'We're just going to keep going': UC to face first-place Houston following rough February

Keith Jenkins, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read

February is the shortest month of the year, but it must have felt like an eternity for the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team.

The Bearcats entered the month with high optimism, winning four of their last five games with 10 regular-season games to play.

More: 'We've just got to get back to playing Cincinnati basketball': UC vows to finish strong

But Cincinnati went 2-6 over the next 28 days, starting with a 22-point blowout loss to first-place Houston at home and losses to Tulsa and South Florida, the two worst teams in the American Athletic Conference.

With the turbulent stretch, UC (17-12, 7-9) doused any shot it had at earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and played its way out of contention for a first-round bye in the AAC Tournament (March 10-13 in Fort Worth, Texas).

Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jeremiah Davenport (24) walks off the court as the team lost to the South Florida Bulls as time expired in the second half of a men's NCAA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. The South Florida Bulls won, 54-52.
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jeremiah Davenport (24) walks off the court as the team lost to the South Florida Bulls as time expired in the second half of a men's NCAA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. The South Florida Bulls won, 54-52.

Despite that, Cincinnati senior John Newman III remains optimistic.

"Look, losing is hard, but I still believe we can accomplish everything we wanted to accomplish this year," he said following Saturday night's last-second loss to last-place South Florida. "We can put our heads down and feel sorry for ourselves and pout and give up, because a lot of teams in college basketball would give up right now, but I know that's not the kind of person I am and that's not the kind of guys that I have in the locker room with me. So we're just going to keep going and keep fighting. That's all we can do."

The Bearcats have a two-game swing in Texas against No. 14 Houston and SMU – the AAC's top two teams – before setting their sights on the postseason.

Tuesday's game against the Cougars (24-4, 13-2) was originally scheduled to take place Dec. 28 but was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Houston's program.

THE GAME

Tipoff: 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Fertitta Center in Houston

TV/Radio: ESPNU/WLW-AM (700)

Series info: Cincinnati and Houston are set to meet for the 43rd time, with the Bearcats owning a 33-9 advantage in the series. UC has lost four straight games against the Cougars dating back to the 2019-20 season.

SCOUTING REPORT

Cincinnati (17-12, 7-9)

Coach: Wes Miller, first season (17-12)

Offense: 70.2 ppg

Defense: 65.4 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

David DeJulius (G, 6’0", 14.4 ppg)

Mika Adams-Woods (G, 6’3”, 9.1 ppg)

John Newman III (G, 6’5”, 6.8 ppg)

Jeremiah Davenport (G, 6'7", 13.6 ppg)

Abdul Ado (F, 6’11”, 1.5 bpg)

No. 14 Houston (24-4, 13-2)

Coach: Kelvin Sampson, eighth season (191-68)

Offense: 76.3 ppg

Defense: 59 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Jamal Shead (G, 6'1', 5.8 apg)

Kyler Edwards (G, 6'4", 13.6 rpg)

Taze Moore (G, 6'5", 9.4 rpg)

Fabian White Jr. (F, 6'8", 12.3 ppg)

Josh Carlton (F/C, 6'10", 12 ppg)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cincinnati Bearcats forward John Newman III (15) reacts after a made basket in the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Temple Owls, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bearcats forward John Newman III (15) reacts after a made basket in the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Temple Owls, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.

John Newman III

The senior wing said following Saturday's loss against USF he will return for another season, choosing to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newman announced his plans after scoring a team-high 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting and hauling in a team-leading eight rebounds.

Newman has been the glue guy for the Bearcats this season. He's also been the team's most consistent performer on both ends of the court. If Cincinnati is going to upset Houston, Newman's energy and effort will need to be key.

Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) reacts after scoring a 3-point basket in the first half of an NCAA menÕs college basketball game against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.
Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) reacts after scoring a 3-point basket in the first half of an NCAA menÕs college basketball game against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.

Fabian White Jr.

The graduate student had 21 points, nine rebounds and three blocks to lead the Cougars to a 75-61 win over SMU on Sunday in a clash of the AAC's top two teams. Houston goes as White goes. The 6-foot-8 forward scored 22 points and had nine boards and a pair of blocks in a 80-58 win over the Bearcats earlier this season.

KEY TO THE GAME

Don't give Houston extra possessions

The Cougars on Sunday forced SMU into 10 turnovers and turned those into 16 points. Houston also forced the Mustangs into a season-low 22 points and 0-of-8 shooting from 3-point range in the first half. Cincinnati, which has struggled offensively for large stretches this season, can't afford to give Houston extra cracks at the basket. Otherwise, it could be a long night for the Bearcats.

RANKINGS

KenPom.com: Cincinnati (100); Houston (6)

NET: Cincinnati (99); Houston (4)

RPI: Cincinnati (146); Houston (13)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati basketball: Bearcats to take on Houston Cougars in AAC play