Scouting report: Cincinnati Bearcats basketball faces Dayton at Heritage Bank Center

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The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout is over and one obstacle is out of the way for the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball program. Now, a second area team awaits with a stronger resumé than Xavier.

For the second straight year, the UC Bearcats will play the Dayton Flyers in Cincinnati and could be outnumbered based on last year’s ticket sales. The Simple Truth Hoops Classic presented by CareSource comes to Heritage Bank Center Friday where 12,547 watched the Flyers knock down the Bearcats 82-68 last year. The game again is not included in either team’s season ticket packages.

Cincinnati Bearcats guard Day Day Thomas (1) drives on Dayton Flyers guard Javon Bennett (0) in last year’s game at Heritage Bank Center won by Dayton 82-68.

Cincinnati Bearcats, Dayton Flyers both ranked

The recent rankings of both teams enhance the game. UC went up to No. 19 in the latest Associated Press poll, with Dayton entering at No. 22. The USA Today Coaches poll has the Bearcats at No. 20 and Dayton at No. 24. The last time UC was ranked and played a ranked team was the March 17, 2019 American Athletic Conference championship game in Memphis, when the 22nd-ranked Bearcats defeated No. 11 Houston 69-57.

Wes Miller’s squad has not played a ranked team this season, while head coach Anthony Grant and the Flyers will be facing their fifth Top 25 opponent. Their only two losses came in the Maui Invitational, dropping a two-point game to No. 12 North Carolina and a five-point affair to No. 5 Iowa State. Before they left the island they wiped the floor with No. 2 Connecticut, the defending national champion. 85-67.

On Saturday, after UC prevailed in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout over Xavier, Dayton defeated No. 6 Marquette 71-63. Tuesday, they hosted UNLV and needed a late three-point play from guard Malachi Smith to beat the Runnin’ Rebels 66-65.

“Give that staff credit for the retention which we all know is difficult in this era of college basketball,” UC coach Wes Miller said. “They…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/scouting-report-cincinnati-bearcats-basketball-161928071.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-12-19 16:19:00

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