Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) guards Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions guard Caleb Jones (55) within the second half of the NCAA mens basketball sport between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions at Fifth Third Enviornment on the College of Cincinnati campus on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. The Bearcats received 109-54. No. 20 Cincinnati will provide Morehead State a difficult street surroundings on Friday night time.
The Bearcats (1-0) opened their season on Monday with a 109-54 dwelling win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. At the same time as his group rolled to a win behind 58.3 % taking pictures from the sphere, 50 % from 3-point vary and a 56-28 edge on factors within the paint, Bearcats coach Wes Miller needs Cincinnati’s effort and depth to stay excessive.
“I really like teaching right here as a result of in the event you get a dunk the followers find it irresistible,” Miller mentioned. “However in the event you dive on the ground with three or 4 guys, they go bananas.”
With 12 factors and 10 assists, Jizzle James notched his first profession double-double towards Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Miller mentioned he has superb point-guard traits. James additionally stuffed the stat sheet with seven rebounds.
“Jizzle James is all the pieces you need in a participant,” Miller mentioned. “His work ethic; he is purchased in and coachable. He is as sincere as he will be. He would not know easy methods to be dishonest. I mentioned, ‘We’ve got to get different guys concerned and cease settling.’ He mentioned, ‘I do know coach, I used to be simply excited.'”
Simas Lukosius led six Cincinnati gamers who scored in double digits with 20 factors. Dan Skillings Jr. had a double-double with 17 factors and 11 rebounds.
“Simas was getting downhill (on offense),” Miller mentioned. “It is his second 12 months in this system and he is a lot extra snug in our offense. You’ll be able to see the development.”
Regardless that the Bearcats held a 48-25 rebounding edge, Miller needs extra from Cincinnati relating to defensive rebounding. He mentioned the Bearcats would use the time between video games to “clear up communication and work on rebounding.”
“I did not like that Arkansas-Pine Bluff received (eight) offensive rebounds in our gymnasium,” Miller mentioned. “We’re extra athletic, larger and deeper and I anticipated us to be higher on the backboards. I did not like a few of our defensive communication. However I believe our guys responded and put some issues collectively.”
The Eagles (1-1) misplaced 93-45 to Louisville on Monday in Kentucky. They had been outscored 41-14 within the first half. However Morehead State bounced again and received its twenty seventh consecutive dwelling opener on Wednesday with an 89-48 win over Boyce School.
Tyler Brelsford led the Eagles with 16 factors, Kenny White Jr. had 15 and Kade Ruegsegger had a double-double with 10 factors and 10 rebounds. Jalen Breazeale, with 10 factors, was the fourth Morehead State participant to attain in double figures.
Morehead State improved to 63-0 towards non-Division I opponents since 1992. Boyce is a member of the Nationwide Christian School Athletic Affiliation. It was the primary win at Morehead State for brand new coach Jonathan Mattox, who needs the Eagles to do a greater job of ending within the paint and on the rim.
“The obtrusive factor for us was our finishes,” Mattox mentioned. “We noticed it Monday at Louisville, and credit score to them for enjoying effectively. However I believe we’re stepping into delicate. We’ve got to go in with pressure and never finesse. We’ve got to go in, off two toes, get right into a dude’s chest and end by way of contact.”
–Discipline Stage Media