Assessing peaks, valleys of Cincinnati Bearcats 2023-24 basketball season

One week after their second consecutive loss in the NIT quarterfinals, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team had lost a post player to the transfer portal while trying to navigate new NIL waters to sustain their current roster.

Gone is 6-foot-11 Russian post Viktor Lakhin who led the team in scoring much of the season before falling into an abyss of injuries and ineffectiveness that sent him to the bench and ultimately to the portal. More could enter and the Bearcats, like most schools, are scouring the portal like a retiree looking for yard sales.

All the while, UC coach Wes Miller, now 63-43 in three seasons, is trying to keep a nucleus of the talent that won 22 games and made it to the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament in their first season in the league.

The following is a recap of this past season’s peaks and valleys, as well as how their roster management has gone.

Cincinnati Bearcats guard Day Day Thomas (1) celebrates with John Newman III (15) and the team in UC’s blowout win over Georgia Tech last Nov. 22.

Peaks

Nov. 22, 2023 – UC blows out Georgia Tech from the ACC 89-54, pulling away after leading by eight at halftime. The Bearcats knock down 14 triples.

Jan. 6, 2024 – UC wins their Big 12 opener at No. 12 BYU, 71-60 after trailing by seven at half. It was the first of six straight games against teams ranked in the Top 25.

Feb. 3, 2024 – UC wins at No. 15 Texas Tech 75-72 after being down one point at half.

Feb. 17, 2024 – The Bearcats win in Orlando vs. UCF 76-74. after dropping consecutive games at Fifth Third Arena to No. 5 Houston and No. 10 Iowa State. Since it was on the road, it counts as a Quad 1 win, their third of the season.

March 2, 2024 – UC stops a three-game skid winning at home vs. Kansas State 74-72 on a late 3-pointer from Simas Lukošius.

March 9, 2024 – On Senior Day, UC makes up for an embarrassing early loss at West Virginia by wiping the floor with the Mountaineers, 92-56. Former coach Bob Huggins attends and wears…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/assessing-peaks-valleys-cincinnati-bearcats-041919482.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-04-04 04:19:19

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