Now lets take a look at the 2022 class that Wes Miller is putting together that Bearcats fans should get to know more as the season comes down the final stretch.
Sage Tolentino- Tolentino a 7 foot tall center from Hamilton High School, here in the Bearcats own backyard will play a huge role from the jump for the Bearcats upon stepping on campus as the Bearcats are set to see Abdul Ado and Hayden Kovel both graduate following the season as both are in their final year of eligibility. Ado, has been the Bearcats starting center/forward the whole season, but seeing someone like Tolentino come into the program is very exciting especially after watching him at Hamilton High School, and seeing what he is capable of doing on both ends of the court.
Daniel Skillings- Skillings a high rising prospect who didnt start playing basketball until his freshman year of high school has probably the most upside as he continues to climb the rankings within the 2022 class, as he now sits 83rd, after previously being ranked 103. Skillings averaging 18.5 points per game was named the 2021-2022 Philadelphia Catholic League MVP earlier today. Skillings provides size and athleticism for a combo 2 guard, but he also has a great shot and the ability to score is so natural to him, Skillings could make an immediate impact when arriving to Cincinnati next season.
Josh Reed- A 6-foot-6 small forward from Pace Academy down in Atlanta, Georgia. Pace is currently ranked 147th in the top 150 of the 2022 class, where he joins Skillings as Wes Miller, and the Bearcats staff has done a tremendous job recruiting in his first season at the head of the program, but like Skillings, Reed brings a lot to the table, a physical forward who can change a game on both ends of the floor, but has really developed during his senior season. A lefty that can be a threat from behind the arch, but can also play inside and get to the basket as well.
The Bearcats will have a lot to look forward to down the stretch as Wes Miller and the Bearcats are looking to make a run down the stretch here of late, as they look to show a lot of teams what they are capable of, especially after starting the season with a big win over Illinois who is currently ranked 12th in the country, but the Bearcats getting the opportunity to have one more shot versus Houston on the road will be tough, but the Bearcats could have a chance as Houston is coming off a bad loss to SMU, the Bearcats really match up well versus the Cougars when it comes to terms of size, but the Bearcats will be looking to revenge their 80-58 loss on March 1st, but for the Bearcats to make the NCAA Tournament they have to go 2-1 on this home stand, as well as wins on the road versus Houston and SMU to end the season as they would need to go at least 5-2 or 6-1 during the final 7 games with wins at Houston, and Memphis to make a splurge within the AAC.
The Bearcats currently sit 16-9 on the season after falling last night to Memphis 81-74, as they were without starting Center Abdul Ado who appeared to roll his ankle versus USF, coach Miller said postgame, which led to the graduate senior missing his first game of the season, which was a huge impact as Memphis super star freshman Jalen Duren really dominated the paint last night. This is something to keep an eye on heading into Wichita State tomorrow night when the Bearcats return to the floor as they look to bounce back in the win column, as they look to approach that 20 win mark down the stretch but in order to do that, the Bearcats would need to win 4 of their next 6 games.
