The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team owned a 13-0 advantage in fast-break points in Thursday's win over Cleveland State.
The Bearcats (2-0) were able to use their length and athleticism to get out and run and use their depth to outlast the Vikings, 69-58.
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Second-year Cincinnati coach Wes Miller played 10 different players in the victory. Eight of them played double-digit minutes. The other two (forwards Ody Oguama and Kalu Ezikpe) saw more than eight minutes of action. That depth is exactly what Miller hopes to have as an advantage every night.
Long, athletic and deep.
"Man, I want to be. I really do." Miller said after Thursday's win. "I thought there in the second half we finally got some things in transition. I was really disappointed in our run game early. No. 1, you've got to get stops to run and run effectively. But even on made baskets we want to get a good push, and we weren't doing that. So, yeah, I was disappointed in our run game early in the game. I think if we can run consistently, make good decisions with the ball and not take bad shots, we can wear people down over the course of the game at that (defensive) end, the way that we guard and play defense and press. I think we can get into our bench and use our depth."
Miller and the Bearcats close out their season-opening, three-game homestand Sunday against Eastern Kentucky (1-1), which suffered a 66-60 home loss to in-state rival Western Kentucky on Thursday. Cincinnati will look to use its length, athleticism and depth to skate past the Colonels and improve to 3-0.
UC Bearcats basketball vs. Eastern Kentucky
Tipoff: Noon on Sunday at Fifth Third Arena
TV/Radio: ESPN+/WLW-AM (700)
Series info: Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky are set to meet for the 11th time, with the Bearcats winning each of the previous 10 matchups. The Bearcats used a 12-4 run to outlast the Colonels 85-77 in overtime in their last meeting Dec. 20, 2008, at Fifth Third Arena.
Scouting report
Eastern Kentucky (1-1)
Coach: A.W. Hamilton, fifth season (65-61)
Offense: 98.5 ppg
Defense: 59 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Cooper Robb (G, 6'1", 10.5 ppg)
Tayshawn Comer (G, 6'1", 7 ppg)
Devontae Blanton (G, 6'6", 12 ppg)
Michael Moreno (F, 6'7", 14 ppg)
Isaiah Cozart (F, 6'7", 10 rpg)
Cincinnati (2-0)
Coach: Wes Miller, second season (20-15)
Offense: 83.5 ppg
Defense: 56.5 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Mika Adams-Woods (G, 6’3”, 8 ppg)
David DeJulius (G, 6’0", 21 ppg)
Landers Nolley II (G, 6’7”, 17.5 ppg)
Jeremiah Davenport (G, 6'7", 10.5 ppg)
Viktor Lakhin (F, 6’11”, 9 rpg)
Players to watch for Eastern Kentucky
Michael Moreno
The Colonels have a balanced offensive attack, but junior forward Michael Moreno leads the way, averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game. Moreno, who averages 10.2 points per night over his career, got off to a hot start against Western Kentucky, knocking down three of his first four 3-point attempts.
Viktor Lakhin
Cincinnati big man Viktor Lakhin recorded his second career double-double Thursday night, tallying 14 points and 12 rebounds. Lahkin had five rebounds on the offensive end. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Anapa, Russia, native also finished with three blocks. Lakhin has been the Bearcats' most efficient player thus far, starting the season 9-for-10 from the field.
Key to UC vs. EKU
Dominate the glass
Lakhin's presence will be key Sunday. He will need to keep EKU's Isaiah Cozart off the glass and limit him from creating second-chance opportunities. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward is averaging 10 rebounds per game through the Colonels' first two contests. Cozart had 12 boards and a block against the Hilltoppers, his former team.
Rankings
KenPom.com: Eastern Kentucky (261); Cincinnati (52)
RPI: Eastern Kentucky (309); Cincinnati (225)
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