Cincinnati Bearcats basketball opens Big 12 campaign Monday night at Kansas State

Posted by author December 29, 2024 Basketball

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It’s been 57 years since the Cincinnati Bearcats have played Kansas State in Kansas and 62 years since the two teams last met in Manhattan a/k/a “The Little Apple.”

Sure, the Bearcats beat Coach Jerome Tang’s Wildcats last March in Big 12 play, but that was at Fifth Third Arena. In 2017, Mick Cronin’s Bearcats beat them in the NCAA tournament in Sacramento. Before that, you have to go back to the 1960s when UC was in the Missouri Valley Conference and Kansas State was a member of the Big Eight.

Last year, both teams flirted with NCAA bids but were eventually bounced to the NIT. The Wildcats lost in the first round to Iowa and finished 19-15. UC made the NIT quarterfinals losing to Indiana State to drop to 22-15 for the season.

Kansas State returns one player from its 74-72 loss at UC last March 2; the Bearcats have five back, including three starters. At 10-1 UC is ranked No. 17 in the AP and USA Today coaches poll and another one will be out by the time they tip with Kansas State Monday night.

All Big 12 road games are challenging

Of their 19 wins last season, Kansas State was 15-3 at Bramlage Coliseum. This season they are 4-2. Like the Bearcats, the Wildcats have some basketball history making four Final Four appearances to UC’s six.

“Win or lose, there’s no time to celebrate or get sad about a loss,” UC’s Dillon Mitchell said. “You’ve got to learn from the win, learn from the loss, whatever it is and be ready for the next game. Every game in the Big 12 is a championship game. It doesn’t matter the record, it doesn’t matter the rankings, every game in the Big 12 is going to be a good game no matter home or away.”

Kansas State resumé

The Wildcats and Bearcats share a common opponent in Arkansas-Pine Bluff. UC played them to open the season and won 109-54. Kansas State’s last win was against UAPB Dec. 1, 120-73. The Wildcats have dropped three straight. Their five losses this season have come against LSU, Liberty, St. John’s, Drake and Wichita State.

3 keys for Cincinnati Bearcats to beat Kansas State

The last two games UC’s held its opponents to their season-lows, holding Dayton to 59 points and Grambling State to 49. Kansas State has twice been held to 65 points (by LSU and Wichita State) and lost both games. They last played Saturday, Dec. 21.

2. Cincinnati Bearcats must overcome Big 12 crowd factor

Honestly, this is a must in every road game. They may catch a break with a Dec. 30 game before Kansas State students return to class. K-State’s last two home games also were not sellouts. Things will certainly pick up, but UC could be in a worse predicament on the road than this one.

3. Don’t let Kansas State’s Brendan Hausen bury 3-pointers

The Wildcats shoot over 20 trifectas a game and actually made 20 of them in their UAPB win. Their low game was a 3-for-21 effort vs. Mississippi Valley State that they still won by 18 points. Hausen hits 43% from deep and is a transfer from Villanova.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats

Tip: Monday, 7 p.m. (Eastern) Bramlage Coliseum (11,654)

TV/Radio: CBS Sports Network/700WLW

Series: UC leads 8-1 (UC won 74-72, March 2, 2024)

Kansas State scouting report

Record: 6-5

Coach: Jerome Tang (second season, 51-30)

Offense: 78.1 ppg

Defense: 71 ppg

Projected starting lineup

(Position, Height, Stats)

Brendan Hausen (G, 6’4″, 13.9 ppg)

David N’guessan (Wing, 6’9″, 13.6 ppg)

Max Jones (G, 6’4″, 8.7 ppg)

Coleman Hawkins (Wing, 6’10”, 9.2 ppg)

David Castillo (G, 6’1′, 3.4 ppg)

Cincinnati Bearcats scouting report

Record: 10-1

Coach: Wes Miller (fourth season, 73-44, 258-179 overall)

Offense: 79.5 ppg

Defense: 58.5 ppg

Projected starting lineup

(Position, Height, Stats)

Simas Lukošius (G-F, 6’8″, 14.9 ppg)

Jizzle James (G, 6’3″, 12 ppg)

Dillon Mitchell (F, 6’8″, 11.4 ppg)

Dan Skillings Jr. (G-F, 6’6″, 10.2 ppg)

Aziz Bandaogo (C, 7′, 9.6 ppg)

Players to watch

Kansas State’s Brendan Hausen was a known shooter at Villanova and is over 43% from long range for the Wildcats. He has made six 3-pointers in a game twice this season against Cleveland State and St. John’s.

UC”s Dan Skillings Jr. is getting close to top form as he matched his season-high of 17 in the six-point win over Dayton. Plus, when he’s in the game, the Bearcats have a trio of high flyers able to score at the rim when you factor in Dillon Mitchell and Aziz Bandaogo.