Mick Cronin is the last head coach to earn his 200th career victory while on the bench at the University of Cincinnati.
After winning 69 games in three seasons at Murray State, Cronin took over the Bearcats program in 2006. Seven years later, Cronin earned his 200th career win.
On Feb. 2, 2013, Sean Kilpatrick scored 21 points and Cashmere Wright added 17 to lead Cincinnati to a 65-59 win at Seton Hall and secure the then-41-year-old Cronin his 200th career victory.
"All I care about is 18," Cronin said after the win. "We're at 18 and we have nine to play."
With the victory, the Bearcats improved to 18-4 that season. They stumbled to a 3-6 finish in the regular season before going 1-1 in the Big East Conference tournament and being ousted after one game in the NCAA tournament.
More:Cincinnati stumbles in second half, loses close one at Temple to snap 3-game win streak
Wes Miller, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Friday, hopes to lead Cincinnati back to the NCAA tournament in his first season as UC head coach. But Miller's Bearcats (14-6, 4-3 American Athletic Conference) have some work to do.
After snapping its three-game win streak Tuesday at Temple, Cincinnati looks to secure its 15th win of the season and the 200th victory of Miller's head coaching career (199-141) Sunday at East Carolina (11-8, 2-5).
ECU went 4-0 against Miller while he was the head coach at UNC Greensboro (2011-21).
THE GAME
Tipoff: Noon on Sunday at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum in Greenville, N.C.
TV/Radio: ESPNU/WLW-AM (700)
Series info: Cincinnati and East Carolina are set to meet for the 19th time, with the Bearcats owning a 16-2 lead in the series. UC defeated the Pirates 79-71 on Jan. 12 at Fifth Third Arena.
SCOUTING REPORT
Cincinnati (14-6, 4-3)
Coach: Wes Miller, first season (14-6)
Offense: 71.4 ppg
Defense: 62.7 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
David DeJulius (G, 6’0", 13.4 ppg)
Mika Adams-Woods (G, 6’3”, 8.6 ppg)
John Newman III (G, 6’5”, 7.2 ppg)
Jeremiah Davenport (G, 6'7", 13.3 ppg)
Abdul Ado (F, 6’11”, 1.6 bpg)
East Carolina (11-8, 2-5)
Coach: Joe Dooley, fourth season (97-112)
Offense: 71.2 ppg
Defense: 72.2 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Tristen Newton (G, 6'5", 17.7 ppg)
Brandon Suggs (G/F, 6'6", 10.1 ppg)
J.J. Miles (G, 6'7", 8.4 ppg)
Alanzo Frink (F, 6'8", 6.9 ppg)
Vance Jackson (F, 6'9", 11.6 ppg)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jeremiah Davenport
If Davenport has a bad game, Cincinnati usually loses. Before the Bearcats' 61-58 loss Tuesday at Temple, they had won three straight and four of their last five. Davenport had a four-game stretch in that span where he shot 17-for-33 (51.5%) from 3-point range and had three 20-point games.
The preseason second-team All-AAC selection fouled out Tuesday with Cincinnati ahead 58-54 with 1:44 to play. Davenport, who led Cincinnati with a season-high 24 points against Tulsa on Jan. 20, had just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting (2-for-10 from 3-point range) against Temple.
Look for Davenport to bounce back against ECU, a team he scored a team-high 22 points in 29 minutes against earlier this month.
Vance Jackson
The senior Connecticut, New Mexico and Arkansas transfer nearly single-handedly defeated Cincinnati when the two teams squared off earlier this month. Jackson had a game-high 35 points and nine rebounds. Jackson's teammates scored a combined 36.
KEY TO THE GAME
Guard the 3-point line
East Carolina knocked down 10 of its 22 3-point attempts (46%) in the teams' last meeting. Jackson shot 8-for-11 from deep. The Bearcats can't let Jackson have clean looks from behind the arc.
RANKINGS
KenPom.com: Cincinnati (75); East Carolina (165)
NET: Cincinnati (68); East Carolina (167)
RPI: Cincinnati (103); East Carolina (154)
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