1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: Tony Pike Cincy three sixty about Cincinnati from Cincinnati, sponsored 2 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: in part by Penn Station East Coast Subs Handcraft It 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: I grilled subs, fresh cut fries in lemonade. It's all 4 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: about good taste. Penn Station East Coast Subs order on 5 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 1: mine today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. 6 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 2: It's our number three on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. 7 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 2: And to do so, we're going to start something new 8 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 2: today that we're going to run through college basketball season 9 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 2: from Bearcat Journal himself covering all things Bearcats. My second 10 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 2: favorite Nickoson, but for this show's sake, our favorite Nickoson guest, 11 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 2: it's Keegan Nickoson joining us right now. Hi, Keegan, I. 12 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 3: Might have to rethink this season long commitment. If you're 13 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 3: going to open every interview with that, I can't believe it. 14 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 2: I have a question first, Keegan Austin said that as 15 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 2: this was transpiring, it did take you about seven or 16 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 2: eight minutes to confirm he saw the bubbles waiting for 17 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 2: the text to come back. What went into the decision, 18 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 2: What went into that decision and how much did Chad 19 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 2: Brenda have a say in this well, what. 20 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 3: Austin didn't tell you is that we were actually negotiating 21 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:19,680 Speaker 3: a signing bonus. 22 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 4: So if he hasn't thowed you in. 23 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 3: With that number yet, you can go ahead and get 24 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 3: with him. That's coming out of Tony's pot for Tony 25 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 3: Pikes since. 26 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 2: Keigan. The thing that everyone is asking right now, the spread. 27 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 2: It opened a lot of places at seven some six 28 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 2: and a half some seven and a half. Last time 29 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 2: I checked, it's up to ten and a half in 30 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 2: favor of Utah. Why that large of a number in 31 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:46,760 Speaker 2: this game? 32 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 3: I think a lot of people are putting a lot 33 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 3: of stock into Utah playing at home under the lights, which. 34 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 4: I completely understand. 35 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 3: I mean, it's a really, really tough environment you're looking at. 36 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 3: The only other tough environment you see has played in 37 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 3: was against Nebraska at Airhead Stadium, which I think, in 38 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 3: all honesty, is probably going to be tougher than what. 39 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 4: They'll see that Utah on Saturday. 40 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 3: It just hards me to believe that it's going to 41 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:19,079 Speaker 3: be louder than what those Nebraska fans made Airhead Stadium. 42 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 3: But I think Evan Bryor missing plays a role. 43 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 4: When you look at. 44 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 3: The success that you see his offense has had in 45 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:28,919 Speaker 3: the past couple of weeks. Evan Pryor was a big 46 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:31,079 Speaker 3: part of it, and both the run in the past. 47 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 4: And then I also think. 48 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 3: You're looking at a Utah defense that you know, you 49 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 3: see hasn't really got up against a group like this. 50 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 3: One of the best defensive lines in college football. You see, 51 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 3: he's been good at keeping defenders off of Brennan Sowerby. 52 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,639 Speaker 3: And you know, if you throw in, say maybe they 53 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 3: get two sacks, maybe there's some false starts, the kind 54 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 3: of close to perfect, like really really good offense Cincinnati's 55 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 3: been playing so far, it's going to be hard to 56 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 3: replicate that. 57 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 4: And I think that dogs makers are just saying that, 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 4: you know, Utah is going to do it, But I 59 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 4: wouldn't cut it it ten. 60 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 3: If I was betting on this, I would pick Cincinnati 61 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 3: just because you look at what. 62 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 4: Utah has done in their biggest games this year. 63 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 3: They beat Hares in a state who started Jeff Simms, 64 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 3: and then they lose the BYU and then they lose. 65 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 4: To Texas Tech by a lot in Texas Tech play 66 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 4: the backup quarterback for the majority of the game. 67 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 3: So I'm not exactly bought. 68 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 4: In on Utah. 69 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:32,800 Speaker 3: I think there's a lot of outside factors that are 70 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 3: influencing it, but ten seems pretty steep for me. 71 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 2: How big of a role can Many Covey play in 72 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 2: this game? Because when we've seen in the past when 73 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 2: he gets opportunities, he does make the most of them. 74 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 2: He hasn't been given a ton of those opportunities because 75 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 2: of what they have with Walker and prior and obviously 76 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 2: Soresby's ability. Do you view this as Cincinnati will kind 77 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 2: of circle the wagon and go more Walker and maybe 78 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 2: a couple more Sowresby runs, or is there a fair 79 00:03:58,000 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 2: share of Carrie's for Covey. 80 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 3: I think they're going to lean heavily on Walker, and 81 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 3: whoever the backup running back is is kind of just 82 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 3: to give Walker breaks. 83 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 4: Don't forget about. 84 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 3: Chance Williams, you see, has used Many Covey a decent 85 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 3: amount in the past game in terms of screens, and 86 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 3: I would expect. 87 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 4: Them to do that again this week. 88 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:23,720 Speaker 3: I think he's probably the best receiving back on the 89 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 3: roster outside of Edan Pryor. But Chance Williams is a 90 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 3: better runner than Many Covey. I'm willing to say that 91 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 3: he's shifty he's fast. He fits to Van pryor Runner 92 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 3: Mold better. But if you're in a spot with Tabbie 93 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 3: Walker where he's hasn't been getting that many carries per game, 94 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 3: he should be fresh. Why not give him twenty five carries? 95 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 3: Why not let him be the bell cow? Who else 96 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 3: who's out there every down? And the only reason someone 97 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:52,719 Speaker 3: else is in the game is if you're scheming up 98 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 3: a screen or if you're giving him a break from 99 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,159 Speaker 3: many Covey, I would expect him to be involved somewhat. 100 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,720 Speaker 3: Don't forget about Chance Williams. And also there's a true 101 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 3: freshman on this team that I love in Zion Johnson, 102 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 3: who could be one of the most electric offensive players 103 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 3: in the roster. A lot of people saw him in 104 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 3: the spring game when he popped off. If he's able 105 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 3: to get the ball in his hands and any kind 106 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 3: of situation, he could be able to take it the distance. 107 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 4: To keep an eye on that as well. 108 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 2: Offensively, it's been weird because it felt like against Baylor 109 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:30,040 Speaker 2: that they weren't dominant, and then you look up and 110 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,600 Speaker 2: they punted the ball one time and they put forty 111 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:34,559 Speaker 2: one points on the board. I know a big reason 112 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 2: for their success is the fact that they've not turned 113 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 2: the ball over in their last seven games during this 114 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 2: winning streak. But in a game like this where the 115 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 2: opponent is better, can they find a way Keegan to 116 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 2: eliminate these third quarter laws that we've seen kind of 117 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:51,119 Speaker 2: plague this team over the past couple weeks. 118 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,160 Speaker 3: I think the best way to eliminate them is for 119 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 3: some takeaways. I mean, you think about when you see 120 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 3: has gotten out quick and they've gotten those two and 121 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 3: three possession leads on teams and then they start to coast. 122 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 3: The reason you feel so gross about those games after 123 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 3: when they cut it to a ten point lead and 124 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:14,720 Speaker 3: then you barely survive is you see wasn't getting turnovers, 125 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 3: like they weren't forcing turnovers at all. You look at 126 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 3: Oklahoma State, if they don't get that pick six, you. 127 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 4: Don't feel as good about it. 128 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 3: You look at Baylor, if they don't get those two 129 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 3: turnovers which immediately turn into touchdowns, that's a twenty seven 130 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,159 Speaker 3: to twenty final and you feel different about that game. 131 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,280 Speaker 3: So if you want to really make a difference, and 132 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:34,800 Speaker 3: if you want to see your team's ceiling, continue to 133 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,719 Speaker 3: force turnovers and it'll just make your life so much 134 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 3: easier because they've won without forcing turnovers, but they've really 135 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 3: dominated and put the country on notice when they force 136 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 3: the turnovers and put the ball back in the hands 137 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 3: of one of the best offenses in the country. 138 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:54,600 Speaker 2: Defensively, this to me is no surprise. If you look 139 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:57,160 Speaker 2: at the top three rushing teams in the country Navy, 140 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 2: Air Force, Army, nothing new about that. Is this Utah 141 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 2: team that the Bearcats are going to see on Saturday night. 142 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: They are fourth in the country at two hundred and 143 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:09,039 Speaker 2: sixty seven point one yards per game that they are 144 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 2: gaining on the ground. If you're looking at Achilles Heel 145 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 2: for the Cincinnati Bearcats their run defense, they're allowing one 146 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 2: hundred and forty one a game. Do you envision them 147 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:23,880 Speaker 2: at all going to a traditional four down front at 148 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 2: times because we've seen team success against the three down 149 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 2: especially when cor Leon's out of the game. Or is 150 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 2: this who the Bearcats are and that's who they're going 151 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 2: to continue to be. 152 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 3: I really I don't know, and we were talking about 153 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 3: it last night on the bcjpod. I think you have 154 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 3: to get exotic with what you do, like maybe bring 155 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 3: some some blitzers out of the second theory maybe you 156 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 3: bring the star down to the linebacker spot where he 157 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 3: plays that kind of with the Sean pace played in 158 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 3: the first year, kind of the Rover. I don't know 159 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 3: if you get away from your identity and what's made 160 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 3: you great. I think before the Bearer game, a lot 161 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 3: of people probably thinking that the other was going to 162 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 3: throw for four hundred yards, but the important thing was 163 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 3: going to be what do they do in the red zone? 164 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 3: And then you see it was pretty good in that 165 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 3: area preventing them from getting to the end zone and 166 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 3: large so I'm. 167 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 4: Not really sure. 168 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 3: I'd be interested to see how much they played Dante Corleone. 169 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 3: Is this a case where they were saving him for 170 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 3: a game like this when the running game of the 171 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 3: opposition is one of their best features. I would say 172 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 3: that I like how yuc's defense matches up against a 173 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 3: running quarterback. You've seen it with Cam Fancher and Sam 174 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:37,199 Speaker 3: Jackson where they had some damage, but it was it 175 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 3: was kind of like improvised, and it was when there 176 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:46,079 Speaker 3: there was nobody opened downfield. My thing will continue to 177 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 3: be if you can force takeovers. 178 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:51,080 Speaker 4: Or force turnovers and put some pressure in the opposing. 179 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 3: Quarterback, you're going to put yourself in a good position, 180 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:56,719 Speaker 3: and then at this specific position. I wouldn't want to 181 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 3: be Devin dan Peer after what Bird Fickland did last 182 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 3: week for you to off and you come back in 183 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 3: and you're taken over. 184 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 4: For a true freshman who had like, what was it, 185 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:07,319 Speaker 4: four hundred and fifty five hundred. 186 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 3: Total yards through the air and on the ground, if 187 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 3: he makes one mistake yep, which a lot of people 188 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 3: are like already down on him. What's in the back 189 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,599 Speaker 3: of his head, because everybody on the sideline, everybody in 190 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 3: the stands is going to be thinking, we'll just go 191 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:21,319 Speaker 3: to that true freshman and we're going to win. So 192 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 3: I would try I would try to punch them in 193 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:27,560 Speaker 3: the mouth early and make him uncomfortable and then see 194 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 3: if you can force some turnovers. 195 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: The one thing we haven't seen yet really from UC 196 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 2: is having to come from a deficit. You know, outside 197 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,319 Speaker 2: of maybe a field goal or a touchdown. They have 198 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 2: done really well at playing from ahead. Does Utah style 199 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 2: of play when running the ball, and how many fifteen 200 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 2: eighteen play drives we've seen the defense give up? How 201 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 2: important is it for UC to start fast and to 202 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:50,679 Speaker 2: be able to play from ahead against a team that 203 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 2: runs the ball so well. 204 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 3: I think it's very important for that and to take 205 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:58,719 Speaker 3: the crowd out of it. And I don't know where 206 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 3: you stand on, you know, taking the ball after a 207 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 3: coin flip if you're. 208 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 4: Able to win, or if you want to defer to 209 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 4: the second half. 210 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 3: I just feel like getting a stop on the first drive, 211 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 3: when everything has been made about how Utah is just 212 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 3: going to run it down your throat and score, getting 213 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 3: to stop and then immediately scoring and taking some life 214 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 3: out of the crowd. I think that's how you set 215 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:21,920 Speaker 3: it up. So I think the biggest drive of the 216 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 3: game for the defense could be their first drive. And 217 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,199 Speaker 3: if you can set the tone where you know you 218 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 3: guys aren't going to be able to just run all 219 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:32,719 Speaker 3: over us, that's that can set the tone for the 220 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 3: rest of the game, and they can give both sides 221 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 3: of the ball a ton of confidence and you can 222 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 3: immediately be playing from out in front, whether it's on 223 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 3: the scoreboard or just from the momentum aspect of the game. 224 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 2: Do you have any big plans for Friday night in 225 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 2: Salt Lake City. 226 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 4: I don't know. 227 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:49,679 Speaker 3: I don't think it's so much to go on a 228 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 3: hike at like eight pm when it's dark. I don't 229 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 3: want to get attacked to like a mountain lion or something. 230 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 4: I don't think it through a very big bar scene 231 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 4: in Salt Lake City. Whatever. 232 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 3: Maybe I'll hit up a twig and get a dirty 233 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 3: soda and go crazy with it, but I don't know. 234 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 3: I'll have to find something to do. 235 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 2: I have to ask on the basketball side of things, Keegan, 236 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:10,959 Speaker 2: because if you know me at all, you know I'm 237 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 2: not one to put any stake in exhibition basketball. You 238 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 2: never hear me talking about it, whether the Bearcats win 239 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 2: or whether they lose. Is there anything that you saw 240 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 2: against Arkansas that Bearcat fans should be concerned about as 241 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 2: the season approaches on Monday? 242 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:29,319 Speaker 4: Not really. 243 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 3: I think that the transition defense was so obviously atrocious 244 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,839 Speaker 3: and so not up to the standard of what Cincinnati 245 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 3: can do that it was. It's something that is going 246 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 3: to be corrected, and it's something that Sincani fans should 247 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:46,840 Speaker 3: expect to see corrected. 248 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 4: Wes Miller would not recruit players who played like that, 249 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 4: and I don't. 250 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 3: I can't confirm if John Caliperry was watching film of 251 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 3: the Michigan game and was like, really hell bent, I'm 252 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 3: beating since to Addie and not really just trying to 253 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 3: do it's. 254 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 4: Best for his team. 255 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:05,959 Speaker 3: But that's kind of what it looked like because it 256 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 3: was just get out and transition and go. 257 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:14,079 Speaker 4: So you know, Wes was very very clear that he 258 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 4: thought that the two exhibition games are very successful in 259 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:18,319 Speaker 4: terms of it. 260 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 3: It gave them opportunities to go to grow confidence and 261 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 3: have success, and it also gave them opportunities to see 262 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:26,439 Speaker 3: what they need to work on. 263 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,200 Speaker 4: So you got kind of the hot and the cold, 264 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 4: and I think it was a perfect scenario. 265 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 3: But there's not anything too brutal or too worrisome. The 266 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 3: only thing with the that they're going to have to 267 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 3: get more creative with how to. 268 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 4: Score down low without John Haynes. 269 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 3: So I think the first option is obviously Mustafa cham 270 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 3: who probably would have been the first option to scored. 271 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 4: Down low even if Haines were healthy. 272 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 3: And then you look at Boba Miller kind of maybe 273 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 3: changing a little bit of what he does. And then 274 00:12:57,320 --> 00:12:59,319 Speaker 3: since your hair is getting more active down in the 275 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 3: paint and hat to the hoops. So but no, I 276 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 3: don't think Sans should overreact too much. But I can 277 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 3: also appreciate the overreactions because a lot of us wouldn't 278 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 3: have jobs. 279 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 4: If they weren't crazy fans who ever reacted to exhibition game. 280 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 2: What do they need outside of just the low post scoring? 281 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:19,079 Speaker 2: You mentioned things that they can work on. What do 282 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 2: they need to get cleared up between now and you 283 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 2: get Western Carolina and Georgia State to start, but then 284 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 2: you get a Dayton team who's very well coached, always 285 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 2: a threat in the eight ten. What do they need 286 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 2: to get cleaned up outside of the low post between 287 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 2: now and then? 288 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 4: I think it's just defense. 289 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 3: You know, outside of the transition defense, there were some 290 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 3: lackluster efforts. There were some misassignments at Arkansas, and West 291 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 3: is pretty quick to pull them, I think, especially with 292 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:48,559 Speaker 3: guys like Jordi Rodriguez and Shanabaia, who are those offensive 293 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 3: players who are coming in in their first year and 294 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 3: they're trying to get used to the standard of Cincinnati 295 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 3: basketball and what a Cincinnati defense looks like. 296 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 4: And what the expectation is. 297 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:01,839 Speaker 3: Those guys who are are coming to this team to 298 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 3: play offense really just need to get to the point 299 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:07,719 Speaker 3: where they aren't liabilities on defense, because you saw it 300 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 3: in the past. 301 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:09,079 Speaker 4: Couple of years. 302 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 3: Gisel Games struggled a lot. I think it was better 303 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:14,559 Speaker 3: in year two than he was in year one, and 304 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 3: Dan Skilling startled a lot. And player there's a players 305 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 3: who are supposed to contribute, the key players, and then 306 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 3: you get on the defensive side and they really really 307 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 3: hurt you. So just getting those offensive players to the 308 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 3: point where they can play like sustainable defense. 309 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 4: They don't have to be locked down, but just confident 310 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 4: defense to where they can play those twenty five to 311 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 4: thirty minutes a game, especially in a case like Seanabaya, 312 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 4: because if. 313 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:44,360 Speaker 3: He's going to be a liability, his minutes on the 314 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:45,880 Speaker 3: court are probably going to get cut. 315 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, a lot that we will continue to watch. First 316 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 2: it's Saturday night and then the Bearcat hoop squad gets 317 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 2: underway Monday at Fistard Arena. Keegan will will have this 318 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 2: coverage with you all season long. We can't thank you 319 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 2: enough and look forward to seeing you on Friday and 320 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 2: look forward to catching up again next week. 321 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 4: Absolutely see you, Tony, all right. 322 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 2: That is Keegan nickoson Bearcat Journal dot com or Kay 323 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 2: Nikison on x follow along with all Keegan's coverage of 324 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 2: all things Bearcats and yes, as much as we'll talk 325 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 2: about the Bearcats, we're also going to talk about Xavier 326 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 2: Musketeers as well. A lot of question marks around this 327 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 2: year's Xavier squad. Richard Patino took the podium yesterday to 328 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 2: talk about the upcoming Xavier season. We'll have that audio 329 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 2: when we return on this the Home of the Bengals, 330 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 2: ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. 331 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 3: Now your chance to win one thousand dollars. 332 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 4: Enter this nationwide keyword on. 333 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 3: Our website, the bank. That's the bank. 334 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 4: Enter it now.