We’re on to Cincinnati. It’s nothing about the past. It’s nothing about the future. It’s right now we’re preparing for Cincinnati.
the daily #207 | 2/27/2024 | Archives
Cincinnati Overview
The Bearcats were exactly who I thought they were when UH visited Cincinnati a few weeks ago. Coach Wes Miller has done a nice job building a roster similar to Houston’s. He has tough-minded big men who crash the boards hard on both ends. He has electric guards that can score in multiple ways. And he has a few guys that can shoot the long ball. Cincinnati gave the Coogs fits at their place, leading at the half and keeping the game close until the end, when the Coogs escaped with a 67-62 road win.
Since playing the Coogs on February 10, the Bearcats have been struggling. They are 1-3 with losses to Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and TCU, with the lone win over UCF by two points on the road. Cincinnati is a team built tough and will not back down entering Fertitta Center. Houston fans must bring that usual Fertitta Center energy for Tuesday night’s “White Out” game.
Head of the Snake
Dan Skillings Jr. is my new “Head of the Snake” for Cincinnati. I still like Aziz Bandaogo, but Skillings gave the Coogs fits in Cincinnati and has been their go-to guy since he entered the starting lineup a few weeks ago. Skillings is a talented, athletic guard who is a three-level scorer. He is at his best when he can get to the rim, but he did make a couple of three-point baskets at their place. I expect the UH will have a plan to slow him down on Tuesday evening.
Cincinnati Offense
Cincinnati is not an elite offensive team. They do a great job of getting extra opportunities via offensive rebounding. They have several guys that can score in numerous ways, but none average over 12 points per game.
- They ran a successful set-play twice. When the Coogs blitzed the pick and roll, they quickly passed the ball high above the wing, then threw an ally-oop to Bandaogo for a couple of dunks:
- UC is 32nd nationally in bench points per game (27.6 ppg);
- They are tenth in offensive rebounds per game (14.0 rpg). Houston is #7 at (14.4);
Cincinnati Defense
Cincinnati is an excellent rebounding team. They hurt the Cougars in Cincinnati on the offensive glass, giving themselves extra opportunities (UH was also pretty good on the offensive glass).
I’m sure Kelvin Sampson has had the rebounding bubble on the rim at practice leading up to this game and has challenged players to keep the Bearcats off the boards. Cincinnati also struggled to keep the Coogs out of the paint (38 points) via driving guards or feeding the post. If I were part of the UH staff, I would make it a point of emphasis to keep attacking the paint until they prove they can stop it.
- UC has only played half-court, man-to-man defense in any of the games I’ve watched;
- They are #9 nationally in rebounding margin, averaging eight rebounds more than their opponents per game;
- Ranked #15 in total rebounds per game, averaging 40.41;
