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Hoops Recruiting ***INsider: Jasper Johnson***

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Guys, I haven't been able to touch base yet with Labaron Philon, after he officially visited UC over the weekend. I did reach his new teammate, though, 2025 four-star guard Jasper Johnson, who also visited the Bearcats Saturday, unofficially.
Login to view embedded media Johnson is from Lexington (Ky.) but played at Woodford County. He is starting this season at Link (Mo.), where Philon is also moving. Johnson said he visited UC Saturday, then on Sunday drove nine hours to Branson (Mo.) and Link Academy. He told me he hopes the move will prepare him and develop him more as he has the goal of playing just one season of college basketball before going to the NBA. Obviously, things can change, but that's the goal he's set for himself and I think that's important to note.

Johnson said he'd been to UC a couple of times before this past weekend, including for a practice and a game last season. He also went to a football game last fall. This weekend, Johnson told me he liked seeing how "they've changed their program, really." He said coach Wes Miller had been telling him about the Big 12 move, the roster additions and the changes the program has made for the coming season.

The guy Johnson said he's talked to most is assistant coach Andre Morgan. He told me he and Morgan have a good relationship and they talk a lot on the phone. But Johnson also said that Miller reiterated how high he is on the Bearcats' recruiting board. "He’s telling me I’m a top priority for the program, which is always good to hear that," Johnson told me.

Johnson didn't want to mention any other schools, when I asked a couple of different ways. He told me Baylor, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Kansas, LSU and Florida State were the most recent schools to offer and he wants to release a top 12 soon. He didn't get any more specific, but said he also has no other visit plans coming. Soooo, not a lot to go on and measure this weekend with. I do believe it's a good thing that Johnson chose to visit UC the day before he left for Link Academy. But I do wish he would have talked about some other schools.

Full story coming soon.
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Football Jones Named Big 12 Offensive POW

Big game for Emory Jones rewarded by the Big 12 with the conference's offensive player of the week recognition. Release from UC:


Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week on Monday following his seven-touchdown performance in his Bearcats’ debut on Saturday in the 66-13 victory over EKU.

Jones had more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (four) and finished 19-of-23 for 345 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions through the air. He added two rushing scores and 26 yards on the ground. The seven touchdowns by a quarterback set a school record.

Saturday’s win over EKU marked the start of the Scott Satterfield era and also was Cincinnati’s first game as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Jones provided the initial spark for the 2023 season when he found wide receiver Xzavier Henderson for a 49-yard touchdown on 4th-and-5 from midfield 3:15 into the game.

The Bearcats never let off the gas after that, totaling 667 yards of total offense and 66 points – which were both Top 10 all-time totals for UC.

Jones passed or rushed for a touchdown on all six possessions of the first half as Cincinnati took a 42-7 lead into halftime at Nippert Stadium.

The La Grange, Ga., native had his second career 300-yard game and six total touchdowns by the break.

Hoops Recruiting Cassidy on Betsey, Richardson

New content out from our Rivals national team and Rob Cassidy, who mentions UC and both Jace Richardson and Tyler Betsey. Both will officially visit the Bearcats Sept. 23:
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Football UC Release on Gameday

Meant to post this earlier. I got this press release from UC on what to expect if you'll be at the game Saturday:

The University of Cincinnati Athletics Department is excited to welcome fans back to Nippert Stadium for the 2023 football season, Cincinnati's first as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

At this time, we would also like to announce new features to the gameday experience, in addition to reminding fans of other matters. While season tickets are sold out for a second consecutive season, fans can still purchase single-game tickets HERE. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2024 season tickets.

Security

  • The university announced a clear-bag requirement in 2022 for all venues. An update to that policy allows for small clutch or belt bags of a larger size. Fans will be able to bring one clear bag – either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a clear bag tote no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" – AND a small clutch bag or wallet, up to 6" x 9" in size, into on-campus events. More information, as well as a diagram, can be found HERE.

Parking

  • All on-campus parking remains cashless in 2023.
  • Parking on the day of each game is available on a limited basis at Eden Garage for $25.
  • Pre-paid parking is available at Eden Garage or Clifton lots for $23 and can be purchased HERE.
  • ADA parking is available at Woodside Garage on a pre-paid basis. Please note a state licensed placard or license plate is required for entry.

Concessions Upgrades

  • Rhinegeist's Cincy Light, a lager brewed in collaboration with Cincy Reigns benefiting student-athletes, will be served in the stadium, including at Stadium View Cafe located above the north end zone.
  • The expanded gameday perimeter, which was utilized during the final two games of the 2022 season on a test basis, has been made permanent. Fans will have access to TUC and food options such as Chick-Fil-A, Qdoba, and Panda Express without leaving Nippert Stadium. Please note that these options, located inside Gate G, will not be available until the stadium opens to fans two hours prior to kickoff.
  • New collectible souvenir stadium cups are available for purchase inside, featuring the Bearcats' inaugural Big 12 schedule.
  • Other new concession items include, but are not limited to:
    • Ben's Soft Pretzels––handcrafted and served on the concourse above Section 113 in the south end zone
    • Big Cat Sandwich––a one pound pastrami on rye, served in Stadium View Cafe above the north end zone
    • Donatos Pizza returns to Nippert and will be available in Stadium View Cafe above the north end zone
    • Rhinegeist Brewery will expand from one van serving beer to three
    • A variety of food truck options on Victory Plaza above the east concourse
  • Find a concessions map, as well as a variety of other maps, on the 2023 Nippert Stadium A-Z Guide HERE.

Stadium Enhancements

  • An overhauled suite of stadium signage will be installed ahead of opening day. Look for new designs that echo the stadium's history, as well as an improved Ring of Honor.
  • In celebration of Cincinnati's inaugural year in the Big 12, conference flags will fly above Herschede-Shank Pavilion throughout the 2023 season.

Sheakley Lawn Family Zone

  • The Sheakley Lawn Family Zone, located east of Nippert between UC Baseball Stadium and O'Varsity Way, replaces the family area at The Grid.
  • The space is available to fans starting two hours prior to kickoff through the end of the third quarter and will allow families to enjoy activities for all ages from within the stadium's perimeter.
  • The Ford Big Screen will show the game next to interactive inflatables, balloon artists, face painters, caricature artists, and more.

Seatbacks

  • New and improved mesh seatbacks are available now! Bearcat Seats will handle all order and customer service throughout the season. A representative will be present at all games to handle any issues you encounter. Visit BearcatSeats.com to secure your seatback today!

Tagboard

  • Tagboard, a cloud-based platform for videoboard, TV broadcasts, and social media, will allow fans to interact with the gameday experience like never before. The improved "second screen" experience will bring fans additional QR codes, polls, marketing promotions, and more.
  • Post your photos on social media using #Bearcats for a chance to make an appearance on the Nippert Stadium big screen before, during, and after the game.
  • Stay tuned throughout the season for more unique ways to interact!

Broadcast

  • A significant investment in Cincinnati's in-house production team vastly expands capability for both the TV broadcast and the in-stadium videoboard production.
  • Three new Grass Valley broadcast cameras bring the stadium total to eight. Thanks to these cameras and a selection of new lenses, there will be a greater ability to capture the action on the field as well as in all areas of the seating bowl.
  • A new Lectrosonics wireless system enhances functionality for sideline reporters and additional camera and audio coverage around the stadium.
  • New PTZ cameras allow greater functionality and reliability in press conferences.

TUC Perimeter Expansion

  • The expanded gameday perimeter, which was utilized during the final two games of the 2022 season on a test basis, has been made permanent. Fans will have access to TUC and food options such as Chick-Fil-A, Qdoba, and Panda Express without leaving Nippert Stadium.
  • Also included in the expanded perimeter are additional bathroom options, climate-controlled sitting areas, and the UC bookstore.
  • Please note that these locations, accessible from outside the stadium through Gate G, will not be available until the stadium opens to fans two hours prior to kickoff.

ACC Meeting on Expansion

As I've said before, I'm fascinated by all the college conference expansions. I know this one doesn't directly affect UC, but it sounds like the ACC is about to add Cal, Stanford and SMU. Crazy times we live in:

Hoops Recruiting ***INsider: Jase Richardson***

Please do not copy/paste or summarize any portion of this post to other Web sites or message boards, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws and could result in the termination of your Rivals.com subscription per our terms of service. Thank you.
Guys, I've been telling you I've been trying to get a full interview and finally did earlier, with Jase Richardson. Bit of a correction first off, he's officially visiting UC Sept. 23 and will NOT be on campus next weekend. My mistake for adding to the visitors list. I've deleted that section to update it. But lots of other good info here.
Login to view embedded media First off, Richardson told me he's holding to a top eight he released last month of UC, Arkansas, Alabama, Michigan State, USC, San Diego State, Stanford and Virginia. He insists all eight are still in play, but the four he's getting ready to see are Alabama next weekend, Michigan State Sept. 9, UC Sept. 23 and Florida likely Oct. 7. The last one is not quite locked in, but it sounds like it's damn close.

The Bearcats have a very strong chance here. Richardson told me he loves coach Wes Miller, but he's formed a very tight bond with UC four-star commit Tyler McKinley. He cited McKinley as one of the main reasons he's interested in the Bearcats. The other guy who's been working Richardson hard is assistant coach Andre Morgan. He told me that Morgan "brings a different energy to recruiting." Now, that said, I think UC should feel really good here. But I think there's two right there with the Bearcats: Michigan State and Florida.

Michigan State is the obvious, since Richardson's father, Jason Richardson, is from Michigan and played for Tom Izzo and the Spartans from 1999-2001, which included the 2000 national championship. Jase told me the staff talks to him almost every day. But he also likes the way Mich St used its guards last year and he thinks he could also be used similarly.

The one here that caught me off guard was Florida. Our friend Rob Cassidy didn't even mention the Gators in his story last week on Richardson. But Richardson himself called Florida his "dream school" and said he's very intrigued by coach Todd Golden, who's entering his second season there.

I honestly don't know which one he'll pick, but again I think Richardson is favoring UC, Michigan State and Florida, even with the Alabama visit coming up. It's just the way he talks about those three. I'll be keeping tabs on him and I do expect him to decide in mid-October. But I think it's neck and neck with those three.

Full story coming.
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