Editor's note: Statistics in this story are current as of press time Wednesday afternoon. Tulane was scheduled to play Memphis Wednesday night. For coverage of Saturday's game, check Cincinnati.com and the Monday print edition of The Enquirer.
First-year University of Cincinnati men's basketball coach Wes Miller was supposed to get his first taste of American Athletic Conference (AAC) action Tuesday night at No. 12 Houston, the defending conference champion who reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament a season ago.
That game was initially canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Cougars program and thus considered a no-contest and forfeit win for the Bearcats.
More:UC Bearcats men's basketball earns forfeit win after Tuesday's Houston game canceled
But after a reversal by the AAC, the Cincinnati-Houston conference opener was postponed, with both schools expected to make efforts to find a mutually agreed upon makeup date and location.
In the meantime, Miller's Bearcats will now open conference play against Tulane on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
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THE GAME
Tipoff: 7 p.m. on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena
TV/Radio: ESPN+/WLW-AM (700)
Series info: Cincinnati is 29-15 all-time against Tulane, winning both matchups a season ago. including a 91-71 victory at home.
SCOUTING REPORT
Tulane (3-6)
Coach: Ron Hunter, third season (25-37)
Offense: 72.1 ppg
Defense: 72.6 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Jalen Cook (G, 6'0", 19.0 ppg)
Jaylen Forbes (G, 6'5", 16.6 ppg)
Sion James (G, 6'5", 6.8 ppg)
Scott Spencer (G, 6'6", 2.3 ppg)
Kevin Cross (F, 6'8", 13.9 ppg)
Cincinnati (10-3)
Coach: Wes Miller, first season (10-3)
Offense: 71.6 ppg
Defense: 60.3 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
David DeJulius (G, 6’0", 12.5 ppg)
Mika Adams-Woods (G, 6’3”, 7.1 ppg)
John Newman III (G, 6’4”, 6.5 ppg)
Jeremiah Davenport (G, 6'7", 12.4 ppg)
Abdul Ado (F, 6’11”, 1.3 bpg)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jalen Cook
After appearing in 20 games at LSU as a freshman last season, Jalen Cook transferred to Tulane and has had an immediate impact. The 6-foot guard is averaging 19 points per game. That's second-most in the AAC behind SMU guard Kendric Davis' 21.2 points per outing.
Mike Saunders Jr.
The 6-foot sophomore came off the bench and scored 15 points (all in the second half) to lead the Bearcats to a 76-67 home win over Tennessee Tech on Dec. 21, the last time Cincinnati was on the court. Saunders' efforts earned him a spot on the AAC weekly honor roll.
KEY TO THE GAME
Rebound
Miller said he wants to see more improvement from his team on the glass, particularly on the defensive end. The Bearcats should be able to begin to right the ship against the Green Wave. Tulane is minus-6.5 in rebounding margin through its first eight games this season.
RANKINGS
KenPom.com: Tulane (160); Cincinnati (76)
NET: Tulane (215); Cincinnati (56)
RPI: Tulane (328); Cincinnati (141)
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