Wes Miller previews the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball roster for 2024-25
Wes Miller previews the 2024-25 Cincinnati Bearcats basketball roster, with summer training starting soon.
As one of the most anticipated seasons in years approaches, the Cincinnati Bearcats have released their non-conference basketball schedule. In his fourth season at UC, coach Wes Miller has a team that several prognosticators have picked as a possible top-25 team.
The Bearcats have not been ranked since the latter part of the 2018-19 season under then-coach Mick Cronin. Here’s their early roster before they’re added to the Big 12 menu.
Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team non-conference schedule
Monday, November 4th: Arkansas Pine Bluff
UC leads the series 5-0. The last game took place in 2018.
Friday, November 8: Morehead State
UC and Morehead State have played each other 13 times, but not since 2014. The Bearcats have won 11 of the meetings.
Friday, November 15: Nicholls State
In 1998, Nicholls State came here and lost by 34 points.
Tuesday, November 19: in Northern Kentucky
Under previous AD Mike Bohn, it was negotiated that UC would return to the site in 2022 where the Norse beat them 64-51. UC led 40-36 at halftime and then could only score 11 points in the second half. The Bearcats won comfortably 90-66 at Fifth Third Arena last year, but this game is part of the agreement with NKU that allowed UC to use its floor in 2017-18 when Fifth Third was being renovated.
Saturday, November 23: at Georgia Tech
On November 22, UC beat the Yellowjackets by 35 points at Fifth Third Arena. This was their first meeting since playing in the Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena in 1996. This will be UC’s first road game at Georgia Tech since 1979.
Wednesday, November 27: Alabama State
Alabama State has a 0-2 record in its visits to the Tri-State, but the last time was when UC used NKU’s arena during the renovation of Fifth Third Arena.
Tuesday, December 3: in Villanova (Big 12-BIG EAST Challenge)
UC last played Villanova when both were in the Big East, defeating them 68-60 in Cincinnati. The Wildcats lead the series 6-4, but UC has won the last three meetings in 20212 and 2013.
Saturday, December 8: Howard
UC was in Washington DC last year and needed overtime to beat Howard 86-81. This is the rematch. Eden, Jizzle James’ brother, is a football player for the Bisons.
Saturday, December 14: Xavier (Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout)
Xavier handed UC its first loss after a 7-0 start at Cintas Center last year, 84-79. Wes Miller will return to Fifth Third Arena seeking his first win against the Musketeers, who have won their last five games.
Friday, December 20: against Dayton at the Heritage Bank Center (Hoops Classic)
Dayton won the first meeting since 2010 last year, 82-68, at the arena, so this is the rematch. Again, ticket sections are divided by team, but as UC fans found out last year, there has been some infiltration. Tickets are available through Heritage Bank or Ticketmaster. UC leads the series overall, 60-32.
Sunday, December 22: Grambling State
This will be the first meeting between the schools.
Cincinnati Bearcats Big 12 Basketball Opponents
As reported in late June, Kansas and Arizona will visit Fifth Third Arena, as well as Arizona State, Texas Tech and TCU as part of the list of home opponents. It will be the first time the Kansas Jayhawks have played at UC since 1964.
Away opponents are Colorado, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Houston and Central Florida.
The Bearcats will play home and away games against BYU, Baylor, Utah, West Virginia and Kansas State.
Dates and times of the Big 12 matchups have yet to be announced.
