|
August 5th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Cincinnati
Bearcats
Overall Rank:
#98
Conference
Rank: #13 Big East
2005-06:
21-13, 8-8, 8th
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Despite
returning just four guys who played last year, and just one who
played in over ten minutes per game,
Cincinnati has a surprising
amount of depth. Well, at least potentially. Most of them
clutter the “Who’s In” list and have yet to prove themselves at
this level. Coach Mick Cronin has brought in some talent and
the Bearcats hope to at least turn that into an NIT season and a
building block to bigger and better things.
Who’s Out:
Remember Andy Kennedy coaching Cincy last year and his group of
players that made a nice run in the NIT? Forget about them.
Those guys are gone. Starters James White, Eric Hicks, Jihad
Muhammad and Armein Kirkland, as well as roleplayer Chadd Moore
have run out of eligibility. Backcourt mates Devan Downey and
Domonic Tilford have opted to transfer elsewhere.
Who’s In:
An entire
book could be written about this large group of newcomers. We
shall begin with the battle for the starting point guard spot
between Tim Crowell and Deonta Vaughn. Crowell averaged 11.0
points and 7.5 assists at the junior college level last year.
He’s a pass first player and his experience and leadership
skills may give him the early lead for the starting gig. Vaughn
is the point guard of the future and, even if Crowell gets the
starting nod early, don’t be surprised if Vaughn takes over
sooner than later. The 6-1 Vaughn will look to score and use
his quickness to get to the basket. The other backcourt battle
is between Jamual Warren and Marvin Gentry. After multiple
stints at the juco level, Warren will bring his toughness to
Cincinnati. The 6-2 shooting guard can score from inside and
outside and is expected to contribute right away. Gentry, who
spent two seasons at McLennan Community College in Texas, is a
vibrant scorer and athlete. Yet, it is his play on the
defensive end that puts him in the drivers seat for the starting
job. A couple more jucos in Marcus Sikes and John Williamson
can play both forward spots. Sikes averaged 2.2 points and 2.4
rebounds at Georgia as a true freshman before heading west to
Mt. San Jacinto College in California. At 6-8 and 235 pounds,
Sikes can battle on the inside and the junior has enough
versatility to step out on the perimeter. Williamson averaged
27.4 points and 11.7 rebounds at Cincinnati State and Technical
College last season. The competition wasn’t great, but
Williamson still got the job done and will help out the Bearcat
frontline. Centers Hernol Hall and Abdul Herrera round out the
group of newcomers. Hall is the center that Cincy has been
looking for. The 6-10, 245 pound Limon, Costa Rica product
averaged 14.3 points and 10.0 rebounds as a sophomore last year
at Lon Morris College and should step right into a starting
role. Abdul Herrera missed last season while working on NCAA
eligibility requirements. Herrera can score with his back to
the basket and, if he can get back into the swing of things,
will become a solid scorer for Coach Cronin.
Who to Watch:
Cedric McGowan is the only returning starter and the 6-6 power
forward did well in his first season with the Bearcats averaging
8.5 points and 7.2 rebounds. The former junior college transfer
is extremely athletic and will need to become a leader on the
floor with so many new faces around.
Final
Projection:
It is not
everyday a team fields five former junior college transfers in
the starting lineup. With four of those players just heading to
Cincy, there are a lot of questions regarding the impact those
newcomers can make. The potential is there for a postseason
trip, most likely the NIT, but it won’t be easy for the Bearcats
to even make the Big East Tournament; a relatively easy slate in
the conference is helpful though.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Tim Crowell,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Marvin Gentry,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
John Williamson,
Junior, Forward, DNP last season
Cedric McGowan,
Senior, Forward, 8.5 points per game
Hernol Hall,
Junior, Center, DNP last season
|
