The third season is the most important in a player or coach’s tenure. That’s when they establish themselves as to who they are. Are they elite? Do they elevate their team? Are they good, but not great? Do they have a ceiling? Are they not a fit?
Through Wes Miller’s first two seasons as head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team, there have been some positive developments. But when it comes down to what the Bearcats have achieved, it’s not much. The Bearcats are winless against Houston in six games, and they have gone 2-12 against the top three teams in their conference the last two seasons. Mind you, that was in the American Athletic Conference. Now, the Bearcats are in the Big 12. And oh by the way, Houston is also now in the Big 12.
The Bearcats are now playing in the best college basketball conference in the country. There are some pros and cons that come with that, a pro being greater margin for error when it comes to getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. But the bottom line is this: the Bearcats will be facing much tougher competition this season, and they will have to win some games where they aren’t expected to.
I’m really excited for this season. Obviously, playing in the Big 12 is the most exciting element to this season. It is the best college basketball conference in the country. Every game feels like a tournament game. The quality of teams creates tremendous depth, there are great coaches, there are great environments, the tournament is sold out for every session. There’s a lot to look forward to.
As for the team the Bearcats have, what I’m really interesting in seeing is the marriage of newcomers with several returning players looking to take leaps this year.
Wes Miller hit the transfer portal hard this offseason, and he brought into the program experienced and versatile players.
C.J. Fredrick returns to his hometown to bring that experience and a sharp-shooting game the Bearcats could really utilize. Simas Lukosius brings a versatile game from Butler, also bringing experience from playing in another strong conference in the Big East. Add in Day Day Thomas and the hopeful eligibilities of Jamille Reynolds and Aziz Bandaogo and the Bearcats could be adding a lot to their roster for their deepest team since 2018-19.
Returning this year for the Bearcats is the athletic sophomore Dan Skillings Jr.. The highest recruit in Wes Miller’s first signing class, Skillings closed strong last season with 15 points against Temple in February and then 20 points against them in the AAC Tournament quarterfinals. The Philadelphia native is getting some national attention, with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein pegging him as one of this year’s 20 under-the-radar breakout players for this year.
Also returning for the Bearcats is Viktor Lakhin. Last year’s breakout player for the Bearcats, Lakhin emerged as one of the country’s most efficient scorers. He’s also a tremendous shot blocker. If he can expand his range, the Bearcats frontcourt can be strong enough to compete in the Big 12. If Reynolds and Bandaogo aren’t eligible for some, if not all of, this season, Lahkin will have to carry a heavy workload in the Bearcats frontcourt.
Know the Opponent
The UIC Flames are in their second season in the Missouri Valley Conference, and their fourth season under head coach Luke Yaklich. The Flames finished 11th in the MVC last year, with an overall record of 12-20. Despite losing their top two scorers from a year ago, the Flames have most of their scoring from last year returning.
Their statistics from last year indicate a team that would have finished 12-20 last year. They give up more points than they score, their opponents are better in shooting and rebounding, and they barely had more assists than turnovers themselves.
One thing the Bearcats cannot do this year if they aspire to go back to the NCAA Tournament is lose games like this. Losses in games like this have happened in the past two seasons. They can’t happen this year, especially now being in the Big 12.
Game pick: Bearcats 89 UIC 53
