May 1, 2025 • 20 mins
Tony talks Bearcats with Keegan Nickoson from BearcatJournal.com on ESPN 1530!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
About Cincinnati from Cincinnati, sponsored in part by Cincy Shirts.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Cincy Shirts all since the All Day.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
This is ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
All right, welcome back, thanks for joining us. It's our
two since he three to sixty thanks to Cincey Shirts.
Thank you for listening. We'll get to your talkbacks in
just a couple of minutes, but first we got to
get caught up on everything going on with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
What's new in Clifton. We do so with the man
covering the Bearcats for barcat journal dot com. Good friend
(00:33):
of the show, Keegan nickoson joining us right now.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Hi Kegan, Hi Tony. It's been entirely too long. It
has been.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
There is so much that we need to dive into
since we've last talked. Springball has wrapped up, and we
don't need to dive into everything with football right now.
But anything you were surprised with coming out of springball
that would lead you to believe that this team is
maybe ahead schedule or trending in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Oh, I don't know if it's necessarily anything I was
surprised with.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I think when you look at.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
This team, you look at what they're returning and the
amount of talent they're returning and kind of the amount
amount of talent they brought in via the transfer portal.
I think I saw Bill Connelly and kind of his
ratings had been at twelfth in terms of return production,
and I think he does account for kind of the
transfers that they bring in, because I saw that twelfth
number and I was like, they don't have a single
(01:31):
receiver back who had one hundred yards or more in
the entire season last year. So I don't know where
he's getting that return production from. But I wouldn't say
necessarily surprised. I think that they just have the pieces
to build on what they did last year and pretty
much that they should get to a bowl game or
maybe even better, and if they don't, it's going to
(01:53):
be a pretty big disappointment. I think some of the
true freshmen on the defensive line, like Tim Griffin, Cordero mcdee,
those are two players that I think could shock some
people and get on the field pretty early just because
of the amount of size they have and they're really
they're big twelve level talents as true freshman and that
hasn't really been something that UC has been able to
(02:15):
have in their first two recruiting classes.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
The Shakelee Indoor Practice Facility in Shakeley Athletics Performance Center
very soon to open. I know you've been able to
check it out a couple of times. How impressive is
this and how much of a tool does it become
for the Bearcats.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, I think it's a massive tool.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
And I mean we walked through it before that basketball
game that one day and it's still it still had
a lot of work to be done. I think they're
putting finishing touches on it that they're going to be
done by May thirtieth. I think the last thing I
saw that the turf field still wasn't in, And I
think when they get that kind of in that part
of the facility, that's when it's gonna that's when it's
going to get real. That's when it's going to get
(02:56):
close to being finished and then you can kind of
move everyone in. So I'm really really looking forward to,
you know, touring that the only thing is in this
day and age of athletics is stuff like that used
to be the center of the sales pitch.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Like when schools like TCU and all the big money
schools like.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, they had all these awesome facilities.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
They could really say.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Look at this facility, this is where you're going to be,
and then a lot of prospects would be like, Okay,
this is actually really cool.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
I'm going to come here. Now.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
It's more of just a cherry on top because so
much of the of the conversations are about money, and
it's about how much they're willing to invest in nil
so I at the end of the day, this is
something you see needed to get back on a level
playing field that the rest of the Big twelve and
the rest of the country. And I think it's going
to serve a great purpose. And it's also it's also
(03:50):
something great to look at when you're driving around campus
because it's going to be a really really cool, architecturally
sound building.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Keegan, let's switch gears to to basketball before we even
get to the roster itself. What about the coaching staff.
Cincinnati hires UCF assistant Mamadu Enji, who's going to join
Wes Miller and his staff. What does Enji bring to
this staff that maybe they were missing or maybe that
he can help with.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
They he brings a big man coach, and that is
something you See has needed very badly ever since Mike
Roberts contract wasn't renewed at U SEE at the end
of the twenty twenty three season.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
I believe.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
That is a role that you've kind of the consistent
theme for U SEE over the past two seasons has
been the big men cannot produce offensively. You saw it
with Victor Lockin. He kind of progressed as he's Ben
Diego just did not have an offensive game. Jamiir Reynolds
was supposed to be that offensive guy and he just
(04:52):
didn't produce the level that he was supposed to. So
I think bringing in Inji, who was a stud at
Auburn and the late nineties, was a first round pick
to the Nuggets in two thousand, the first Senegalese player,
I think it bodes well for U SEE on the
court on a daily basis, game in, a game out.
And then it's also that pipeline to continue getting these
(05:13):
guys at A Senegal and you're already seen that with
you know, Mustapha Shan coming from UCF, who he recruited
to UCF.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
At A Senegal.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
So it's multiple layers of multiple layers of goods for
you see, I guess you could say and that you
know they have the connection with the recruiting that's going
to continue to pay dividends. And then also Sean had
a great first year at UCF and if he can
continue to build on that under the tutelage of a
(05:43):
talented big man's coach that can that can give a
lot to uc.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
How different is Chom's game compared to what as Ease
Bendego was able to give or or not give this team.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
I think it's very different.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Uh you know, he's been touted for his defensive ability,
but I mean this guy can get the ball at
the free throw line in an isolation situation and go
and score like he and as he's been Diego was
a dang good basketball player, but he just couldn't dribble. Basically,
like anytime you saw him dribble around in the paint,
you're kind of like something bad it's gonna happen. Like
(06:19):
it's gonna get stolen, He's going to travel, he's going
to turn it over. Something bad is going to happen. Sean,
he can handle the ball well in the paint. He
has a hook shot. He has a jumper that he
can go to. It just adds a whole other level
to UC's offense that they've in large part been missing.
So I think it was one of the biggest pickups
(06:41):
in the entire transfer portal cycle. I think when he committed,
he was maybe the number two, number three center in
the entire portalcycle, and I think he was probably the
best available player and a lot of people were shocked.
But you see they're basically it's it's looking like they're
going all in when you look at the amount of
players that they've brought in and just looking at the
(07:01):
market of how much some of these guys costs. This
is Wes Miller going all in and I appreciate the
aggressiveness from him.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Tell me a little bit about Jalen Haynes and is
he the type of player in your opinion that can
play well with Tom. Do they do they play at
the same time? Are they are they guys that that
kind of need their own space on the floor. What
do we know of Jalen Haynes.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Yeah, that's a great question.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Jalen Haynes, He's is that that rough and tough player
that you see needed last year. He's the guy that
will get in somebody's face. I remember seeing him, you know,
when two players really fight over the ball after the
whistle because they don't want to be the one to
let it go. There was a play where he picked
up the ball and the person that was holding on
to the ball like kind of like Aaron Donald did
(07:49):
when he was caring around Devonte Freeman four or five
years ago. I just think that's something that that edge,
that's what you see really needs, and they got it
in Jalen Haynes. He's another really aggressive offensive player, and
like Sean, he has post moves that he can go to.
And I'm not really sure about how they'll play together.
(08:11):
I think that that's something that we're going to have
to see through the start of the season. I think
I'm not going to say that they'll never be on
the floor. At the same time, I think Sean's around
seven to two, Jalen Haynes is six', ten AND i
Think sean playing the, Five haynes playing the. Four that's
something that could definitely happen in big. Lineups AND i
(08:32):
come in here and said it three. Times Wes miller
said it a bunch they needed more size and physicality
on both ends of the ball in The big, twelve
AND i don't think he's going to shy away from
playing them both at the same time because he saw
how teams Like Iowa state really beat them with those
kind of lineups last.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Season three of the players that were brought in or
graduate students that have obviously the, Experience Kirk. Crisa we
talked About Jalen, Haynes Jalen. Zellestine how much does this
team or did this team need and how much did
West miller value the experience level that you're going to
get With celestine and WITH Krk creese as.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Well, YEAH i think the experience level was, big and
just having guys that have played AT ncaa tournament, games
AND i THINK i also mentioned one time on here
that playing with guys that also played for really good
coaches is something THAT i don't think can be understated as.
WELL i Mean fellas team played For Scott, DREW Krk
(09:30):
crisa played For Mark pope And Tommy. Lloyd so getting
guys like that it's big because they know what a
championship culture is like and they know what championship level
coaches and how they operate and how practice is supposed to.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Look And i'm not.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
SURE i don't know About celeestine in terms of how
he'll come in the locker, room how he is as a,
leader BUT i Know Kirk crisa won't really stand for
stuff not going, well like he'll probably be a big
time leader on this team because you, know he's got
one last.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Shot this is his last year before.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
He goes to THE nba or he goes and plays,
overseas AND i know he wants to go and play
in THE, nba and this is kind of his last
chance to prove the scouts and coaches around THE nba
that he can compete at that. Level SO i think
getting the experience was. HUGE i, mean you look at
last year's. Roster Dylan mitchell had played in AN ncaa tournament, GAME.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Cj frederick, had.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
And Then i'm trying to think of the other, names
BUT i don't know if it went much beyond that
in terms of guys that had that, Experience and now
you have three to four guys that have had that
experience so. Far SO i think that was definitely something
That wess looked. For but Also telestin And crease that
both having years when they shot forty percent from Free
that was also probably a big sales. Pitch just seeing
(10:51):
how this team has struggled for three in the last two.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
YEARS i don't think MANY uc fans saw how much
they would Miss John newman until he was. Gone Does
Sincere harris give you a little bit of that a
guy that can dig in on the defensive side of
the ball Like newman was able to. Do does he
kind of fill that role that maybe The bearcats were.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Missing, YEAH i think it, does AND i think at
the very, least it gives them two really good on
bol defenders like what you see had in twenty three twenty.
Four when you Pair John newman And Dade thomas, together
and now you Have Dade thomas And Sincere harris And
Chester fraser who he Coached harris At illinois kind of
recruited him. There he, said you, know big twelve point
(11:32):
guards are going to have a tough time bringing the
ball down the floor against Sincor, harris and then you
pair that With Dade, thomas and that's something that that's
something that fans are gonna have a ton of time.
Seeing AND i remember Asking Wes miller before last, season
you know who steps into that role For John, newman
who's the defensive, Stopper and he kind of did The
(11:53):
Rick bertino answer of, well somebody's got to step up
Because John newman isn't walking through that. Door you Know
John newman on and you know he would have to
stop practice every now and then then.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Say John newman is not, here so somebody has to
step up and play.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Defense AND i think that was Another GALAY i need
that they, had was that defensive stopper since Your, Harris
and that's probably Why wes brought him, in just to
kind of have that box checked and, say you, know
you don't have to go out and score twelve points a.
Game you don't have to shoot thirty eight percent from.
Three if you, do, Great but your job is to play.
(12:27):
Defense your job is to get, stops put pressure on the,
ball force turn, nervers and they get the ball on,
transition which is where you see really. Thrives SO i
think since Your.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Harris at the end of the, day he could end
up being.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
One of the more important transfers after this cycle if
you see is able to achieve what they achieve Because
what they want to do is they want to start
everything with defense and then trickle it down from. There
they want to start it with rebounding and trickle it
down from. There get in the guy like since Your
harris who was An All big twelve defensive team.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
CANDIDATE i think that's a, huge huge.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Git what else do you say think this roster?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Needs what else does this roster? Need, oh that's a good.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
QUESTION i think they're still missing that ball dominant go
get you seventeen points a game. Guard and you, KNOW
i don't know if you see is really in the
market to compete for one of those guys just knowing
what guys Like Donovan dent were asking. For what was
asking For AND i think it WAS. Pj Haggarty haggard From,
(13:29):
memphis he was asking for four. Million dent was asking
for three. Million so those guys who can just, say,
hey pay me money And i'll go get you nineteen
points a, game they're gonna be asking for three to
four million Dollars AND i don't know if you see
it in that. Range AND i think that they're going
to go into this season and they're going to be
handing that mantle To Gisel james again and seeing if
(13:52):
he can show up and do. It and you, know
you look at the end of last year AND i
think there was a ten game, stretch maybe even a
thirteen game stretch where he was averaging about seventeen points a.
Game so you, Know jessel had a, really really good
end of the. Year but it's still, like you can't
have those lulls where you're averaging five points game over
a seven game stretch and where you're just struggling to.
(14:14):
Score it's got to be game in and game out
if you want to be at the top half The
big twelve and get in THE nca tournament, bid because
if you had those, lulls it just trickles down to
everyone else and puts pressure on them and then that's
how the losses. Happen SO i think that they need
that kind of seventeen point a game. Guard they could
possibly have it With Gisel, james but just the lack of,
(14:37):
security consistency and kind of still waiting to.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
See if that might be the.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Case it's gonna frustrate some fans until they see that
at the start of next.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
SEASON i heard so many times last, Year, man this,
team this roster Missus tyler McKinley obviously goes through the knee.
Injury he will be back win. Healthy just let the
fans know what can you ex spect out Of tyler
McKinley here as a.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
SOPHOMORE i think it's someone that plays really hard and
could be the best passing big on the. TEAM i
Think Wes miller talked about that a lot that you,
know he probably would have played more Than Arrington page
last year if he was. Healthy and you, know looking
at the hindsight of How Arrington page, played that's not
(15:22):
exactly a hard, thing BUT i know that or a
hard thing to, say BUT i know that in the
summer those two were competing for who was going to
be the backup big to his, ease AND i think
having those three bigs to kind of go, to and
maybe even McKinley being the, two the number, TWO i
think that could have changed a lot last. Year the
(15:43):
kid plays, hard he loves loves Loves, cincinnati he Loves Wes.
Miller he can stretch the flour with a free he
can block, shots and he also has he has a
ton of great post moves and that was kind of
his calling. Card that's why he had a bunch of
guy or a bunch of coaches coming after.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
Him i'm out of high.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
School So i'm really interested to see where he could
what he could do when, healthy BECAUSE i think he
can kind of be That Gary, clark the unheralded guy
that just comes. In he does the dirty, work he
gets the ugly, baskets but he gets those twelve or
thirteen points a, game and he's just kind of the
beacon of consistency for this. Team so you, know there's
(16:21):
a lot of currently unproven guys that need to prove
a lot of, stuff AND i wouldn't be surprised If
Tyland kennedy is one of those that has a really
good season and shock some people next.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Year.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Kigin BEFORE i let you, GO i need to. ASK
i was so high on the roster going into last.
YEAR i went to the scrimmage Against Ohio. STATE i
thought they were a LEGIT ncaa tournament. Team when you
look at how that roster was, constructed with how what
and What Wes miller wants to, do and you look
at this year's, roster do you think this year's roster
is ahead of last? Year do you think it's a
better assembled roster for What West miller wants to.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Do oh, gosh that might be an impossible question BECAUSE
i don't.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
THINK i.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Don't think anyone was expecting that team to miss the.
Tournament the amount of talent on that team was, undeniable
AND i still, remember, like you have these thoughts and
it could be like before A bengals game when they're
playing like The browns or The, panthers.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
You, know and you, think what if they, Lose like
that would be so crazy if they.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Lost and then mine before last season was, Well i'm
just going to book my flights and Wherever i'm going
early and Then i'll cancel. It and then it just doesn't,
happen and it like it didn't happen so, quickly like
it quickly became apparent that this wasn't AN ncaa tournament.
TEAM i wouldn't go as far to say in terms
(17:46):
of on, paper last year's team was probably more talented
than what this year's team currently, has because you were,
THINKING i, Mean Dan skillings is going to average sixteen a.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Game and go to THE. Nba Jessel james is going.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
To be one of the best point guards in the,
country and then you Add Dylan mitchell and you know everything's,
LIKE i, mean how much better can this team? Get
this is like a top five team in The Big.
Twelve BUT i think the difference in this year's team
is these kids having a more coachable style that fits
(18:17):
With Wes. Miller you heard him, say you, KNOW i
kind of had to.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Hold back on these.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
GUYS i kind of had to be nice to, them
and you, know he was kind of saying it as that.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Isn't WHAT i usually like to.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
Do AND i think you're bringing the guys that can
take the tough coaching and also that these kids play.
Tough SO i think last year's, team on paper at
this point is probably more. TALENTED i think this year's,
team with the hindsight of last year seeing how that didn't,
work this year's team is probably more fit to succeed
in The big. Twelve now we can all show up
(18:51):
against whoever they play in The expedition exhibition game and be, like,
okay well never mind throw that out the. Window but
from this point right, now that would be my assessment
that they're more fit for success in The Big twelve
than last year's team.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Was just looking at kind of the playton.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Styles, keeganman this was, awesome so good to catch. UP
i hope we do it again. Soon what's the easiest
way for listeners to follow along with everything you got
going on with The?
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Bearcats, yeah follow me at k nickoson forty two ON
x and then also make sure you subscribe Your Bearcat.
Journal there's there's a cool article THAT i just. POSTED
i talked to THE uc Tight ends Coach Josh, stepp
and he told me about the entire process of how
they went about Retaining Joe royer and kind of fighting
(19:38):
off the, draft fighting off other, schools and it was
a really really good. Conversation that's subscribers only for that.
Story to make sure you're subscribe to catch up with
all that.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
Stuff Keiking, man you're the.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Best thanks so. Much we'll do it again.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Soon, yep thanks toning for you there he Is keegan.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Nickoson Bearcat journal dot. Com that gets us started in
our Two next your talkbacks thanks to say SHIRTS espn
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Speaker 2 (00:06):
Cincy Shirts all since the All Day.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
This is ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
All right, welcome back, thanks for joining us. It's our
two since he three to sixty thanks to Cincey Shirts.
Thank you for listening. We'll get to your talkbacks in
just a couple of minutes, but first we got to
get caught up on everything going on with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
What's new in Clifton. We do so with the man
covering the Bearcats for barcat journal dot com. Good friend
(00:33):
of the show, Keegan nickoson joining us right now.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Hi Kegan, Hi Tony. It's been entirely too long. It
has been.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
There is so much that we need to dive into
since we've last talked. Springball has wrapped up, and we
don't need to dive into everything with football right now.
But anything you were surprised with coming out of springball
that would lead you to believe that this team is
maybe ahead schedule or trending in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Oh, I don't know if it's necessarily anything I was
surprised with.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I think when you look at.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
This team, you look at what they're returning and the
amount of talent they're returning and kind of the amount
amount of talent they brought in via the transfer portal.
I think I saw Bill Connelly and kind of his
ratings had been at twelfth in terms of return production,
and I think he does account for kind of the
transfers that they bring in, because I saw that twelfth
number and I was like, they don't have a single
(01:31):
receiver back who had one hundred yards or more in
the entire season last year. So I don't know where
he's getting that return production from. But I wouldn't say
necessarily surprised. I think that they just have the pieces
to build on what they did last year and pretty
much that they should get to a bowl game or
maybe even better, and if they don't, it's going to
(01:53):
be a pretty big disappointment. I think some of the
true freshmen on the defensive line, like Tim Griffin, Cordero mcdee,
those are two players that I think could shock some
people and get on the field pretty early just because
of the amount of size they have and they're really
they're big twelve level talents as true freshman and that
hasn't really been something that UC has been able to
(02:15):
have in their first two recruiting classes.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
The Shakelee Indoor Practice Facility in Shakeley Athletics Performance Center
very soon to open. I know you've been able to
check it out a couple of times. How impressive is
this and how much of a tool does it become
for the Bearcats.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah, I think it's a massive tool.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
And I mean we walked through it before that basketball
game that one day and it's still it still had
a lot of work to be done. I think they're
putting finishing touches on it that they're going to be
done by May thirtieth. I think the last thing I
saw that the turf field still wasn't in, And I
think when they get that kind of in that part
of the facility, that's when it's gonna that's when it's
going to get real. That's when it's going to get
(02:56):
close to being finished and then you can kind of
move everyone in. So I'm really really looking forward to,
you know, touring that the only thing is in this
day and age of athletics is stuff like that used
to be the center of the sales pitch.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Like when schools like TCU and all the big money
schools like.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, they had all these awesome facilities.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
They could really say.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Look at this facility, this is where you're going to be,
and then a lot of prospects would be like, Okay,
this is actually really cool.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
I'm going to come here. Now.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
It's more of just a cherry on top because so
much of the of the conversations are about money, and
it's about how much they're willing to invest in nil
so I at the end of the day, this is
something you see needed to get back on a level
playing field that the rest of the Big twelve and
the rest of the country. And I think it's going
to serve a great purpose. And it's also it's also
(03:50):
something great to look at when you're driving around campus
because it's going to be a really really cool, architecturally
sound building.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Keegan, let's switch gears to to basketball before we even
get to the roster itself. What about the coaching staff.
Cincinnati hires UCF assistant Mamadu Enji, who's going to join
Wes Miller and his staff. What does Enji bring to
this staff that maybe they were missing or maybe that
he can help with.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
They he brings a big man coach, and that is
something you See has needed very badly ever since Mike
Roberts contract wasn't renewed at U SEE at the end
of the twenty twenty three season.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
I believe.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
That is a role that you've kind of the consistent
theme for U SEE over the past two seasons has
been the big men cannot produce offensively. You saw it
with Victor Lockin. He kind of progressed as he's Ben
Diego just did not have an offensive game. Jamiir Reynolds
was supposed to be that offensive guy and he just
(04:52):
didn't produce the level that he was supposed to. So
I think bringing in Inji, who was a stud at
Auburn and the late nineties, was a first round pick
to the Nuggets in two thousand, the first Senegalese player,
I think it bodes well for U SEE on the
court on a daily basis, game in, a game out.
And then it's also that pipeline to continue getting these
(05:13):
guys at A Senegal and you're already seen that with
you know, Mustapha Shan coming from UCF, who he recruited
to UCF.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
At A Senegal.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
So it's multiple layers of multiple layers of goods for
you see, I guess you could say and that you
know they have the connection with the recruiting that's going
to continue to pay dividends. And then also Sean had
a great first year at UCF and if he can
continue to build on that under the tutelage of a
(05:43):
talented big man's coach that can that can give a
lot to uc.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
How different is Chom's game compared to what as Ease
Bendego was able to give or or not give this team.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
I think it's very different.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Uh you know, he's been touted for his defensive ability,
but I mean this guy can get the ball at
the free throw line in an isolation situation and go
and score like he and as he's been Diego was
a dang good basketball player, but he just couldn't dribble. Basically,
like anytime you saw him dribble around in the paint,
you're kind of like something bad it's gonna happen. Like
(06:19):
it's gonna get stolen, He's going to travel, he's going
to turn it over. Something bad is going to happen. Sean,
he can handle the ball well in the paint. He
has a hook shot. He has a jumper that he
can go to. It just adds a whole other level
to UC's offense that they've in large part been missing.
So I think it was one of the biggest pickups
(06:41):
in the entire transfer portal cycle. I think when he committed,
he was maybe the number two, number three center in
the entire portalcycle, and I think he was probably the
best available player and a lot of people were shocked.
But you see they're basically it's it's looking like they're
going all in when you look at the amount of
players that they've brought in and just looking at the
(07:01):
market of how much some of these guys costs. This
is Wes Miller going all in and I appreciate the
aggressiveness from him.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Tell me a little bit about Jalen Haynes and is
he the type of player in your opinion that can
play well with Tom. Do they do they play at
the same time? Are they are they guys that that
kind of need their own space on the floor. What
do we know of Jalen Haynes.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Yeah, that's a great question.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Jalen Haynes, He's is that that rough and tough player
that you see needed last year. He's the guy that
will get in somebody's face. I remember seeing him, you know,
when two players really fight over the ball after the
whistle because they don't want to be the one to
let it go. There was a play where he picked
up the ball and the person that was holding on
to the ball like kind of like Aaron Donald did
(07:49):
when he was caring around Devonte Freeman four or five
years ago. I just think that's something that that edge,
that's what you see really needs, and they got it
in Jalen Haynes. He's another really aggressive offensive player, and
like Sean, he has post moves that he can go to.
And I'm not really sure about how they'll play together.
(08:11):
I think that that's something that we're going to have
to see through the start of the season. I think
I'm not going to say that they'll never be on
the floor. At the same time, I think Sean's around
seven to two, Jalen Haynes is six', ten AND i
Think sean playing the, Five haynes playing the. Four that's
something that could definitely happen in big. Lineups AND i
(08:32):
come in here and said it three. Times Wes miller
said it a bunch they needed more size and physicality
on both ends of the ball in The big, twelve
AND i don't think he's going to shy away from
playing them both at the same time because he saw
how teams Like Iowa state really beat them with those
kind of lineups last.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Season three of the players that were brought in or
graduate students that have obviously the, Experience Kirk. Crisa we
talked About Jalen, Haynes Jalen. Zellestine how much does this
team or did this team need and how much did
West miller value the experience level that you're going to
get With celestine and WITH Krk creese as.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Well, YEAH i think the experience level was, big and
just having guys that have played AT ncaa tournament, games
AND i THINK i also mentioned one time on here
that playing with guys that also played for really good
coaches is something THAT i don't think can be understated as.
WELL i Mean fellas team played For Scott, DREW Krk
(09:30):
crisa played For Mark pope And Tommy. Lloyd so getting
guys like that it's big because they know what a
championship culture is like and they know what championship level
coaches and how they operate and how practice is supposed to.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Look And i'm not.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
SURE i don't know About celeestine in terms of how
he'll come in the locker, room how he is as a,
leader BUT i Know Kirk crisa won't really stand for
stuff not going, well like he'll probably be a big
time leader on this team because you, know he's got
one last.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Shot this is his last year before.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
He goes to THE nba or he goes and plays,
overseas AND i know he wants to go and play
in THE, nba and this is kind of his last
chance to prove the scouts and coaches around THE nba
that he can compete at that. Level SO i think
getting the experience was. HUGE i, mean you look at
last year's. Roster Dylan mitchell had played in AN ncaa tournament, GAME.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Cj frederick, had.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
And Then i'm trying to think of the other, names
BUT i don't know if it went much beyond that
in terms of guys that had that, Experience and now
you have three to four guys that have had that
experience so. Far SO i think that was definitely something
That wess looked. For but Also telestin And crease that
both having years when they shot forty percent from Free
that was also probably a big sales. Pitch just seeing
(10:51):
how this team has struggled for three in the last two.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
YEARS i don't think MANY uc fans saw how much
they would Miss John newman until he was. Gone Does
Sincere harris give you a little bit of that a
guy that can dig in on the defensive side of
the ball Like newman was able to. Do does he
kind of fill that role that maybe The bearcats were.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Missing, YEAH i think it, does AND i think at
the very, least it gives them two really good on
bol defenders like what you see had in twenty three twenty.
Four when you Pair John newman And Dade thomas, together
and now you Have Dade thomas And Sincere harris And
Chester fraser who he Coached harris At illinois kind of
recruited him. There he, said you, know big twelve point
(11:32):
guards are going to have a tough time bringing the
ball down the floor against Sincor, harris and then you
pair that With Dade, thomas and that's something that that's
something that fans are gonna have a ton of time.
Seeing AND i remember Asking Wes miller before last, season
you know who steps into that role For John, newman
who's the defensive, Stopper and he kind of did The
(11:53):
Rick bertino answer of, well somebody's got to step up
Because John newman isn't walking through that. Door you Know
John newman on and you know he would have to
stop practice every now and then then.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Say John newman is not, here so somebody has to
step up and play.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Defense AND i think that was Another GALAY i need
that they, had was that defensive stopper since Your, Harris
and that's probably Why wes brought him, in just to
kind of have that box checked and, say you, know
you don't have to go out and score twelve points a.
Game you don't have to shoot thirty eight percent from.
Three if you, do, Great but your job is to play.
(12:27):
Defense your job is to get, stops put pressure on the,
ball force turn, nervers and they get the ball on,
transition which is where you see really. Thrives SO i
think since Your.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Harris at the end of the, day he could end
up being.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
One of the more important transfers after this cycle if
you see is able to achieve what they achieve Because
what they want to do is they want to start
everything with defense and then trickle it down from. There
they want to start it with rebounding and trickle it
down from. There get in the guy like since Your
harris who was An All big twelve defensive team.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
CANDIDATE i think that's a, huge huge.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Git what else do you say think this roster?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Needs what else does this roster? Need, oh that's a good.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
QUESTION i think they're still missing that ball dominant go
get you seventeen points a game. Guard and you, KNOW
i don't know if you see is really in the
market to compete for one of those guys just knowing
what guys Like Donovan dent were asking. For what was
asking For AND i think it WAS. Pj Haggarty haggard From,
(13:29):
memphis he was asking for four. Million dent was asking
for three. Million so those guys who can just, say,
hey pay me money And i'll go get you nineteen
points a, game they're gonna be asking for three to
four million Dollars AND i don't know if you see
it in that. Range AND i think that they're going
to go into this season and they're going to be
handing that mantle To Gisel james again and seeing if
(13:52):
he can show up and do. It and you, know
you look at the end of last year AND i
think there was a ten game, stretch maybe even a
thirteen game stretch where he was averaging about seventeen points a.
Game so you, Know jessel had a, really really good
end of the. Year but it's still, like you can't
have those lulls where you're averaging five points game over
a seven game stretch and where you're just struggling to.
(14:14):
Score it's got to be game in and game out
if you want to be at the top half The
big twelve and get in THE nca tournament, bid because
if you had those, lulls it just trickles down to
everyone else and puts pressure on them and then that's
how the losses. Happen SO i think that they need
that kind of seventeen point a game. Guard they could
possibly have it With Gisel, james but just the lack of,
(14:37):
security consistency and kind of still waiting to.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
See if that might be the.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Case it's gonna frustrate some fans until they see that
at the start of next.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
SEASON i heard so many times last, Year, man this,
team this roster Missus tyler McKinley obviously goes through the knee.
Injury he will be back win. Healthy just let the
fans know what can you ex spect out Of tyler
McKinley here as a.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
SOPHOMORE i think it's someone that plays really hard and
could be the best passing big on the. TEAM i
Think Wes miller talked about that a lot that you,
know he probably would have played more Than Arrington page
last year if he was. Healthy and you, know looking
at the hindsight of How Arrington page, played that's not
(15:22):
exactly a hard, thing BUT i know that or a
hard thing to, say BUT i know that in the
summer those two were competing for who was going to
be the backup big to his, ease AND i think
having those three bigs to kind of go, to and
maybe even McKinley being the, two the number, TWO i
think that could have changed a lot last. Year the
(15:43):
kid plays, hard he loves loves Loves, cincinnati he Loves Wes.
Miller he can stretch the flour with a free he
can block, shots and he also has he has a
ton of great post moves and that was kind of
his calling. Card that's why he had a bunch of
guy or a bunch of coaches coming after.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
Him i'm out of high.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
School So i'm really interested to see where he could
what he could do when, healthy BECAUSE i think he
can kind of be That Gary, clark the unheralded guy
that just comes. In he does the dirty, work he
gets the ugly, baskets but he gets those twelve or
thirteen points a, game and he's just kind of the
beacon of consistency for this. Team so you, know there's
(16:21):
a lot of currently unproven guys that need to prove
a lot of, stuff AND i wouldn't be surprised If
Tyland kennedy is one of those that has a really
good season and shock some people next.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Year.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Kigin BEFORE i let you, GO i need to. ASK
i was so high on the roster going into last.
YEAR i went to the scrimmage Against Ohio. STATE i
thought they were a LEGIT ncaa tournament. Team when you
look at how that roster was, constructed with how what
and What Wes miller wants to, do and you look
at this year's, roster do you think this year's roster
is ahead of last? Year do you think it's a
better assembled roster for What West miller wants to.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Do oh, gosh that might be an impossible question BECAUSE
i don't.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
THINK i.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Don't think anyone was expecting that team to miss the.
Tournament the amount of talent on that team was, undeniable
AND i still, remember, like you have these thoughts and
it could be like before A bengals game when they're
playing like The browns or The, panthers.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
You, know and you, think what if they, Lose like
that would be so crazy if they.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Lost and then mine before last season was, Well i'm
just going to book my flights and Wherever i'm going
early and Then i'll cancel. It and then it just doesn't,
happen and it like it didn't happen so, quickly like
it quickly became apparent that this wasn't AN ncaa tournament.
TEAM i wouldn't go as far to say in terms
(17:46):
of on, paper last year's team was probably more talented
than what this year's team currently, has because you were,
THINKING i, Mean Dan skillings is going to average sixteen a.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Game and go to THE. Nba Jessel james is going.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
To be one of the best point guards in the,
country and then you Add Dylan mitchell and you know everything's,
LIKE i, mean how much better can this team? Get
this is like a top five team in The Big.
Twelve BUT i think the difference in this year's team
is these kids having a more coachable style that fits
(18:17):
With Wes. Miller you heard him, say you, KNOW i
kind of had to.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Hold back on these.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
GUYS i kind of had to be nice to, them
and you, know he was kind of saying it as that.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Isn't WHAT i usually like to.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
Do AND i think you're bringing the guys that can
take the tough coaching and also that these kids play.
Tough SO i think last year's, team on paper at
this point is probably more. TALENTED i think this year's,
team with the hindsight of last year seeing how that didn't,
work this year's team is probably more fit to succeed
in The big. Twelve now we can all show up
(18:51):
against whoever they play in The expedition exhibition game and be, like,
okay well never mind throw that out the. Window but
from this point right, now that would be my assessment
that they're more fit for success in The Big twelve
than last year's team.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Was just looking at kind of the playton.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Styles, keeganman this was, awesome so good to catch. UP
i hope we do it again. Soon what's the easiest
way for listeners to follow along with everything you got
going on with The?
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Bearcats, yeah follow me at k nickoson forty two ON
x and then also make sure you subscribe Your Bearcat.
Journal there's there's a cool article THAT i just. POSTED
i talked to THE uc Tight ends Coach Josh, stepp
and he told me about the entire process of how
they went about Retaining Joe royer and kind of fighting
(19:38):
off the, draft fighting off other, schools and it was
a really really good. Conversation that's subscribers only for that.
Story to make sure you're subscribe to catch up with
all that.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
Stuff Keiking, man you're the.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Best thanks so. Much we'll do it again.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Soon, yep thanks toning for you there he Is keegan.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Nickoson Bearcat journal dot. Com that gets us started in
our Two next your talkbacks thanks to say SHIRTS espn
fifteen Thirty Cincinnati sports.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Station now your chance to win one thousand dollars enter
this stationwide keyword on our.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Website. Happy that's? Happy answer it? Now, hey look
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