Cincinnati goes into season with primarily new roster as it looks to contend in Big 12
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Cincinnati (19-16, 7-13 Big 12)
Wes Miller goes into his fifth season leading a Bearcats program that has not made the NCAA Tournament since Mick Cronin’s final season in 2019. Jizzle James, UC’s leading scorer last season at 12.7 points per game, was dismissed from the program in August, but Miller rebuilt the roster by leading heavily on the transfer portal. Miller though will need to show progress to a fan base not used to long stretches between March Madness appearances.
Players to watch
With James’ dismissal, Day Day Thomas is the leading returning scorer at 10.2 points per game. The rest of the starting lineup will be newcomers. … G Kerr Kriisa is at his fourth school in four years. He struggled last season at Kentucky, averaging 4.4 ppg, but has the versaility to start at either backcourt spot. … F Jalen Haynes averaged 14.1 points at George Mason.
Departures and arrivals
Baba Miller and Moustapha Thiam provide plenty of size in the frontcourt. The 6-foot-11 Miller averaged 11.3 points and 7.0 rebounds at Florida Atlantic. At 7-foot-2, Thiam averaged a Big-12 best 2.6 blocks per game at UCF last season and was the only freshman from a Power Four school to average at least 10 points (10.4), five rebounds (6.4) and 2.5 blocks per contest. … Baylor transfer Jalen Celestine has versatility at either guard or forward.
Top games
The Bearcats open on Nov. 3 against Western Carolina. The non-conference slate is more challenging compared to previous years. There is the usual Crosstown Showdown against Xavier on Dec. 5, but the Bearcats will be challenged against Dayton (Nov. 11), No. 11 Louisville (Nov. 21) and neutral-site games against Georgia (Dec. 13) and Clemson (Dec. 21). UC hosts second-ranked Houston in the Big 12 opener on Jan. 3.
Facts and figures
Freshman guards Shon Abaev and Keyshuan Tillery were both consensus Top 50 picks, and should challenge for time in Miller’s rotation. … The basketball program is celebrating its 125th season. … Louisville and Cincinnati have not met since the 2022 Maui Invitational.
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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball