The drought is over.
Barring something unforeseen happening, which is entirely possible in today's unpredictable COVID-19 world, the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team will play its first game in 25 days on Thursday night at Temple.
"This season is all about not only a season of sacrifice, but also a season of passion for what you do," Cincinnati Head Coach John Brannen said on Wednesday. "Our young men have been – as well as our coaching staff – really excited about getting the opportunity to play again, and it looks like we're going to have that opportunity."
The Bearcats (3-7, 1-4 American Athletic Conference) enter the month of February having played only 10 games for the first time since 1944-45.
After having the past six games postponed and not being able to practice for most of that stretch due to COVID-19 issues both within and outside of his program, Brannen said his team was able to have a full five-on-five practice on Tuesday and anticipated being able to have another on Wednesday.
Brannen said that not everyone on his roster will be available against the Owls. The second-year UC coach said he expects to have some of the team's walk-ons log quality minutes.
"One of our GAs (graduate assistant coaches), I put him on the floor as a coach this week due to some coaches being out," Brannen said. "Mainly in part because he can play five-on-five and get up and down the court with us. So we were able to go five-on-five. That probably gives you an idea (of player availability of late)."
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