Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Wes Miller looked ahead to the upcoming campaign in a recent press conference as the program prepares for the Big 12!
Following the season opener against Illinois-Chicago in November, Cincinnati will take on Dayton, Georgia Tech and Xavier before Big 12 play starts in January.
The Bearcats are led by veterans Viktor Lakhin, Ody Oguama, John Newman III and Dan Skillings Jr, plus transfer additions CJ Fredrick and Simas Lukosius.
With a chance to secure an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 2019, Cincinnati is looking to have major success in the inaugural Big 12 season.
"I think this team's continuing to grow that mentality."@CoachWesMiller meets with the media to kick off the fall.
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) October 3, 2023
📺: https://t.co/o44ENxL8Gk pic.twitter.com/MFjbaDD2S0
Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats head coach Wes Miller looks ahead to upcoming campaign
Fredrick added 10.2 points on 46.1 percent shooting from 3-point range in his freshman year at Iowa en route to earning All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors.
Lukosius posted 11.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game during his sophomore season, highlighted by a career-best 28-point outing in a win over Villanova.
Oguama scored 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds on 57.6 percent shooting from the field last year including a career-high 18-point showing against South Florida.
Skillings showed off elite potential as a freshman with a season-high 20 points in a win over Temple, and should have significant role this coming year.
It's Big 12 Basketball time in Cincinnati... and here come the Bearcats!
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) September 26, 2023
📝: https://t.co/2BP4k6LDT5
🎟️: https://t.co/uzut3SdUOu#Bearcats | @Big12Conference | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/QsdY7usrWO
Cincinnati Basketball: Big 12 schedule released ahead of Bearcats inaugural season in conference
Cincinnati is set to host the defending tournament conference champion Texas Longhorns in the first ever Big 12 game at Fifth Third Arena on January 9.
During the press conference, Miller previewed the looming regular season and reflected on plenty of recent roster movement per Cincinnati Athletics.
Make sure to stay tuned for recruiting updates and schedule announcements as the program gears up for the inaugural Big 12 campaign to get underway.
"“I think when fans see our team out there on the floor, they will be excited. Just about the depth, length, size, athleticism and mentality. The thing that has been neat is watching that evolve over the last couple years. This team is continuing to grow that mentality. It’s been a steady growth since I got here and this team will take another huge step if we do the right things in practice every day. I think people will be excited to see this group in its totality.”"