As the regular season opener quickly approaches, there are several players to watch throughout the Cincinnati Bearcats initial campaign in the Big 12!
Following an upcoming game against Illinois-Chicago next month, Cincinnati will take on Dayton, Georgia Tech and Xavier before Big 12 play opens in January.
The Bearcats are led by veterans Viktor Lakhin, Ody Oguama, John Newman III and Dan Skillings Jr, plus freshmen duo Rayvon Griffith and Jizzle James.
Wes Miller’s team recently added five transfers in wings Simas Lukosius, CJ Fredrick, DaVeon Thomas, plus centers Aziz Bandaogo and Jamille Reynolds.
Butler transfer forward Simas Lukosius committed to the #Bearcats this morning! The sophomore out of Lithuania averaged 11.6 points and 4.0 rebounds last season. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hwwk2Oej31
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) April 29, 2023
Cincinnati Basketball: Players to watch in the Bearcats inaugural Big 12 campaign
During a recent press conference, Miller previewed the looming regular season and reflected on the offseason roster changes via Cincinnati Athletics!
Lukosius averaged 11.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in his sophomore season, highlighted by a career-best 28-point performance during a win over Villanova.
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.
With a chance to secure an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 2019, Cincinnati is looking to find major success in Miller’s third year at the helm.
“I think when fans see our team out there on the floor, they will be excited,” Wes Miller explained. #Bearcatshttps://t.co/uttJGl5FsDpic.twitter.com/NjS0hu5TEM
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) October 6, 2023
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.
Fredrick posted 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.
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 outing against South Florida.
The Bearcats will face the BYU Cougars in the Big 12 opener on January 6, followed by road trips to Baylor, Kansas, TCU, Texas Tech, UCF and others.