The Cincinnati Bearcats finalized a neutral-site non-conference matchup against the Clemson Tigers. The two teams will face off at Heritage Bank Center in downtown Cincinnati on December 19th. The Tigers and Bearcats played each other in the Greeneville Winter Invitational, where Clemson would win 68-65, even though Cincinnati would hold them to 30 points in the second half. The neutral-site game last season took place in Greeneville, South Carolina, which is why the game is being played in Cincinnati at a different venue than Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats' non-conference schedule will feature multiple Power 4 programs and top 70-kenpom caliber teams such as Dayton, Minnesota, Clemson, Xavier, Boston College, Georgia, and they will also be playing Ohio State at the Lindner Family Tennis Center as part of an exhibition event.
Clemson is bringing the No. 52 transfer class, only bringing in four players from the portal. Their class is ranked No. 10 in the ACC, getting David Fuchs from San Francisco, Cole Certa from Notre Dame, Dylan Faulkner from Samford, and Liutauras Lelevicius from TCU. Clemson only had 4 players transfer out from last season's team: Dillon Hunter, RJ Godfrey, and Jake Wahlin. Clemson is also bringing in 3 high school players, two from Georgia and one from North Carolina.
Clemson's best players this upcoming season are expected to be Cole Certa, who came in from Notre Dame. He averaged 12.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game last season for the Fighting Irish. Fuchs averaged 12.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the Dons before transferring to Clemson. Faulkner averaged 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists last season; the transfers should lead the way for the Tigers this upcoming season.
CORRECTION: We'll face Clemson at Heritage Bank Center on Saturday, December 19th.
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) August 6, 2026
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