Cincinnati Basketball: Players to watch as the Bearcats strive to end skid at Xavier

Check out players to watch from the both teams as the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare to face the Xavier Musketeers in the annual Crosstown Shootout!

Players to watch are Cincinnati veteran guards CJ Fredrick and DaVeon Thomas, and frontcourt mates Viktor Lakhin, Ody Oguama and Daniel Skillings Jr.

Skillings brought a ton of energy off the bench and has been a major part of the Bearcats blowing past several non-conference opponents in recent weeks.

Xavier is fueled by dynamic backcourt trio Desmond Claude, Dayvion McKnight and Quincy Olivari, along with forwards Gytis Nemeiksa and Abou Ousmane.

Cincinnati Basketball: Players to watch as the Bearcats strive to end skid at Xavier

• Date: Saturday, December 9 at 6:30 PM
• Location: Cintas Center in Cincinnati
• Series History: Bearcats lead 51-39
• TV Broadcast: FS1 and fuboTV

Claude averages 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game, while Olivari posts 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds on 42.1 percent from 3-point range.

Fredrick should be able to make a critical impact from the perimeter following a 19-point showing during a win over Florida Gulf Coast last Sunday.

Lakhin leads the Bearcats with 15.4 points and 8.4 rebounds on 61.8 percent shooting from the field with five consecutive double digit scoring outings.

Make sure to preview the upcoming matchup with Xavier including the newest odds, players to watch, pregame quotes and more prior to tip off tonight!

Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats open as narrow favorites over bitter rival Xavier

According to the latest odds by FanDuel Sportsbook, the Bearcats are 1.5-point favorites against Xavier with the over/under projected at 153.5 total points.

Both programs are hoping to secure a memorable win in non-conference play as the long-time rivals prepare to meet this weekend at the Cintas Center.

It will be important for the Bearcats to get off to a quality start in the opening minutes and neutralize the crowd as Xavier tries to protect their building.

With a chance to keep the unbeaten record intact, Cincinnati must avoid costly turnovers and protect the paint against rival Xavier on Saturday evening!