Guys, to follow up an earlier INsider, here's the full story on a recent UC offer, Juan Powell:
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Hell of a comeback tonight by UC, down at one point by 18:
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Highlights and recap from Cincinnati's win Saturday night:
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Guys, I just spoke with one of the many new offers UC has given out recently, Douglass (Ga.) 2019 ATH Juan Powell. The Bearcats offered him on Tuesday. Powell said he's up to 6 offers, the other most recently from Syracuse.

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I'll start by saying Powell isn't much of a talker. I had to ask him 3-4 questions to get the same info that I'd ask other guys one question. Seems like a good kid, just doesn't really talk.

Powell couldn't remember the Cincinnati coach who offered, which might say something, but said he did like talking to him. The Bearcats have told Powell he could play either side of the ball, but it sounds like the preference is for cornerback. Powell played wide receiver, quarterback, running back and cornerback this past fall. Also, he told me he's considering business or engineering as his major, so keep that in mind.

With Syracuse, Powell did tell me "It meant a lot to get that offer." He also likes that the Orange would let him play on both sides of the ball. Interestingly, Powell said he thinks running back is his best position.

Powell said he's visiting Tennessee and Syracuse next month for junior days but he can't remember the dates. And the only visits he's taken recently were to Georgia Tech in the fall for practice and last month to Alabama for bowl practice. Powell said he does want to visit Cincinnati this spring.

Full story coming.

I expect this kid to blow up soon...

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Guys, below are the highlights/recap, as well as post game press conference from the Bearcats' win:
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He is a kid with huge upside, but he will have a really hard time qualifying.

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Add another award for Clark, who's been rock solid for UC of late:
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Wasn't pretty for more than half of the game, but the Berarcats still ran away from East Carolina in the second half for an 86-60 win Saturday:
Recap & Highlights:
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Post game presser:
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Guys, still trying to get further confirmation, but we've had a very good source inform us that Cincinnati could be in better position than most have thought with a four-star kid for 2018. And it's a local kid.

Winton Woods (OH) four-star LB Chris Oats had previously set up an official visit with Michigan State for this weekend. But it sounds like, he didn't make it.

Instead, we're told he's been at UC this weekend. And tonight, he's staying at the hotel where the Bearcats have their official visit recruits stay. If true, this would certainly be surprising.

We'll monitor this situation more, but again, this would be a big development for the Bearcats.

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Guys, just to follow my INsider from the other night, here's the full story on Gordon. Cincinnati in good early position, but he's not even into his recruitment much until basketball season is over:
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From the Bearcats' win Tuesday night. Post game video coming:
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Guys, I caught up just a few minutes ago with one of the Bearcats' latest offers, 2019 Sidney (OH) athlete Andre Gordon. Cincinnati offered him Monday as a quarterback.

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The biggest thing with Gordon is he's not even sure which sport he wants to play in college. For football, Gordon has offers from UC, Iowa State, Syracuse and Toledo. Basketball is much lower offers, but they're from Toledo, Grand Canton, Wright State and Cleveland State, all as a point guard. Syracuse is as an athlete, other football offers are for quarterback.

As far as UC goes, Gordon said he visited for the UCF game and the SMU game. He mentioned the close proximity to where he's from and that he liked the atmosphere. Assistant coach Doug Phillips made the offer and Gordon said he appreciated that Phillips told him he wanted to be as close to Gordon as he and his dad are. Also, Gordon liked that Phillips told him they want him to come in for quarterback, but that he can play wide receiver if he wanted to.

I did ask Gordon about Toledo, since that's the one school to offer him for both sports. He said he hasn't looked into the Rockets a ton, but likes how they use their quarterback, including the success this past fall. Cincinnati's football staff has also told Gordon there's a possibility he could play both sports at UC, but he hasn't talked to the basketball staff.

No visits planned right now, since Gordon is in the middle of basketball season. Full story coming.

Release today from UC:

University of Cincinnati men’s basketball head coach Mick Cronin will be featured in an upcoming episode of CBS Sports Network’s “Men of March” series Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 11:30 p.m. ET.

The episode gives a rare, behind-the-scenes look of the 12th-year coach of the Bearcats and will feature a sit-down interview with Cronin conducted by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. Cronin discusses his coaching career, personal life and his toughest challenges both on and off the court.

Watch a clip from the show here: https://cbs.box.com/s/cnyrjcfnz8jzaexkhzeoon2w9qcwzzuy

A complete listing of air dates of the Cronin episode follows:

Tuesday, Jan. 16 - 11:30 p.m. ET (Premiere)

Wednesday, Jan. 17 - 1:00 a.m. ET

Friday, Jan. 19 - 1:00 a.m. ET

Friday, Jan. 19 - 11:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, Jan. 21 - 8:00 a.m. ET

Wednesday, Jan. 24 - 1:00 a.m. ET

Thursday, Jan. 25 - 10:30 a.m. ET

Friday, Jan. 26 - 1:30 a.m. ET

The “Men of March” series highlights coaches of the NCAA tournament from the nation’s marquee programs.

Guys, following up my INsider from the other day. Not saying he'll commit, but Harris said he will be at UC today. So definitely at least be mindful of that. Based on our talk and his actions of only visiting UC last fall (twice), I'd say the Bearcats are the clear favorite:
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Good breakdown from our friend Corey Evans, who spent yesterday in Dayton at the Flyin' To The Hoops event to see a lot of big recruits. Two of those are being given a closer look by the Bearcats:
https://cincinnati.rivals.com/news/flyin-to-the-hoop-evans-saturday-takeaways-2

Impressive performance by UC in the second half Saturday after a lousy one in the first half:
Game highlights and recap:
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Mick Cronin post game:
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Just following up my INsider, full story on three-star CB Daraun McKinney:
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Guys, I know it's still very new news about Mike Mickens joining the Cincinnati staff as cornerbacks coach. But he's already going to work for the Bearcats in recruiting, including with Wayne (OH) three-star cornerback Justin Harris.

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As you guys might remember, Mickens went to Wayne, so there's a connection. Harris said he's known Mickens since he was 6 or 7 years old. Harris said it does help with the background he has with Mickens and that the coach knows where he comes from. But Harris also told me, "It doesn’t have a whole lot of impact, but you’re more familiar and comfortable."

That said, it still sounds like UC is the favorite. Harris went to two Bearcats games last fall, for the UCF and Tulane games. So he's been interested for a while. Harris told me, "I’m sold on 'em because Coach Fickell came from being with Urban Meyer at Ohio State. I think it’ll be home for me because I love the atmosphere."

Most important, Harris will be back at UC on Monday for junior day. So he'll see the Bearcats for a third time before he sees anyone else, which is significant. I think Harris wants to be around Mickens more, which makes sense, and the staff. I'll try to touch base with him Monday after the visit to see how it went.

Harris has six total offers so far. Cincinnati was first, after Kentucky. In order of the offer coming, Harris said it was Toledo, Indiana, Iowa State and Bowling Green. Junior days are set for Toledo Jan. 27 and Indiana later this spring, though Harris couldn't remember the date.

Full story coming.

Guys, I've confirmed reports elsewhere that former Cincinnati cornerback Mike Mickens is back on the Bearcats' staff as the defensive backs coach. He replaces Willie Martinez, who left last month for Central Florida.

"Definitely glad to be home!" Mickens messaged me earlier.

We were also joking about how he can get Skyline Chili anytime now.

"Yes indeed! That's a must have!" he messaged me. Overall, though, Mickens said he's thrilled to be back in the Queen City and is still "getting situated" with the move.

Nothing official yet, as Mickens said he's waiting to have everything cleared with UC's human relations. But that's just a formality at this point.

Guys, I had an INsider recently, but the full story on three-star Jayden McDonald. Sounds like the Bearcats are a long shot. Iowa and Ole Miss are the two leaders:
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Guys, I spoke just a little while ago with River Rouge (Mich.) 2019 three-star cornerback Daraun McKinney. Last we heard was when our buddy Josh Helmholdt spoke with him back in October, shortly after UC offered. Indiana offered around the same time and Northern Illinois came later in the fall.

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McKinney said he still has not been to UC, but said "It's definitely one I'm looking into." Assistant coach Willie Martinez was the primary recruiter until he left for UCF. McKinney said he's heard from coach Luke Fickell himself since then and hears from the support staff almost daily. So it's tough for McKinney to get a good vibe again until he gets to UC and/or Paul Haynes gets in with him. But Haynes is also evaluating to make sure he wants him. But the Bearcats are for sure trying to get McKinney down for a junior day, to get he and Haynes together.

Indiana is also in a decent spot and should get a junior day visit soon. But the one junior day McKinney has set is Jan. 15 to Eastern Michigan. So he's keeping an open mind, with schools like in the MAC.

No other visits set right now, but expect him to get to Cincy over the next month or so. Full story coming.

Guys, I just hopped off of the AAC's weekly teleconference, to talk with coach Mick Cronin. Not a lot of time allotted, so nothing really earth-shattering. But did say he's not really surprised by anything and had a ton of high praise (as you would expect) about Gary Clark.

Full audio and transcript to come. I'll link it on this thread, but happy to answer any questions you have as well.