"It's one of the great things about this program, the support and the people," Miller said of what lies ahead for the departing trio. "I know they'll honor those three guys."
Samuell Williamson (F, 6'8",9.3 ppg)
Efe Odige (F, 6'8", 11/4 ppg)
Zhurice Phelps (G, 6'5",17.4 ppg)
Zach Nutall (G, 6'4",13.4 ppg)
Jalen Smith (G, 6'4",4.4 ppg)
Cincinnati Bearcats scouting report
Cincinnati (19-11, 10-7 AAC)
Coach: Wes Miller (37-26, second season)
Offense: 77.3 ppg
Defense: 69.6 ppg
Projected lineup
(Position, Height, Stats)
Landers Nolley II (G/F, 6'7", 16.3 ppg)
David DeJulius (G, 6', 14.6 ppg)
Viktor Lakhin (F, 6'11", 12.3 ppg)
Mika Adams-Woods (G, 6'3", 9.0 ppg)
Ody Oguama (F, 6'9", 5.2 ppg)
Players to watch
Zhuric Phelps
The former Texas Mr. Basketball leads the Mustangs in scoring at over 17 points per game. Phelps had a season-high 28 points to start the season against Texas A&M–Commerce. His AAC high is 26 against Wichita State. Against the Bearcats on Jan. 14, Phelps was held to 11 points on 5-for-18 shooting and missed all three of his three-point attempts.
David DeJulius
While you could see DeJulius again at Fifth Third Arena in a possible NIT game, as things stand now, this is his last regular-season game on the floor. He came to the Bearcats after two seasons at Michigan and has started every game outside of three in his initial 2020-21 season. He has steadily improved his game going from nine points per game in his first UC season to over 14 per game the past two seasons. He's improved his three-point percentage from 20% to 30% to almost 40% this season. He's also been the AAC assist leader this season and joined the 1,000-point club (at UC) earlier during the year.
Keys to the game
Keep your composure
Though emotions will be running high, SMU also has scholarship players and gave UC all it could handle earlier in the year in Dallas. It's a pivotal game for the Bearcats in terms of AAC tournament seeding and their post-season resumé. Losing on Senior Day is a memory no player ever wants. UC last won 20 games on March 7, 2020, when they defeated Temple 64-63 to finish 20-10. Soon after the AAC tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hope Lakhin blocks 'em
Jan. 14 in Dallas, Lakhin was held to six points at SMU. However, he was one of three Bearcats in double figures in rebounds with 10 and he blocked a season-high eight shots. As long as he can stay out of foul trouble, Lakhin is an issue in the paint even if he doesn't get a hand on the ball.
It may not be the last time at Fifth Third Arena
UC in all likelihood must run the table in the AAC tournament for an NCAA bid. Should they fail, they could wind up in the NIT, possibly hosting a game that would give fans and players at least another home game. Among those that predict such things, UC is either a No. 5 NIT seed , a No. 6 seed or one of the first four teams bounced out of the tournament which culminates in Las Vegas this year March 28-30.
Ratings
NCAA NET:
