Evansville 12/29 7:00 ESPN+

[Rufus]

That there is the very "pickle" UC finds itself. Out of the three best defenders who are willing to play defense, two are no threat on offense or have shown no ability to be so. Newman is our best defender and can score both outside and inside. Oguama is our only frontcourt player willing to play defense (Aziz has been limited thus far ) and Reed is a great defensive player but his offense is strictly from the three from what's been on tape thus far in his career and is sporadic. And the player who has shown any Eric Hicks type of attitude to be a rebounder has a tendency to get beat on defense. When Miller installs for defense the offense suffers and when our offense is installed the defense is non existent. Vik has been told these past 2+ years to play apprehensively in order to keep his fouls down as He was our only threat to score down low, but the Dayton game was an eye opener in the lack of defense from Vik. In my opinion Vik needs to be convinced to play defense and to not think about fouls and so He and Jamille need to be starters and communicate on defense. You can sub in Aziz and Ody to obtain "fouls". In my thinking you got two bodies that need playing time so make their time more useful by obtaining fouls. Newman needs to start and guard the "shooter" Day Day and JJ both need to penetrate more to not only dish off, pass out to the wing, but to get fouled too. I remember when getting the opponents players in foul trouble was a viable game strategy. That's how UC became to known as thugs because of our aggressiveness. Day Day seemed to take the hint on his defensive skill set against EU so these others need to get more aggressive also. Then we need our frontcourt to extensively trained on boxing out, setting screens, and learning the art of rebounding which should be a part of everyday practice already. The potential is in place but I'm really dismayed that it has taken these players this long to grasp the concept of guarding the other guy. And I'm dismayed in that Miller has tolerated it for so long. As someone in an earlier post said this all comes down to coaching.

[leeraymond]

I love Vik but he's a finesse guy. I'll certainly take the offense he gives because he's definitely got skills in the lane and outside it.

Reynolds dunks everything he can. Old school Bearcat basketball.

Bandaogo is the post defender on the team but I think the team lacks team defense when he's on the floor because they funnel the ball to him and expect him to erase everything.

Ody doesn't fit in with these guys. And I like Ody. He's a high energy guy who nevers quits on defense or the boards but he's subpar on offense. Ody came back knowing he might get his minutes reduced and I hope the fans recognize that on Senior Day. He deserves all the applause for sticking it out.

Yeah. I like Oguama too. What is funny is that UC is a better defensive team when he is in the game. In terms of points given up, opponents' shot attempts, shots made, and shooting percentage, when Oguama starts a game all of those defensive numbers are better. If you do not believe it, check out the numbers for yourself. I did not include the Stetson game, which Oguama started, because he only played 11 minutes that game and Reynolds played 20 minutes. When Oguama plays 20 minutees or so, UC is a pretty good defensive team. UC is REALLY going to need his defense in BIG 12 play. However, Miller thinks that defense is secondary to offense. Oguama DESERVES more minutes. The team is better when he plays substantial minutes.

[Lobot]

I do wonder how the frontcourt shakes out. I think both Reynolds and Bandaogo on top of Lakhin and Oguama could get crowded. So if Bandaogo is out a bit longer, Reynolds can shine.

I love Vik but he's a finesse guy. I'll certainly take the offense he gives because he's definitely got skills in the lane and outside it.

Reynolds dunks everything he can. Old school Bearcat basketball.

Bandaogo is the post defender on the team but I think the team lacks team defense when he's on the floor because they funnel the ball to him and expect him to erase everything.

Ody doesn't fit in with these guys. And I like Ody. He's a high energy guy who nevers quits on defense or the boards but he's subpar on offense. Ody came back knowing he might get his minutes reduced and I hope the fans recognize that on Senior Day. He deserves all the applause for sticking it out.

[leo from jersey]

Play of the day in my opinion. Reynolds boxed out on the defensive board which allowed Dadyday to go sky high for the rebound. It was all Reynolds and is what this team needs. He was setting screens on offense as well.

[GoBearcats31]

39 NET, 40 KenPom

Next opponent BYU is top four in the nation in both

[leeraymond]

I think it's a chemistry issue. We might have actually been better wihout Aziz and Reynolds. Need to recalulate the lineups

You are not imagining things with that comment. When Aziz starts a game, UC gives up more points. However, Aziz gives UC more rebounding when he plays. Also, Josh Reed's defense has really improved. There was a stretch in the first half of last night's game where Newman, Reed, Oguama, and Thomas were all in the game together. That combination gave UC consecutive defensive stops when Evansville was on a run. Miller does not respect defense as much as he does offense based on his substitutions. From what I can see, which does not mean much, very rarely does Miller substitute for defensive purposes.

Some last comments. Cincinnati played like a Power 5 team in the second half. They held a good shooting Evansville team to shooting 22% in the second half. Evansville only hit SIX (6) SHOTS IN THE SECOND HALF. It is going to be very interesting to see how Miller navigates the BIG 12. Every team in the BIG 12 can whip UC's tail on any given night. Wins are going to have to be FOUGHT for EVERY NIGHT. UC has NOT dealt with that type of conference environment since the BIG EAST. Hopefully the players truly understand what they will be up against every night. There are numerous teams in the BIG 12 that have NBA level talent (Kansas, Baylor, Houston, and Texas to name four). Hey! This is why players come to UC; to play in BIG GAMES. There will be plenty of big games from here on out. Just about every game in the BIG 12 represents an NCAA tournament resume win. If UC can win their home games, they should be okay. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy. Good luck to UC. Let the games begin.

[bg703]

CWM is from the Roy Williams tree and would love to play 2 bigs and man defense all the time. But we’re struggling when teams go small. I thought CWM showed some recognition in not playing Vik and Jamille together. Guys need roles even if it means some will play less. The CJ news is a bummer but hopefully he is back at some point. That’s more like the effort they are going to have to play with to be competitive in the Big12.

[bearcat1518]

Cronin stepped into the Big East and had problems. However, he still had Huggin's recruits. Be careful of apples and oranges.

The only Huggins recruit on Mick’s first team was Cedric McGowan. And aced never even played for Huggs. That’s the only one.

[bearcatbret]

Interesting stats and Miller quotes. Lukosius' Deep Shooting Lifts Cincinnati Over Evansville - University of Cincinnati Athletics (gobearcats.com)

[Rufus]

Let's hope their attention can be maintained.

[longtimefan]

A totally different game in the second half, best defense of the Miller era. I’d really like to know what happened in the locker room at halftime. They need that second half energy for 40 minutes every night.

[London 'Cat]

Outscored UE 44-18 in the second half. I think Miller got their attention at halftime. Nice recovery.

[leo from jersey]

Best part of being 11-2 is to go into the conference with this second half.

[Rufus]

Miller needs to tell Lahkin to stop it with the treys. It's bordering on ridiculous now.

[leo from jersey]

like the Reynolds