Sabel's Haus

Lance Stephenson, aka Born Ready, said today he will most likely return to Cincinnati as a sophomore because he didn't think he had an NBA-caliber season.

Stephenson, the all-time leading scorer in the state of New York from Lincoln High School, was considered to be surefire one-and-done player, particularly after some of his off-the-court troubles. Not so fast, though.

He's averaging 11.2 points, which is virtually tied with senior Deonta Vaughn (11.4) for the team lead. He's had some games that make you feel he'll be a great NBA player and other that make you wonder if he is really so special.

He definitely has the skill set but as Mick Cronin has said all year about him, he's a typical freshman. He makes a lot of mistakes and needs to work on when to pass and when to shoot. Right now he's having a tough time getting to the basket because no one fears his jumper. Still, the skills are there and to have him back at UC for another year would be a major boost for a team that will surely be looking for offense.

UC played extremely well today. They erased a 12-point deficit and turned it into a six-point lead by halftime. Free throw shooting killed the Bearcats though in the 79-76 loss to Marquette Sunday afternoon.

UC shot 50 percent (8-16) while the Golden Eagles shot 16-17 from the stripe. The effort was there today though which is really why I am so frustrated in this team and can't help but blame Cronin.

They play the way they did today against Seton Hall and St. John's back in January, then they win those games. Now, they're forced to win games like today.

Instead, they lose today and really have their backs up against the wall. And where was today's effort against South Florida on Tuesday?

Now it's going to be unbelievably tough for UC to get in the tourney. Next game should be a win against DePaul which is the worst team in the Big East. Then comes the trouble.

The final three games are against West Virginia (away), Villanova (home) and Georgetown (away). The common denominator among those teams: They're all in the top-10 in the country.

Long story short. They don't have a chance at the Big Dance. ESPN bracketologist (i hate that word) had UC as one of the first four teams out of the tournament going into today's game. I think today's game has sealed their fate.

What happened Tuesday night against South Florida prompted me to write this in The News Record today.

Yes, I called for Cronin to be fired. Not something to take lightly, I know. But the guy has had four years to make it to the NCAA tournament. The loss to South Florida, a game they were down 18 late in the 2nd half, seals the Cats' fate. With five games left they play three top-10 teams.

What bothers me so much is that they'll probably beat one of those top-10 teams. That tells me they have the talent. But then to lose games midway through the season at Seton Hall and St. John's and now the South Florida loss. It's terrible.

Isn't this a team fighting for a spot in the NCAA tourney? Time and again there is a lack of effort from the players on this team.

Whether he'll be fired or not I don't know but the leash isn't very long for the fourth-year UC coach. We'll just have to wait and see but if a change is made, don't expect it until after the season.

After a 60-48 win over UConn this weekend, the Bearcats moved one step closer to their goal of the NCAA tourney. Unfortunately UC is again, right on the bubble to make the field of 65 with very tough games ahead.

First off they have South Florida Tuesday night on the road. USF has one of the best players in the Big East in Dominique Jones but he just happens to be on a not so good team. Either way, with the schedule ahead, this is a must win for UC.

Then UC comes home in another must win against Marquette. It will be tough though and the way UC has finished out the last two seasons (last 2 years I want to say 1-10 combined) it could easily wind up as a loss.

They stay at home for one more game against DePaul. If UC loses to them it will end the season. DePaul is 1-11 in the conference. One would also think UC would want to kill DePaul after what happened at the end of last season. Don't remember? I'll fill you in.

UC had the No. 9 seed in the Big East tourney. DePaul was winless in the conference and had the very last seed. (all big east teams make the conference tournament now) Needless to say, DePaul beat UC who was on the bubble and may have solidified a spot in the NCAA's with a win. Instead, they were upset and chose not to play in any postseason tournament.

You may wonder why these games are all must wins against decent teams like Marquette and South Florida. It's because the final three regular season games of UC's season are against the No. 8, No. 3 and No. 10 teams in the country.

West Virginia (away), Villanova (home) and Georgetown (away) are the final three games. Even with wins against Marquette, USF and DePaul; losses in the final three games of the year will not look good on the resume. I think they have to steal one of those games. Afterall, Mick Cronin has a pretty good record against Bob Huggins and West Virginia since he came to UC.

Plus, they could still get a win in the Big East tourney but they can't afford to be bounced in the first round like last year no matter who they play.

Like rubbing salt in a deep wound, Brian Kelly made a court-side appearance last night in UC's embarrassing 83-65 loss to Notre Dame in South Bend.

And so much for Yancy Gates dominating two-time Big East player of the year Luke Harongody. Harongody dropped 37 on 15-of-25 shooting and grabbed 14 boards.

As poorly as the team played last night, I have to start placing more of the blame on Mick Cronin. I listen to him night in and night out, even at press conferences during the week, and all I hear are excuses.

He's always talking about how much the other team needs a win. How well the other team plays well at home. How great the Big East is. The list goes on and on.

But all I see out of his team is a lack of effort. Like they don't care. Cincinnati has always had a "thug" appeal in their basketball program and I'm finally done with it.

Back when Kenyon Martin and DerMarr Johnson were here, teams would be blown out of Cincinnati night in and night out. Bob Huggins made it that way. Mick Cronin can't make it that way.

I want people to start coming to play at Cincinnati who know how to play basketball in a gym...not at Rucker Park.

Unless they can muster up five more wins, what they'll probably need to get into the tourney, I think Mick has to go.

Can you tell I'm bitter? Good. Because I am.

UC sits at 14-8 overall, 5-5 in the Big East with eight regular season games remaining plus at least one Big East tournament game. Next up, No. 4 Syracuse comes to town.