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Cincinnati Bearcats Link Jump Off | February 17th

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Basketball

Scouting the Seton Hall Pirates, Who Have Come Back Down to Earth

Seton Hall is slightly more balanced than Providence but still only rely on a couple players to score points. While an improvement, it’s make-or-break time for the Bearcats who are on the bubble for making the NCAA Tournament right now. Good teams take care of business and beat the opponents they should beat on their schedule. Seton Hall is one of those teams. With a roster full of players who went to the Big Dance last season, UC knows what it takes to get there again and will take down the Pirates on Saturday.

Mick Cronin Media Availability

Sean Kilpatrick Media Availability

All that matters - Cincinnati Bearcats

Football

Big East position rankings: RB - Big East Blog - ESPN

1. Cincinnati. Isaiah Pead won Big East Offensive Player of the Year, but that was not the only story behind the Bearcats rushing attack this past season. Cincinnati had more total yards rushing than any other team with 2,321 -- Pead had a little more than half that total (1,259). The quarterbacks definitely contributed because everybody who played the position is a dual threat. But also keep in mind Cincinnati averaged 4.6 yards a carry -- tied for tops in the league, and led the league with 28 rushing TDs. Preseason ranking: 1.

No argument there

Scout.com: 2012 NFL Combine - The Running Backs

4. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati 5-10, 193 Proj. 3 Positives: Tough to bring down. Always working and always fighting to come up with extra yards. Runs harder than his size. … Ultra-productive. The Big East Player of the Year carried the Bearcat offense throughout the year. … Very, very fast. Has track speed and carries it to the field. … Phenomenally quick on his cuts. He has one step and boom, he has a big play. … Could grow into a devastating third down back. Negatives: Not big enough. He might have track speed, but he also has a track runner base. Not thick. … No power. He’s willing to hit and he’s hardly afraid to run inside, but he’s not going to run over anyone. … Does he want it? Does he want to be special? There’s a question mark about whether or not he’s willing to pay the price to be a superstar. It’s all there, but he has to push himself.

Nati On Draft – Part II: Running On Empty - Stripe Hype

Unless exception takes place, expect the Bengals next starting running back to be drafted in the third round. Besides the others mentioned, Cyrus Gray (Texas A&M) would be a great fit and certainly on the board, but so will Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati). Bengals scouts have been looking at this young player very closely but conservatively over the past several months, keying in on him near exclusively at the Senior Bowl. Could he start right away? People asked the same questions about Andy Dalton. In Coach Gruden we trust.

Most Bearcats would be thrilled with that. Me as a Browns fan, less so.

Football Recruiting

Northwestern offers Moeller junior RB Keith Watkins | The Recruiting Trail
He was offered by UC in November.

Several area football players with early offers in 2013 class | The Recruiting Trail
A round up of Cincinnati area players. UC has offered four of them, including Colerain's Dylan Wiesman

Around The Nation

Report: Five TCU players failed surprise drug test, not 60 or 82 | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports

In the arrest affidavits, Brock told an undercover officer about the surprise drug test and that he believed 60 players failed. Johnson told another undercover cop that 82 players failed. Both numbers raised eyebrows about whether there was widespread drug use within the TCU football program though the university chancellor Victor Boschini said, "I don't think it's a football problem." The university also issued a statement questioning the credibility of four drug dealers.

TCU is already on a Big 12 level on one subject. A lot of Fulmer Cup points here.

FULMER CUPDATE: TCU SPECIAL EDITION - Every Day Should Be Saturday
Bearcats holding steady in 8th. Thanks Akise Teague!

Other Bearcat News

Hansson Defends BIG EAST 50 Free Championship - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site

Senior Liz Hansson defended her crown in the 50-yard freestyle Thursday at Trees Pool, earning the University of Cincinnati swimming and diving team its 12th BIG EAST Conference individual championship in program history. Hansson and teammate Helena Pikhartova became the first Bearcats to finish first and second in the finals of a BIG EAST Conference individual swimming championship.

Bearcats Open 2012 Season Friday at Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site

UC Press Conference Roundup | Bearcats Blog

Molly Alvey Interview

Molly Alvey Introductory Press Conference