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On April Fool's Day, it will have been nearly three weeks since the University of Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team walked off the floor with a second-round defeat in the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City to Iowa State.
Thanks to an investment by Fox Sports with the cooperation of the Big 12, Big Ten and Big East, 16 teams, including the UC Bearcats get to continue their season. Foolish or not, it comes as the NCAA tournament is down to four teams along with the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The College Basketball Crown now hits during a popular basketball week with a chance for FS1 and Fox Sports to grab some hardwood screen time in your home or favorite establishment.
San Antonio will host the 2025 Final Four, while the NIT's semifinal and final will take place at Butler's historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Crown brings the glitz of Las Vegas with early-round games at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, followed by the semis and final at nearby T-Mobile Arena. The championship game is Sunday, April 6, a day before the NCAA champion cuts down the nets.
While Cincinnati Bearcats workouts have been closed, the word is the team that left Kansas City at 18-15 after a second-round loss in the Big 12 tournament to Iowa State, will be in Las Vegas.
That doesn't mean portal entries won't come, but for now, the UC Bearcats appear to be chasing down the $300,000 Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) package being offered by Vivid Seats to the College Basketball Crown champion. Runner-up receives $100,000 with the other two semifinalists getting $50,000 apiece.
Several Bearcats posted Vivid Seats promotions on their Instagram accounts recently including Jizzle James, Aziz Bandaogo, Dan Skillings Jr., Dillon Mitchell, Day Day Thomas, Josh Reed, Arrinten Page, Rayvon Griffith, C.J. Anthony, Tyler Betsey, Halvine Dzellat and J.J. Rembert. Simas Lukošius "liked" the posts.
DePaul has four players in the portal including Covington/Holy Cross product Jacob Meyer who averaged 8.9 points per game at guard after scoring 15.7 points per game his first season at Coastal Carolina.
Also in the portal are guard Conor Enright who has Indiana as a front-runner for his services. Enright averaged 7.5 points per game. Starting forward J.J. Trayner at 5.6 points per game is in along with reserve guard David Thomas at 3.7 points per game. Depending on who stays and plays (if any) the Blue Demons could be minus nearly 26 points in production.
Possibly looming ahead is the winner of the UCF/Oregon State game. As of Tuesday, March 25, UCF had eight players in the portal with two expected to play and Oregon State had three.
Similar to college football bowl games, this reward of a postseason comes long after UC last played. The NCAA tournament starts less than a week after Selection Sunday and the NIT begins within days of the announced field. The College Basketball Crown for the Bearcats begins 20 days after they last played.
Players were given time off then returned to practice March 25. Their longest time between games previously was from the Oct. 18 charity exhibition with Ohio State to the actual season-opener vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which was 17 days. In-season, they didn't play for eight days between Dec. 22 and Dec. 30 due to the holiday break.
The Blue Demons were 14-19 but finished with a win over Georgetown in the Big East tournament then took a talented Creighton team to double overtime before falling 85-81 at Madison Square Garden March 13. They average over nine made 3-pointers per game with Isaiah Rivera and C.J. Gunn the primary long-range threats.
Similar to many of their opponents, DePaul has not fared well in low-scoring games. When the Blue Demons score less than 70 points, they are 0-15. On the other hand, UC is 0-7 when being held to less than 60, but 10-0 when they reach 80 or more. ESPNBET on Sunday had UC favored by 9.5.
Tip: 3 p.m. (Eastern) Tuesday (MGM Grand Garden Arena, 16,800)
TV/Radio: FS1/ 700WLW
Series: UC leads 35-15 (UC last won in Chicago 75-70 in 2013)
Record: 14-19 (4-16 Big East)
Coach: Chris Holtmann (first year, 14-19, overall 265-190)
Offense: 72.8 ppg
Defense: 74.2 ppg
(Position, Height, Stats)
Layden Blocker (G, 6'2", 9.0 ppg)
Isaiah Rivera (G, 6'5", 10.7 ppg)
C.J. Gunn (G, 6'7", 12.8 ppg)
Troy D'Amico (F, 6'7", 6.3 ppg)
J.J. Traynor (F, 6'9", 5.6 ppg)
OR
N.J. Benson (F, 6'8", 8.8 ppg)
Record: 18-15 (7-13 Big 12)
Coach: Wes Miller (fourth season, 81-58, overall 266-193)
Offense: 70.5 ppg
Defense: 65.7 ppg
(Position, Height, Stats)
Jizzle James (G, 6'3", 12.8 ppg)
Day Day Thomas (G, 6'1", 9.8 ppg)
Dillon Mitchell (F, 6'8", 9.6 ppg)
Aziz Bandaogo (C, 7', 7.4 ppg)
Josh Reed (F, 6'7", 4.8 ppg)
DePaul's taller guards Gunn and Rivera combine for 24 points per game. But, in their Big East second-round double overtime loss to Creighton, it was Layden Blocker with 25 points and five treys to lead the way. Blocker played 40 minutes of the game and teammate Troy D'Amico played 45.
For UC, what former starters Dan Skillings Jr. and Simas Lukošius can provide off the bench could be the difference. The Bearcats should have more skilled players. If Skillings plays as he's capable he's an issue. Likewise, if Lukošius hits threes as he did in the beginning of the season UC has a potent offense.
If it's a struggle to reach 60 points the Bearcats could be back at Harry Reid International Airport before sunset.
UC last lost to DePaul on March 10, 2009, in the Big East tournament 67-57. They won the next five but haven't played in over a dozen years.
KenPom.com: Cincinnati is N. 55, DePaul No. 111
NCAA.NET: Cincinnati is No. 50, DePaul No. 119
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: April 1 Crown fever: Cincinnati Bearcats vs. DePaul Blue Demons
Continue reading...
Thanks to an investment by Fox Sports with the cooperation of the Big 12, Big Ten and Big East, 16 teams, including the UC Bearcats get to continue their season. Foolish or not, it comes as the NCAA tournament is down to four teams along with the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The College Basketball Crown now hits during a popular basketball week with a chance for FS1 and Fox Sports to grab some hardwood screen time in your home or favorite establishment.
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San Antonio will host the 2025 Final Four, while the NIT's semifinal and final will take place at Butler's historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Crown brings the glitz of Las Vegas with early-round games at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, followed by the semis and final at nearby T-Mobile Arena. The championship game is Sunday, April 6, a day before the NCAA champion cuts down the nets.
College Basketball Crown teams maneuvering through transfer portal
While Cincinnati Bearcats workouts have been closed, the word is the team that left Kansas City at 18-15 after a second-round loss in the Big 12 tournament to Iowa State, will be in Las Vegas.
That doesn't mean portal entries won't come, but for now, the UC Bearcats appear to be chasing down the $300,000 Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) package being offered by Vivid Seats to the College Basketball Crown champion. Runner-up receives $100,000 with the other two semifinalists getting $50,000 apiece.
Several Bearcats posted Vivid Seats promotions on their Instagram accounts recently including Jizzle James, Aziz Bandaogo, Dan Skillings Jr., Dillon Mitchell, Day Day Thomas, Josh Reed, Arrinten Page, Rayvon Griffith, C.J. Anthony, Tyler Betsey, Halvine Dzellat and J.J. Rembert. Simas Lukošius "liked" the posts.
DePaul has four players in the portal including Covington/Holy Cross product Jacob Meyer who averaged 8.9 points per game at guard after scoring 15.7 points per game his first season at Coastal Carolina.
Also in the portal are guard Conor Enright who has Indiana as a front-runner for his services. Enright averaged 7.5 points per game. Starting forward J.J. Trayner at 5.6 points per game is in along with reserve guard David Thomas at 3.7 points per game. Depending on who stays and plays (if any) the Blue Demons could be minus nearly 26 points in production.
Possibly looming ahead is the winner of the UCF/Oregon State game. As of Tuesday, March 25, UCF had eight players in the portal with two expected to play and Oregon State had three.
3 keys for Cincinnati Bearcats to beat DePaul Blue Demons in College Basketball Crown
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1. Cincinnati Bearcats must wipe off rust
Similar to college football bowl games, this reward of a postseason comes long after UC last played. The NCAA tournament starts less than a week after Selection Sunday and the NIT begins within days of the announced field. The College Basketball Crown for the Bearcats begins 20 days after they last played.
Players were given time off then returned to practice March 25. Their longest time between games previously was from the Oct. 18 charity exhibition with Ohio State to the actual season-opener vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which was 17 days. In-season, they didn't play for eight days between Dec. 22 and Dec. 30 due to the holiday break.
2. Looking at DePaul's losing record would not be wise for UC
The Blue Demons were 14-19 but finished with a win over Georgetown in the Big East tournament then took a talented Creighton team to double overtime before falling 85-81 at Madison Square Garden March 13. They average over nine made 3-pointers per game with Isaiah Rivera and C.J. Gunn the primary long-range threats.
3. As always, defense will be key for UC Bearcats
Similar to many of their opponents, DePaul has not fared well in low-scoring games. When the Blue Demons score less than 70 points, they are 0-15. On the other hand, UC is 0-7 when being held to less than 60, but 10-0 when they reach 80 or more. ESPNBET on Sunday had UC favored by 9.5.
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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. DePaul Blue Demons
Tip: 3 p.m. (Eastern) Tuesday (MGM Grand Garden Arena, 16,800)
TV/Radio: FS1/ 700WLW
Series: UC leads 35-15 (UC last won in Chicago 75-70 in 2013)
DePaul Blue Demons scouting report
Record: 14-19 (4-16 Big East)
Coach: Chris Holtmann (first year, 14-19, overall 265-190)
Offense: 72.8 ppg
Defense: 74.2 ppg
Projected starting lineup
(Position, Height, Stats)
Layden Blocker (G, 6'2", 9.0 ppg)
Isaiah Rivera (G, 6'5", 10.7 ppg)
C.J. Gunn (G, 6'7", 12.8 ppg)
Troy D'Amico (F, 6'7", 6.3 ppg)
J.J. Traynor (F, 6'9", 5.6 ppg)
OR
N.J. Benson (F, 6'8", 8.8 ppg)
Cincinnati Bearcats scouting report
Record: 18-15 (7-13 Big 12)
Coach: Wes Miller (fourth season, 81-58, overall 266-193)
Offense: 70.5 ppg
Defense: 65.7 ppg
Projected starting lineup
(Position, Height, Stats)
Jizzle James (G, 6'3", 12.8 ppg)
Day Day Thomas (G, 6'1", 9.8 ppg)
Dillon Mitchell (F, 6'8", 9.6 ppg)
Aziz Bandaogo (C, 7', 7.4 ppg)
Josh Reed (F, 6'7", 4.8 ppg)
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Players to watch
DePaul's taller guards Gunn and Rivera combine for 24 points per game. But, in their Big East second-round double overtime loss to Creighton, it was Layden Blocker with 25 points and five treys to lead the way. Blocker played 40 minutes of the game and teammate Troy D'Amico played 45.
For UC, what former starters Dan Skillings Jr. and Simas Lukošius can provide off the bench could be the difference. The Bearcats should have more skilled players. If Skillings plays as he's capable he's an issue. Likewise, if Lukošius hits threes as he did in the beginning of the season UC has a potent offense.
If it's a struggle to reach 60 points the Bearcats could be back at Harry Reid International Airport before sunset.
UC last lost to DePaul on March 10, 2009, in the Big East tournament 67-57. They won the next five but haven't played in over a dozen years.
Rankings
KenPom.com: Cincinnati is N. 55, DePaul No. 111
NCAA.NET: Cincinnati is No. 50, DePaul No. 119
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: April 1 Crown fever: Cincinnati Bearcats vs. DePaul Blue Demons
Continue reading...
