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Yesterday was a light day for UC news. But the unquestioned story is still the Basketball teams borderline historic win at Gample Pavilion.
UConn
Cincinnati 70 - UConn 67: Sometimes you just lose // The UConn Blog
Of course, Shabazz being Shabazz, he also launched one of the most misguided 3's you'll ever see during those 90 seconds (if you want, check out the replay around the 1:20 mark of the game. UConn is down six, Napier dribbles up court, tries to get set, visibly slips, doesn't bother to reset and launches up an airball of a 3. Vintage Shabazz).
Enigmatic is the word du juor for the young Point Guard.
Thursday's Shootaround // Ballin' is a Habit:
The win was a big one for the Bearcats. Its the seventh straight they have won on the road in league play, dating back to last season, and the second straight they've won on the road vs. a ranked team this year (they knocked off Georgetown in DC 10 days ago). Its hard not to consider Cincinnati the second best team in the Big East right now, particularly with Ryan Boatright out.
Cincinnati 70 Connecticut 67 // January
Sean Kilpatrick was 4-9 from 3, 1-6 from 2, 2-4 from 1. His offense was Sean Kilpatrick drill 3s on your face offense. His defense on Jeremy Lamb was very, very good. Lamb had 14 on 5-12, 1-5 from 3. Most importantly, he was denied the ball. UConn couldn't get him looks. From a guy battling a minor groin injury, it was impressive. We've seen SK lock up guys multiple times now. He isn't quite to the elite level because he can be driven on and he'll give up looks, but he did a great job on Lamb. Plus, SK trended on twitter above save porn.
its true.
Talking to himself works for Gates // UC Athletics Blog
"He was always telling me when you feel yourself getting into a drought, start talking to yourself," Gates said. "People will think you’re crazy, but just start talking to yourself. It’s been working for me."
Yancy in sports, unlike life, it is better to be thought of as crazy rather than lazy. Just sayin
Basketball
BIG MONDAY Game vs. Syrcause SOLD OUT! - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site
Fifth Third should be rocking like its 1999
Syracuse on top; Baylor rises as UNC falls in latest Power Rankings // Luke Winn // SI.com
This ranking might seem high for the Bearcats, whose resume includes home losses to Presbyterian, Marshall and St. John's, but I'm taking momentum into account. Cincy is 10-1 since the Xavier brawl, and in the past 11 days has pulled off road upsets of Georgetown and UConn, whom I thought were the best teams in the Big East after Syracuse. Through six conference games, the Bearcats have made a convincing case that they're the second-best Big East team, in large part because they're suddenly scary on offense, with the second-highest efficiency (1.068 PPP) of anyone in the league. Sophomore Sean Kilpatrick, one of my Breakout Formula picks from August, is leading the charge with his long-range shooting.
Luke Winn is back on the Bearcats Bandwagon
Kevin Noreen Makes Most of First WVU Start // WVU Mountaineer Sports
Just before the team arrived at the Civic Center, Deniz Kilicli's ankle injury became public knowledge. But Kevin Noreen had known for two days that his first career start awaited him in Charleston.
I would go ahead and assume that Kilicli will give it a go Saturday. Whether he is at full fitness is a bigger guess
Even Cheerleaders Clash in Capital Classic // WVU Mountaineer Sports
Im sure it was a riveting conflict
Football Recruiting
UC football coach Butch Jones, UC associate head coach Kerry Coombs at Colerain today // The Recruiting Trail
It's that time of year again where assistants make it their mission to get to as many high schools in a day as possible. Kerry Coombs usually wins those contests.
Reports: Middletown junior QB Jalin Marshall closer to college decision // The Recruiting Trail
There is some hopeful chatter among UC fans about Marshall, but it would be the shock of all shocks if he committed to anyone but Ohio State
The Beginner's Guide To College Football Recruiting: A Glossary - SBNation.com
A five star read!
Conference Realignment
A&M Beat: Aggies looking for nonconference foes - San Antonio Express-News
Byrne added: "The pool of potential opponents for our 2012 schedule is small and will likely require a much larger financial guarantee, because schools know we are in a bad position. The price tag has quickly grown to the $1 million range for a guarantee now. We find ourselves in a bidding war of sorts with other schools who are part of conference alignment and looking for games."
If you want a reason why UC is playing a home and home with Toledo that's it. In a bidding war with BCS schools involved in realignment the Bearcats are, to borrow a phrase, the last dog at the bowl.
Big 12, Big East in realignment limbo - College Football - Rivals.com
Big East: The big question is whether West Virginia will be in the league this fall. WVU is leaving for the Big 12 and wants to leave at the end of this academic year, but lawsuits are involved and it may not happen for a while. If WVU stays for this season, there again will be eight teams in the conference.
The issue is well defined. As with every realignment story of the past 2 years I just want everything to be over. Now.
The Afternoon Line, 1/19 (Jake Trotter edition) | Paul Daugherty
No. 1: If the Big 12 ever expands back to 12 teams, Louisville and Cincinnati would be the overwhelming favorites to receive invites. Both schools would expand the conference footprint, and have had enough reasonable success in football that the product wouldn’t be diluted. Who knows when this could happen. But all it takes is a spark for the flames of conference realignment to fan again.
This from Jake Trotter a guy who covers Oklahoma sports.
Other Bearcat News
Bearcats Fall to No. 3 UConn, 80-37 University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site
A strong start to the season has quickly faded and the women's Basketball team is still searching for their first Big East win of the season after falling to UConn
Bearcats Set For Oakland Quad Meet - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site
The University of Cincinnati men's and women's swimming and diving teams head to the Great Lake State to compete in the Oakland University Quad Meet Friday and Saturday at OU Aquatic Center.
Shocking
Bengal Jerome Simpson Indicted on Drug Charges // 700WLW
There really should be a Fulmer Cup for the NFL. Call it the Nate Newton Cup. The Bengals would win it every single year