The Cincinnati Bearcats had a very nice 2020 recruiting class that had Gabe Madsen, Mason Madsen, Mike Saunders, Jr., Tari Eason and Viktor Lakhin. Gabe Madsen and Tari Eason have transferred, but every one of the class played minutes last year, but Lakhin. The 6-foot-11, 245 pound freshman was rehabbing a major knee injury during his only year as a Bearcat.
Fast forward to now as the coach who recruited him is no longer the Bearcats coach and he had to see if he fit with the new staff. Nobody knew what to expect with Lakhin besides a few grainy highlight tapes he was a virtual unknown. In then #BearcatNation got to put their eyes on the big man against Evansville. It wasn’t hard to tell after a few times up and down the floor Lakhin had game, he showed nice touch around the rim, good passing, he was quicker than expected and has some sneaky athleticism. In 16 minutes he went 3-of-4 from the floor for seven points, seven rebounds, one block and two steals. Of the four games he’s played in three because of a minor ankle injury. During his three games he’s averaging 15 minutes, 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals, on 73.3% from the field and 57.1% from the line.
Early in the season he is a fan favorite for the people who have watched the Bearcats so far and it is easy to see why. Here is what Wes Miller had to say about the big man, “he’s been even better in practice, he’s been out for about a week with an ankle injury so he didn’t get to play in the second scrimmage, if he continues to work and continues to stay healthy he’s going to be very special.” When your head coach says stuff like this you know what your eyes are telling you isn’t wrong.
Lakhin is a redshirt freshman and he may be the most important member of this roster because of his potential and size. If he can stay healthy his minutes will grow, as well as his numbers and #BearcatNation will continue to love the big man. The Anapa, Russia native has went from unknown to known within weeks and the Bearcat basketball team is better for it.
