What used to be a program, rich in tradition, a program which went to the NCAA tournament 14 straight times under legendary coach Bob Huggins, has become a struggling basketball team that is in danger of a 5th consecutive March without an NCAA tournament bid.
Currently 17-14, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats will fail to make it to the big dance unless they reel off five consecutive wins at this year’s 2010 Big East Championship tournament in New York City. Head Coach, Mick Cronin who was hired in March of 2006 has a 59-66 all time record while at the helm of the UC basketball program and has failed to make the NCAA tournament all four years of his tenure.
“It has been frustrating to watch,” Sports Editor of The News Record Garrett Sabelhaus said.
Frustration among not only the players and coaching staff, but also the student body has been evident this season. Thoughts of the successful past, under current West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins has one student wishing the past would become the present.
“I would give a lot to see Bob Huggins back at UC. I would give up Mick Cronin. Really I would give up anything,” Sophomore Tim Haubrock said.
Under Bob Huggins the bearcats had a record of 399-127 after 16 seasons. Huggins earned Conference USA Coach of the Year honors a record three times while coaching the Bearcats and coached three consensus All-Americans. Mick Cronin, who has a career record of only 59-66 over four years, has yet to coach an All-American or receive any coach of the year honors.
“I think Mick Cronin needs to change his style of coaching or be let go at the end of the season,” Haubrock said. “I really want to see our team return to the national spotlight and with Cronin that does not seem to be happening.”
Fan ship during what most people called the Bob Huggins era has many notable differences than today’s program. Lack of alumni and student support has resulted in a lack of success and a lack of work ethic among players.
“During Bob’s tenure every game was sold out, every fan was on their feet,” Haubrock said. “It is almost unrecognizable to the basketball games today.”
The biggest difference among fan support during late the Bob Huggin’s regime compared to today be the fans turn out at Cincinnati’s Fifth-Third Arena.
“Mick’s team has the place not as full,” Sabelhaus said. “The team is less exciting and not near as fun to watch as a Huggin’s team was.”
The debate has surfaced on whether or not current head coach, Mick Cronin should be fired by athletic director Mike Thomas at the end of the year due to unacceptable performance and a lack of living up to expectations.
“I do not like saying this or taking this lightly, but I feel like he needs to go,” Sabelhaus said. “Even though he has shown he is a good recruiter, his players do not respect him and he has not won enough games.
Cincinnati Native and long time Bearcat supporter, Lucas Long disagrees with the fact that Mick should be let go of his duties.
“I think you give Mick one more year to prove himself,” Long said. “The core of the team is coming back and now the team is familiar with the Big East Conference. You have to look at those criteria as a bright spot.”
Cronin, who just received a two-year extension on his five-year contract, would cost the University of Cincinnati over $1 million dollars in buy out expenses that it does not have.
“It is either fire Mick and pay him his buyout which the university cannot afford or keep him and have a chance to be more than a bubble team next year,” Sabelhaus said. “There is always next year.”
Other debates involving the player’s work ethic and determination on the court has given Cronin a somewhat amount of breathing room, but it is a consensus that if Huggins were on campus, coaching the players in uniform, the Bearcats would be hearing their name called on Selection Sunday.
“Huggins is a guy with proven success, so yes if Huggins was coaching these players we would be penciled in to the NCAA Tournament,” Long said.