Yancy Gates News

Darnell Wilks and the no-longer-undermanned Cincinnati Bearcats shook off an early second half rut to pull away from Division II Saginaw Valley State, 86-58, in the first exhibition game of the 2009-10 season in front of over 6,000 excited fans at 5th Third Arena.

Highly-touted freshman Lance Stephenson of Cincinnati has been cleared to compete by the NCAA Eligibility Center and won't sit out any games, greatly enhancing the Bearcats' status as a Big East Conference contender.

The rebuilding process head coach Mick Cronin took over three years ago looks to be coming to an end as he begins his fourth season at the University of Cincinnati.

Deonta Vaughn has been UC's best player in each of Mick Cronin's three seasons. Just ask Deonta Vaughn .

UC Athletics Gives Cronin Two-Year Extension Men's Basketball coach's contract extended through 2014 CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees approved the two-year contract extension for head men's basketball coach Mick Cronin at its scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, Sept.

Coach: Mick Cronin . Last season's record: 18-14 overall, 8-10 in Big East . Postseason: None.

Location: Cincinnati, OH Why they'll make it: Cincinnati returns four starters from a team that at one point late last season, had a legitimate shot at a NCAA tournament berth.

" The 2009-10 University of Cincinnati men's basketball season is highlighted by 10 nationally televised games on the ESPN family of networks and 17 match-ups versus teams that participated in postseason action last March.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, While most of the Pre Season NCAA basketball polls have again predicted great seasons for Kansas, UNC, Texas, or Michigan State, there are always a few teams who fly below the radar and make a deep run into March Madness.

SCOUTING REPORT: Cincinnati 's strengths are its defense and ability to hit the boards.

SCOUTING REPORT: Cincinnati 's strengths are its defense and ability to hit the boards.

SCOUTING REPORT: Cincinnati 's strengths are its defense and ability to hit the boards.

Many times over the past three years, Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin walked up to Deonta Vaughn after another tough loss and put his arm around his star guard.

Sean Kilpatrick offered a preview of things to come at Fifth Third Arena with an eye-opening performance Saturday afternoon for the Slats team in the first semifinal game of the Deveroes Summer Basketball League.

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Yancy Gates had an impressive freshman season at the University of Cincinnati. The 6-foot-9, 255-pound forward scored 10.6 points and grabbed a team-leading 6.1 rebounds per game en route to being named to the Big East All-Rookie Squad.

The psychological impact that highly regarded freshman guard Lance Stephenson makes on the University of Cincinnati basketball program this season could be every bit as important as the statistics he produces.

"Maybe he [David Beckham] is not a leader, maybe he's not a captain. Fair enough.

Lance Stephenson , a 6-foot-6 forward and a 2009 McDonald's High School All-American, has signed a financial aid agreement with the Bearcats and will join the team for the 2009-10 season.

At long last, Lance Stephenson is headed off to college. The Coney Island basketball phenom - still slated to be in Brooklyn Criminal Court on July 15 to face sexual misconduct charges - officially signed a financial-aid agreement with the University of Cincinnati on Tuesday, and is expected to be a Bearcat during the 2009-10 season.