Bearcat Comparison

Being a native of Cincinnati as well as a graduate of IU, I can't help but compare the plight of the two schools recently in regard to their basketball programs.  Both lost high-profile troubled coaches that could obviously coach, but had a tough time following the rules.  Both have a rich history of basketball success.  Both play in tough leagues and were seriously crippled by the downfall of the former regime, and now both have young and positive coaches to replace their predecessors.

One has to feel that the Hoosiers are in a slightly better spot for a few reasons: 1) IU is the bigger program in reality - more donors, more money to throw at the problem, etc.  UC is revamping their facilities and the Big East money helps, but IU has more riches from what I know. 2) The Big 10 is not as tough a league as the Big East, and IU should be able to bounce back and be more competitive more quickly.  This leads to a better record, more NCAA appearances, more money, more recruiting, etc. 3) Though I love Mick Cronin, it's undeniable that he is still an unproven coach, especially when compared to someone like Crean.

In any event, this basketball fan hopes both programs can bounce back and regain their status as national contenders.

As a Cincinnati fan I'd pick at some of the arguments. What rules was Huggins not following? He had the embarrassing DUI and a temper. Otherwise, I don't remember any big scandals. And Cincy's "rich" history was 25 years old and gathering dust when Huggins lifted the program up and made it a national player.

Now Huggins is gone and it was a quick drop back to where the program languished in the 70s and 80s until Huggins came along.

Perhaps that's what the fans wanted.

I think the general premise of the post is accurate.  Plus, Cincinnati was placed on probation in '98-'99 and '99-'00 seasons as a result of violations outlined here:

http://www.ncaa.org/releases/infractions/1998/19981
10502in.htm

On the otherhand, Bob Kinght may have not followed generally accepted rules of society, but  he never received any NCAA penalties.