2008 Cincinnati Basketball Picks & Predictions
Mick Cronin’s first two years at Cincinnati after replacing Bob Huggins have shown signs of progress as the Bearcats went 13-19 overall last season and 8-10 in the Big East conference, which was much improved from the 2-conference wins from the year before. The Bearcats even made the Big East Conference tournament last season and got a bid to the CBI tournament before getting bounced in the first round by Bradley 70-67. This class lost three of its starting five from last season, but returns first-team All-Big East guard Deonta Vaughn, plus six members of last years freshman class. With our NCAA basketball predictions we think that the Bearcats also have some solid additions which could determine whether they make a run at their first NCAA Tournament berth under Mick Cronin. Read on to find out whether we think the Bearcats have what it takes to make the NCAA Tournament. Check out BetUS where the Cincinnati Bearcats are at +2000 odds to win the Big East Conference this season.
The Cincinnati frontcourt will have more depth and strength this season than Cronin has had in his first two years. Mike Williams, a senior forward transfer from Texas and former McDonald’s All-American, will lead the Bearcat frontcourt. He hasn’t played for two years so he could be a little rusty, but should lend experience and leadership to an otherwise young team. Williams has the potential to be a tough rebounder and a double-figure scorer. Sophomore forward Rashad Bishop started 20 games last season and should assume a much bigger role this season. Sophomore center Anthony McClain struggled last year with a bone spur in his foot, but should be healthier this season and needs to become more assertive and physical to be a force in the Big East. Forward transfers Steve Toyloy and Nick Aldridge will provide depth. Toyloy is a 255-pound bruiser from Miami-Dade Community College and Aldridge was a proven scorer at the mid-major level playing at Western Carolina. Yancy Gates is an incoming freshman forward who is one of the best big men to come out of Cincinnati in years and should get minutes right away.
Freshman point guard Cashmere Wright is expected to fix the Bearcats’ scoring problem from the past two seasons. Wright is a lightning quick penetrator who was a prolific high school scorer in Georgia. If Wright can break down defenses off the bounce like Cronin expects, Deonta Vaughn could find himself with a lot more open looks beyond the 3-point arc. Vaughn improved his scoring from 14.5 points as a freshman to 17.3 points as a sophomore. Vaughn’s shooting also got better both overall and from 3-point range. Incoming freshman Dion Dixon and returning sophomore Larry Davis are expected to improve Cincinnati’s perimeter shooting.
Final Analysis
This Cincinnati team offers a lot more improvements from last year. The Bearcats now have more scoring options and more size. A lot will be expected from new faces Mike Williams, Cashmere Wright, and Yancy Gates, while Deonta Vaughn will need to continue improving his shot selection. Overall, this team still lacks experience so while the potential to move up in the Big East is there, the conference is so grueling that we don’t have Cincinnati making the NCAA Tournament this season. An improved Bearcat team should garner an NIT bid this season however, which is an improvement from last year’s CBI. At BetUS the Bearcats are +15000 odds to win the NCAA Tournament so they could be a good value on a nightly basis when you do your basketball betting.
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