Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/4 7:00 ESPN+

[sedz]

Simas takes statistical player of the game with 8.8 net points and 22.1 BPM. Second was Hickman with 6.5 net points.

Mitchell turned in the worst performance with negative 4.4 net points. He was 5 for 11 from the field, 0 for 2 from the stripe, and had two turnovers. He's got a lot of potential but needs to make better decisions.

[sedz]

This is just my opinion, I may be wrong, fell free to correct me, but Fredrick looked like a deer in the headlights (especially on defense) when he was in the floor.

The numbers support your opinion. CJ had a negative defensive BPM in this game. Only Rayvon was worse.

[Carthage World]

I was totally surprised when Dzellat took the floor in the last minute. I thought the team was still trying to get him eligible to play. Does anyone have an update on Dzellat's eligibility?

Wes talked about him a bit during the post-game presser.

He was originally only cleared to practice and was supposed to redshirt. McKinley's injury led to the staff looking into Dzellat's situation more, and after finding out some new information, they filed a waiver for immediate eligibility and it got approved.

Wes said Dzellat arrived knowing very little English and that Aziz has been translating for him during practices, but that he's also made great strides (with English and basketball) over the past few weeks.

[D.A.H.]

Simas takes statistical player of the game with 8.8 net points and 22.1 BPM. Second was Hickman with 6.5 net points.

Mitchell turned in the worst performance with negative 4.4 net points. He was 5 for 11 from the field, 0 for 2 from the stripe, and had two turnovers. He's got a lot of potential but needs to make better decisions.

i know that this will be really old school, but, Mitchell looked extremely nervous / anxious - like he was trying to do too much every time he touched the ball - once he settles in, he'll be fine

[zykarious]

i know that this will be really old school, but, Mitchell looked extremely nervous / anxious - like he was trying to do too much every time he touched the ball - once he settles in, he'll be fine

I think Wes is trying to use Mitchell in a way that he's not historically been used. As a ball handler and play maker, rather than as a finisher at the rim. He did not look ready to take on that new role, time will tell how he manages it in the future. The good news is that even if all he brings on offense is finishing at the rim, plus an occasion straight line drive finish he's still a big net plus given his defense and rebounding. If he doesn't show more as a ball handler/shooter by the time we start facing good teams, I assume Wes will give him a redefined role.

[leeraymond]

What will the defense do this season? Last night, the defense was dominating. UC held APB to 54 points on 33.9% shooting for the game and held them to 26.3% from the 3-point line. Cincinnati really locked APB down on defense in the second half; holding APB to 29.6% overall and 11.1% from three. UC also outrebounded APB by 23; 48 to 25. UC also turned APB over 17 times to 9.

The UC defensive rotations were pretty good last night in the late 1st half and the entire 2nd half. UC gave APB very few open looks. If UC can continue to play dominating defense through-out the season, I really like its chances. However, one game does NOT a season makes (fancy language). Let's see what happens when UC gets to Georgia Tech, Villanova, Xavier, and Dayton in the non-conference. So far, so good from what I saw last night. I hope that the team can continue to play dominating defense.

[KevMan1976]

I think Wes is trying to use Mitchell in a way that he's not historically been used. As a ball handler and play maker, rather than as a finisher at the rim. He did not look ready to take on that new role, time will tell how he manages it in the future. The good news is that even if all he brings on offense is finishing at the rim, plus an occasion straight line drive finish he's still a big net plus given his defense and rebounding. If he doesn't show more as a ball handler/shooter by the time we start facing good teams, I assume Wes will give him a redefined role.

I believe you are spot on here. Someone was talking about it during the game (Terry maybe??). Said that's precisely what the coaching staff is asking of Mitchell, pushing him out of his comfort zone, taking on new responsibilities. Sounded like once he gets settled in, they expect him to be a key component going forward.

Overall, this team appears to have more in the way of sheer talent and potential than I've seen from this ball club in quite some time.

Excited to see how things develop. Go Bearcats!

[bearcatbret]

The under 60-percent free throw stat worries me. Games could come down to knocking these down. Cincinnati Rolls to 109-54 Win on Opening Night - University of Cincinnati Athletics