Time to find another point guard - he was a good one.


Downey To Leave UC Program

Freshman Wants To Be Closer To Home

April 11, 2006

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Devan Downey has decided to leave the University of Cincinnati basketball program to be closer to his family. The 5-10 freshman from Chester, S.C. will transfer at the conclusion of the spring quarter at UC.

"This has been a difficult decision because of the great support I have received from the UC fans who have made me feel like family," stated
Downey. "I thank them for their support. Family is important to me and I would like to take this opportunity to play closer to home, where my family can see me play."

"I had the opportunity to come home, so I know the value of family," stated Mick Cronin, a Cincinnati native who became UC's head coach on Mar. 23. "We respect Devan's decision and wish him the best both in basketball and in his academics.

Downey, a former state high school player of the year in South Carolina, started 31 of UC's 34 games this past season. He was the team's third-leading scorer, averaging 11.9 points, and leader in assists with a 4.3 average and steals (1.9).

http://ucbearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-bask...06aaa.html

I read a story the other day about how the limited numbers were playing out. So basically you guys are down to:

Returning Scholarship Players:
Tilford
Allen
McGowan
Herrera (DNP in 2005-06)

Orally Committed:
Williamson (JUCO)
Gentry (JUCO)

Walk-On:
Barwin

And then Cronin will sign a lot more JUCO guys correct? It's gonna be a long year in the Queen City next winter but I think Cronin can make it long-term. I just hope too many Bearcat fans aren't expecting anything much above .500 overall as a goal to the coming year.

Is it a sure thing that the returning inside guys will be coming back?

Where is the guy headed?

Brick City Pirate Wrote:Where is the guy headed?

Don't yet, I think he either goes to Ole Miss (Where Andy Kennedy is or South Carolina)

Thanks! ECU is looking for a point guard. Coach Stokes used to coach with Dave Odom at South Carolina, so I thought there might be a connection with Downey.

CollegeCard Wrote:And then Cronin will sign a lot more JUCO guys correct? It's gonna be a long year in the Queen City next winter but I think Cronin can make it long-term. I just hope too many Bearcat fans aren't expecting anything much above .500 overall as a goal to the coming year.

Is it a sure thing that the returning inside guys will be coming back?

If Cronin is able to get to .500 next season with our non-conference + BE schedule he sould have a parade for him in downtown Cincinnati. I know he's the right guy for the long-term but the short-term looks pretty painful.

RealDeal Wrote:

CollegeCard Wrote:And then Cronin will sign a lot more JUCO guys correct? It's gonna be a long year in the Queen City next winter but I think Cronin can make it long-term. I just hope too many Bearcat fans aren't expecting anything much above .500 overall as a goal to the coming year.

Is it a sure thing that the returning inside guys will be coming back?

If Cronin is able to get to .500 next season with our non-conference + BE schedule he sould have a parade for him in downtown Cincinnati. I know he's the right guy for the long-term but the short-term looks pretty painful.

maybe....there are still about 7 players that Cronin wants and if he were to get 4-5 of them, we might have a pretty good team...then again, he could get 0-1 of them and then yea, next year is going to be tough...but it's not over yet.....

If UC can get the JUCOs we have heard about in the fold UC can have a nice season and contend for a postseason berth. The only factor would be chemistry.

That's a huge loss for UC. Downey was quite impressive vs my Bobcats this year. That kid is gonna make someone very happy.

UC will not be in contention for a post season birth next year, claw. Even if he lands the juco's he wants, they are not the top quality juco's that UC is used to having.

mlb Wrote:UC will not be in contention for a post season birth next year, claw. Even if he lands the juco's he wants, they are not the top quality juco's that UC is used to having.

I disagree...IF we land Eugene Harvey, Maze, Kilgore, Brown, and Hall along with the fact that Herrera, Tilford, and McGowen are staying plus you add top 10 JUCO Williamson and top 50 SG Gentry.....I think if we had all these guys, if chemistry was there, we would contend for post season play...we may not be a 3 seed or anything but I see us being able to contend at least.....IMO

Most of them don't have UC high on their list if UC is on the list at all. I wouldn't hold your breath on any of those guys. If UC does get any, it won't be more than 1 or 2. Also, a top 50 JUCO SG who shoots 30% from 3 pt range does not excite me, sorry to say. Once again, don't get too excited.

I'll repeat myself, UC will not be in contention for post season play next year, unless you consider being in contention for 10-15th place in the Big East so "contending" to be in the Big East tourney.