6. I think a big question heading into the season’s final week and the Big 12 Tournament is how long can the Bearcats be without Dan Skillings Jr.. After all, he is this team’s leading scorer.
7. Then again, I think there could be multiple players on this team that could step up in Skillings’s absence. James and Thomas are both dynamic players in the backcourt. Lukosius can give the Bearcats a bucket when they need one. And if Newman can have more offensive performances like the one he had Saturday night down the stretch, this Bearcats team still has a puncher’s chance.
8. Another reason the Bearcats were able to overcome Skillings’s injury and win Saturday night was taking care of the ball. Cincinnati only turned the ball over six times against 17 assists, compared to K-State’s 19 turnovers against 11 assists.
9. In a two-point win, there are always small contributions and moments that lead to wins. Aziz Bandaogo only attempted two free throws, but made both of them. Josh Reed only took one shot, a three-pointer, and made it. Reed also had three rebounds, a block and a steal while Bandaogo pulled down eight rebounds, blocked two shots and had three steals in the win in addition to his six points.
10. Even though the Bearcats got out-rebounded 37-27, they still found other ways to control the game. Cincinnati led for nearly 35 of the 40 minutes and led by as many as 13 points in the second half.
11. I had a conversation with someone on Friday who mentioned the Bearcats could have been worn out by the gauntlet of the Big 12, especially playing six straight games against Top 25 teams to start. That could have been a reason for their three-game losing streak and losing five of six, but to come out Saturday night with a sense of urgency on both ends of the floor was much-needed. The Bearcats knew they were playing for their season, and they came out and saved it.
12. The hope is Cincinnati can move into the Top 10 of the Big 12 standings and not have to play until Wednesday of the Big 12 Tournament. Another reason to not have to play until Wednesday is the Bearcats would get a matchup that would look better on their tournament resume should they win that game. If the Bearcats have to play Tuesday, they would play a team that isn’t as good so it wouldn’t help their tournament resume even with a win.
Here we Stand
Speaking of which, as of Sunday afternoon, the Bearcats are still in 11th place in the Big 12. That means they would currently play Tuesday against 14th-seeded West Virginia in the First Round of the Big 12 Tournament. But again, the goal is to get up to the 10th seed to not have to play until Wednesday and play a team that a win against would look better on their Tournament resume.
Next Game: The Bearcats head on the road for the final time this regular season when they take on the Oklahoma Sooners Tuesday night. The Sooners enter 19-10 overall and 7-9 in Big 12 play, coming off a tough two-point loss to No. 1 Houston Saturday night. Oklahoma beat Cincinnati 69-65 back on January 20th in Fifth Third Arena, so the Bearcats will be looking to avenge that loss and potentially move up in the standings. The game tips off at 8 p.m. on ESPN+ and 700WLW.
