Cincinnati Info
Head Coach: Mick Cronin
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Conference: American Athletic Conference
Nickname: Bearcats
Mascots: Bearcat
Last time out: Beat Southeastern Louisiana
Typical Rotation Depth: 8-9 players
Line: Cincinnati by 14.5
Fun Fact: The Bearcat nickname came about during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats in 1914 where someone came up with the nickname "Baehr-Cats" after the last name of their starting fullback
Possible Starters
Huskers
32 Benny Parker G 5-9 175 Sr.
0 Tai Webster G 6-4 196 Jr.
3 Andrew White III G 6-7 216 Jr.
31 Shavon Shields G/F 6-7 225 Sr.
24 Jake Hammond F 6-10 235 Soph
Bearcats
10 Troy Caupain 6-4 205 Jr
21 Farad Cobb 6-1 170 Sr
24 Shaq Thomas 6-7 210 Sr
11 Gary Clark 6-8 235 So
2 Octavius Ellis 6-10 235 Sr
Player to Watch: Farad Cobb
Cobb has led the way for a shooting revival for a Cincinnati team that has struggled to score for years. His blistering 16-28 (57.1%) 3pt shooting leads a team knocking down over 40% from downtown.
The Skinny
Besides us being able to handle easy opponent's recently, this tournament and it's 2 games in 24 hours are a major part of why guys like Shields and White have barely played 20 minutes in the last couple of games. The Huskers draw the best team in the group in Cincinnati but Tennessee nor George Washington figures to be easy.
Mick Cronin thinks this might be his best team at Cincy and so far the numbers back that up. The Bearcats have always been a physical and pressing team but this year they're also making shots in addition to wearing down opponents. Cincinnati brings back 6 of their 7 leading scorers from last year and has added a couple of impressive freshmen. The only knock against them so far is they haven't played anyone but cupcakes at home. Nebraska represents the first test for a team with major NCAA tournament aspirations.
Cincinnati represents the type of size and talent that the Huskers will see most nights in the Big 10. While Nebraska eventually wilted under the pressure and crowd of Villanova, that game in Philly showed that Nebraska isn't going to be intimidated by teams, especially in what should be a dead environment like the Barclay Center.
The keys for the Huskers will be to pick and choose when to attack the Cincy press, to stay out of foul trouble, and to make some shots. Nebraska has a chance if they can pack the paint and the Bearcats are cold from outside. It's probably not going to happen tonight.
Prediction: Cincinnati 75 - Nebraska 62
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