UC Hockey: Icing on the Cake

While most on campus do their best to avoid the ice this time of year, some students seek it out.

The University of Cincinnati semi-varsity hockey team finished their season at 20-5 and 16-3 within their division, good for 11th place in their league, but fell just short in the rankings to qualify for the national tournament. The season was highlighted by a road win against top-ranked Hope College, and also by squashing cross-town rival, Xavier, 16-4.

Senior goalie and team president Ted Riolo ranked in the top-60 in goals-against with a 3.59 average, and forward Alex Silvestros led the team with 21 points on 15 goals and six assists for the year.

“It’s hard for us to understand how we could have such a high winning percentage yet not be considered one of the better teams in the region just because of our geographical scheduling limitations,” Riolo said.

Teams are subjectively ranked by nine unnamed coaches within the division who choose 10 of the 23 divisional teams to participate in the national tournament.

UC plays in the Division III American Collegiate Hockey Association in the North region; a league in which Xavier University, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Louisville also compete.

The ACHA draws more talent than most other club-level athletic organizations because less than 200 NCAA schools currently offer scholarships to play hockey.

“I think [the ACHA] is unlike any other club sport in that it’s so big and so serious. Many players are qualified to be Division I, but often times choose a school over a program,” Riolo said.

The team has improved every season in its seven years and hopes to elevate its status to Division II next season.

“Division II indicates an increase in talent and quality of the team,” Riolo said “We’ve proven our gusto in D-III and might make the jump to D-II next year.”

The Bearcats are coached by former NHL All-Star Blaine Stoughton, who joined the team last season. Stoughton played in over 500 games in his career with four different teams and led the league in goals scored in 1979-80 with the Hartford Whalers.

“He was a big acquisition,” said Riolo. “He gave us instant credibility, which is important for a non-varsity team.”

Semi-varsity is the highest designation given to a club sport by the University’s Student Activities and Leadership Development board, and indicates a club team is fully-established and functions similar to a varsity team. .

“It’s as in line with being a varsity team as possible without actually being one.” said Riolo who served as last year’s president to the University’s Club Sports Board.

Ice hockey, equestrian and rowing are the only UC club sports so far labeled as semi-varsity.

The team’s games and practices are held at Sports Plus on Reading Road in Evendale. More information about the team can be found on the team’s Web-site, bearcatshockey.com.

Hawaii Preview

by B. Clifton Burke
Dec. 2008

After winning the Big East title and earning themselves a bid to a BCS bowl, the University of Cincinnati flies west to try to end the regular season on a sunny note against the University of Hawaii. While the tropic scenery and the nice weather may suggest otherwise, this trip is no vacation for the Bearcats.

“Eleven wins have never been done in UC history, so we have a chance to be record-setting,” Coach Brian Kelly said in this week’s press conference. “Another thing is that another win - with the teams that are not playing - is a chance to move up in the rankings, and one of the things this football team has never been is a top-10 team.”

Traveling to Hawaii can be difficult on teams, evidenced by the Warriors’ three losses in their last 25 home games. Coach Brian Kelly said he was more concerned with the experience of Hawaii rather than any 1-on-1 match up in the game.

“Our kids are going to acclimate well, but obviously it’s going to be a partisan crowd there who’s known to be a very lively crowd. Our kids are going to have to handle the elements.” said Kelly

Hawaii is going to a bowl game for the sixth time in seven years, and they’ve played three ranked opponents this season already, including a win at No. 22, Fresno State.

Offensively, Hawaii is coming together, compiling 115 points in their last three games. Junior quarterback Greg Alexander is 4-1 since being named starter and has thrown for 10 touchdowns in that span, including two last week against Washington State. The Bearcats secondary led by senior cornerback DeAngelo Smith will be key in limiting the Warriors’ run-and-shoot offense.

“They’re back to the run-and-shoot, and doing what they do. They’ve settled on Alexander at quarterback and found some continuity there.” Kelly said of the Hawaii offense.

One key match up to watch is in the battle of the trenches between Hawaii junior center John Estes, and Cincinnati All-American defensive tackle Terrill Bird. Estes is on the watch list for the Remington Award (best center), the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) and the Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker). He has started every game of his career (39), and is a first-team WAC center. Bird was an All-American in 2007 and is a candidate for ‘08. He’s also on the watch list for the Lombardi Award this season (best lineman).

UC has a statistical advantage in the passing game. They lead the Big East in passing offense (260) and Tony Pike leads the conference in passing efficiency (144.1). Hawaii gives up 200 yards of passing offense per game this season, but allowed only 76 yards in the air last week against Washington State. Bearcat senior receiver Dominick Goodman needs just seven receptions and 23 yards to become the all-time school leader in both categories (204/2,483).

The Hawaii defense is led by an experienced linebacker corps. Senior middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian, was named the WAC co-defensive player of the year, along with San Jose State’s Jason Gilbert. Elimimian has 101 tackles on the season and has become Hawaii’s all-time tackles leader with 414 for his career. Senior outside linebacker Adam Leonard is a three-year starter with over 300 career tackles himself. Both are considered pro prospects.

The ‘Cats on special teams will rely on their return maven, senior wide out Mardy Gilyard, who is seventh nationally returning kicks at 29.4 yards per return. Hawaii has there own return threat in junior Malcolm Lane who ranks fifth in the NCAA with a 29.8 average, and has returned five kicks for over 40 yards in the last five games.

UC will have to keep focus on Hawaii and not get distracted by the excitement of their pending BCS match up. Head coach Brian Kelly knows what’s at stake.

“Clearly there are a lot of things still out there for our football team, and we’re gonna be sure that they behave themselves,” Kelly said.

Bearcats finish 3-1 in Global Sports Classic

by B. Clifton Burke
Nov. 30, 2008

The University of Cincinnati (5-1) lost its first game of the season to Florida State 58-47, Friday Nov. 29, but bounced back the next day to beat UNLV, 67-65. Both games were part of the Las Vegas at the Global Sports Classic.

Deonta Vaughn led the Bearcats in scoring in both games with 16 points against Florida State and 19 against UNLV.

On Friday, Florida State went on a 15-5 run coming out of halftime to give them a 42-28 lead with over 14 minutes left in second half. UC then went on a run of its own to close the gap to seven points with five minutes remaining, but was unable to keep their momentum and lost by 11.

Junior forward Mike Williams collected his first double-double of the season against Florida State with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Against UNLV, UC led by six points with seven minutes left, but watched its lead evaporate after the Rebels went on a 13-5 run. In the last 16 seconds, UNLV was only able to convert 2-of-6 from the free throw line and Alvin Mitchell hit a clutch 3-pointer late in the game, helping Bearcats escaped with the win.

Yancy Gates had 16 points and seven rebounds and Dion Dixon added a career-high 13 points against UNLV.

Next up, the Bearcats host UAB at Fifth Third Arena at noon on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Bearcats Pound Chanticleers

by B. Clifton Burke
Nov. 25, 2008

The University of Cincinnati (4-0) is off to its best start since Bob Huggins led his team to that record in 2004. With the winning combination of size and hot shooting, the Bearcats coasted to their fourth win of the season, defeating Coastal Carolina, 82-56, Monday night at Fifth Third Arena.

“If we can shoot 48 percent from the three point line with the big guys we have, we’re pretty hard to guard” said head coach Mick Cronin.

Despite having only one player taller than 6-foot-6, Coastal Carolina started the game energized and aggressive, running out to an early 17-15 lead in the game’s first seven minutes. UC countered with a 14-2 run in only four and a half minutes, brought on by the defensive spark off the bench by sophomore center Anthony McClain. McClain collected four rebounds and three blocks in the first half, and finished the game with a season-high 11 points.

“I came off the bench and did my part,” said McClain.

The Bearcats continued their impressive outside shooting, sinking 7-of-13 3-pointers in the first half, and 11-of-23 in the game. UC is converting 38 percent of its 3-point attempts on the year. Junior guard Deonta Vaughn, who made nine 3-pointers against Coastal Carolina in 2007, came away with four more threes and a team-high 17 points.

The Chanticleers had averaged 21 turnovers a game, but going into halftime, they had given away only five. UC turned up its defensive intensity and forced Coastal Carolina to shoot 0-for-12 from the field in the first eight minutes after halftime. The Bearcats scored 14 points off of 10 Chanticleer turnovers in the second half.

“I didn’t think we were as sharp in the second half,” said Coastal Carolina head coach Cliff Ellis. “We were a half step off in the second half as opposed to that freshness we had coming out,”

UC sophomore guard Larry Davis played a solid game with 14 points including four 3-pointers, but coach Mick Cronin seemed more impressed with the lanky guard’s defense.

“His on the ball defense is excellent, his off the ball defense is improving, his attitude is tremendous and he made shots tonight,” said Cronin.

The game was part of the Global Sports Classic, which will continue in Las Vegas where UC will next meet Florida State on Nov. 28.

'Cats in Big Apple

by B. Clifton Burke | The News Record


Updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2009


The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team is learning that wins in the Big East don’t come easily.

Head coach Mick Cronin and his troops look to get the ball rolling again Thursday, Jan. 22, with a win against a beatable St. John’s team.

“It’s a big game for us. We probably gave [a win] away and we’re trying to make one up,” Cronin said. “We’re to the point now where every game is a big game, especially on the road.”

Cincinnati (12-7, 2-4 Big East) and St. John’s (10-7, 1-4 Big East) both have numbers that jump out when comparing the two teams.

St. John’s has struggled from beyond the arc this season, shooting a dismal 29 percent, which is second to last in the Big East.

Missed shots play to the strength of the Bearcats, as they have been a solid rebounding team this season, ranking third in the conference with a rebounding margin of 7.4.

The Red Strom also has difficulties stopping the 3-point shot and is ranked last in the Big East in 3-point field goal percentage defense. St. John’s allows the opposition to convert 35 percent from long-range.

The Bearcats haven’t been bad from long-range this season, shooting a modest 36 percent from downtown. UC may find more open looks from 3-point range than they normally do in a physical, defense-first conference like the Big East. The question remains, can Mick Cronin find another shooter outside of Deonta Vaughn?

“When teams try to take me out of my scoring and, if I’m not hitting that night, then [my teammates] should try to be more aggressive and don’t be so passive,” Vaughn said. “They should try to do things that they don’t do in practice.”

Senior forward Mike Williams has helped with the scoring load, racking up more than 15 points a game in conference play – including a career-high 21 points against Providence on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

“It’s no coincidence that [Williams] is our most experienced player at a time of year when experience players tend to excel,” Cronin said.

Sophomore swingman Rashad Bishop has also helped by shooting 42 percent from 3-point range since conference play has begun, but fellow long-range threats, Alvin Mitchell and Dion Dixon, have both struggled, each shooting under 30 percent from deep.

“I feel Dion [Dixon] needs to start shooting earlier in the game so he can be more aggressive,” Vaughn said. “That takes some slack off me once [Dixon] starts being more aggressive and Mike [Williams] starts to hit his jump shot. So we need one or two more players to step up.”

After St. John’s head coach Norm Roberts lost last year’s leading scorer, Anthony Mason Jr., to a foot injury in November 2008, the team has had to look elsewhere to fill that void.

Wide-bodied sophomore forwards, Justin Burrell and Sean Evans (each more than 240 pounds), have helped pick up some of that slack underneath; both averaging just under 10 points per game.

“They don’t shoot the ball very well, but they have great size at all positions and they’re very tough and athletic,” Cronin said of St. John’s.

Sophomore Paris Horne is St. John’s best shooter, averaging 34 percent from beyond the arc this season.

The Bearcats will conclude their three-game road trip when they face St. John’s on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

UC and G-Twon in the Snow

by B. Clifton Burke

The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team stand to gain some national recognition if they can beat a talented, but struggling Georgetown University team at 5/3 Arena on Wednesday night.

“We have ten opponents left in the Big East, we beat seven of those teams last season,” said Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin.

The ‘Cats (13-7, 3-4 Big East) return home from a three-game road-trip where they managed wins over DePaul and St. John’s. Conversely, the Hoyas (12-6, 3-4 Big East) have dropped five of their last seven games and are currently on a three-game skid; the last of which came from Seton Hall – a team previously winless in the Big East.

“In this conference, you’re always a week away from a three-game losing streak,” Cronin said. “It’s just life in the Big East.”

Georgetown provides a balanced scoring attack with four players averaging double-digit figures. Among them is freshman forward/center Greg Monroe; the newest addition to a long list of talented big men to have played at Georgetown. Monroe has impressed so far, ranking in the Big East top-20 in four categories (rebounding, field-goal percentage, steals and blocks) and averaging 13.3 points a game.

“You always look forward to playing against guys who are as skilled and athletic as him,” said UC freshman forward Yancy Gates of his matchup with Monroe.

Gates joined Greg Monroe as two of the best freshman big men to enter the Big East this season. Monroe has had better numbers early on, but Gates is playing well after his 11-point performance against St. John’s. Barring foul trouble, Gates could frustrate Monroe on both ends of the court.

Monroe is complimented by forward DaJuan Summers who leads Georgetown in scoring (15.1) and shoots 39 percent from 3-point range.

“There team is built around a Princeton-style offense that relies on making shots and spreading the other team out, and causes a lot of problems when they take the ball to the basket,” Cronin explained of Georgetown.

Before following in his father’s footsteps by coaching at Georgetown, John Thompson III both played and coached at Princeton where he learned the methodical offense his team runs today. As a result, the Hoyas have made field goals at 47 percent, but only shoot 32 percent from long range; 10th in the Big East.

“They’re an unconventional team offensively, and it’s something we’ll have to be prepared to deal with,” said Cronin.

Despite the inside presence of Monroe, Georgetown ranks last in offensive and 12th in defensive rebounding. The Princeton-style offense and the Hoyas’ lack of size, combine to make second-chance points almost non-existent within Thompson’s scheme. UC should be able to gain the rebounding advantage in this situation.

“It’s probably a result from playing a perimeter oriented line-up,” Cronin said of Georgetown’s low rebounding numbers. “I think it’s going to be very important for us to dominate the offensive glass in this game.”

While Deonta Vaughn’s scoring average is down a couple of points from last season’s, he’s still in the conference’s top-10 in assists, free-throw percentage, 3-pointers made and minutes played. His mission to involve other players continues to benefit sophomore swingman Rashad Bishop, who posted a career-high 15 points in the win over St. John’s. Bishop has shot well since Big East play, now converting 44 percent of his field goals and 40 percent of his threes.

“He’s more aggressive and he’s getting himself to the paint on the dribble,” said Cronin. “It’s something he’s worked extremely hard on in the last two weeks. He did a great job against St. John’s and really kept us in that game.”

With a win, UC can break even at .500 in conference play for the first time this season. The Bearcats will next travel to Philadelphia to take on Villanova on Sunday afternoon.

Pro Experience for UC Players at Senior Bowl

by B. Clifton Burke

The University of Cincinnati had four players participate in the 2009 Under Armor Senior Bowl played in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday night: Punter Kevin Huber, cornerback DeAngelo Smith, right guard Trevor Canfield, and defensive end/tight end Connor Barwin. Cornerback Mike Mickens was also named to the team and participated in some of the week’s practices, but decided to forego playing in the game due to a sore knee. The UC players were members of the North team coached by Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and his staff, while the South was coached by the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff, led by head coach Jack Del Rio.

The South won the game 35-18 and West Virginia quarterback Pat White was named as the game’s most valuable player.

The players spent the week in Mobile showcasing their talents in practice and the game, hoping to impress the many NFL scouts in attendance during the annual pre-draft event.

“We were extremely busy from the time we got there to the game,” said Connor Barwin.

Cornerback DeAngelo Smith saw action in the first quarter, and returned two punts for 18 yards. First-team All-American punter Kevin Huber finished with 196 yards on four punts including one for 61 yards. Lineman Trevor Canfield saw significant playing time throughout the game and was involved in both touchdown drives for the North. Conner Barwin played both sides of the ball, and collected a solo tackle at defensive end but had no passes thrown his way at tight end.

Throughout the week in Mobile, Barwin practiced under the tutelage of the two brothers on the Bengals coaching staff, Jon and Jay Hayes. Jon works with the tight ends while his brother Jay is the team’s defensive line coach.

“It was kind of a funny situation because I was jumping back and forth between them,” Barwin said. “It was good to work with them both.”

Barwin thinks that his role on the team that drafts him, will depend on their defensive scheme. He said that the 4-3 teams that he has spoke with project him as a defensive end, while the teams who play a 3-4 scheme see him more of an outside linebacker. Barwin can also line up at tight end where he played around 20 snaps during the Senior Bowl.

UC is only the sixth team to have five or more players named to the Senior Bowl since 2005.

“It’s been a great experience as far as being able to play against the top players in the country and to see how good you are against them,” Barwin said, “but the best part was that I was down there with so many of my teammates.”

Up next for Barwin and the other Bearcats considered to be pro prospects, is the NFL Scouting Combine scheduled for Feb.18-24 in Indianapolis.

Wins Speak Louder than Words

by B. Clifton Burke

The University of Cincinnati women’s head basketball coach J. Kelly Hall, refers to his leading scorer, red-shirt junior guard Kahla Roudebush, as the Silent Assassin.

Roudebush lets her play speak for her, and lately, she’s made a lot of noise on the court.

“I’ve been trying to get more vocal, but that’s not really my game. I just go out and try to do the action before I start talking,” Roudebush said.

She has averaged over 23 points in her last five games, and on Jan. 5, was named to the Big East Honor Roll for Player of the Week. Roudebush ranks 12th in the Big East in scoring with 16.5 points-per-game.

“She’s our outside threat, and she’s the person we look to when the shot-clock’s running down,” Hall said.

Coach Hall has relied on Roudebush’s durability this season, as she leads the Big East in minutes played and has played all 40 minutes five times this season.

“We know every time going out pretty much, that she’s got to give us 40 minutes solid for us to have a chance to play,” said Hall.

Hall talked about Roudebush’s commitment to working harder in the off-season, and said the 12 pounds that she lost as a result of her training has helped her become a better player.

“She is in the best condition that she’s been in since she’s been at Cincinnati, and it shows. Teams are concentrating on her, and she’s still shooting a good percentage,” said Hall.

“It’s just a mentality,” Roudebush said about playing so many minutes. “My coaches need me to play that much. Basically that’s how I think about it: I need to do it, and I need to do my best in however many minutes they give me.”

To play that much, Roudebush has been able to avoid early foul trouble, and says that fouls are indications of not being prepared.

“I look at foul trouble as when you’re not ready to play the game. When you come out and get two quick fouls in the beginning, that just shows a mentality that you weren’t ready,” said Roudebush.

Her coach also isn’t worried about foul trouble.

“We don’t talk about (foul trouble),” explained Hall. “I think our team is second in the country in not fouling and we’ve had one kid foul out all year. That’s a whole philosophy: we don’t waste fouls. When you think about that, part of our whole defense is that we’re not going to put the other team on the foul line.”

Known primarily as a shooter, Roudebush has made an impression on Hall for her defensive as well.

“She brings tremendous offense. That being said, defensively, she’s matured this year and she’s helped us there.” Hall said.

When asked to shoot, Roudebush has converted over 35 percent of her three-pointers this season. She also leads the team in assists (2.9) and is third in rebounding (4.6).

“My teammates get me open, and I just shoot it. They do all the hard work, I do the easy part,” said Roudebush.

Coach Hall’s Silent Assassin may not always be so quiet, but he hopes she can continue to hush opponents with her stellar play for the remainder of the year. Cincinnati (12-4, 2-1) next hosts Seton Hall Jan. 17, before consecutively facing three ranked opponents in the AP top-25 poll: at No. 7 Louisville, No. 1 Conneticut and at No. 10 Notre Dame.