TicketsThe University of Cincinnati men's basketball team held its annual media day on Monday, Oct. 8 less than a month before it tips off the new season.
Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin spoke with local media for 20 minutes before the squad took its team photo.
"The guys' attitudes have been great," Cronin said. "They are really working hard. We are trying to figure out what our best lineup will be. What our best rotations will be in the game. We're still working on that. It's hard (to determine) until you play someone else. We play competitively in practice so we rarely try to put what we think are the five best guys on the same team.
"It's been very competitive. The older guys are trying to be more vocal. That's going to be huge for us. Talking to the other guys about where they need to be and what they need to do," Cronin added. "We lost a lot of scoring with Kyle (Washington). He got us tough baskets late in the clock. With Gary (Clark) and Jacob (Evans III) we lost their voice of where to rotate defensively, when to rotate defensively and the calm they brought to the offense. Both of those guys played under control.
"We're getting there though. I have no complaints. They are working really hard."
Guards Cane Broome and Justin Jenifer also took a moment to pose for their senior class photo before the start of practice.
"It's been a good process," Broome said about taking on additional leadership responsibilities. "I didn't really know how much Gary and Jake really brought to the table in that aspect because we had an older team. Now we have a bunch of young guys. Coach Cronin is really looking at me, Justin, Jarron and Tre a lot to help be the soldiers and help lead the younger guys along."
Broome will also assume more of a scoring role this season after averaging 7.9 points as a junior in his first season on the court for the Bearcats.
"Coach has been on me to shoot more and take open shots and not pass up shots when I have the chance to shoot," Broome said. "This offseason I definitely feel like I've been getting back to myself as far as scoring wise. I feel I can help the team a lot and bring in some points when we need them."
Junior guard Jarron Cumberland serves at UC's top returning scorer from the 2017-18 squad, averaging 11.5 points a year ago. Cronin has often praised Cumberland for his high basketball IQ and Cumberland welcomes the task of becoming more of a leader.
"A lot of people listen to me on the team and believe what I say," Cumberland said. "I pick up on what Coach Cronin is saying and it helps me progress my game."
And with less than a month before the doors swing open and fans enjoy watching the Bearcats inside newly renovated Fifth Third Arena the players are equally excited to tip off the new campaign against Ohio State on Wednesday, Nov. 7.
"Everybody is excited for the the new arena and we're ready to get in there and play against Ohio State," Cumberland said.
Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin spoke with local media for 20 minutes before the squad took its team photo.
"The guys' attitudes have been great," Cronin said. "They are really working hard. We are trying to figure out what our best lineup will be. What our best rotations will be in the game. We're still working on that. It's hard (to determine) until you play someone else. We play competitively in practice so we rarely try to put what we think are the five best guys on the same team.
"It's been very competitive. The older guys are trying to be more vocal. That's going to be huge for us. Talking to the other guys about where they need to be and what they need to do," Cronin added. "We lost a lot of scoring with Kyle (Washington). He got us tough baskets late in the clock. With Gary (Clark) and Jacob (Evans III) we lost their voice of where to rotate defensively, when to rotate defensively and the calm they brought to the offense. Both of those guys played under control.
"We're getting there though. I have no complaints. They are working really hard."
Guards Cane Broome and Justin Jenifer also took a moment to pose for their senior class photo before the start of practice.
"It's been a good process," Broome said about taking on additional leadership responsibilities. "I didn't really know how much Gary and Jake really brought to the table in that aspect because we had an older team. Now we have a bunch of young guys. Coach Cronin is really looking at me, Justin, Jarron and Tre a lot to help be the soldiers and help lead the younger guys along."
Broome will also assume more of a scoring role this season after averaging 7.9 points as a junior in his first season on the court for the Bearcats.
"Coach has been on me to shoot more and take open shots and not pass up shots when I have the chance to shoot," Broome said. "This offseason I definitely feel like I've been getting back to myself as far as scoring wise. I feel I can help the team a lot and bring in some points when we need them."
Junior guard Jarron Cumberland serves at UC's top returning scorer from the 2017-18 squad, averaging 11.5 points a year ago. Cronin has often praised Cumberland for his high basketball IQ and Cumberland welcomes the task of becoming more of a leader.
"A lot of people listen to me on the team and believe what I say," Cumberland said. "I pick up on what Coach Cronin is saying and it helps me progress my game."
And with less than a month before the doors swing open and fans enjoy watching the Bearcats inside newly renovated Fifth Third Arena the players are equally excited to tip off the new campaign against Ohio State on Wednesday, Nov. 7.
"Everybody is excited for the the new arena and we're ready to get in there and play against Ohio State," Cumberland said.