Saturday, December 22, 2001
College basketball Q&A with Michael Perry and Neil Schmidt
A-10, C-USA futures
By Michael Perry and Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer
This is an abbreviated letters column this week because we've gotten an abbreviated amount of letters. Didn't that Crosstown Shootout inspire enough UC-Xavier conversation? The Xavier fans in general have sent very few e-mails. Let us know what's on your minds.
Please keep in mind that when we ask you to e-mail us questions, they are for this weekly column which runs on Saturdays -- not for day-to-day information that often is answered in the newspaper. Also, you must include your name and hometown. OK, glad we cleared that up.
Now, conference play begins soon. Any questions regarding the Atlantic 10 or Conference USA?
Q, “Bearcatjer:” Let me start by applauding the column you now have in The Enquirer covering questions on UC basketball. It is long overdue. I think there is a strong feeling in the community that both UC and X deserve a lot more coverage than they get other than to report the results and details of their games. To have two perennial top-level major college programs like UC and Xavier would seem to support their deserving more coverage than the dismal Bengals or average Reds typically receive.
What is the status of Rod Flowers on the UC team? He rarely gets any minutes and considering he was highly rated when he got here as a freshman, we never hear or see much of him in action.
I'm also surprised at the lack of playing time Jimmy Hubbard is getting considering that he was a two-time JUCO All-American before he came to UC. Any light you can shed on that will be appreciated.
A: We'll start with Rod, who basically needs to get stronger and work on being more aggressive. He would have played more last year if he could have grabbed rebounds, but he didn't when he had opportunities. The traditional UC big man is bruising, powerful, intimidating, physically strong. Rod has a ways to go to get to that level. He does have a nice shot, but be assured Bob Huggins didn't sign Flowers to shoot 3s. Flowers has to play defense and be strong inside to play more.
As for Hubbard, he has struggled in the transition from junior college, as do many who go that route. The athleticism at the major Division I level is higher at every position. Everyone is stronger. Hubbard is another player Huggins hoped could come in and grab rebounds and hit shots. When he does play, he's kind of a spot-up jump shooter.
Also, keep in mind that the people playing ahead of Hubbard and Flowers are typically playing pretty well.
Q, from Kris in Harrison: I have a couple of recruiting questions. First off, what are Cincy's chances of landing JUCO Tony Bobbitt or (high school) senior Julius Lamptey?Second, how would Cincy even be able to land both of those two since only 13 players can have scholarships? Also, wouldn't the 5/8 rule hinder UC getting either of those two players? They signed four last year, five the year before, and four the year before that. I would much appreciate your reply.This ordeal has been bugging me for a very long time.
A: Don't be bugged Kris. We addressed the 5/8 rule last week. The rule was modified last month to make it essentially a 5/9 rule for 2001-02 and 2002-03. The change was proposed by the NCAA Division I Management Council and approved by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Nov. 1. So teams can award a total of nine scholarships over the two-year period. The 5/8 limit resumes for student-athletes enrolling in 2003-04 with some provisions for schools to earn an additional grant.
UC is not considered the leader for Lamptey, who is expected to stay in the state of Oklahoma. Bobbitt is another story. Cincinnati may be the favorite to land the 6-foot-4 shooting guard from the College of Southern Idaho. Bobbitt is from Dayton Beach, Fla., and had originally signed with Florida State out of high school, but he did not qualify academically. Recruiting services say he could make a decision before the end of the year.
Q, from Greg in North College Hill: In the wake of the Crosstown Stinkout, will the AD at Xavier finally admit that hiring Thad Matta was a mistake and remedy it? Mr. Matta obviously does not realize that Xavier Basketball means outhustling -- not outstalling -- your opponents. This is not Butler. Also, do you think the term “box out” has ever been in his vocabulary? Please tell me that Mr. Matta will be gone by next year.
A: Uh, obviously emotions run high with the Shootout.
No, he won't be gone. Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski is very high on Matta, as is everyone else in the athletic department. He has been a tireless worker, and he's a players' coach, generally well-liked in the locker room.
It will take time for his deliberate pace to work here. These Musketeers were recruited for speed. Matta is installing his system and trying to build this team to peak in March. Rebounding has been a concern, as XU has been outrebounded four of the past five games. Remember, Matta is working with no true backup post players.
Give him time before giving him a grade.
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College basketball Q&A with Michael Perry and Neil Schmidt
