The Cincinnati Bearcats, currently holding the No. 19 ranking, are gearing up for their final nonconference basketball game against Grambling State this Sunday at 4 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena. This matchup is particularly significant as it will be the first time the two teams have met on the court. After securing consecutive wins over No. 22 Dayton and rival Xavier, the Bearcats are eager to maintain their momentum against the struggling Tigers.
Entering the game with a record of 9-1, the Bearcats have demonstrated resilience, battling through recent performances marked by lower shooting percentages. During their last game against Dayton, Cincinnati shot just 36.2% from the field but still clinched the victory with strong defensive play, leading by as many as 18 points at one stage. Head coach Wes Miller expressed pride in his team's ability to win even when the offense isn't firing on all cylinders. “I’m proud of the win and our kids,” Miller commented after the game. “We defended our tails off tonight, especially in the first half.”
Despite their recent success, the Bearcats recognize the need for improvement on their shooting. Miller noted, “We’re not humming on offense yet, but we’re coming. We’re getting there.” This assessment reflects the Bearcats' shooting struggles, as they shot just 37.9% overall against Xavier and 36.2% against Dayton, their lowest shooting clips of the season. Their offensive leaders include Simas Lukošius, who averages 15.7 points per game, but is currently experiencing a slump, shooting just 29.4% from three-point range over his last four games.
On the other side of the matchup, the Grambling State Tigers enter with a disappointing 2-9 record, coming off two losses at the HBCU Classic held in Connecticut. Grambling has struggled this season, unable to secure a victory against any Division I teams, making them hungry for redemption against the Bearcats. Their coach, Donté Jackson, has set his team to be competitive against tough opponents, but they will need to find their rhythm quickly. The Tigers suffered defeats against teams like then-No. 24 Ole Miss, where they narrowly lost by just two points (66-64) earlier this season, showcasing their potential to compete against ranked teams.
Grambling's offense is led by guard Antwan Burnett, who is averaging 12.6 points per game. Nonetheless, he missed the last game against Norfolk State, putting additional pressure on the Tigers to find scoring options from their bench. The performance of players like Chilaydrien Newton, who shows impressive shooting numbers, will be pivotal as the Tigers look to upset the Bearcats.
The Bearcats will aim to extend their home winning streak, currently at six games, and depending on their own offensive performance, they could establish their foothold before entering the Big 12 conference play. A victory over Grambling would propel Cincinnati to 10 wins before the new year, continuing the program's trend established under Miller’s leadership over the last few seasons. Cincinnati holds strong at both the offensive and defensive ends, averaging 79 points per game and allowing only 59.5 points on the other end.
Miller highlighted the importance of developing their game against Grambling State, which may serve to refine their tactics and boost shooting confidence before facing tougher challenges. He elaborated, “If these guys keep working and we can continue to grow our defense, I think we have a lot of good basketball to play.”
Sunday’s game not only marks the last nonconference contest for the Bearcats but also offers fans another chance to see their team before heading off for the holiday break. The matchup promises to be a riveting encounter, as Cincinnati looks to leverage their strong season against a Grambling team eager to prove its mettle.
With the anticipation building, fans and players alike are eager for tip-off as the Bearcats seek to continue their successful run and sharpen their skills for the upcoming challenges within the Big 12 conference.
