lost a reader here.

75 words minimum requirement sucks. Many times I jjust want to post a short comment. I hate hate hate hate this .

Hey! Basketball! - David Nyarsuk is now a Cincinnati Bearcat.

2012-08-27T18:40:14Z

via i49.tinypic.com

Today in Bearcat Protectorate (because you're not a nation when you have to write blog posts on 'attendance issues'), as most of you are watching the new kick-ass promo with bad music (a feature soon to be fixed, with Opper's approval), the NCAA Compliance Goons smiled down upon us and allowed David Nyarsuk to join the fold. So who is David Nyarsuk, you ask?

Dave Nyarsuk 2010-2011.wmv (via coacharrowood)

via i49.tinypic.com

Dave Nyarsuk 2010-2011.wmv (via coacharrowood)

David Nyarsuk (NAAR-suk, rhymes with carsick) is a 7'1" center from Mountain State ~~University~~ by way of West Virginia (yes, Bob Huggins, the Messiah of Multiple Local Taverns, originally signed him. sadly, that's all the convincing some of you need) by way of the Sudan. So as he gets accustomed to seeing teeth, let's get accustomed to him. He's listed at 230, but 215ish is probably closer to the truth. He's not a back to the basket guy, nor should an offense run through him. However, he's the most athletic center of the Cronin era (there are more dunks in that youtube clip than in the entire careers of Adam Hyrachinuk and Biggie McClain) and he was second in the NAIA in blocked shots last year. He put up 10 and 8 in an offense surrounded by gunners, getting his on rebounds, tip ins, and alleyoops. He's not much of a freethrow shooter (eh), averaged 3 fouls a game (eh, this is the Big East where public floggings aren't fouls, unless they happen to Georgetown), and needs to get stronger to compete in the Big East.

David Nyarsuk, hopefully in his natural habitat. via www.i95ballerz.com

He's also well-versed in adversity, another Bearcat hallmark. Check out this story on his near deportation from last year: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=6587677

What to expect? Good defense (hell, ~~Hair~~Fearless Leader Mick Cronin won't give you a second look if you're not a good defender), a few nice lobdunks, and the Mean Face Frontcourt with Justin Jackson. If that 10/8/3 becomes 5/5/2, that still goes good with Chekih's 5/4/1 and Kelvin's 3/1, to make ChiKelVid MboGaineSuk a double/double center. Double/double center with our guards: Happy Bearcat.

via cdn0.sbnation.com

Floor: Adam Hyracihnuk

Ceiling: Donald Little, minus the crazy

Hey! A Basketball Mention! - The Non-Conference Schedule

2012-08-10T15:46:49Z

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cinn/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/schedule/schedule.pdf

Note: The Talented And Inherently Awesome Mr. Opper hasn't weighed in on this yet. When he does, ignore this.

When you're in a big-time basketball conference, the non-conference schedule serves three purposes: provide a gaudy record so you're ten games over .500 when ish gets real in January, build confidence for your new players, and sell a few tickets. This schedule manages to....

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cinn/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/schedule/schedule.pdf

Note: The Talented And Inherently Awesome Mr. Opper hasn't weighed in on this yet. When he does, ignore this.

accomplish all three, and even throws in about three tough OOC games for the masochists in the fanbase. (Remember the crying and complaining about our RPI and how easy the schedule was and how this would keep us out of the tournament? We ended with an RPI of 26 and a SOS of 49. Never let the facts interrupt a good argument.) I don't see a loss in these thirteen games, but I do see three types of opponents.

Potential Signature Wins (last year's RPI in parentheses)

Iowa St.-n/s(27), @UNLV(38), Alabama(30), Avondale Jesuit-n/s(51),

Iowa State is small, fast, and is gonna shoot a lotta threes. Sounds familiar. UNLV's a darkhorse Final Four team (inasmuch as EVERYBODY is a darkhorse Final 4 team in August*) and has a guy named Khem Birch who's gonna give us hell. Alabama's a tourney team and that game may set offensive basketball back 25 years. Avondale Jesuit: grudgingly, nuff said.

Will Require A Pulse

New Mexico (19), @Marshall (79), Arkansas-Little Rock (177), Wright St. (221), Mississippi Valley St. (257)

New Mexico is one of those games you love to see. We're gonna beat them by 20 and look awesome before conference play exposes them to not be very good. Marshall was supposed to be great last year...not quite. UALR doesn't completely suck and they have like 3 6'10" white guys. Wright St. is gonna be a bad local team. Bad local teams give us absolute Hades. MVSU was a tourney team, so they go here too.

Mike Jones?

Tennessee-Martin(334), NCA&T(299), Campbell(241), Maryland-Eastern Shore(331)

Designed exclusively to see if Justin Jackson can drop 30 one magical December night in front of friends, family, and Tom Gelether.

*except Miami. the Redhawks look GAAAAAHHHHH on paper

Looking For Contributors To Down The Drive

2012-05-22T00:42:28Z

It feels like this is becoming a semi annual tradition. Basketball and Spring Football end and I make an open call for contributors to help get the site through the dog days of summer. This summer is no different. So If you enjoy writing and/or have a deep and abiding passion for the Cincinnati Bearcats, or really even a passing passion would do. We here at Down The Drive would love to have you on board. And unlike the Joker I won't have you fight to the death with a snapped Cue. Instead all you have to do is shoot me an email at downthedrive at gmail dot com.

Suggestion for New Big East

2012-05-08T19:13:54Z

I propose the following for a new Big East conference. As of 2015 there will be 12 football schools in addition to 9 basketball only schools.

Football: Cincinnati, Boise St., UConn, Houston, Louisville, Navy, Rutgers, SDSU, SMU, USF, Temple and UCF

Basketball Only: Georgetown, DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John;s, Villanova

If possible, invite the following A-10 schools to join the above listed basketball only schools: Butler, Dayton, UMass and Xavier

Then, with 12 teams on both lists, basketball schedules could be the other 11 teams in your division, and 5 of the other schools, for a total of 16 conference basketball games. In football it would likely be 8 football games on rotating basis year after year, and allow for 4 non-conference games.

I propose the following for a new Big East conference. As of 2015 there will be 12 football schools in addition to 9 basketball only schools.

Football: Cincinnati, Boise St., UConn, Houston, Louisville, Navy, Rutgers, SDSU, SMU, USF, Temple and UCF

Basketball Only: Georgetown, DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John;s, Villanova

If possible, invite the following A-10 schools to join the above listed basketball only schools: Butler, Dayton, UMass and Xavier

HoopScoop ranks the top coaches in college basketball.

2012-04-04T14:50:03Z

and they're only slightly convoluted. And by slightly I mean "extremely".

http://www.hoopscooponline.com/members/coachesrankings-2012.asp

No. 1 Mike Krzyzewski (Duke)

No. 2 Jim Calhoun (UConn)

No. 3 John Calipari (Kentucky)

No. 4 Roy Williams (North Carolina)

No. 5 Rick Pitino (Loserville)

No. 6 Bill Self (Kansas)

No. 7 Jim Boeheim (Syracuse)

No.8 Tom Izzo (Michigan State)

No. 9 Bob Huggins (West Vagina)

No. 10 Billy Donovan (Florida)

After the top 50, they rank the" 30 HEAD COACHES WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR CAREER AND HAVE POTENTIAL TO MOVE ONTO OUR LIST OF THE TOP 50 HEAD COACHES IN THE GAME TODAY". which totally sounds like one of those headlines that you stretched out when you had a thousand word essay and got to 977 or so.

and they're only slightly convoluted. And by slightly I mean "extremely".

http://www.hoopscooponline.com/members/coachesrankings-2012.asp

No. 1 Mike Krzyzewski (Duke)

No. 2 Jim Calhoun (UConn)

No. 3 John Calipari (Kentucky)

No. 4 Roy Williams (North Carolina)

No. 5 Rick Pitino (Loserville)

No. 6 Bill Self (Kansas)

No. 7 Jim Boeheim (Syracuse)

No.8 Tom Izzo (Michigan State)

No. 9 Bob Huggins (West Vagina)

No. 10 Billy Donovan (Florida)

Fearless Leader Angry Leprechaun Michael Cronin clocks in at #1 on this list, which seems like an honor. Hell, we all wanna be #1, because #2 is not a winner and #3 nobody remembers (#3 is Gregg Marshall from Wichita, who actually is a really good coach). But that would suggest that Fearless Leader Angry Leprechaun is not one of the 50 best coaches in college basketball. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCBYA50miRw

Let's take a look see at #35-50 (i only have a 30 minute break) and play a game we'll call "Mick or This Guy".

35.

Bill Carmody

Northwestern

Big-10 Conference

MICK

-----

36.

Mark Few

Gonzaga

West Coast Conference

------

this guy (maybe)

37.

Steve Alford

New Mexico

Mountain West Conference

MICK

-----

38.

Steve Fisher

San Diego State

Mountain West Conference

MICK

------

39.

Fran Dunphy

Temple

Atlantic-10 Conference

MICK

------

40.

John Beilein

Michigan

Big-10 Conference

MICK

-----

41.

Mark Turgeon

Maryland

Atlantic Coast Conference

MICK

-----

42.

Tony Bennett

Virginia

Atlantic Coast Conference

MICK

-----

43.

Randy Bennett

St. Mary's

West Coast Conference

MICK

------

44.

Buzz Williams

Marquette

Big East Conference

MICK (barely, i have a total crush on this guy)

-----

45.

Fran McCaffery

Iowa

Big-10 Conference

MICK

-----

46.

Dana Altman

Oregon

Pacific-12 Conference

MICK

-----

47.

Tim Floyd

UTEP

Conference USA

MICK

-----

48.

Frank Haith

Missouri

Big-12 Conference

-----

THIS GUY (but why in the navy blue hell is the national coach of the year #48 in these horrific rankings?)

49.

Mark Gottfried

N.C. State

Atlantic Coast Conference

MICK

----

50. Larry Eustachy Southern Miss
MICK ( when the hell did this guy get another job?)

they also rank the top 100 assistant coaches in college basketball. i'm not nearly enough of a nerd to know if these are bad, but Larry Davis (who totally should get the Miami job) is at 55 and Darren Savino comes in at 94. The honorable Tony Stubblefield is #31.