Cincinnati Basketball: Maui Invitational headlines non-conference slate

In addition to the upcoming trip to the Maui Invitational, the Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team will match up with a few notable non-conference opponents including Cleveland State, Detroit Mercy and the annual Crosstown Shootout against Xavier.

There are multiple entertaining matchups on the non-conference schedule but the main headline is obviously the Maui Invitational in late November. Cincinnati will begin the acclaimed tournament against reigning Pac-12 champion Arizona.

Even though Arizona will be favored in the opening-round matchup, the Bearcats will have a great opportunity to pull off an upset on national TV as the Maui Invitational tips off on Monday, November 21 at the Lahaina Civic Center in Hawaii.

The tournament semifinals and championship will take place over the following two days leading up to Thanksgiving as Cincinnati will face Ohio State or San Diego State before to a third game against Arkansas, Creighton, Louisville or Texas Tech.

Cincinnati Basketball: Maui Invitational headlines non-conference slate

Prior to the Maui Invitational, the Bearcats will play Chaminade in the regular season opener on Monday, November 7. A few days later, Cincinnati is set to host Cleveland State and Eastern Kentucky before going on the first road trip of the season.

The Bearcats won’t travel far with a game at Northern Kentucky scheduled for Wednesday, November 16. It will mark the first time Cincinnati plays a road game in Highland Heights after using the arena as a temporary home court in 2018.

Following the Maui Invitational, Cincinnati will play six consecutive home games to wrap up the non-conference slate. The first will be a couple days after Thanksgiving versus New Jersey Tech before hosting Bryant for a second straight season.

That leads to the annual Crosstown Shootout against Xavier as the rivalry will take place for a 16th consecutive year. With one exception, the programs have met every season since 2006 and the Musketeers hold a 12-5 advantage in that span.

As the non-conference schedule comes to an end, the Bearcats will host Miami (Ohio), La Salle and Detroit Mercy in mid December at Fifth Third Arena. Cincinnati is undefeated (7-0) against Miami but has never played La Salle or Detroit Mercy.

Even though it hasn’t been announced yet, the conference schedule should start in late December and we’ll make sure to break down it down when it’s released. The Bearcats are expected to play every conference opponent twice expect Tulsa and Wichita State.