The Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team will commence their Big 12 Conference schedule this Saturday at 2 p.m. The Bearcats are set to face the eighth-ranked Houston Cougars at Fifth Third Arena. The game will be broadcast live on FOX and 700 WLW, as well as through the TuneIn app. Fans are invited to wear black to support their team during this significant matchup.
Celebrating 125 Years of Cincinnati Basketball
This season marks the 125th anniversary of the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball program. Over the next year, the team will celebrate its illustrious history and the contributions of its iconic players. Since its inception in the 1901-02 season, Cincinnati men’s basketball has established itself as a premier program. The Bearcats have achieved:
- 44 All-Americans
- 41 conference titles
- Six Final Four appearances
- Back-to-back national championships
Defensive Prowess and Statistical Strength
Cincinnati holds an impressive defensive record. They allow only 65.5 points per game, which places them seventh in the nation for adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Their other key defensive stats include:
- Fourth in non-steal turnover percentage (11.0%)
- Fifth in opponent offensive rebound percentage (23.0%)
- Ninth in block percentage (16.3%)
Offensively, the Bearcats are playing at a quick pace, ranking 27th nationally in average offensive possession length at 15.4 seconds. Their opponents average 17.7 seconds per possession, ranking 264th in pace.
In terms of Big 12 rankings, Cincinnati is seeing success with:
- Second in blocks per game (5.4)
- Third in opponent field goal percentage (39.1%)
- Third in opponent 3-point percentage (30.0%)
- Fourth in turnovers forced per game (15.08)
Key Players to Watch
Senior forward Baba Miller has been spectacular this season. Despite missing two games, he leads the Big 12 with seven double-doubles, 8.82 defensive rebounds per game, and a defensive rebounding percentage of 33.1%. Graduate guard Day Day Thomas also stands out, ranking third in the Big 12 with a 46.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, and leads the conference with a 94.4% free-throw rate.
History and Recent Matchups
The Bearcats have a competitive edge in the historic series against the Cougars, leading 33-17 overall and 17-4 at home. However, Houston has dominated recent contests, winning 12 straight games, including their latest meeting on March 1, 2025, where Houston claimed a 73-64 victory. In that match, Day Day Thomas scored 19 points for Cincinnati.
About Houston Cougars
Led by head coach Kelvin Sampson, Houston enters this game with a strong 12-1 record and ranks No. 8 nationally in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls. Their standout players include:
- Emanuel Sharp: 17.0 points per game
- Kingston Flemings: 15.3 points per game
- Milos Uzan: 11.1 points per game
Houston leads the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing just 60.0 points per game, ranking them third nationally.
This Saturday’s Big 12 opener promises to be an exciting contest as Cincinnati looks to build on its rich legacy against a formidable Houston team.
