Women’s BBall: Miller, Thomas named Preseason Second Team; Bearcats Selected Third

I had to show the women’s team some love on AAC Media Day! Congrats to Miller and Thomas for their preseason accolades!

Per GoBearcats:

Announced Monday at American Athletic Conference (AAC) Basketball Media Day, University of Cincinnati women’s basketball was selected to finish in a tie for third in the 12-team league. In addition, senior guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) and junior forward IImar’I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) were both tabbed for the preseason all-conference second team.

Chosen by the league’s head coaches, the predicted finish is the highest the Bearcats have ever received in their seven years in The American, while the preseason all-conference accolades are the first since Alyesha Lovett received second team all-AAC honors in 2014.

Miller started all 35 games last season, averaging team bests of 13.6 points and 5.2 assists per game as the Bearcats enjoyed an historic run to the quarterfinals of the postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). She scored in double figures 30 times on the year, including a career-best 25 points at TCU in the WNIT quarterfinals. Following the 2018-19 AAC season, Miller collected second team all-conference postseason honors.

Thomas played in all 35 games, starting 24, averaging 12.9 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds per contest. A vital component during the Red & Black’s history-making season, she scored in double figures 25 times, led the team in scoring 13 times, and recorded six double-doubles. For her efforts, Thomas was picked first team all-AAC – the first time UC has had a first team all-conference postseason honoree since 2003.

2019-20 AAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll

Place (First place votes) Points

1. UConn (11)                          121
2. USF                                      107
T-3. UCF (1)                             96
T-3. Cincinnati                        96
5. Houston                              81
6. Temple                                68
7. Tulane                                 59
8. Memphis                             42
9. Wichita State                      37
10. Tulsa                                  33
11. ECU                                   31
12. SMU                                  21