Cincinnati Basketball: NIT second round preview, odds, players to watch against Hofstra

Check out our game preview including the most recent odds, players to watch and more as the Bearcats get ready to face Hofstra in the NIT second round on Saturday afternoon!

Both teams are hoping to clinch a berth in the NIT quarterfinals so it should be a competitive matchup as the teams prepare to meet for the first time ever at Hofstra Arena in New York.

Cincinnati will continue to lean on leading scorers David DeJulius and Landers Nolley II but it will also be important for Viktor Lakhin and Ody Oguama to make a significant impact at Hofstra.

Despite struggling on the road this season, the Bearcats opened as 1.5-point favorites against Hofstra with the over/under currently set at 151.0 total points according to WynnBET.

Cincinnati Basketball: NIT second round preview, odds, players to watch against Hofstra

• Date: Saturday, March 18 at 2:00 PM
• Location: Hofstra Arena in New York
• TV Broadcast: ESPN+ and fuboTV
• Series History: First-ever meeting

Hofstra upset top seeded Rutgers in the NIT first round as senior guard Tyler Thomas racked up a team-high 25 points, highlighted by a game-winning shot with 9.3 seconds left in overtime.

Speedy Claxton’s team had five players score in double figures during the 88-86 win including former Oregon guard Aaron Estrada compiling 13 points, four assists and four rebounds.

In order to keep the season alive, Wes Miller’s team must contain Hofstra’s dynamic backcourt mates as Estrada and Thomas average a combined 36.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

Other key players to keep an eye on include Bearcats senior duo Mika Adams-Woods and Jeremiah Davenport, plus Hofstra sophomore guards Darlinstone Dubar and Jaquan Carlos.