6. Just going to say this: Houston’s defense is relentless. It looks like there are seven players on the court when the Cougars play defense. I’m not excusing 19 turnovers by the Bearcats, but it looked like the Cougars knew where some of the passes from the Bearcats were heading before they were made.
7. Where was Dan Skillings in the first half? In a game against the No. 1 team in the country, the Bearcats leading scorer took just two shots in the first 20 minutes and didn’t score until the 5:43 mark in the second half. Being the leading scorer comes with the responsibility of stepping up and being a difference maker in games of this caliber. Skillings was not that on Tuesday night. The Bearcats needed him to hit a shot to bail them out of their shooting slump, but he was seemingly nowhere to be found.
8. I’m not sure if I’m the only person to bring this up, but it feels like John Newman hasn’t been the player we all hoped he would be this season. At least recently. He’s a defense-first player, but his offensive output feels non-existent in recent games. Newman only scored three points Tuesday night on 1-of-6 shooting from the field.
9. Love seeing Day Day Thomas and Jizzle James on the floor together. Two guys who create offense on a team that needs it. Thomas did have six assists to just one turnover Tuesday night while James continues to show what a bright future he has with seven points in the second half.
10. I’m happy Viktor Lakhin played 21 minutes and had an impact in the frontcourt. I thought his effort was tremendous in nearly posting a double-double Tuesday night with 11 points and nine rebounds.
11. Speaking of the frontcourt, I’ve been underwhelmed by Aziz Bandaogo of late. At least, I’m left wanting more. He’s a great shot blocker, good at finishing at the rim and a good defender. But I’m left wanting more on offense, especially for a Bearcats team that needs every bit of offensive jolt it can get.
12. Wes Miller was very animated and upbeat when talking about the Bearcats effort on the 700WLW postgame show with Dan Hoard and Terry Nelson. It was like listening to Mike Gundy. I want so bad for what he said to come into fruition.
Here we Stand
Cincinnati is now in 12th place in the Big 12. It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially knowing there have been so many missed opportunities this season. Having to play on Tuesday of the Big 12 Tournament would be a disadvantage, but there’s still time to climb up to the Top 10 of the standings and avoid having to win five games in five days.
Next Game: Cincinnati returns home Saturday night for their first and only regular-season meeting with Kansas State. The Wildcats have quietly snuck up to the middle of the Big 12 standings and sit at 7-8 in Big 12 play. But just saying: the Bearcats next game is in March. And as we all know in March, anything can happen.
