Bearcats Coach Mick Cronin Sits Out With Aneurysm

University of Cincinnati's head basketball coach Mick Cronin missed his teams game on Saturday and is likely to miss a few more while being treated at the school's hospital for what was termed an "Unruptured Aneurysm".

The 43-year old Cronin had been complaining the past few weeks about headaches and got a series of tests early in the week.

That's when doctors noticed the Aneurysm. Thankfully, it had not yet done anything other than cause discomfort. Cronin is resting comfortably at the hospital and is keeping track of his team.

He also tweeted out his thanks to Bearcat fans and other for their support.

I want everyone to know I am going to be ok!! I just can't coach for precautionary reasons with my medical condition.
— Mick Cronin (@CoachCroninUC) December 20, 2014

I hope to be back ASAP but that will not be my call. As I love to say " I am always day to day. " so that really applies now.
— Mick Cronin (@CoachCroninUC) December 20, 2014

Cincy Bearcats Boot ECU Pirates

Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville has full confidence in his kicker Andrew Gantz but was
wondering if the game winner was a bit out of his range on a bitter cold night.

"Kicking almost a 50 yard field goal in that weather is hard." Tuberville said.  "I was more worried about snapping and the hold. I knew he could get it that far and make it, but that’s really out of his range."

With 15 seconds left Gantz nailed a 47 yard field goal with 15 seconds left to put the Bearcats in front for good 48-46.




"Adrenaline was obviously pumping and he made good contact with it." Tuberville said.  "I don’t watch the officials, I watch our fans. The fans told us it was good."

"He came up to me before we went out there and said, ‘hey it’s me and you, so if you get me down there I’m going to hit’ and ‘I told him I got you man, we’re going to do it.’" Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel said.  "Gantz is unbelievable."

Terrell Hartsfield's 20 yard fumble return for a touchdown provided the final score 54-46.


Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel completed 29 of 44 passes for a career high 436 yards and four touchdowns.

East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden for 418 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked four times by the Cincinnati defense.

Mick Cronin Goes Nuts on TV Ted Valentine

Wow!

College Basketball coaches--and coaches in general can be somewhat testy when they don't like calls in ball games.

But rarely do they get so mad that they have to be restrained...and then start pushing away the people restraining them.

Yet that's what happened today to the University of Cincinnati's Mick Cronin after he disagreed with a call by everyone's least favorite basketball ref, TV Teddy Valentine.

Cronin flys off the bench, but gets intercepted by his players and an assistant coach who tries to pull him away. Cronin shoves the coach and walks away.

By the way, Cincinnati lost a potential conference American Athletic Conference title clinching game vs. UConn 51-45.

Who Knew: University of Cincinnati Football Team Loves to Bowl

((ht: coachingsearch.com))

Okay, so apparently the University of Cincinnati's football team is chock full of bowling fanatics.

That's the only impression you can come away with after watching this team video showing their reaction when coach Tommy Tuberville tells them they are heading to the bowling alley.

Of course he prefaced it by telling the team they've been not-so-good in their practices leading up to the other bowling. The Bearcats square off with the North Carolina Tar Heels Dec. 28th in the Belk Bowl.

The only conclusion we can draw is the bowling bowling is more fun than the bowl game bowling. Right?

Driver In UC Football Fatal Dies In Hospital

((HT: WXIX-TV))

Miami University (OH) freshman Sean VanDyne, the driver in the incident that killed University of Cincinnati freshman Ben Flick has died in hospital as a result of his injuries...

He has just been married a month to his elementary school sweetheart, Rachel. He would have turned 19 next month.

VanDyne was a freshman at the university studying business.

"People were drawn to him. He was charismatic and funny. He loved to cook. He would cut up whatever I was serving for dinner, put cheese on it, and would always put it into a burrito shell," said his mother, Lynn. "Words cannot express the sense of sorrow at the unimaginable tragic loss of our son. My heart breaks for all the boys and their families, especially Ben's (Flick). He and Sean were best friends since the second grade. They were like brothers. They remain in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time."

Miami University President David Hodge released a statement saying:

"The Miami University community is saddened at the loss of our student, Sean VanDyne, and his friend, Ben Flick, a University of Cincinnati student, who were in a tragic car accident Saturday night, where two friends who were with them were also injured. We will miss them, and offer our deepest condolences to their families and friends."

"The loss of a student is so hard to bear. Sean was a member of our Miami family, and many here knew him. Our hearts go out to the many members of their families and communities who are mourning this loss together, as are we."

The VanDyne family is requesting friends and family not post any information about Sean on social media. "What we need is prayer. We ask to keep all the boys and their families in your prayers."

Hamilton High, Flick's alma mater, held a vigil for the grad Monday night...
((HT: WLWT-TV))

Alcohol May Be A Factor In UC Football Death

((HT: WXIX-TV))

It appears alcohol is being investigated as a possible cause in the death of a University of Cincinnati freshman offensive lineman...

Late Saturday night, a car driven by Miami University (OH) freshman Sean Van Dyne left the road for an unknown reason. When authorities came to the scene, it was discovered that two individuals were ejected from the car. Two more were trapped in the car.

Ben Flick died at the scene. Van Dyne and two other passengers, wide receivers Mark Barr and Javon Harrison were injured in the crash. All three were flown from the crash site via medical helicopter to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Barr and Van Dyne are in critical condition. Harrison was listed in fair condition and released from the hospital on Monday.

Flick was and Harrison and Barr are student-athletes at University of Cincinnati.

All three were true freshman and didn't dress or travel with the team.

Head coach Tommy Tuberville said in a statement, "As a father and a coach, it's something you hope you never have to go through. Ben was so proud to be a part of this team and University. He worked hard and had shown a great deal of improvement since the summer. His future was bright. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Flick family on their loss. We also hope and pray for Mark and Javon to recover from their injuries."

Here's the early story on the death...
FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather

The Butler County S.T.A.R.T. Unit (Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team) is investigating.

The 911 call is here...

Worst Injury of the Day: Munchie Legaux's Leg Goes in Wrong Direction

Oooofff!

Don't watch this with the kids folks, it's pretty gruesome.

University of Cincinnati QB Munchie Legaux (yes, that's his name) was taken from the field on a stretcher during Saturday's Cincinnati vs. Illinois game in Champaign.

Legaux was hurt dropping back to pass. As he releases the ball, two Illinois defensive linemen collapse into his left leg.

From opposite directions.

The result was not good, let's hope the injury wasn't as serious as it looked. As of the time this story was written, we've not seen an injury report.

DEVELOPING: Tubs To Cincinnati

Okay...

Take this one how you want...

But Tommy Tuberville is heading to Cincinnati to hide in the Big East Conference after his time in Lubbock at Texas Tech...

Texas Tech is going to go public later this afternoon with their thoughts. Tuberville was named the Red Raiders head coach January 9, 2010. In his three seasons at Texas Tech, Tuberville was 20-17, 9-17 in the Big 12/10.

Butch Jones to Tennessee: No really

It appears this time, reports that now former University of Cincinnati coach Butch Jones has accepted a new job are true.

Just two days after the false report by Woody Paige of the Denver Post saying Jones was taking the Colorado job, he officially accepted a much better one. Jones will be introduced Friday afternoon as the new head coach at the University of Tennessee.

Jones had been at Cincinnati for 3-years and won 23 games. He took them to a bowl game each of the last two seasons.

He moves from the relative obscurity of a job in the Big East to the bright...and we do mean bright lights of Knoxville. The Volunteer program has been in free fall for the past 5-years after the school fired long-time coach Phil Fulmer after the 2007 season. Now USC coach Lane Kiffin followed Fulmer and was there for a season, Derek Dooley was hired shortly thereafter Dooley went 15-21 in his three seasons before being asked to leave.

It will be very interesting to see what Jones can do. Tennessee was once of the SEC East's power schools and the alumni have never gotten past that. But with their limited success over the past few years, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and even Vanderbilt have passed them by. We will be very curious to see if the somewhat delusional Vol faithful give Jones the time needed to rebuild their program.

As for Jones's previous employer, they will again search for another "Up and Coming" candidate. Cincinnati has done a good job grooming coaches (Brian Kelly) for bigger positions, so the expectation is they'll find someone who may not be a "Big Name" but will probably be successful before moving on to one of the "Big Boy" conference jobs.

Here's the Jones presser:
((HT: WBIR-TV))

In case you missed it: Late NCAA results, 2 more in the "Elite 8"

They weren't a high seed and didn't "Wow" anyone during the regular season, but the Florida Gators now find themselves playing for a berth in this years Final Four.

They got there with a late Thursday night 68-58 win over Marquette.

The reason they won?

Freshman Bradley Beal.

Beal had 21 points, Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton chipped in 11 each for the 26-10 Gators who move on to face Louisville this weekend.

That matchup features Louisville coach Rick Pitino and his protoge', Florida coach Billy Donovan. You can bet, that will be all they talk about in the pre-game hype.

Your highlights from SI.com:



And the other game, the "Battle of Ohio". Ohio State and Cincinnati, two schools a couple of hours apart who haven't played since the 1960's when Oscar Robertson ruled the college basketball world.

This time, the game went to the guys in Columbus.

Jared Sullinger led the Buckeyes on a 17-1 run in the 2nd half and Ohio State cruised to an 81-66 win over the University of Cincinnati and a shot at the "Elite 8".

The Bearcats played tough for part of the game, they were up 4 with just over 11 minutes to play, but that is when Mr. Sullinger and company stepped on the throttle and took care of business.

Ohio State will square off with Syracuse on Saturday evening, the winner will get a berth in the Final Four.

Highlights from SI.com:

OSG Buzzer Beater: Tip In By St. John's Wins It For Red Storm Over Cincinnati

A heck of a way for St. John's to get their first road win of the season.

Moe Harkless tipped in D'Angelo Harrison's missed floater right when the clock reached zeros to give the Red Storm the win over the Bearcats, oh by the way upon further review the play stood.

Here's the highlights. (Thanks Fox Sports Ohio)



"I saw D'Angelo get the ball and I knew he was going to shoot, so I went to the basket just in case. It came off my way and I just tipped it right in," Harkness said in a post game press conference after the game.

Harkless finished the game with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Harrison led the Red Storm in scoring with 18 points.

The win broke St. John's six game road losing streak.

Cincy Prosecutors Looking At Pursuing Charges, Players Apologize ((UPDATED With Miller Quote and Apology))

((HT: WKRC-TV))

Not that this would be a shock or anything...

But Hamilton County ((OH)) Prosecutor Joe Deters says his office will review the Cincy-Xavier fight to figure out whether or not they should press charges. Deters is a former member of the UC Board of Trustees.

"My office will review this matter to determine whether any criminal charges are appropriate. We will have no further comment until a decision is reached."

The Bearcats gave Yancy Gates, Cheikh Mbodj, and Octavius Ellis six-game suspensions. Ge'Lawn Guyn was suspended for one game. Xavier suspended point guard Tu Holloway for one game, guard Mark Lyons for two games, and Dez Wells and Landen Amos for four games each.

Coach Mick Cronin also said his suspended players will have anger management counseling before they can return to the floor, and will have to apologize to the student body and perform community service.

Here's the latest with apologies and appropriate amount of sorrow, regret, and remorse


I guess Holloway was told being a thug or a gangsta was a bad thing, finally...

Xavier's President, Father Michael Graham, issued a statement about the incident:

"Xavier University takes very seriously the Jesuit Catholic tradition on which it is built and continuously encourages all members of the Xavier family to incorporate these high values into their daily lives. The University takes pride in the good works done each and every day by its alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends.

The unsportsmanlike events which occurred at the close of Saturday’s Crosstown Shootout were not representative of Xavier’s values and reflect on all members of the Xavier family.

The University takes full responsibility for the events at the end of Saturday’s game and the role of our student athletes. Officials at all levels have been working since Saturday afternoon to make things right and will continue to restore Xavier’s good name and faith in the integrity of Xavier University and its intercollegiate Athletic program.

University officials, including those from the Administration and Athletics, have reviewed the incident in its entirety and, in conjunction with the Atlantic 10 Conference, have taken the following actions:

Freshman Dezmine Wells, who had a mandatory one game suspension after being ejected from the game for fighting, has been given an additional three games by Xavier and will serve a four-game suspension. Sophomore Landen Amos has also been given a four-game suspension. Junior Mark Lyons will serve a two-game suspension. Senior Tu Holloway will serve a one-game suspension. Read more about the suspensions.

There is no excuse for what occurred and the team feels remorse for how they represented the University. Additionally, apologies have been made by the University, Associate Vice President and Athletic Director Mike Bobinski, Coach Chris Mack and Xavier senior player Tu Holloway. Watch the Sunday news conference.

As a Jesuit Catholic institution we believe in justice and reconciliation and will learn from this sad experience. Fr. Michael Graham, President of Xavier University, has been in touch with his counterpart at the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Greg Williams, to discuss how the two institutions might best cooperate to moderate the tone of the Crosstown Shootout itself and promote a spirit of cooperation between their students, alumni and fans. Players from both sides will work with the Cincinnati community in promoting proper sportsmanship. Students from both institutions are already exploring ways to strengthen the relationship between our two schools.

This has been a tough lesson, but with the support of the Xavier community, its alumni and friends, Xavier’s 180-year tradition of citizenship and values will grow only stronger."

PM UPDATE: Head coach at Arizona, Sean Miller decided to chime in on the whole situation...

Saturday in his own postgame presser, he opened his mouth... as the head coach of Xavier he had a little experience in the matter.

Maybe a little too much...

"Happens every game. I'm proud of those guys, I really am," Miller said of Xavier, his former team. "I would fully expect there to be a fight."

And, then, surprisingly he had to recant- and do so quickly...

“I made comments following our win Saturday over Clemson regarding my former team, Xavier University. These remarks were in response to a question as to whether I have been following Xavier’s on-the-court successes this season. My comments were directed toward my admiration of their on-the-court toughness and their respective approach to giving great effort as a team.”

“In no way was I condoning a fight. At the time of my press conference, I was only responding to my belief in several players that I once coached and a head coach, Chris Mack, that I have great respect for.”

Uh huh... nicely spun...
You're SO in trouble...

Class act: Xavier and Cincinnati brawl at end of game

In Cincinnati they call it the "Crosstown Shootout" and it is considered the highlight of the College Basketball year for Xavier and Cincinnati, both solid NCAA Tournament contenders almost every year.

And it is usually a close game, both teams are competitive. Xavier has had more success over the years and this year, they handed it to Cincinnati 76-53 in a game that won't be remembered for the play, it will be remembered for the horrible, low-class, low-rent, idiotic brawl that caused the game to end 9 seconds early.

The brawl left Xavier center Kenny Frease with a bloody, beaten eye after a serious sucker punch from Cincinnati's Yancey Gates. Gates also threw a ball off of Xavier guard Mark Lyons face. Lyons and Xavier guard Tu Holloway were also in the middle of it, and arguable were at the beginning of the brawl.

Your video from YouTube/Soundsystem75:



Read Cincinnati.com's version of what happened RIGHT HERE

Ok. First and foremost, there are going to be a few suspensions stemming from this. Multiple players were involved and far too many punches were thrown.

Perhaps the most galling part of this are the comments afterwards. Xavier's Mark Lyons saying "It was the younger guys yapping". Hollaway saying "They disrespected us". Hollaway also added what could possibly be classified as the most idiotic quote of all-time when he said in the post game presser, "We got a whole lot of gangsters in our locker room. Not thugs, but tough guys on the court. And we went out there and zipped them up at the end of the game. That's our motto, zip 'em up. And that's what we just did to them"

Yeah, great. Way to draw sympathy there Tu...

Having lived most of the past two years in Cincinnati, we fully realize this is what passes for major college sports in the city. And we realize fans for both teams are probably laughing in some way about it.

There is NOTHING that can excuse this. You can talk all the crap you want. You can hate the other team all you want. You CAN'T have fights like this.

There are rivalries all over the country that are far more entertaining, serious, cutthroat and mean more than this one does. But you don't see the players fighting like that. EVER!

We can only hope the Atlantic 10, The Big East and the NCAA will take the appropriate actions and suspend all the players involved for multiple games. That in the end will hurt both teams when it comes time for conference and NCAA tournament time and it should. Then maybe the players and the idiot fans will understand there is ZERO excuse for that kind of behavior.

You really should check out the post game press conference from Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin. It's eye-opening, though you'll have to wait a couple of minutes. And no it isn't embeddable, you can click on the link RIGHT HERE

We give Cronin major props for his honesty.