TicketsThe Bearcats ability to weather the storm of the "Fastest 40 minutes in basketball" and UC's first NCAA appearance since 2005 will begin with the play of Cashmere Wright.
- When Cashmere Wright first learned about the personality of the Bearcats first-round opponent, , a smile served as a screen for his words. The fun-loving redshirt sophomore rarely goes more than a few minutes off the court without a grin, but this one was different.
This wasn't the product of a joke or laugh, this stemmed from excitement and swagger.
No matter the matchup or makeup of the opponent, if you asked Wright for snap analysis before every game this year, his solution would be to push the tempo. That's his game. That's his strength.
The only way the pace against the Tigers could increase would be for the starters to strap on skates.
"That is how I want to play anyway," said Wright, averaging 8.9 points and 3.8 assists per game. "I think that fits my style."
As the saying goes: Be careful what you ask for.
The NCAA tournament is traditionally defined by guard play. Maneuvering past 's "Fastest 40 minutes in basketball" reads as Chapter 1 in that book.
The Tigers live and die by creating turnovers and hassling ball-handlers. On Thursday in particular, as Wright goes, so go the Bearcats.
"Your point guard play against is always huge," Mick Cronin said. "It always starts with the guy who has the ball most for you, Cashmere Wright for us."
Cronin knew the emergence of his point guard would determine his fate. He's been pounding that message since the team prepared for a trip to in August. Like many bold claims and predictions made in those near vacant press conferences in the Fifth Third Arena media room, the Wright proclamation couldn't have been more correct.
As he addressed a crowded room of national media at the in , seven months later, Wright's importance was no longer a secret.
"My message to Cashmere Wright and all our primary ball-handlers, the worst thing you can do is try to be a hero and over-dribble," Cronin said. "You have to make sure you are strong with the ball, but the easiest way to deal with it is pass it. When you are a guard and you have great quickness at times you want to take it all on your self."
Rick Pitino told Cronin during his days as an assistant when in the NBA, his favorite person to press was Isiah Thomas. Even as a great point guard, Thomas would take the pressure personal and try to take it on.
Those are the advanced lessons Wright must prove he's mastered during this season of growth. Fitting this game comes only a week removed from finals week at UC, because this will be the biggest exam in the education of this polished point guard.
At times this season, Wright played like one of the best in the Big East. With 20 points against and 11 points, 11 assists against he set the coils for the Bearcats springboard. His 15 points and five assists paced the NCAA bid-clinching victory against .
Other nights, however, an inability to find his flow deflated the team. Wright broached that topic following his disappointing game against UConn, realizing his energy (or lacktherof) filters to his teammates.
For Cronin, figuring out how to bottle the Louisvilles and avoid the UConns were part of the maturation process.
"For him its just consistency, mental and physical toughness, being able to show up every night at your best," Cronin said. "He's a younger player. His first year really playing these kind of minutes with this kind of responsibility at our level. I think at times his talent has shown and he has shown great toughness. I think at other times he's a little worn down and not used to having to show up every night. But that is to be expected."
Exactly what to expect Thursday night represents the latest unknown in Wright's breakout season. Nobody knows the answer. We do know, however, Wright can't wait for the opportunity. And that's reason for everyone else to join him in smiling.