TicketsShould we be surprised?
Should we be surprised that a team that's showed up to play for every big game the last month did so again against Missouri?
Should we be surprised that the team that shut down even the most potent of offenses with consistency all year did so again against the high-powered Tigers? Should we be surprised they were held to their third-lowest point total of the year?
Should we be surprised the team discounted and disrespected all season proved wrong the oddsmakers who placed them as a 1-point underdog to the 11 seed?
Should we be surprised that Yancy Gates, who has played like an NBA prospect since the St. John's game, did so again on Thursday. Should we be surpised that the guy now averaging 16.4 and 8.4 over the last eight games went for 18 and 11? Should we be surprised he was dropping 3-pointers with ease? OK, yeah, we really should be surprised on that last one.
Should we be surprised that Dion Dixon, whose proven to love the big stage thrived in it Thursday? Should we be surprised he attacked the basket with purpose and found a way to post 16 points despite going 0 for 3 from deep?
Should we be surprised Sean Kilpatrck, whose played like a veteran all season despite his redshirt freshman status wasn't overwhelmed -- rather ignited -- by the NCAA tournament to the tune of 10 big points?
At what point do we stop being surprised? If you've been following closely, you shouldn't have been surprised at all. The spotlight may have been brighter, the stakes may have been higher, but UC performed the same way it has over the last month of the season.
High-5, dance and enjoy, but we probably shouldn't act surprised.
Let's eat...
--- Dan and Chuck with the postgame analysis from DC. All the insight and analysis you need.
--- Here's the locker room reaction thanks to Tommy G. He talks with Yancy, Cash, Rashad and Dion.
Love Yancy talking about hitting two 3-pointers: "I was hot."
--- Did you miss the game? First off, what's wrong with you? Second, here are the highlights.
--- Game photos from The Enquirer.
--- Cashmere Wright was going to be the key to the game Thursday and he came up huge. Hitting his early runner and 3-pointer really kept him in the game and didn't let him play discouraged, which occassionally can happen.
His line of 11 points, 6 assists and 3 turnovers might not get him on One Shining Moment, but probably was the most pertinent stat line to UC's victory of any in the box score.
--- There are a limited number of tickets available for Saturday's game. Here's the info.
--- Dana O'Neil -- which you already know if you read this blog is the best in the business -- writes about the job of Mick Cronin. I've said it many times before and will say it again, the guy put together one of the best coaching jobs you'll see this season. He did again Thursday.
--- Andy Glockner says it's time to start taking the Bearcats serious. I guess the first 25 wins, 11 in Big East, two blowouts of Georgetown, domination of Xavier, dismantling of Louisville and zero bad losses weren't enough.
--- Postgame react from Bearcats Blog, including some more love for his best friend Dion Dixon.
--- Hope UC enjoyed its voyage out of the Big East. Welcome back. Next stop: UConn, 9:40 p.m., Saturday night, TBS. Bill Koch's blog looks forward to the Huskies.
The Cats put out an uninspired performance in the last game against UConn and the Huskies shot the ball uncharacteristically well from downtown (10 of 19). Should those laws of averages even out, it would be foolish to expect anything but another Big East grinder down to the wire.
--- The updated Saturday schedule.
--- What an incredible afternoon session yesterday. I feel bad for all you folks stuck in your offices.
I think I tweeted "Onions!" about three different times. None more fitting than getting the actual instant classic Onions! call from Bill Raftery on the Morehead State game winner.
--- Mascot reactions are priceless.
--- On to some randomness...
--- From our regular, "Why does this always happen in Florida" file, try to make sure people aren't sleeping in the backseat if you steal a car.
--- In maybe the biggest upset of the century, Jimmy Fallon's talk show has actually been pretty funny. He broke out his Bob Dylan impression and sang the Charles in Charge theme song last night. Strong to quite strong.
--- How do you cap off the blog post first NCAA tourney win in six years. Of course, One Shining Moment week continues.