1 00:00:01,560 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: This is Tony Pike Cincy three sixty about Cincinnati from Cincinnati, 2 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,879 Speaker 1: sponsored in hard by Penn Station East Coast Subs. Hand 3 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:16,079 Speaker 1: prep it hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries and lemonade. 4 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: It's all about good taste. Penn Station East Coast Subs 5 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: orderum line Today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station. 6 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 2: All right, welcome back our number three. We thank our 7 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 2: friends at Penn Station. We thank you for sticking with us, 8 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 2: listening along on ESPN fifteen thirty or via the iHeartRadio app. 9 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:41,800 Speaker 2: Let's keep it going on a Thursday afternoon and our 10 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 2: number three. We kick things off now and through the 11 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 2: college basketball season with our guy covering the Bearcats for 12 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:53,560 Speaker 2: Bearcat Journal dot Com. Kegan Nickoson is with us right now. Hi, Kegan, 13 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 2: how are you? 14 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 3: I could not be better. 15 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 4: It's Thursday at two, so it's my favorite minutes of 16 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:00,800 Speaker 4: the week. 17 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 5: Wow. 18 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 2: Thank you, Kegan. We appreciate that. I can tell your 19 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 2: excitement to join us today. Does that match, in your opinion, 20 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 2: the excitement from Wes Miller about playing tomorrow night at 21 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:11,679 Speaker 2: Heritage Bank Arena. 22 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 4: It matches my excitement for me getting a crown on my. 23 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 3: Teeth like in a month maybe, or getting like a 24 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 3: root canal, because that's what the Arcy cola is going 25 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:29,680 Speaker 3: to do to my life. But I don't know. 26 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,760 Speaker 4: This whole situation is weird. I don't know the exact 27 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 4: ins and outs of how scheduling these things works or 28 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 4: why they couldn't do a home and home. I'm sure 29 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 4: as every negative thing about College of Athletics, it came 30 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 4: down the money, just like the Arrowhead. 31 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 3: Game to start the football season. So yeah, I don't 32 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 3: think he loves it. 33 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 4: I don't think Pat Kelsey loves it, and I know 34 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 4: the fans definitely don't love it seeing the amount of 35 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 4: tickets that are still available for this game. 36 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,480 Speaker 2: All right, so let's take away the arena, which I 37 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 2: know makes a difference with depth, perception and things like that. 38 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 2: Let's take away the arena. Let's take away the crowd 39 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:10,080 Speaker 2: this game itself. Is there a path that you see 40 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:12,519 Speaker 2: can keep this close and put pressure on to maybe 41 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 2: upset Louisville late in the game, And if so, what 42 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 2: is that path? 43 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,799 Speaker 4: I think the path is using your size. I think 44 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 4: that they're more talented at the center and the four 45 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 4: with Baba Miller and your staffa cham than Louisville is 46 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 4: at those positions. 47 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 3: But I just think that. 48 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:36,239 Speaker 4: Their guards are way too good for you see to 49 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 4: deal with them. And you see has two good defensive 50 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 4: guards in Dayde Thomas and Sincere Harrits, who are both 51 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:46,360 Speaker 4: they might have to play like thirty minutes. It's louis 52 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 4: built in order to come out with a win somehow. 53 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 4: But you know, Isaac McNeely, Ryan Conwell, Michael Brown and 54 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 4: then that kennisaf State kid, they're all really, really, really good. 55 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,919 Speaker 4: And I think Brown is averaging nineteen point eight and 56 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 4: Ryan Conwell is averaging nineteen point three through four games 57 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:05,040 Speaker 4: this year. 58 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 3: Both had really good games against Kentucky. 59 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 4: So I think the past is there as in it 60 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 4: can happen. Cincinnati's a talented team with experienced players, but 61 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 4: I would be really really surprised if they were able to. 62 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 3: Pull out a win. I think Louisville, as I said 63 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 3: last week, is a national. 64 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 4: Championship contender, and they've shown it through four games so far, 65 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 4: and especially against Kentucky. 66 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 2: If the Bearcats can rely on something I know a 67 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 2: lot of people look into Ken Palm, you see as 68 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 2: rated very highly as it comes to team defense in 69 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 2: Ken Pom what makes them so talented or such a 70 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 2: tough matchup on the defensive side of the ball. 71 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 4: I think it starts with since Your Harrison and Daya 72 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 4: Thomas taking away opposing team's best scorer. They did it 73 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 4: against Dayton with Javon Bennett kind of struggled in the 74 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 4: first two games. Jelanie Hamilton scored a lot for Georgia State, 75 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 4: and then the other leading scorer I think was at 76 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 4: Cole Stansbury. 77 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 3: For whoever they played first. 78 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 4: It's hip in my head right now, but I think 79 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,839 Speaker 4: he went for twenty plus as well, so they kind 80 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 4: of got that together since then. But then you look 81 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 4: at the size and Nustafa Cham He supplies a lot 82 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:24,359 Speaker 4: down low and he's starting to get his blocks going, 83 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 4: which is one of his best features of his entire game, 84 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 4: which he didn't really contribute much through the first two 85 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,679 Speaker 4: or three games. So I think it starts to Sincere 86 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 4: Harris taking away a leading scorer, and if he could 87 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 4: do that against MIKEL. 88 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 3: Brown or Ryan Combo, whoever he's. 89 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 4: Going to be on, I think that would just contribute 90 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 4: a lot to the game and kind of putting Louisville 91 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:46,600 Speaker 4: off of their game plan maybe or catching them off 92 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 4: guard and then that's when you can attack. So I 93 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 4: think with those two with Dana Thomas and since your 94 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 4: hair it's big, with the Dustafa Cham's length, it's big, 95 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 4: but then also. 96 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 3: Got the glue. 97 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 4: Guys like Tyler McKinley have played a really really good 98 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:04,159 Speaker 4: role and especially rebounding and turning over. 99 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 3: Possessions for Uce. 100 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 4: So yeah, I mean, Wes Miller loves defense and he's 101 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 4: always going to pride himself on defense, and I am 102 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 4: kind of surprised that he's been able to consistently have 103 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 4: that top fifteen, top ten defense and it looks like 104 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 4: he's got another one this year. I have. 105 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 2: Offensively, I know it's a little bit different style and 106 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 2: a pace in which they play that could be conducive 107 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 2: to turning the ball over a little bit more than 108 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 2: what is comfortable. They cut down on the turnovers against 109 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:36,559 Speaker 2: Mount Saint Mary's and by the way, you watch Dayton 110 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 2: go on the road and beat Marquette last night, that's 111 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 2: a good sign. Mount Saint mary on the Road took 112 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 2: Maryland overtime. But the way they play and their style offensively, 113 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,039 Speaker 2: is that just going to lead to this team turning 114 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 2: the ball over a little bit more than maybe you're 115 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:49,279 Speaker 2: comfortable with. 116 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 4: Probably, I would say they'll probably be in the outside 117 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 4: top one hundred of offenses in terms of turning the 118 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:00,359 Speaker 4: ball over when you look at those numbers about the 119 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 4: entirety of the season. But I think where the game 120 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 4: is decided and where you really. 121 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 3: Have to pay attention is those last eight minutes. 122 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 4: How is the opposition handling the offensive and defensive sides 123 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 4: of the. 124 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 3: Ball and are they wearing down? 125 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 4: Are they committing fouls? They are they committing turnovers? Are 126 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 4: they getting beat on the boards because they're just half 127 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,479 Speaker 4: a second too slow because of UC's pace and how 128 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 4: much they've been able to wear them down. 129 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 3: I think that's the important thing. 130 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 4: You saw that against Mount Saint Mary's, you saw it 131 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 4: against Dayton, and how YUC is just kind of able 132 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 4: to take over the game and run run away with it. 133 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 4: So yeah, I think you're going to turn the ball 134 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:44,240 Speaker 4: over and it's going to be frustrating. But I think 135 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:47,480 Speaker 4: Cincinnati fans are pretty familiar with frustrating stuff with the 136 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 4: basketball team over the past few years, especially the free 137 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 4: throw numbers. But as long as they're winning and as 138 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 4: long as they're making a push a kidding in the tournament. 139 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 4: If you turn the ball over a few times, I 140 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 4: don't think fans will be that upset. String together some 141 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 4: key wins in the non conference, and as long as 142 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 4: the turnovers aren't horrible. 143 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 3: And costing you games, I think they'll be okay with 144 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 3: the pace. 145 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 2: Let's switch gears to Saturday, big noon kickoff comes to 146 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 2: town BYU comes to town. This game a little less 147 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 2: big game feel because UC did not get it done 148 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 2: against Arizona and it was a lot of the same. 149 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 2: Just this team offensively has not had answers, it seems 150 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 2: to man demand has not had many answers to pressure. 151 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 2: We saw that against Nebraska, saw it against Utah, saw 152 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 2: it again last week against Arizona. How concerning is that 153 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 2: for you going forward, that these three toughest opponents have 154 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 2: caused this offense to sputter at times? 155 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's very concerning, especially since YU is going to 156 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 4: come in and probably play a lot of man as well, 157 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 4: not as much as Utah for Arizona did, but they 158 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 4: have the horses on defense to give U see a 159 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 4: lot of trouble. I think another big concerning thing is 160 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 4: they had thirteen days after the Utah game to try 161 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 4: to figure out a plan, and they all knew that. 162 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 3: You know, teams are going to see what Utah. 163 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 4: Did and see that as the blueprint, and then they're 164 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:13,400 Speaker 4: going to bring pressure and play tight man, and they're 165 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 4: going to see if they can beat us. And they did, 166 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 4: and there wasn't really any response. If you look at 167 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 4: that offense what they have done without those two big 168 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 4: plays by Toylie Walker, I think it was a forty 169 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 4: and fifty yard rush to kind of set up some scores. 170 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 4: So this offense cannot thrive on boom or bus running 171 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,440 Speaker 4: plays and that's what it's been. And I think you 172 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 4: have to get back to your identity up front and 173 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 4: just run for six and seven yards of play if 174 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 4: you can, and then hit those play action shots. But 175 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:53,559 Speaker 4: right now, I mean, the Joe Royer thing is really 176 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 4: interesting to me. 177 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 3: How he only has four targets through the last three games. 178 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 4: I don't know how much of a different Evan Pryor 179 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 4: can make besides maybe just bring some relief. And I'm 180 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 4: not under I'm not underplaying him at all because I 181 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 4: think he can make a big difference and just being 182 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 4: a guy who can get a dump off and make 183 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 4: a guy miss and go for fifteen yards in a 184 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 4: play that was. 185 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 3: Going to be an incompletion or maybe even a sack, 186 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 3: and then Caleb Goodie can take the top off. 187 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 4: But I think the issues with this team are much 188 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 4: bigger than what those two guys coming back can fix. 189 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:33,200 Speaker 4: And it's kind of feeling like last year when it's okay, 190 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:35,559 Speaker 4: they just don't have the players that can beat Man 191 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 4: and they just have to get those players in this 192 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 4: offseason and then attack it again. And you know, they 193 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 4: took another step forward this year compared to last year, 194 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 4: And are you going to be able to get that 195 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 4: good of guys to the point where they can beat 196 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 4: zone and Man, Because those are the kind of guys 197 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 4: where LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, those big 198 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 4: time teams are going to be knocking on the door 199 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 4: offering those guys a ton of money. So yeah, I 200 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 4: think it's going to be tough to fix it for 201 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 4: the BYU game. 202 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 3: And that's probably why you see BYU being a favorite. 203 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 4: But let me let me ask you, Tony, You've taken 204 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 4: a lot more snaps at a power for or a 205 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 4: Division I college football team at quarterback than I have. 206 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 4: What are you seeing that I'm not seeing or that 207 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 4: most fans might not be seen, you know? 208 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,280 Speaker 2: To me, for it's just I don't know if it's 209 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 2: a lack of confidence, but but I go back to 210 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 2: the answers and not having them. You know, it's one 211 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,439 Speaker 2: thing if you're just exhausting the playbook. This team doesn't 212 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 2: run many screens to slow down the rush. You don't 213 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 2: see a ton of crossing routes against Man. Demand to me, 214 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 2: Joe Royer is the answer. He's the guy that you're 215 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,200 Speaker 2: you're look leaning on to win those matchups. He's not 216 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 2: getting targeted. I feel like every defense pushes them outside 217 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 2: the hash marks. I feel like they don't attack the 218 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:59,200 Speaker 2: middle of the field nearly enough. 219 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:00,120 Speaker 6: And I'm with you. 220 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 2: I think the alarming part is having the bye week 221 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 2: to come up with a game play and understanding, Okay, 222 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:08,960 Speaker 2: the book's out, We've got to have an answer against Man, 223 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 2: and it doesn't feel like they have the answer. So 224 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 2: I think it's a little combination. I think Brendan Sowerzby's 225 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 2: playing with a little less confidence, which is easy to 226 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:18,959 Speaker 2: get drawn into that when you're not winning and seeing 227 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:21,719 Speaker 2: the results. But I also think they haven't equipped him 228 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 2: with enough answers to the puzzle that the defense is 229 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 2: throwing at him. And I feel like they have the 230 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 2: personnel to do that. That's the frustrating part. And to me, 231 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 2: it starts with Joe Royer, as you mentioned. 232 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, and I'm also curious because Isaiah Johnson has been 233 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 4: really really good with the ball in his hands, especially 234 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:41,319 Speaker 4: with those like pop passes and and to rounds. Is 235 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 4: it as easy as just, hey, let's draw up a 236 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 4: play for him, see if he can get a first 237 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 4: down and get the offense and rhythm or is that 238 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:50,800 Speaker 4: something that you have to get into like as the 239 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 4: offense starts working now. 240 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,839 Speaker 2: I think that's something important in like those first ten 241 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 2: to fifteen scripted place which we've seen at times this year, 242 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 2: and then we didn't see as much motion last week. 243 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 2: We didn't see as much formation changing last week, and 244 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 2: I think there's something to be said for that as well. 245 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 2: How much, in your opinion, we saw this team get 246 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:12,560 Speaker 2: the five and two last year and lost their last five. 247 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:14,959 Speaker 2: This year, they win seven in a row, they've now 248 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 2: dropped too in a row. How much do they need 249 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 2: Saturday Night one because there still is an outside chance 250 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 2: things happen and you can find your way back to Dallas. 251 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 2: But two, if you lose Saturday and then you got 252 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 2: to turn to TCU to try to avoid losing four 253 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 2: in a row to to end the season, I feel 254 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 2: like it just almost erases the goodwill that was building 255 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 2: those seven games. How much importance of because of that 256 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 2: do you put on Saturday Night? 257 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 3: Absolutely? And I think that the. 258 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 4: Pitchforks are going to be out if they've finished seven 259 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 4: and five as much as they were after last. 260 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:52,839 Speaker 3: Season finishing five and seven, because. 261 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:56,559 Speaker 4: There was so much made about how much more talent 262 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 4: they brought in, and I think that they did bring 263 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 4: in a ton of talent, and I think think that 264 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 4: all the receivers are much better. And we've talked about 265 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:05,200 Speaker 4: all this and the running game was so good for 266 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 4: so long. Brendan swersby having a great season and then 267 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 4: somehow you're still finding ways to lose games that if 268 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 4: you want to be a Big twelve contender, which is 269 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 4: what they say their goal is, it's to play in 270 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 4: a Big twelve championship, you have to win those games, 271 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 4: and you're finding ways to lose them, and sometimes it 272 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:24,839 Speaker 4: just seems like. 273 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 3: You're latantly unprepared to play those games. 274 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 4: So I think the difference between nine and three and 275 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 4: seven and five is obviously huge, but the difference between 276 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 4: eight and four and nine and three is also pretty big, 277 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 4: because if you lose the BYU and then beat TCU 278 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:45,199 Speaker 4: is proving that they're just not a great team. 279 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 3: Still, people are going to think, Okay, who did. 280 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 4: You really beat and whether it's fair or not, that's 281 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 4: what they're going to say. Because I think that an 282 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 4: eight and four season for this team is good and 283 00:13:55,960 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 4: I think it deserves the momentum. 284 00:13:57,800 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 3: But people are just going to think we were right. 285 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 3: They're so close to. 286 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 4: Get into a big Toeve championship and get into back 287 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 4: to feeling like it's twenty twenty one, maybe even getting 288 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 4: into a playoffs, a few games or a few plays 289 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 4: for your way in that big top championship game, and 290 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 4: then it's just a complete and other collapse. 291 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 3: At the end of the year. 292 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 4: So yeah, I think Saturday is huge. If they win, 293 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 4: if they beat YU, I would expect them to carry 294 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 4: that momentum over and beat TFU, finish nine and three, 295 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 4: and then that sets them up for what can be 296 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 4: a successful offseason and then and then bouncing back next year. 297 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 2: On the defensive side of the ball, Key, and I 298 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 2: feel like people are starting to grow a little impatient 299 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 2: with this bend but don't break style of defense, not 300 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 2: because of what it does for much of the game, 301 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 2: but in key moments a third down or a fourth 302 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,640 Speaker 2: down where an easy throw is made and they move 303 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 2: the chains. And yes, they've done well to shrink the 304 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 2: field in the red zone, But do you sense a 305 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 2: little bit of a growing frustration in the style of 306 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 2: defense and their inability to get off the field at times. 307 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, The only thing I would say is that there's 308 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 4: a growing frustration, mainly because the offense is starting the 309 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:07,960 Speaker 4: play worse. Like everyone was talking about, Hey, this defense, 310 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:10,440 Speaker 4: this defense is at the end of the day. 311 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 3: Good enough. Like they're good enough. 312 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:15,040 Speaker 4: They're playing good enough to win games. They have good 313 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 4: enough players to make big plays with Jake Goldey, Jalen 314 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 4: Hunts had a really good year, Micah Coleman had a 315 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 4: good game against Arizona. And I think the other big 316 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 4: thing is Matthew McDoom was supposed to be a lockdown 317 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 4: player before the season, and then through the first six 318 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 4: games you kind. 319 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 3: Of saw, Okay, maybe we should peel back our expectations. 320 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 4: He's not going to be that guy where he just 321 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 4: takes away a whole side of the field, but he's 322 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 4: still playing decent enough to prevent huge plays. Now against Arizona, 323 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 4: he gives up multiple big plays. I think he gave 324 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 4: up eighty four yards and was targeted eight times, so 325 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 4: that's a glaring issue. And then you're starting to see 326 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 4: the lack of discipline and safety's biding on run fakes, 327 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 4: leaving areas of the field wide open for Arizona to 328 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 4: hit through the pass. 329 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 3: So I think the defense. 330 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 4: Against Arizona, despite everything I just said, still played good 331 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 4: enough for them to win that game. 332 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 3: I don't think anyone would argue that. 333 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 4: But the offense, it's the offense struggling just puts such 334 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 4: a magnifying glass on everything, especially since they were scoring 335 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 4: like thirty eight points a game for so long. 336 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:27,239 Speaker 3: But yeah, I think. 337 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 4: Anytime the team's losing, the frustrations are going to be magnified. 338 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 4: But I also don't blame people for when it's third 339 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 4: and five and the dv is playing nine yards off, 340 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 4: basically just handing them a first down as a great 341 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:43,720 Speaker 4: opportunity to get off the field and get the offense momentum. 342 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 2: Lastly, Keegan Saturday Night not only a nip at night, 343 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 2: but it's senior night as well. Talk about the importance 344 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:54,040 Speaker 2: of what this group of seniors, a guy like Dante 345 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 2: Corleone has had on this program. Not only is time here, 346 00:16:57,640 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 2: but on the trajectory of where they're trying to go. 347 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 2: Always a special night for Senior Night, especially in this 348 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 2: it's such a different college football now with transfers and 349 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:09,919 Speaker 2: guys not hanging around as long. How special and how 350 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 2: appreciative should those fans be of this group of seniors 351 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 2: on Saturday Night? 352 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 3: Yeah? I think they should be very appreciative. And I 353 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:23,520 Speaker 3: think one of the big things that guys like Dante Corleone. 354 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 4: Gavin Gerhart, and even Brady Lichtenberg did was they kept 355 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 4: belief in the fan base because a lot of the 356 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:34,120 Speaker 4: fan base probably would have thought, well, why aren't these 357 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:38,359 Speaker 4: guys leaving like they probably had better opportunities to play elsewhere. 358 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 3: I know for a fact Dante corleon did after. 359 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 4: Last offseason the seeries that he had coming after him. 360 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 3: So they kind of. 361 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,199 Speaker 4: Infused the leaf to tell the fan base, Hey, if 362 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 4: they're not leaving and if they see something in this 363 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 4: coaching staff, maybe there's a chance that they could turn 364 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 4: it around and for this season they did. There's a 365 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:00,919 Speaker 4: chance that it could be, you know, another flop with 366 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 4: these last two games, but I'm happy that these guys 367 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 4: got to go out on what could be a successful season. 368 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 4: Like Gavin Gerhardt has basically been a Bearcat since his 369 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 4: sophomore year of high school when he committed to U SEE, 370 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 4: and then he was at every game day for basically 371 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 4: every for all the seasons through his high school year, 372 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 4: and then he's six years that you see, he's pretty 373 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:28,440 Speaker 4: much vacationed at Higher Ground every summer since he was 374 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 4: like fourteen, which is crazy. 375 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 3: And then Dante Corleone could have. 376 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:35,920 Speaker 4: Went to the NFL after last year, decided to come back, 377 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 4: and I talked to him after practice on Tuesday and 378 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 4: he said, hey, like, I think a lot of high 379 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 4: school recruits in Cincinnati should heavily consider playing for the 380 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 4: Bearcats because it's awesome to represent your hometome program. And 381 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 4: then he also just said, look, it's fun to have 382 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 4: moms cooking, so don't overlook how good it is to 383 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,720 Speaker 4: have moms cooking when you're in college and be able 384 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 4: to drive twenty minutes down the road. But those guys 385 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 4: have been high character, great personality guys who have been 386 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:09,199 Speaker 4: great representatives of the university University of Cincinnati, and I 387 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 4: think it's the end of an era when you see 388 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 4: those guys, especially like Kevin Garhart and Datta Cordeo, and 389 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 4: play their last game at Nippers Stadium. So I'm looking 390 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:19,640 Speaker 4: for those guys to play out of their minds knowing 391 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 4: that it's their last chance to kind of get the 392 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 4: home crowd pumped. 393 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 2: Up, make it extra special to have it Nip and 394 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 2: Night be that last opportunity. Fans have been waiting for 395 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:31,720 Speaker 2: it They've finally delivered. It should be a great atmosphere 396 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 2: Saturday night, a great opportunity Tomorrow night, Keegan. For those 397 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,359 Speaker 2: following along, whether it's hoops, whether it's football, or everything 398 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 2: else bear caav related, what's the user way to do 399 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 2: so with. 400 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:45,119 Speaker 4: You follow at ka Nikos and forty two on X 401 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 4: and then make sure you're subscribe to Barricutt Journal. 402 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 3: I'm going to have a ton of great stuff for 403 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 3: the Louisville basketball. 404 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 4: Game coming on Friday and then also the DYU game 405 00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:56,920 Speaker 4: coming on Saturday, So it's going to be a really 406 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 4: exciting weekend in Cincinnati. 407 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:02,120 Speaker 2: Awesome, ke and I appreciate your time as always. Tell 408 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 2: my favorite Nickoson. I said, Hi, I'll talk to you tomorrow. 409 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 5: Wow. 410 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:11,639 Speaker 2: Yes, it's Keegan Nickoson Ericatjournal dot com. Why don't you 411 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 2: get his brother to come on next week? We knew 412 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 2: we should have that happen. We need to make that happen. 413 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 2: I'll tell you who's coming on next. The head coach 414 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 2: of the Cincinnati Bearcats ahead of his tilt tomorrow night 415 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,359 Speaker 2: at Heritage Bank Arena, Wes Miller joins us next on 416 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 2: ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. 417 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 6: And fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. Welcome back. 418 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 2: Since he three to sixty. We're rolling along in the 419 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 2: third and final hour of the Thursday afternoon edition here 420 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 2: on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. Let's keep the 421 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:47,000 Speaker 2: Bearcat conversation going. Let's talk about the Hoops Classic. It 422 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 2: happens at Heritage Bank Arena Friday night, tomorrow night, A 423 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:54,639 Speaker 2: big time matchup, one of college basketballs. I think you 424 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:57,280 Speaker 2: could say contenders to cut down the nets right now 425 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:00,680 Speaker 2: in Louisville, coming up here to take Wes Miller and 426 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 2: the Cincinnati Bearcats team. A huge season ahead for the 427 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:06,760 Speaker 2: Bearcats and a huge test tomorrow night. Let's spend some 428 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 2: time with the head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, Wes Miller. 429 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:10,159 Speaker 6: Coach, how are you. 430 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,200 Speaker 5: I'm doing great, Tony, Thanks for having me on. 431 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:17,480 Speaker 2: You've you've had a chance to to watch this Louisville team, 432 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 2: and I wanted to get into your team in just 433 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 2: a second. It's obviously a team that's scoring a lot 434 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:23,119 Speaker 2: of points and they can come at you in a 435 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,119 Speaker 2: lot of different ways, a lot of assists, numbers, a 436 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 2: lot of players that can hit you on different levels. 437 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 2: What stands out the most about watching this Louisville squad. 438 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,920 Speaker 5: The depth. The depth. You know, they're playing eleven. 439 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:40,680 Speaker 7: And they're they're grad at every position, but the guard 440 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 7: play right there's there's there's four guys, uh and they 441 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 7: play five guards. But there's four guys that would be 442 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 7: the number one option on any perimeter team in America 443 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 7: and they're all on Louisville's team. So give those guys 444 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,960 Speaker 7: a lot of credit for putting that group together. And 445 00:21:58,080 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 7: because of that, you get a lot of you mentioned 446 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:01,920 Speaker 7: play making, but there's a ton of shooting on the floor, 447 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 7: and they've played four games. 448 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 5: Three of the four games. 449 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 7: They've gotten to one hundred I think the one they 450 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:11,680 Speaker 7: did in there in the nineties against Kentucky. And so 451 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:16,000 Speaker 7: certainly they're just they're a prolific offensive team and it's 452 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:18,120 Speaker 7: not as if they're not doing things on the defensive 453 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:18,640 Speaker 7: end as well. 454 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,679 Speaker 2: For you guys, the early results this year, I've watched 455 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:26,880 Speaker 2: and been at the games. Dayton is a tough game. 456 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 2: We've talked about the turnovers, but the style in which 457 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 2: you guys play that that's going to be a little 458 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 2: bit of the cause of that at times. But I 459 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:37,360 Speaker 2: watched Dayton go on the road and beat Marquette. Last night, 460 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 2: I watched a team in Mount Saint Mary's. You guys 461 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 2: just played go on the road and take Maryland to overtime. 462 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 2: You guys have been tested. You guys have played some 463 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:48,200 Speaker 2: good teams early in this non conference late. What have 464 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:49,680 Speaker 2: you learned the most about your team? 465 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:56,359 Speaker 7: I think, Tony, we're learning a lot every time we 466 00:22:56,520 --> 00:22:59,639 Speaker 7: take the floor. You know, certainly we have the summer, now, 467 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:03,160 Speaker 7: we have the fall in the preseason that we've we've 468 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:06,200 Speaker 7: made the most of our practices. But you learn a 469 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 7: lot more when you play against a different opponent. I 470 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:13,240 Speaker 7: thought the exhibitions were very important for us, but early 471 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:16,439 Speaker 7: in the year, whether it's making sure we're figuring out 472 00:23:16,440 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 7: the right combinations, the rotations, getting guys into the correct roles. 473 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:25,880 Speaker 7: We're learning every game every week right now, and I'd 474 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:29,199 Speaker 7: say eighty percent of college basketballs in that boat right 475 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 7: with with all the moving around year year to year 476 00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:36,479 Speaker 7: that's going on in our sport, so there's a ton 477 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 7: of learning going on. 478 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 5: Listen. We've we've had some some high turnover games. We've 479 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:43,680 Speaker 5: had some games we haven't right. 480 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 7: So obviously, uh, that's something that we're not going to 481 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:49,119 Speaker 7: be successful the way that we want to be if 482 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:51,680 Speaker 7: we're throwing the ball over the gym. But we we 483 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 7: do think that we can be a great team and 484 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 7: transition offense, that we can put pressure on the other 485 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 7: team every night all year, and we got to get 486 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:03,880 Speaker 7: to a point where there's never a high turnover game. 487 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 7: But there's gonna be some growing things there. I think 488 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 7: we're if we're consistent, if we stay the course, we 489 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:15,320 Speaker 7: don't overreact on some bad stretches in January and February 490 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:15,680 Speaker 7: and March. 491 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:17,800 Speaker 5: That can be a real calling card of this team. 492 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 7: So yeah, there's some things to correct that we're learning 493 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 7: every night, some things we've been trying to correct from 494 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:26,920 Speaker 7: day one. I've said it, this is not anything about 495 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,040 Speaker 7: the game to morrow night. Our best basketball be played 496 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:32,560 Speaker 7: in January, February March if we continue. 497 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:35,280 Speaker 5: To do the right things every day, and I'm committed 498 00:24:35,320 --> 00:24:35,480 Speaker 5: to that. 499 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,080 Speaker 7: All that said, I want to play a great basketball 500 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:40,480 Speaker 7: game tomorrow night when Louisville comes here to Cincinnati. 501 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:43,119 Speaker 2: Talk about Louisville coming up to Cincinnati. They're coming to 502 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 2: the Heritage Bank Center. Tickets still available to come down. 503 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:51,399 Speaker 2: This game in itself. I know the comments yesterday and 504 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 2: every team would obviously like to play it in your 505 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:55,399 Speaker 2: whole arena, But you get a chance to go to 506 00:24:55,440 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 2: Heritage Bank Arena, and the little basketball I played, I 507 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 2: always remember arenas like this. You think of things like 508 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 2: the debt perception, and you think of how it's different 509 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:07,159 Speaker 2: than just maybe your everyday gym, And is there a 510 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 2: positive to playing in an arena like this If the 511 00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:12,600 Speaker 2: the ultimate goal is is March madness and playing in 512 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:15,639 Speaker 2: bigger venues, does this help along the road for what 513 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:16,119 Speaker 2: you want to. 514 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 6: Get to later? 515 00:25:18,680 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 7: Well, the way I look at it, is this we're 516 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:25,879 Speaker 7: playing against, you said, a team that is thought of 517 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:29,560 Speaker 7: as a team that could cut down nets at the 518 00:25:29,680 --> 00:25:33,960 Speaker 7: end of the season in the NCAA tournament. We're playing 519 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:38,000 Speaker 7: them here in our city, in our backyard. I'd be 520 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 7: excited to have that opportunity if we had to go 521 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:43,160 Speaker 7: play the game in the parking lot, you know, that's 522 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 7: that's just what it is. So the fact that we 523 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 7: get the opportunity to play against a team that's ranked 524 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 7: top ten in the country in our backyard here in Cincinnati, 525 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 7: in front of our fans, I think that's that's where 526 00:25:56,840 --> 00:25:59,439 Speaker 7: my focus is, and that's an exciting opportunity. 527 00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 2: I look at your team and the offense and the 528 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:05,080 Speaker 2: way you guys push the ball and can score in 529 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:10,080 Speaker 2: a wave of different opportunities. That is exciting to me. 530 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:12,960 Speaker 2: But I look at this team and growing up, you 531 00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 2: see has always been that tough, blue collar You know 532 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 2: you're going to be in a dogfight, and you know 533 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:20,840 Speaker 2: you're going to get the best defensive performance a team 534 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:22,840 Speaker 2: can throw out there. Early in the season, you guys, 535 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:25,600 Speaker 2: according to Ken Palm, are very highly rated on the 536 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 2: defensive side of the ball. What has been some of 537 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 2: the early success you found with the way this roster 538 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:34,120 Speaker 2: has been constructed that you've been able to find success 539 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 2: on defense. 540 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:39,040 Speaker 7: Well, and I think we have a long way to 541 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 7: go defensively, Tony, you know, a long long way to go. 542 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 7: But that said, I think we have un protection with 543 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:53,439 Speaker 7: Mustafa and Baba. You know, those guys can block shots, 544 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:57,440 Speaker 7: they can alter shots, they can cover ground in ways 545 00:26:57,480 --> 00:26:59,480 Speaker 7: that a lot of guys that are said six eleven 546 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:03,600 Speaker 7: and seven who can't. I think the front court guys 547 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:06,520 Speaker 7: that maybe don't have that kind of length and shot 548 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 7: blocking like a Tyler McKinley, they have rim protection and 549 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 7: presence with how they rotate, in the physicality. 550 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:14,240 Speaker 5: That they play with. 551 00:27:15,680 --> 00:27:19,000 Speaker 7: I think we have some toughness on the perimeter that 552 00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 7: can defend the ball, that can cover grounds and guys 553 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:26,880 Speaker 7: like Dada Thomas and Cincire Harris and others. That kind 554 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:28,560 Speaker 7: of goes back to what you were saying, kind of 555 00:27:28,600 --> 00:27:32,080 Speaker 7: the roots of what makes Cincinnati Cincinnati is a certain 556 00:27:32,119 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 7: mindset and approach. 557 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:34,399 Speaker 3: I think we have some guys that do that. 558 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:36,639 Speaker 5: Jalen Haynes was a guy they kind of. 559 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:39,480 Speaker 7: Brought that type of approach that unfortunately lost. But no, 560 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,879 Speaker 7: I think this team has the ability to be a 561 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 7: very good defensive team. I'm not work i want to 562 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:51,000 Speaker 7: be there yet, but I'm committed to get our team there, 563 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:53,119 Speaker 7: and I think these guys have the right mindset, at 564 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 7: least to this point, to work at it every day. 565 00:27:56,000 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 2: You mentioned playing your best basketball January February March. It's 566 00:28:00,560 --> 00:28:03,720 Speaker 2: a unique time in college sports and the roster construction. 567 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:06,640 Speaker 2: You've got leaders who have been in this program, You've 568 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:10,159 Speaker 2: got transfers, You've obviously got highly touted freshmen that have 569 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:13,240 Speaker 2: come in as well. That process of just being able 570 00:28:13,240 --> 00:28:16,000 Speaker 2: to rely on a guy like Dayda Thomas. How important 571 00:28:16,080 --> 00:28:19,200 Speaker 2: is that when you've got this melting pot of different 572 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:20,280 Speaker 2: players all coming together. 573 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:26,800 Speaker 7: He's been like, honestly, Tony, I don't have like the 574 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:30,919 Speaker 7: appropriate words here in an interview to describe his value, 575 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:36,399 Speaker 7: So I'll just say his value is beyond description because 576 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:41,960 Speaker 7: like he gets he gets what playing at Cincinnati's about, 577 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 7: Like he understands the expectation, the standard. He represents what 578 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 7: it's about in the way that he goes about his 579 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 7: business every day. And now he's of alved as a 580 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:57,840 Speaker 7: young person to have some natural leadership qualities. He always 581 00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:00,880 Speaker 7: led by example, but now he's willing to kind of 582 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:03,880 Speaker 7: step into that role more willingly, more naturally. So and 583 00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:07,040 Speaker 7: there and then there's other things, right, but having just 584 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:10,720 Speaker 7: he knows our principles, he knows the things that we do, 585 00:29:10,880 --> 00:29:13,400 Speaker 7: he knows how we practice every day, and then he's 586 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:15,200 Speaker 7: able to kind of lead the guys in those ways. 587 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:17,959 Speaker 5: So his value is beyond measure. 588 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:21,800 Speaker 7: I've said he's worth more than one returner, and you know, 589 00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:23,880 Speaker 7: you could have five returners, but one day they might 590 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:26,600 Speaker 7: be worth five and that type of thing. And like 591 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:29,479 Speaker 7: you said, there's challenges, but I think the vast majority 592 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:32,960 Speaker 7: of collage basketball faces those challenges and you just adapt 593 00:29:33,040 --> 00:29:34,680 Speaker 7: and you keep rolling, and that that's our job. 594 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:39,640 Speaker 2: Lastly, there are folks obviously that that are still on 595 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:42,520 Speaker 2: the fencer or maybe that are thinking about going to 596 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:45,760 Speaker 2: the game. And obviously if if you want to go 597 00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:48,760 Speaker 2: and find tickets, there's different avenues to go find tickets. 598 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:51,320 Speaker 2: How how would you describe if if someone is on 599 00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:53,480 Speaker 2: the fence or wanting to go, how important is it 600 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:57,200 Speaker 2: to have a Cincinnati crowd in a game like this 601 00:29:57,320 --> 00:30:00,200 Speaker 2: against an opponent like Louisville And what can fantics back 602 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:01,560 Speaker 2: to see from your squad tomorrow night? 603 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:07,560 Speaker 7: Yeah, it's very important to us, Tony certainly, you know, 604 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 7: I want our fans to feel like it's an affordable 605 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:15,560 Speaker 7: and fair I heard yesterday of the Planet Fitness had 606 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:18,040 Speaker 7: a code that you could type it on tic ticket 607 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:21,640 Speaker 7: Master Planet fifty, I think, which gets you half off 608 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:25,720 Speaker 7: the tickets. I'm not on social media, I haven't don't 609 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:27,400 Speaker 7: even have it on my phone at the moment, so 610 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:30,680 Speaker 7: I don't know if that's all. I'm not the right 611 00:30:30,760 --> 00:30:34,680 Speaker 7: guy to be uh pushing that out there, but assuming 612 00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:38,320 Speaker 7: that the word of mouth is accurate, I hope that 613 00:30:38,440 --> 00:30:41,719 Speaker 7: makes it affordable for people. Certainly, we love our fans support. 614 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:43,800 Speaker 7: We know we'll have great fans support. But the more 615 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 7: the merrier, we appreciate that what our guys are, uh, 616 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:50,760 Speaker 7: they're gonna they're they're learning what it means to put 617 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:54,440 Speaker 7: the Bearcat uniform on again. Guys like Day Day help 618 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:57,840 Speaker 7: help help that process. But they're gonna go out there 619 00:30:57,840 --> 00:30:59,160 Speaker 7: and play the butts off tomorrow night. 620 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 5: Again. 621 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:01,920 Speaker 7: We're going to keep getting better and better as the 622 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:04,560 Speaker 7: year goes on. I hope we played great basketball, but 623 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 7: we're going to go play Cincinnati basketball in terms of 624 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:10,479 Speaker 7: the effort that we play with and again, we'd love 625 00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:12,080 Speaker 7: to see our fans out there. So thanks for the 626 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:14,800 Speaker 7: opportunity to get on here on the radio, and I'm 627 00:31:14,840 --> 00:31:16,400 Speaker 7: going to get back to focusing on the game. 628 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:18,440 Speaker 2: I hear you, coach, thank you so much for your time, 629 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 2: good luck tomorrow night, and we look forward to catching 630 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:22,120 Speaker 2: up again soon. 631 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:23,800 Speaker 5: Thanks Tony. 632 00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:26,920 Speaker 2: That is the head basketball coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, 633 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 2: Wes Miller, giving us some of his time today. Awesome 634 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:34,560 Speaker 2: stuff and a very big time exciting matchup coming to 635 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:37,400 Speaker 2: Heritage Bank Arena with Louisville and UC tomorrow night. We'll 636 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:40,400 Speaker 2: roll along hour three next to ESBN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati 637 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:40,920 Speaker 2: Sports station. 638 00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:44,560 Speaker 8: You seek wise since it's time for Cincy three sixty 639 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:47,200 Speaker 8: quick hits on ESBN fifteen thirty. 640 00:31:48,280 --> 00:31:48,920 Speaker 3: Was looking for mo. 641 00:31:49,320 --> 00:31:50,000 Speaker 2: I haven't seen mo. 642 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:51,320 Speaker 3: I don't think you. 643 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:53,400 Speaker 6: I don't think he's here. I also haven't seen Chad. 644 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:54,480 Speaker 5: Chad looking for MO. 645 00:31:54,720 --> 00:31:57,400 Speaker 2: I know Chad's here, all right, I told Chad two 646 00:31:57,480 --> 00:32:00,200 Speaker 2: forty two. All right, Well, Chad is now coming in there. 647 00:32:00,200 --> 00:32:03,240 Speaker 2: He is right on top, A few seconds late, you know, 648 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:05,960 Speaker 2: would Chad come in late? Would Chad come in late? 649 00:32:06,080 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 2: To West Miller or Scott's Outderfield press conference about it. 650 00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:12,120 Speaker 2: Probably not, No, I wouldn't he comes in late to 651 00:32:12,160 --> 00:32:16,120 Speaker 2: hear you said forty two. I was here forty two, Lessen. 652 00:32:19,080 --> 00:32:20,440 Speaker 6: Everything's on brand so far. 653 00:32:20,560 --> 00:32:23,320 Speaker 2: So last minute prep for you for for the show today? 654 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:24,239 Speaker 6: What do you got coming up? 655 00:32:25,280 --> 00:32:29,880 Speaker 9: I was looking up the productivity of Ellie da La 656 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:33,720 Speaker 9: Cruz from late July oh through the end of the season, 657 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:40,560 Speaker 9: and uh, I've talked to some medical professionals today. You 658 00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:41,880 Speaker 9: know what I you know what a lot of medical 659 00:32:41,920 --> 00:32:44,680 Speaker 9: professional professionals out there now there is, but these are 660 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:48,200 Speaker 9: actual medical professionals, and you know what I you know 661 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:50,480 Speaker 9: what I compare it to after talking to some people. 662 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:55,680 Speaker 9: It's like a phone battery, right, Okay, so like Ellie 663 00:32:55,720 --> 00:33:00,120 Speaker 9: gets hurt, right, the phone battery drops. Yeah, you playug 664 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:03,240 Speaker 9: him in for ten days. You know he's he's not 665 00:33:03,320 --> 00:33:06,160 Speaker 9: going to get one hundred percent because it's a quad injury. 666 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:09,320 Speaker 9: That's a difficult injury. From everybody I've talked to, it's 667 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:13,200 Speaker 9: a difficult injury to get back to one hundred percent. Yeah, 668 00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:15,800 Speaker 9: because it's connected to your hip, it's connected to your knee, 669 00:33:15,880 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 9: like it controls your base. But you can plug him 670 00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:23,760 Speaker 9: in and recharge him a little bit and then let 671 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:26,320 Speaker 9: him go down the stretch. He's gonna at some point 672 00:33:26,360 --> 00:33:28,080 Speaker 9: he's gonna have to play through it because you weren't 673 00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:31,440 Speaker 9: going to get him back to one hundred percent. But 674 00:33:32,080 --> 00:33:35,560 Speaker 9: what what they they thought that that version of Ellie 675 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:38,800 Speaker 9: that didn't steal bases, couldn't hit for power, and was 676 00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:42,880 Speaker 9: bad in the field, was better, right or Tony? 677 00:33:42,960 --> 00:33:44,760 Speaker 6: Did they want to sell tickets? Well, that's the thing. 678 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:48,280 Speaker 2: Like, I was shocked when Nick Crawl not only talked 679 00:33:48,320 --> 00:33:51,800 Speaker 2: about the injury but openly talked about you know, we 680 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,400 Speaker 2: we threw him out there and his his gloves struggled 681 00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:57,440 Speaker 2: and the power numbers went out. So you are as 682 00:33:57,480 --> 00:34:01,880 Speaker 2: an organization, you're watching your best. You're watching that piece 683 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:04,920 Speaker 2: out there struggle to hit, struggle to field, and you 684 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:07,640 Speaker 2: know why, But you just keep running him out there. 685 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 2: And if they do it right away, and if you 686 00:34:10,280 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 2: take the time, maybe he comes back healthy and you 687 00:34:12,120 --> 00:34:12,680 Speaker 2: go on to run. 688 00:34:12,840 --> 00:34:13,000 Speaker 3: Right. 689 00:34:14,040 --> 00:34:17,160 Speaker 9: That's the thing, right, Like what are great players supposed 690 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:20,640 Speaker 9: to do? They're supposed to have stretches where they carry 691 00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:23,719 Speaker 9: the team. Did Ellie do that at any point in 692 00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:25,920 Speaker 9: time over the final two and a half months of 693 00:34:25,960 --> 00:34:29,719 Speaker 9: the season. Was there any ten days stretch where it 694 00:34:29,800 --> 00:34:34,040 Speaker 9: felt like Elie de la Cruz has been the superstar 695 00:34:34,239 --> 00:34:37,560 Speaker 9: that we expect him to be. No, and that to 696 00:34:37,640 --> 00:34:39,960 Speaker 9: me is the most maddening part about this. The other 697 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:42,880 Speaker 9: thing I really want to get to town. Nick Caral 698 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:45,920 Speaker 9: is now insulting our intelligence because what did he say 699 00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:50,319 Speaker 9: last night live on the radio, what's up partial tear 700 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:50,840 Speaker 9: of the quad? 701 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:51,239 Speaker 6: Yeah? 702 00:34:51,280 --> 00:34:53,160 Speaker 9: And then he walked it back right, Yeah, it was 703 00:34:53,200 --> 00:34:55,520 Speaker 9: a quad strain. You know what a quad strain is, 704 00:34:55,600 --> 00:35:00,279 Speaker 9: Tony partial terear. You're insulting our intelligence. You have reach 705 00:35:00,360 --> 00:35:02,920 Speaker 9: the point where I'm out on you now, Yeah you have. 706 00:35:03,080 --> 00:35:06,200 Speaker 9: You have played Atlantics and you're insulting our intelligence. 707 00:35:06,239 --> 00:35:06,600 Speaker 6: I'm out. 708 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:09,480 Speaker 2: It's also one thing too, like with the Lli day 709 00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:12,799 Speaker 2: of the cruise saying, like Ellie, players want to play. 710 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:16,520 Speaker 2: This is the Joe Burrow conversation. It's the organization and 711 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:18,600 Speaker 2: the trainers and the team's job to make sure you're 712 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:21,719 Speaker 2: doing that in your player's best interest. It's not on 713 00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:23,600 Speaker 2: Ellie for saying I want to play every game. Of course, 714 00:35:23,640 --> 00:35:25,719 Speaker 2: he wants to play every gay that's what you wanted 715 00:35:25,760 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 2: to play. It's not Hunter Green, of course he wants 716 00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:33,000 Speaker 2: to play. Yeah, you it's your job to take I 717 00:35:33,239 --> 00:35:37,399 Speaker 2: I equated it earlier today, I am I I joke 718 00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:38,560 Speaker 2: with Bob Mangina. 719 00:35:38,640 --> 00:35:39,160 Speaker 6: You see a lot. 720 00:35:39,640 --> 00:35:42,080 Speaker 2: But Bob I always knew at the end of the 721 00:35:42,200 --> 00:35:44,719 Speaker 2: day that regardless of any pressure Bob may have got 722 00:35:44,760 --> 00:35:46,799 Speaker 2: from a coach or anyone else, that at the end 723 00:35:46,800 --> 00:35:48,919 Speaker 2: of the day, Bob had my best interest in mind. 724 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:50,880 Speaker 2: And what Bob said, I knew he was going to 725 00:35:50,920 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 2: take care of me. If Bob said I was good 726 00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:53,759 Speaker 2: to go, then I'm gonna go. If Bob said I'm 727 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:57,439 Speaker 2: limited or you're vulnerable to something, I'm going to listen 728 00:35:57,520 --> 00:36:00,440 Speaker 2: to that. It's the organization. It's the club's job to 729 00:36:00,560 --> 00:36:01,840 Speaker 2: take care of your best assets. 730 00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:05,360 Speaker 9: Absolutely. I just don't understand. And and it goes to 731 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:07,279 Speaker 9: the borough thing. I think one of your talkbackers said 732 00:36:07,320 --> 00:36:10,600 Speaker 9: it best. You're gonna it's looking more and more likely 733 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:13,280 Speaker 9: they're gonna run Joe Burrow out there Sunday, right, Okay, 734 00:36:14,120 --> 00:36:14,959 Speaker 9: Now you're gonna run. 735 00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:16,000 Speaker 6: Him back out there Thursday. 736 00:36:16,440 --> 00:36:21,400 Speaker 9: Yeah, Like what wouldn't wouldn't logic say, Okay, Joe, we're 737 00:36:21,440 --> 00:36:25,719 Speaker 9: gonna we're gonna wait this game and then we're gonna 738 00:36:25,719 --> 00:36:26,560 Speaker 9: bring you back Thursday. 739 00:36:26,680 --> 00:36:29,120 Speaker 2: How healthy. Does Joe Burrow have to be to say 740 00:36:29,680 --> 00:36:32,520 Speaker 2: we're willing to bring him back on Sunday? Quick turnaround 741 00:36:32,520 --> 00:36:33,960 Speaker 2: and oh, by the way, we're gonna bring him back 742 00:36:33,960 --> 00:36:37,080 Speaker 2: without Jamar Chase. Yeah, who would probably alleviate some of 743 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:39,040 Speaker 2: the pressure by getting it out to Jamar Chase. It 744 00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:42,239 Speaker 2: look again, I I equate it to the same thing 745 00:36:42,280 --> 00:36:43,720 Speaker 2: with Eli Day, other cruisers, Joe Burrow. 746 00:36:45,280 --> 00:36:46,640 Speaker 6: Who are the adults in the room? 747 00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:49,759 Speaker 9: There has to be? Of course Joe wants to play, sure, 748 00:36:50,719 --> 00:36:53,279 Speaker 9: that's what he is for either of these franchises. Who 749 00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:57,080 Speaker 9: are the adults in the damn room that that are 750 00:36:57,160 --> 00:36:58,640 Speaker 9: gonna actually make the calls? 751 00:36:59,239 --> 00:37:00,439 Speaker 6: Because players will play. 752 00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:04,080 Speaker 9: They're gonna play if you if you open that door 753 00:37:04,160 --> 00:37:06,360 Speaker 9: at all, they're gonna get out there and play. And 754 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:10,680 Speaker 9: Joe Burrow goes out there Sat Sunday and and something 755 00:37:10,719 --> 00:37:13,880 Speaker 9: else happens to that toe. And now, like the thing 756 00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:17,120 Speaker 9: with Ellie that really upsets me about this Tony is 757 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 9: now you've pushed him all the way to the end 758 00:37:20,080 --> 00:37:22,959 Speaker 9: of the season. You drained that battery down to zero. 759 00:37:23,239 --> 00:37:26,600 Speaker 9: Essentially he's still rehabbing. Yeah, we dealt with that with 760 00:37:26,680 --> 00:37:29,600 Speaker 9: McClean all off season. What's gonna happen. You know what's 761 00:37:29,640 --> 00:37:32,759 Speaker 9: gonna happen when spring training rolls around. Yeah, you know 762 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:35,439 Speaker 9: what's gonna happen as the start of the season, Royle, 763 00:37:35,480 --> 00:37:38,000 Speaker 9: we're still still easing Ellie back in. 764 00:37:38,200 --> 00:37:41,000 Speaker 2: We're still you know, it's a pipe dream too. But 765 00:37:41,239 --> 00:37:43,600 Speaker 2: for those that wanted Ellie to to be able to 766 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:46,759 Speaker 2: sign a long term deal here, probably some of that's 767 00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:48,200 Speaker 2: gonna come down to him and his agents saying, Okay, 768 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:49,920 Speaker 2: who's got the best interest of Ellie in mind as 769 00:37:49,960 --> 00:37:50,320 Speaker 2: a player. 770 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:53,520 Speaker 9: Do they really think, and this is an important interesting 771 00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:58,400 Speaker 9: subplot here, do they really think that playing him one 772 00:37:58,520 --> 00:38:01,640 Speaker 9: sixty two is? Is that like Ellie wants to play 773 00:38:01,680 --> 00:38:04,200 Speaker 9: one sixty two, So we're gonna play him one sixty 774 00:38:04,239 --> 00:38:09,480 Speaker 9: two because that means maybe we're gonna get a hometown discount. 775 00:38:09,560 --> 00:38:13,000 Speaker 6: Really, that's what you think. I have a hard time 776 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:14,640 Speaker 6: finding that to be true. 777 00:38:14,760 --> 00:38:15,160 Speaker 3: Are you right? 778 00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:17,000 Speaker 2: Do you believe after hearing from last night that Kyle 779 00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:18,560 Speaker 2: Shwarbur will be a Cincinnati read No? 780 00:38:21,200 --> 00:38:24,960 Speaker 6: No, why not? They couldn't get Schwarber here with Tony salary. 781 00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:30,480 Speaker 2: That's well then one of the trolley drop weight. Yeah, 782 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:33,040 Speaker 2: I wanted to hit more singles, Yeah, be a more 783 00:38:33,160 --> 00:38:36,000 Speaker 2: to contact guy. We're not gonna highlight the power numbers. 784 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:39,839 Speaker 9: Power is expensive, Tony. We we can't afford power here 785 00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:42,960 Speaker 9: in Cincinnati. That's why we draft shortstops. Shortstops don't have 786 00:38:43,000 --> 00:38:45,960 Speaker 9: a lot of power. Uh, those guys are easier to retain. 787 00:38:46,120 --> 00:38:48,719 Speaker 9: Forget the fact that we play in this one of 788 00:38:48,760 --> 00:38:52,000 Speaker 9: the easiest ballparks to hit home runs in yep, and 789 00:38:52,120 --> 00:38:54,560 Speaker 9: we don't have anybody that can that can hit thirty 790 00:38:54,640 --> 00:38:55,160 Speaker 9: home runs. 791 00:38:56,360 --> 00:38:56,760 Speaker 2: Maddening. 792 00:38:57,480 --> 00:39:01,560 Speaker 10: I'm looking at the statistics on the MLB website right now, 793 00:39:02,680 --> 00:39:08,760 Speaker 10: there's only, by my count, like fifteen players that played 794 00:39:08,920 --> 00:39:12,480 Speaker 10: more than one hundred and sixty games last year. 795 00:39:13,480 --> 00:39:15,759 Speaker 6: Yeah, what what did you accomplish by letting Li play 796 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:16,359 Speaker 6: one sixty two? 797 00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:18,319 Speaker 2: Twenty of those players had parsonally torn. 798 00:39:20,920 --> 00:39:26,280 Speaker 10: There's only Schwarber, Brent Rooker, Matt Olsen, Ellie Pete Alonso, 799 00:39:26,480 --> 00:39:31,440 Speaker 10: and Rafael Devers that played all one sixty two. Most 800 00:39:31,480 --> 00:39:33,080 Speaker 10: of those guys spend a lot of time at theh 801 00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:36,280 Speaker 10: and Devs was as well, and he played one sixty 802 00:39:36,360 --> 00:39:38,800 Speaker 10: three because he got traded middle of the season. 803 00:39:39,600 --> 00:39:41,759 Speaker 6: But I mean, there's only some. 804 00:39:41,920 --> 00:39:42,520 Speaker 3: Guys that did it. 805 00:39:42,560 --> 00:39:44,920 Speaker 6: What do you really get out of this I did. 806 00:39:45,280 --> 00:39:48,320 Speaker 9: I wanted to briefly touch on something that that Austin 807 00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:52,799 Speaker 9: tweeted out over the weekend, that that you know he's 808 00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:54,719 Speaker 9: going to give the Bengals the benefit of the doubt, 809 00:39:55,360 --> 00:39:56,880 Speaker 9: and you know why he's going to give the Bengals 810 00:39:56,920 --> 00:39:59,840 Speaker 9: the benefit of the doubt. Did you give the Bengals 811 00:39:59,840 --> 00:40:01,239 Speaker 9: the benefit of the doubt when you were in your 812 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:06,160 Speaker 9: early twenties, late thirties and what happened, Yeah, what happened 813 00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:07,960 Speaker 9: as you got older and you saw. 814 00:40:09,000 --> 00:40:10,359 Speaker 6: It wouldn't have been a bit of a doubt. 815 00:40:11,080 --> 00:40:14,480 Speaker 9: What did I say this about about like blaming ownership? 816 00:40:15,520 --> 00:40:20,280 Speaker 9: Like this is what it is, Audie. I admire because 817 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:23,440 Speaker 9: I had the same when I was in your mindset, 818 00:40:23,560 --> 00:40:26,040 Speaker 9: your age range. I had the same kind of mentality 819 00:40:26,120 --> 00:40:28,840 Speaker 9: of we got to stop complaining about ownership because ownership 820 00:40:28,920 --> 00:40:30,880 Speaker 9: is not going to change. We got to start focusing 821 00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:35,200 Speaker 9: on things that are that are functional, that are gonna 822 00:40:35,320 --> 00:40:38,560 Speaker 9: that are fixable. But as you get older and you 823 00:40:38,680 --> 00:40:42,239 Speaker 9: see it continue to happen cycle after cycle, time after time, 824 00:40:42,320 --> 00:40:46,320 Speaker 9: you realize none of that really matters because the ownership 825 00:40:46,480 --> 00:40:52,439 Speaker 9: is what controls the entire thing. And if ownership isn't 826 00:40:52,440 --> 00:40:54,400 Speaker 9: going to change who they are and how they operate 827 00:40:55,000 --> 00:40:57,440 Speaker 9: all the other stuff, And this is Reds and Bengals. 828 00:40:58,120 --> 00:41:01,120 Speaker 9: All the other stuff is nominal. It's all you know, 829 00:41:01,800 --> 00:41:03,120 Speaker 9: deck chairs on the Titanic. 830 00:41:03,960 --> 00:41:06,920 Speaker 6: Wow, So why be a fan, don't? I mean, I 831 00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:07,239 Speaker 6: don't know. 832 00:41:07,360 --> 00:41:11,400 Speaker 9: That's why I stopped really being that enthralled with That's 833 00:41:11,440 --> 00:41:13,640 Speaker 9: why I started watching the Bengals as a comedy instead 834 00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:15,840 Speaker 9: of a drama, because I got tired of at the 835 00:41:15,920 --> 00:41:21,840 Speaker 9: end of every every game, like the Jets game, ruining 836 00:41:21,880 --> 00:41:25,520 Speaker 9: your Sunday, being upset on Monday still like I just 837 00:41:25,680 --> 00:41:29,160 Speaker 9: I'd had enough. Like That's why, because I was in 838 00:41:29,280 --> 00:41:32,160 Speaker 9: that cycle, same as you, Austin, trying to fight the 839 00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:32,600 Speaker 9: good fight. 840 00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:33,840 Speaker 6: This can be fixed. 841 00:41:33,840 --> 00:41:36,800 Speaker 9: It's about the GM, it's about the coach, it's about this, 842 00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:40,480 Speaker 9: it's about that. But the Reds and the Bengals are 843 00:41:40,520 --> 00:41:43,839 Speaker 9: in the same cycle. They don't have ownership that wants 844 00:41:43,960 --> 00:41:47,640 Speaker 9: to really do what it takes to win, and until 845 00:41:47,719 --> 00:41:50,640 Speaker 9: that happens, the cycle never breaks. Yeah, you have a 846 00:41:50,760 --> 00:41:52,560 Speaker 9: good year here and there, and you have a really 847 00:41:52,600 --> 00:41:56,399 Speaker 9: bad year here and there, but you just go through 848 00:41:56,480 --> 00:42:00,520 Speaker 9: the same process over and over and over again. Because 849 00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:05,200 Speaker 9: they they don't understand the way that they operate is 850 00:42:05,320 --> 00:42:07,720 Speaker 9: not how winning franchises operate. 851 00:42:09,560 --> 00:42:10,320 Speaker 6: Yeah, frustrating. 852 00:42:10,520 --> 00:42:13,000 Speaker 10: I think I've said that many times that they have 853 00:42:13,160 --> 00:42:17,480 Speaker 10: flawed processes that they believe in, and Mike Brown especially 854 00:42:18,080 --> 00:42:20,760 Speaker 10: is a little too faithful I think in certain people 855 00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:23,040 Speaker 10: in processes, and Duke Tobe is an example of that. 856 00:42:24,480 --> 00:42:24,640 Speaker 5: I do. 857 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:26,759 Speaker 10: I will say this though, and I get your point, 858 00:42:26,800 --> 00:42:28,279 Speaker 10: and I hear it. I'm sure I know a lot 859 00:42:28,320 --> 00:42:31,080 Speaker 10: of people agree with you, and as far as the 860 00:42:31,160 --> 00:42:34,120 Speaker 10: Reds are concerned, I would agree on And I think 861 00:42:34,200 --> 00:42:38,160 Speaker 10: that the way that Major League Baseball is constructed, I 862 00:42:38,239 --> 00:42:41,520 Speaker 10: think it makes it even harder to overcome the shortco 863 00:42:41,719 --> 00:42:46,040 Speaker 10: comings of ownership. In the NFL, though, I do feel 864 00:42:46,160 --> 00:42:50,719 Speaker 10: like there's at least a path there, like you can 865 00:42:50,920 --> 00:42:53,960 Speaker 10: turn it around quickly. You don't have to be as 866 00:42:54,080 --> 00:42:55,800 Speaker 10: buttoned up in perfect We saw him go to the 867 00:42:55,840 --> 00:42:58,839 Speaker 10: super Bowl a couple of years ago. So I think 868 00:42:58,880 --> 00:43:03,000 Speaker 10: it's the Bengals are a lot closer and in the NFL, 869 00:43:03,440 --> 00:43:07,560 Speaker 10: it's doable to have those processes maybe get you to 870 00:43:07,600 --> 00:43:10,520 Speaker 10: where you want to go. But I get your point, 871 00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:14,399 Speaker 10: and again to reiterate what I said, I think last 872 00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:16,240 Speaker 10: week is like for most of my life, the Bengals 873 00:43:16,239 --> 00:43:20,399 Speaker 10: have been pretty competitive. They haven't sucked my entire life. 874 00:43:20,560 --> 00:43:22,320 Speaker 10: But for a lot of people, I know that's not 875 00:43:22,440 --> 00:43:27,279 Speaker 10: the case. And that's fair because for a good portion 876 00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:30,319 Speaker 10: of Marvin they were good and there have been good 877 00:43:31,880 --> 00:43:33,400 Speaker 10: periods under Zach Taylor. 878 00:43:33,960 --> 00:43:36,000 Speaker 6: But like you know, if. 879 00:43:37,400 --> 00:43:41,880 Speaker 9: You're looking back, really those good periods have followed bottoming 880 00:43:41,960 --> 00:43:44,719 Speaker 9: out and then they get high level draft picks that 881 00:43:44,800 --> 00:43:46,520 Speaker 9: they they I mean, they did screw them up in 882 00:43:46,560 --> 00:43:48,840 Speaker 9: the nineties, so there was a period where they were 883 00:43:48,840 --> 00:43:51,000 Speaker 9: getting the good draft picks and screwing them up. They've 884 00:43:51,040 --> 00:43:55,040 Speaker 9: screwed up the good draft picks less, but the rest 885 00:43:55,120 --> 00:43:57,960 Speaker 9: of the process is a system failure. 886 00:43:58,960 --> 00:44:00,120 Speaker 6: Building around. 887 00:44:02,080 --> 00:44:05,160 Speaker 9: Andy Dalton and aj Green, building around Carson Palmer and 888 00:44:05,320 --> 00:44:08,080 Speaker 9: Chad Johnson, building around Joe Burrow and Jamar and t 889 00:44:09,200 --> 00:44:10,200 Speaker 9: failed at those things. 890 00:44:10,480 --> 00:44:13,680 Speaker 2: Those failures have been backed up by the numbers. After 891 00:44:13,719 --> 00:44:18,520 Speaker 2: those contracts, We're done, Ellie Burrow, Big weekend for the Bearcats. 892 00:44:18,840 --> 00:44:21,040 Speaker 2: That all comes up next with Chad Brenda and from 893 00:44:21,040 --> 00:44:24,200 Speaker 2: Mowagger on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. 894 00:44:24,280 --> 00:44:25,200 Speaker 6: Have a great rest of your. 895 00:44:25,120 --> 00:44:59,160 Speaker 8: Thursday, Wise, Cincinnati, make us the number one preset on 896 00:44:59,200 --> 00:45:01,400 Speaker 8: your car radio and on the free Knew It Improved 897 00:45:01,440 --> 00:45:04,239 Speaker 8: iHeartRadio app Free never sounded so good. 898 00:45:04,680 --> 00:45:07,760 Speaker 6: ESPN fifteen thirty Man Trouble