UC Bearcats Basketball: Previewing the 2 – 2 Northwestern State Demons

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The Bearcats look to bounce back Monday night against the Northwestern State Demons who post a similar starting lineup to Cincinnati’s that is a solid mix of experienced seniors and juniors with a few sophomores getting their fair share of playing time as well. As with their preview three games, UC will have a size advantage with Yancy Gates matching up with fellow senior William Mosely, who stands 6’7″ 220 lbs. Yancy has him by 2 inches and at least 30 lbs. But Mosely is no slouch underneath the bucket as he averages over 10 rebounds per game and will be a load for Gates to block out. If he plays soft or uninterested in this game, the slightly smaller Mosley will own him in the paint. As a team, the Demons score and allow about the same amount of points this year (70 for, 69 against). On the season, they have outscored the Bearcats by about 6 points per game and, of the previous UC opponents, only those freaking Presbyterian Blue Hose have scored more points them. I think it’s fair to say the Cincinnati offense will be pressured to put up points against the Demons a game after they again took their foot off the throats of the opposing team and it cost them the game.

I can’t imagine Mick Cronin will let his experienced starters loaf again this season. Now, he can point to the loss to Presbyterian as an example of what happens when his team takes a half or even 6 minutes of a game off. The Bearcats are facing a solid opponent that knows how to score but will bounce back and go home happy.

Cincinnati – 74

Northwestern State – 63