At 11-2, this is, at least, where I thought the Cincinnati Bearcats would be heading into their first Big 12 schedule. I can explain that prediction in two kinds of light. One one hand, considering where the Bearcats were entering conference play in each of the previous four seasons, 11-2 is good. And it’s more than just winning 11 games against losing just twice. It’s how they’ve looked in starting 11-2. Their offense is averaging 82.1 points per game, shooting 45.7 percent from the floor including 35.1 percent from three-point range and dishing out 17 assists per game to just 10 turnovers. The Bearcats also rank second in the country in rebound margin at +13.6.
But on another hand, I still maintain the same questions about this Bearcats team I have had the entire tenure of their head coach, Wes Miller. Number one is this: what is this team’s identity? This team has a lot of activity to it, especially on the offensive end. That’s good, but when push comes to shove, going into a big game- more on Saturday’s game coming up- what is their identity on offense? Who do they go to when they need a bucket? And I have these questions partially because the Bearcats defense has struggled in their two marquee nonconference games. Aside from those 12 games, the Bearcats defense has largely been good. But when the other team is making shots and stressing the defense, who is there to bail him out on offense? And vice versa, when the shots aren’t falling like they weren’t in the Crosstown Shootout, who steps up on the defensive end to string together stops?
Where the Bearcats are right now at 11-2 is good. But I’m left, once again, wanting more after coming up short in their marquee nonconference games. And that’s not ideal heading into the gauntlet of Big 12 play, which begins Saturday Night at BYU. Speaking of BYU, this game on Saturday is going to be an extremely difficult game for the Bearcats. Welcome to the Big 12, where your first opponent is also a conference newcomer. But you wouldn’t know that by the way they have played through their nonconference schedule. My colleague at TFON Neil Meyer has everything you need to know for tomorrow night’s matchup in his game preview article. And here, I’m going to give you a look at the players to watch for on the BYU Cougars.
