December 17, 2024 • 16 mins
Tony talks with UC men's basketball coach Wes Miller on ESPN 1530!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Shirts Cincy three sixty About Cincinnati from Cincinnati, sponsored in
part by Cinci Shirts. Cinci Shirts All Cincy, all Day.
This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
All right, welcome back our number two, starting right now.
ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. Let's get it underway
and the best way possible. Coming off a victory in
the Crosstown shootout on Saturday. The head coach of the
Cincinnati Bearcats joining us right now, Coach Wes Miller, what's
going on, Coach.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Tony? How you doing man? Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
On, Thank you, thank you for joining us first. Let
me come in you on the win. Congratulations. What I
enjoy From someone that grew up in Cincinnati, I know
what this game means to so many and talk about
the way that you and your team kind of wrap
yourselves around that. It's one thing to say it's another
basketball game, but knowing this city, knowing what this game means,
(00:58):
how much did that add into the preparation leading up
to the shootout?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah? You know we've never said that, right, We've never
I think when you live here and you you understand
like the day to day feeling about this game. In
this community. It's not just another game. I don't I
don't think anybody feels that. You feel the gravity of
the game, you know, all year, because people talk about
(01:26):
it all year. But in terms of preparation and approach,
we try to be very consistent regardless of what games ahead, right,
whether it's the Crosstown or another game that that you know,
you feel the gravity of. So we try to be
very consistent. I do think our players, you just we're
(01:47):
great in their preparation all week. I think they wanted
to win the game in a deep way, and we're
a little more focused than then you know, probably they
be on a normal, a normal prep week. I think
that the challenge for us, Tony is how do we
have that type of focus in preparation all year long? Ye? Right,
because that's that was something that was good for us
(02:09):
last week. Again, I don't want us to be circumstantial,
but our guys wanted to win that game badly, and
the fact that none of us that have been a
part of the game had ever experienced any success in it,
you know, listen, I we're all competitive, and so it
was it was nice. It was nice to get on
the right side of it for once.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
The murder, the the former players that come back and
wrap their arms around this program. You talked about it
being a family. I thought Dylan Mitchell was great during
the game, but I thought he was so good in
those moments right after the game and talking about the
atmosphere and the environment of this is college basketball. You
don't get that everywhere you go. Speak to that a
(02:49):
little bit, just the environment and what those guys were
able to feel with the crowd and the former players
and everyone coming together and making Saturday what it was.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah, we've talked about this for the entire tenure we've
been here, Tony, like, this is one of the greatest
programs in the history of college basketball. And there's a
lot of reasons for that, and you know, you don't
have all day for me to get into all of them,
but you know, there's such a history and tradition here.
The support is incredible. The amount of people that care
(03:24):
and love our program is incredible. But you know, you
get into fifth third and there's an atmosphere like that
that is unique and special. You know, Sean Farnham had
the game, the ESPN had it then. Even though it
was on the ESPN plus and he was texting me
after the game like wow, like that. You know, he
goes does games for ESPN all over the country. He
(03:45):
played at UCLA. He couldn't believe the environment. Yeah, I
think people nationally don't even understand how special the environment
is for that game. And then how special the environment
is in fifth third when it's ring and rolling like that,
and as it sat after the game, it means the
world do us, you know, coaches, players, the people that
(04:06):
are participate in the game, and it helps us that
it gave us a huge lift when we needed it
there in the second half. There was moments like that
in the Big Twelve last year in fifth third as well.
You know, my thing for our fans is we appreciate it,
we love it. But the more we can do it,
the more consistent we do it, the more it's going
to help our program.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
The way in which you won the game, it's one
thing to come out and you shoot lights out and
all the shots are falling and you're getting the looks,
which it felt like you were getting good looks on
the offensive end and you were making them work so
hard for their looks on the defensive end. Does something
come with the way you won to be able to
draw back on that, maybe even later in the year
(04:45):
of not having your a game, shots not falling and
you keep grinding and you keep working and you find
a way to win a game. Is that even more
satisfying at times as a coach to win ugly?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
I think as a coach, the wins that you value
the most. You know, it sounds interesting to probably fands,
but the wins you value the most, or when you
know things don't go your way, you don't shoot the
ball well, or maybe you turn it over because none
of us go into the game as coaches and want
to turn the damn thing over, or or you know,
(05:18):
want to miss layups or miss free throws. But when
some of those things don't go your way, but your
team still finds a way to win. I think. I
think deep down that you know the most important quality
is the competitive quality, that thegetherness quality of a team,
and you have to have that at the highest level
(05:38):
to beat a really good team. When you don't shoot
it well, or you turn it over a bunch, or
you missed a bunch of free throws, and we didn't
turn it over a bunch, we had ten I'd like less,
but it wasn't like that was the problem. You know,
we made more free throws than we've been making, but man,
we couldn't make layups Tony. You know what, We missed
a handful of layups, you know, four of them, to
(05:59):
be honest. And you know, we got some really quality
looks from three Gigsel had a couple of really quality looks,
you know, from kind of his spot ten to fifteen feet. Yeah,
and that stuff wasn't going in. But we kind of
dug down and found the way. And I do think
that's important for a team to know that they can
do that. We were in a similar situation at Villanova
a couple of weeks ago, and I didn't think that
(06:21):
we handled it well. You know, the ball not going
in or 's not kind of happen a great night.
I thought that was a lot of growth force against
Xavier this this past Saturday.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
There are so many things about gigsel James game that
I love, and it seems like every big game he
rises to the occasion. I don't think in going over eleven,
I don't think he forced anything. I thought all the
shots he got were within the offense. I thought he
got great looks. But what I appreciate about Gigsel James
from playing the quarterback position and what he's doing at
(06:51):
point guard. If you were to flip that game on
with two minutes left in the game and you don't
know any stats, you would have had no idea that
he was oh for eleven. His demeanor never changed. He
stepped up and made the free throws when need be.
How important is that of a leader to have that
mentality no matter what's happened throughout the game, to not
show it and to continue to play the same way.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
You know him and I watched the minutes together already
one on one and basically echoed which you just said
to him in my own way. I mean, he's a
winner first, you know, he's the type of guy you
want your foxhole with you in a competitive environment because
(07:32):
he's about winning first and foremost. And you know, he
was frustrated with the way he shot the ball, but
he didn't let it affect anything else in his game.
He just kept competing, kept playing. And how about the
way he stepped up made two big time free throws
with the game on the line. So yeah, you know, listen,
we're really fortunate to have Gisel. He keeps getting better
(07:53):
and better and better and better. And you know he
had a night where there was a litle on it.
That's not going to happen much. The fact that we
won when that happened is a good sign for our team.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I know you could point out so many good individual
performances of what guys were able to do. I thought
from Azase Bendego was one of the best I've seen
him in a Bearcat uniform. He on the season is
only playing around twenty four to twenty five minutes a game.
You guys won it thirty one minutes, and in the
second half late he's diving into the stands, he's diving
into the bleachers, He's keeping possessions alive. He's highly efficient
(08:26):
from the field. How good was that disease and how
much is that able to duplicate to help your guys
team going forward? With what he was able to do.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Yeah, you know, Tony, I didn't feel I felt like
our guys played their heart style as a collectively as
a group, but like if you really look at the
body of work of an entire game, I didn't think
many guys had great overall performances, even though their effort
and will to win was all great, which matters most
of these Day Day and Dylan Mitchell, they all had
(09:02):
good games, Like I was really proud of the way
they they played overall. But ye talk about disease. I mean,
he's so important to our team, Like it's not just
you know, it's not just his scoring or his free
throw shooting or his rebounding, which is something that you
(09:22):
could look at and point two is obvious, but it's,
like you said, his ability to defend. He's improved so
much as a defender in the last eight nine months.
I mean he's out on the floor now, like he
couldn't get out on the floor and guard. Last year.
He was really a ten feet and end guy, and
that hurt us at times in league play we challenged.
(09:44):
In this offseason, he's way up on the floor in
ball spring coverages, he's switching out guarding guards. I mean
there's a play in front of our bench where we
get caught in transition. He has to close out the
foster who's a great three point shooter and is a
terrific driver off the bounce for Xavier, and he guards
him in space. I mean He's such a key to
(10:06):
our team on both offense and defense, and you know,
I think there's gonna be moments where he has to
play those extended, tight minutes, and if he plays the
way he did on Saturday, that makes it a much
more difficult team to be coach.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Years where I was growing up and as a lifelong fan,
you could sometimes see the crossdown shootout hangover whether you
win or whether you lose, because there's so much emotion
that goes into everything about that game, from preparing to
the game itself to what happens after the game. It's
a physical style game. You guys, now have a quick
turnaround and you're gonna play a hell of a team.
(10:41):
On Friday night, they held a double digit lead against
North Carolina and Iowa State before falling just short. They
beat Yukon and Maui. They just beat the number six
team in the country, Marquette, on their home floor. How
difficult does it become to turn around and get that
focus back when you have a town went to team
in Dayton who beat you guys last year coming back
(11:04):
to heritage on Friday night.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I'm glad you brought it up, Tony, because I was
about to bring it up. I mean, it looked like
you said, the Crosstown shoot out. In this community, it
speaks for itself and we understand the gravity of that.
But ever since, you know, we woke up on Sunday morning,
you know our page has been turned. I mean it
(11:27):
really has. H We are playing one of the best
teams in college basketball in a neutral game on Friday night,
and you already laid out some of their resumes so far.
I mean analytically, they're a top twenty team in America
and every every, every single analytical breakdown. Man, they just
(11:49):
beat Marquette, who I think Marquete's got a chance to
win a national championship this year. And they just beat Marquette,
and I wouldn't say handily, but close to handily. I mean,
they like the better team for forty minutes. And I
got a ton of respect for Shaka Smart and what
he's done at Marquette, and I think that team could
win a national championship. So you know, we're playing a
(12:10):
Dayton team that's one of the best teams in college basketball.
Our focus since we woke up on Sunday morning wasn't
in celebrating and enjoying any kind of win. It's on
getting ready for this next one. And you know, I'm
glad I'm on the radio today because what I really
wanted to say to anybody out there listening is Heritage Bank.
I don't care what anybody thinks about the arena. I mean,
(12:33):
I mean that, I don't care what people think about
the arena or the venue or anything. If you're a
Cincinnati fan, we need you. I mean, last year we're
in there and there was more Dayton fans from Cincinnati
fans in downtown Cincinnati. We didn't give the ones that
came and paid much to cheer about. And that's the
first thing I said that was on us. We didn't
play very well, but we need some help in there
against one of the best teams in college basketball on
(12:55):
Friday night. That's a big time opportunity for our team
and a big time challenge for our team. So what
we're trying to prepare all week.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
This week, I know you got to go. I know
you just probably dove into what Dayton does really well,
but just on Anthony Grant and what he's built at
Dayton and they have that sustained success where we're in
the age of the transfer portal where they got guys
in Kobe Braa that's playing at Kentucky right now, and
they got a guard that's playing at Oklahoma. Just a
job that Anthony Grant has been able to do a
(13:22):
Dayton to make sure a year in a year out,
that's a team in Dayton that's contending for the NCAA Tournament.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Anthony Grant's done a terrific job. And you know, you
always know that from a distance. I follow his career BCU, Alabama, Dayton.
But when you coach against somebody and you spend time
preparing for them and playing against them, and so now
we're in the second second year going through that process,
you get to, you know, find even a greater level
(13:50):
of respect. My respect couldn't be higher. They're tough, they
they're very very well organized. They're one of the most
dynamic offensive teams in the country, you know, And as
you say, some parts have changed now, they've kept a
lot of very key pieces off of last year's team,
right that was an elite team. They got Malachi Smith
(14:13):
back off of an injury, so they've kept a lot
of pieces around. But as you mentioned, they lose Elvis,
They lose Brea to Oklahoma Kentucky, and the parts change.
They add a couple of new they keep a bunch
of important ones, and they just get better. And they're
a better team this year they were last year. Oh
and they lost by the way, lost the kid to
the first round in the NBA Draft, So they lose
three key key pieces and they're a better team they
(14:35):
were a year ago. That speaks to the job that
Anthony and his staff are doing in Dayton.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
Coach, I can't thank you enough for your time. Congrats
on the win Saturday, and I echo everything you said
from someone that was there last year. If you're on
the fence or you're waiting get the tickets, go down
and support this basketball team and make this a home
game for Cincinnati as Dayton comes in on Friday night. Coach,
appreciate your time as always, and good luck Friday.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Thanks Tonn.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Absolutely that is the head basketball coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Wes Miller, who right now Austin is going to walk
into the media room and speak to members of the
media nice enough to give us time first.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
How about that?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
And we certainly appreciate that and all he had to
say with everything going on around the Cincinnati Bearcats. What
we have going on is talkbacks when we get back
before I say anything else. With that, our friends at
Sinci Shirts give away a Sincy Shirts gift card every
Friday based on the best talkback. Right now, online customers
(15:33):
are cut off for Christmas delivery, I meaning you can't
still order online and get your order by Christmas. So
what you need to do is get into the store
because there's a ton of cool stuff still in stores
and right now, anyone who goes into a store and
spends twenty five dollars gets a free mystery T shirt
up until Friday. So thank you to our friends at
(15:54):
Sincy Shirts. Thank you to Wes Miller. We'll be back
with your talkbacks on the Home of the Bengals N
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports station.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Hey, it's Ma Legger.
Shirts Cincy three sixty About Cincinnati from Cincinnati, sponsored in
part by Cinci Shirts. Cinci Shirts All Cincy, all Day.
This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
All right, welcome back our number two, starting right now.
ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. Let's get it underway
and the best way possible. Coming off a victory in
the Crosstown shootout on Saturday. The head coach of the
Cincinnati Bearcats joining us right now, Coach Wes Miller, what's
going on, Coach.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Tony? How you doing man? Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
On, Thank you, thank you for joining us first. Let
me come in you on the win. Congratulations. What I
enjoy From someone that grew up in Cincinnati, I know
what this game means to so many and talk about
the way that you and your team kind of wrap
yourselves around that. It's one thing to say it's another
basketball game, but knowing this city, knowing what this game means,
(00:58):
how much did that add into the preparation leading up
to the shootout?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah? You know we've never said that, right, We've never
I think when you live here and you you understand
like the day to day feeling about this game. In
this community. It's not just another game. I don't I
don't think anybody feels that. You feel the gravity of
the game, you know, all year, because people talk about
(01:26):
it all year. But in terms of preparation and approach,
we try to be very consistent regardless of what games ahead, right,
whether it's the Crosstown or another game that that you know,
you feel the gravity of. So we try to be
very consistent. I do think our players, you just we're
(01:47):
great in their preparation all week. I think they wanted
to win the game in a deep way, and we're
a little more focused than then you know, probably they
be on a normal, a normal prep week. I think
that the challenge for us, Tony is how do we
have that type of focus in preparation all year long? Ye? Right,
because that's that was something that was good for us
(02:09):
last week. Again, I don't want us to be circumstantial,
but our guys wanted to win that game badly, and
the fact that none of us that have been a
part of the game had ever experienced any success in it,
you know, listen, I we're all competitive, and so it
was it was nice. It was nice to get on
the right side of it for once.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
The murder, the the former players that come back and
wrap their arms around this program. You talked about it
being a family. I thought Dylan Mitchell was great during
the game, but I thought he was so good in
those moments right after the game and talking about the
atmosphere and the environment of this is college basketball. You
don't get that everywhere you go. Speak to that a
(02:49):
little bit, just the environment and what those guys were
able to feel with the crowd and the former players
and everyone coming together and making Saturday what it was.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah, we've talked about this for the entire tenure we've
been here, Tony, like, this is one of the greatest
programs in the history of college basketball. And there's a
lot of reasons for that, and you know, you don't
have all day for me to get into all of them,
but you know, there's such a history and tradition here.
The support is incredible. The amount of people that care
(03:24):
and love our program is incredible. But you know, you
get into fifth third and there's an atmosphere like that
that is unique and special. You know, Sean Farnham had
the game, the ESPN had it then. Even though it
was on the ESPN plus and he was texting me
after the game like wow, like that. You know, he
goes does games for ESPN all over the country. He
(03:45):
played at UCLA. He couldn't believe the environment. Yeah, I
think people nationally don't even understand how special the environment
is for that game. And then how special the environment
is in fifth third when it's ring and rolling like that,
and as it sat after the game, it means the
world do us, you know, coaches, players, the people that
(04:06):
are participate in the game, and it helps us that
it gave us a huge lift when we needed it
there in the second half. There was moments like that
in the Big Twelve last year in fifth third as well.
You know, my thing for our fans is we appreciate it,
we love it. But the more we can do it,
the more consistent we do it, the more it's going
to help our program.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
The way in which you won the game, it's one
thing to come out and you shoot lights out and
all the shots are falling and you're getting the looks,
which it felt like you were getting good looks on
the offensive end and you were making them work so
hard for their looks on the defensive end. Does something
come with the way you won to be able to
draw back on that, maybe even later in the year
(04:45):
of not having your a game, shots not falling and
you keep grinding and you keep working and you find
a way to win a game. Is that even more
satisfying at times as a coach to win ugly?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
I think as a coach, the wins that you value
the most. You know, it sounds interesting to probably fands,
but the wins you value the most, or when you
know things don't go your way, you don't shoot the
ball well, or maybe you turn it over because none
of us go into the game as coaches and want
to turn the damn thing over, or or you know,
(05:18):
want to miss layups or miss free throws. But when
some of those things don't go your way, but your
team still finds a way to win. I think. I
think deep down that you know the most important quality
is the competitive quality, that thegetherness quality of a team,
and you have to have that at the highest level
(05:38):
to beat a really good team. When you don't shoot
it well, or you turn it over a bunch, or
you missed a bunch of free throws, and we didn't
turn it over a bunch, we had ten I'd like less,
but it wasn't like that was the problem. You know,
we made more free throws than we've been making, but man,
we couldn't make layups Tony. You know what, We missed
a handful of layups, you know, four of them, to
(05:59):
be honest. And you know, we got some really quality
looks from three Gigsel had a couple of really quality looks,
you know, from kind of his spot ten to fifteen feet. Yeah,
and that stuff wasn't going in. But we kind of
dug down and found the way. And I do think
that's important for a team to know that they can
do that. We were in a similar situation at Villanova
a couple of weeks ago, and I didn't think that
(06:21):
we handled it well. You know, the ball not going
in or 's not kind of happen a great night.
I thought that was a lot of growth force against
Xavier this this past Saturday.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
There are so many things about gigsel James game that
I love, and it seems like every big game he
rises to the occasion. I don't think in going over eleven,
I don't think he forced anything. I thought all the
shots he got were within the offense. I thought he
got great looks. But what I appreciate about Gigsel James
from playing the quarterback position and what he's doing at
(06:51):
point guard. If you were to flip that game on
with two minutes left in the game and you don't
know any stats, you would have had no idea that
he was oh for eleven. His demeanor never changed. He
stepped up and made the free throws when need be.
How important is that of a leader to have that
mentality no matter what's happened throughout the game, to not
show it and to continue to play the same way.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
You know him and I watched the minutes together already
one on one and basically echoed which you just said
to him in my own way. I mean, he's a
winner first, you know, he's the type of guy you
want your foxhole with you in a competitive environment because
(07:32):
he's about winning first and foremost. And you know, he
was frustrated with the way he shot the ball, but
he didn't let it affect anything else in his game.
He just kept competing, kept playing. And how about the
way he stepped up made two big time free throws
with the game on the line. So yeah, you know, listen,
we're really fortunate to have Gisel. He keeps getting better
(07:53):
and better and better and better. And you know he
had a night where there was a litle on it.
That's not going to happen much. The fact that we
won when that happened is a good sign for our team.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I know you could point out so many good individual
performances of what guys were able to do. I thought
from Azase Bendego was one of the best I've seen
him in a Bearcat uniform. He on the season is
only playing around twenty four to twenty five minutes a game.
You guys won it thirty one minutes, and in the
second half late he's diving into the stands, he's diving
into the bleachers, He's keeping possessions alive. He's highly efficient
(08:26):
from the field. How good was that disease and how
much is that able to duplicate to help your guys
team going forward? With what he was able to do.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Yeah, you know, Tony, I didn't feel I felt like
our guys played their heart style as a collectively as
a group, but like if you really look at the
body of work of an entire game, I didn't think
many guys had great overall performances, even though their effort
and will to win was all great, which matters most
of these Day Day and Dylan Mitchell, they all had
(09:02):
good games, Like I was really proud of the way
they they played overall. But ye talk about disease. I mean,
he's so important to our team, Like it's not just
you know, it's not just his scoring or his free
throw shooting or his rebounding, which is something that you
(09:22):
could look at and point two is obvious, but it's,
like you said, his ability to defend. He's improved so
much as a defender in the last eight nine months.
I mean he's out on the floor now, like he
couldn't get out on the floor and guard. Last year.
He was really a ten feet and end guy, and
that hurt us at times in league play we challenged.
(09:44):
In this offseason, he's way up on the floor in
ball spring coverages, he's switching out guarding guards. I mean
there's a play in front of our bench where we
get caught in transition. He has to close out the
foster who's a great three point shooter and is a
terrific driver off the bounce for Xavier, and he guards
him in space. I mean He's such a key to
(10:06):
our team on both offense and defense, and you know,
I think there's gonna be moments where he has to
play those extended, tight minutes, and if he plays the
way he did on Saturday, that makes it a much
more difficult team to be coach.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Years where I was growing up and as a lifelong fan,
you could sometimes see the crossdown shootout hangover whether you
win or whether you lose, because there's so much emotion
that goes into everything about that game, from preparing to
the game itself to what happens after the game. It's
a physical style game. You guys, now have a quick
turnaround and you're gonna play a hell of a team.
(10:41):
On Friday night, they held a double digit lead against
North Carolina and Iowa State before falling just short. They
beat Yukon and Maui. They just beat the number six
team in the country, Marquette, on their home floor. How
difficult does it become to turn around and get that
focus back when you have a town went to team
in Dayton who beat you guys last year coming back
(11:04):
to heritage on Friday night.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I'm glad you brought it up, Tony, because I was
about to bring it up. I mean, it looked like
you said, the Crosstown shoot out. In this community, it
speaks for itself and we understand the gravity of that.
But ever since, you know, we woke up on Sunday morning,
you know our page has been turned. I mean it
(11:27):
really has. H We are playing one of the best
teams in college basketball in a neutral game on Friday night,
and you already laid out some of their resumes so far.
I mean analytically, they're a top twenty team in America
and every every, every single analytical breakdown. Man, they just
(11:49):
beat Marquette, who I think Marquete's got a chance to
win a national championship this year. And they just beat Marquette,
and I wouldn't say handily, but close to handily. I mean,
they like the better team for forty minutes. And I
got a ton of respect for Shaka Smart and what
he's done at Marquette, and I think that team could
win a national championship. So you know, we're playing a
(12:10):
Dayton team that's one of the best teams in college basketball.
Our focus since we woke up on Sunday morning wasn't
in celebrating and enjoying any kind of win. It's on
getting ready for this next one. And you know, I'm
glad I'm on the radio today because what I really
wanted to say to anybody out there listening is Heritage Bank.
I don't care what anybody thinks about the arena. I mean,
(12:33):
I mean that, I don't care what people think about
the arena or the venue or anything. If you're a
Cincinnati fan, we need you. I mean, last year we're
in there and there was more Dayton fans from Cincinnati
fans in downtown Cincinnati. We didn't give the ones that
came and paid much to cheer about. And that's the
first thing I said that was on us. We didn't
play very well, but we need some help in there
against one of the best teams in college basketball on
(12:55):
Friday night. That's a big time opportunity for our team
and a big time challenge for our team. So what
we're trying to prepare all week.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
This week, I know you got to go. I know
you just probably dove into what Dayton does really well,
but just on Anthony Grant and what he's built at
Dayton and they have that sustained success where we're in
the age of the transfer portal where they got guys
in Kobe Braa that's playing at Kentucky right now, and
they got a guard that's playing at Oklahoma. Just a
job that Anthony Grant has been able to do a
(13:22):
Dayton to make sure a year in a year out,
that's a team in Dayton that's contending for the NCAA Tournament.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Anthony Grant's done a terrific job. And you know, you
always know that from a distance. I follow his career BCU, Alabama, Dayton.
But when you coach against somebody and you spend time
preparing for them and playing against them, and so now
we're in the second second year going through that process,
you get to, you know, find even a greater level
(13:50):
of respect. My respect couldn't be higher. They're tough, they
they're very very well organized. They're one of the most
dynamic offensive teams in the country, you know, And as
you say, some parts have changed now, they've kept a
lot of very key pieces off of last year's team,
right that was an elite team. They got Malachi Smith
(14:13):
back off of an injury, so they've kept a lot
of pieces around. But as you mentioned, they lose Elvis,
They lose Brea to Oklahoma Kentucky, and the parts change.
They add a couple of new they keep a bunch
of important ones, and they just get better. And they're
a better team this year they were last year. Oh
and they lost by the way, lost the kid to
the first round in the NBA Draft, So they lose
three key key pieces and they're a better team they
(14:35):
were a year ago. That speaks to the job that
Anthony and his staff are doing in Dayton.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
Coach, I can't thank you enough for your time. Congrats
on the win Saturday, and I echo everything you said
from someone that was there last year. If you're on
the fence or you're waiting get the tickets, go down
and support this basketball team and make this a home
game for Cincinnati as Dayton comes in on Friday night. Coach,
appreciate your time as always, and good luck Friday.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Thanks Tonn.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Absolutely that is the head basketball coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Wes Miller, who right now Austin is going to walk
into the media room and speak to members of the
media nice enough to give us time first.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
How about that?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
And we certainly appreciate that and all he had to
say with everything going on around the Cincinnati Bearcats. What
we have going on is talkbacks when we get back
before I say anything else. With that, our friends at
Sinci Shirts give away a Sincy Shirts gift card every
Friday based on the best talkback. Right now, online customers
(15:33):
are cut off for Christmas delivery, I meaning you can't
still order online and get your order by Christmas. So
what you need to do is get into the store
because there's a ton of cool stuff still in stores
and right now, anyone who goes into a store and
spends twenty five dollars gets a free mystery T shirt
up until Friday. So thank you to our friends at
(15:54):
Sincy Shirts. Thank you to Wes Miller. We'll be back
with your talkbacks on the Home of the Bengals N
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports station.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Hey, it's Ma Legger.
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