The Bearcats are on the road today hoping to avenge the loss earlier this season at the hands of the Johnies. For that to happen the Bearcats need to get three things right tonight in the Garden which has been a real house of horrors for the Bearcats over the years.
Knock Down Shots
I will own up to this being a simple target. But that doesn't make the point any less valid. Last time out against the Johnies the Bearcats lit it up for 26.3 per cent shooting from the field and 21.9 per cent from three.
St. John's was the first team that really extended their defense against the Bearcats to beyond the three point line. The Bearcats had real issues getting quality looks against the zone. In second half the looks were much better but no one could buy a bucket. Because the Bearcats have seen this defense before getting good shots shouldn't be an issue. But Sean Kilpatrick, Dion Dixon and Cashmere Wright need to knock down shots.
Yancy Gates Must Dominate Inside
In the last outing Gates contributed 10 points and 7 boards but he only played for 19 minutes. That's not good enough. Yancy is one area where the Bearcats have a massive advantage because the Johnies, being one of the youngest teams in the country, don't have anyone who can physically match up with Yancy.
This is on Cashmere Wright. One thing that he continues to struggle with as a PG is getting the ball in the hands of the guy who has the mismatch. Cash needs to feed the ocassional beast tonight
Jaquon Parker/Justin Jackson
I don't particularly care if the Cats start with a 4 guard look or a more conventional 3 guard approach. It doesn't matter, not really. But whoever gets the start or indeed the majority of the minutes has to produce. Jackson did against DePaul, that is for sure. But he hasn't been consistant this season. In fact most of this season has been a huge slump for Jackson. If Saturday was the game that broke him out of that slump for good great. If not then the suddenly slumping JaQuon Parker needs to step up. In the last five games Parker is shooting 37 per cent from the field and 18 per cent from three. I don't care who puts up the numbers, but with Jackson or Parker as to produce as the 5th starter. Winning on the road in the Big East is hard enough, having to do it with 4 guys on offense is brutal
What's your key to the game