TicketsTough to figure out where to start this morning. Can't imagine a whole of Bearcats fans have much interest in rehashing the Connecticut game. Though, that will happen. If you didn't have an opportunity or were stuck in the fetal position all day from basketball overdose, here's my column reflecting on the season and placing the loss to in proper perspective.
I will be doing some award giving and other retrospective things this week. So, I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Send me an email (pauldehnerjr@gmail.com) and let me know what you think and I will put some of your emails into the blog post:
What was the most memorable moment of the season for you?
I want to hear the personal story of why it meant so much to you. Was it because of a player giving an autograph to your child after the game or personal connection to a player or something much simpler or maybe Justin Jackson landed on your lap in the third row. Again.
Look forward to hearing your responses and, as always, thanks so much for reading during the season. I hope you still keep checking back to the breakfast, because pro day and spring football kick up next week and there will be plenty other offseason features worth taking in to keep you informed about all things UC athletics -- plus, beard jokes.
Let's eat...
--- Here were the the highlights of the UConn game. Also, the postgame press conference with Rashad Bishop and Mick Cronin.
--- Dan and Chuck talk about UConn and look forward to next season.
--- A Bearcats appreciation thread sprung up at BearcatsNews. Hop on.
--- Chad Brendel says thank you to the seniors who leave an enduring footprint on this program. Cosign.
--- Bill Koch moves the story forward to looking where the Bearcats are at headed into next season.
Obviously, the team is in great position. They will again have experience and talent, but should be more consistent offensively next year. Consider by offensive rating, four of the the top six scorers will be back. Also, each of the top four as far as possessions used offensively.
Between SK, Gates and Dixon, it would be easy to envision each averaging 13-16 points a game with 10 and 5 coming from Cash. Think about how much of a leap this team made offensively from last year. If any similar jump occurs again...look out.
--- Mo Egger with a great read on why this team was one of his favorites. In case you have trouble focusing when you hit the link, his piece is below the video of Kate Upton.
--- BearcatsBlog with a quick recap and screenshot that will stick with most of us when we think about this game.
--- The final Mick Cronin radio show will be tonight at 8 p.m. at the original Montgomery Inn. Tommy G and Chuck will be there and I'm sure a huge crowd to say thanks to the coach would be appreciated. Of course, you could just show up and eat the best ribs ever made. Either way, big win for you.
--- Jeff Eisenberg takes on the Big East disappointment talk. As does the New York Times. Bottom line, tough to argue with the numbers: 2 of 11 teams in Sweet 16 with both of those beating a Big East team to get in.
However, that doesn't mean the league didn't deserve 11 teams. Who was the biggest question mark going in? Marquette? Right. All year the contention was the depth of the Big East was remarkable, not necessarily the top end talent. I'm shocked by the Notre Dame result, but outside of that most teams played the way they had been playing the final few weeks of the season.
Andy Glockner at SI, via Lance McAlister had this list of Big East records vs non league BCS teams during the regular season:
Record vs BCS teams in nonleague play
Big East 29-16 (.644)
Big 12: 25-20 (.555)
ACC: 24-27 (.470)
Big 10: 17-20 (.459)
Pac 10: 12-19 (.387)
SEC: 19-24 (.441)
This topic of discussion needs to come up when the conference meets this offseason. Some study and numbers need to be looked at regarding the way they do business here after two consecutive disappointing tournaments for the conference. (Not that anything will change, but the discussion needs to be had)
--- Mike DeCourcy backs up the Big East, as well.
--- Random opinion: Ohio State and UConn are on bullet trains from an epic collision. What Kemba is doing compared to what the OSU offense has been doing will be a sight to see.
--- On to some randomness...
--- Gus and Jimmer -- together. The best connection since Peaches met Herb.
--- This first photo of the new Wonder Woman costume makes me want to find myself in immediate peril.
--- Knowing somebody owns a foosball table worth more than most Americans make in a single year makes me reconsider the benefits of capitalism.
--- Anthony Robles won the NCAA national wrestling title at 127 pounds with one leg. What did you do this weekend?
--- I'm excited about Morgan Spurlock's latest documentary, particulary the involvement of Mane and Tail. Here's the trailer: