TicketsThought about waiting until Selection Sunday to post this at the top of the blog, but I don't have that kind of discipline. Plus, watching this video makes where UC is headed all the more real. (The intro lasts 30 seconds, I recommend letting the entire video play in the background as you read today's Breakfast. Maybe this will win an Oscar for Best Blog Score next year)
That song says all I need to say about last night's win.
Let's eat...
--- I did say some more in case you missed it, writing about the need to kick back and enjoy how long this journey from nothing to NCAA tourney in five years has been.
--- What were your predictions for this team at the beginning of the season? 23-7, 10-7, right? With a win against Georgetown the Bearcats will own a first-round bye in the Big East tournament. That's what teams picked 12th always do. (Where is the sarcasm font button?)
--- The beat's lone writer on the ground in Milwaukee, Bill Koch, with postgame reaction from Yancy Gates and Cashmere Wright.
--- Another night of production from Gates. Before I even go into his statistical turnaround, he's now made multiple monster blocks to help determine the outcome of games.
The one last night on Vander Blue was unlike many we've seen from Gates. Helping off his man to pin it against the glass? Who is this guy, Kenyon Martin?
Gates over the past five games: 14.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, two double-doubles.
He's even 17 of 24 from the free throw line during the stretch for 71 percent. He was under 50 percent for the season up to that point.
--- Cashmere Wright's average over the last five games: 11 points, 4.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds. And that includes his dud Sunday against UConn.
Wright has become the catalyst Cronin spoke about earlier in the season. The coach said many times Wright needs to become one of the better point guards in the Big East for UC to reach where it wants to go. He has and they have.
Last night he went for 15 points and 5 assists to 2 turnovers.
"When you got a leader out there and guy running your team playing with confidence playing quarterback the way he played it tonight you got a real good basketball team," Cronin said to 700WLW postgame.
This prompted Cronin to dip back into the no-respect card in regards to Wright. And he's correct, Wright doesn't receive anywhere near the respect he deserves from the conference or nationally. The week he avearged 16.5 points and 6.5 assists with wins against Louisville and Providence not only did he not win player of the week, he didn't even make the honor roll of the other top five players that week.
"I get a lot of backlash people say Mick should shut up, Coach Cronin is whining. We have been disrespected all year and it does matter because it has kept us off ESPN and highlights, that stuff affects recruiting. Also, it affects players. These kids have hopes and dreams, these kids deserve to be talked about like other teams in the Big East. Cashmere Wright is outplaying some serious guys in our league and he really hasn't gotten any credit."
Oh, by the way, Wright continues to fight nagging shoulder and knee injuries. In fact, Cronin said Wright's knee was hurt him more than usual Wednesday night.
--- Teams that have won at least four consecutive Big East road games this year:
Georgetown (4), @Rutgers, @Seton Hall, @Villanova, @Syracuse
Pittsburgh (6), @Providence, @Georgetown, @DePaul, @Rutgers, @WVU, @Villanova
Cincinnati (4), @DePaul, @Providence, @Georgetown, @Marquette
That's it. (St. John's attempts No. 4 tonight)
Not a minor achievement.
--- UC won all five effort- Points in paint 34-22, points off turnovers 13-11, 2nd chance points 18-15, fast break points 10-9, bench points 12-7.
--- The Bearcats pulled down 16 of 31 possible offensive rebounds for 52 percent. For perspective, UC averages 38 percent and Pitt leads the Big East at 43 percent.
It wasn't all by overpowering a smaller Marquette group. It came as a product of improved passing, according to Cronin. The coach said he evaluated film of the last four games and though the offense lost dedication to quality passing. The work spent in practice the last two days paid off as the Cats broke down the defense sometimes without putting the ball on the floor.
"When you break the defense down the way we were breaking the defense down with our passing then our big guys aren't being blocked out because they are rotating defensively," Cronin said on 700. "There was a reason you offensive rebound, because you are breaking the defense down with your player movement and ball movement."
--- As far as my Moeller math can tell UC could still earn a first-round bye in the Big East tournament if they lose on Saturday to Georgetown. However, they would need UConn to lose at West Virginia and Villanova to lose at Pittsburgh.
Not exactly unthinkable.
Of course, if they win, they will be either the sixth or seventh seed when the tournament commences next week.
--- The regional sites for the first-round of the NCAA tournament can be found here. The closest drives would be Cleveland and Chicago.
--- Dana O'Neil casts the ballot for Big East POY and COY. Mick Cronin isn't in the conversation for Coach of the Year. What Rick Pitino, Mike Brey and Steve Lavin have done is remarkable and they probably deserve the award -- but none of them were picked 12th.
--- Random college hoops aside: UNC's Harrison Barnes. Tiger Blood. Carolina will be fun to watch this postseason.
--- On to some randomness...
--- The five-second rule doesn't exist? Science, you really know how to bring a guy down.
--- Did you know the "Mad About You" theme song was the wake-up call for the Mars Pathfinder, consequently, the first voice heard on the red planet? (How do you not go with 2001: A Space Odyssey?)
Well, here are 17 other facts about TV theme songs you had no interest knowing.
--- The Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz had a son, he named him Carlos. He just had a second son. He named him Carlos.
--- Love this baseball fan flow chart. (H/t TommyG)
--- Did you realize our guy Josh Katzowitz is the new band director at George Mason? Neither did I.
--- I don't know about you, but when I think about eating lobster, I think about McDonald's.
--- Want some more One Shining Moment? OK. This one is from UC's last appearance in 2005. It includes Nick Lachey cheering in a red UC jersey and sad Eric Hicks.