There's no place like home.
After escaping Oxford with a 59-58 win Wednesday night over in-state rival Miami University in its first true road test of the season, the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team is ready to get back home.
First-year Cincinnati coach Wes Miller said after the victory over the RedHawks that his team needs to improve its "offensive execution."
More:Rivalry renewed: Cincinnati edges RedHawks 59-58 in first meeting in a decade
The Bearcats (6-2) have one more chance to iron out the kinks Sunday night against Bryant at Fifth Third Arena before it's next road test: Dec. 11 at crosstown rival Xavier.
Bryant (3-5) will be looking to rebound from a 111-44 loss Friday at Cincinnati's American Athletic Conference-mate Houston. The 67-point drubbing was the most lopsided outcome in AAC history.
More:Three keys, prediction: No. 4 Cincinnati hosts No. 21 Houston in AAC championship game
THE GAME
Tipoff: 7 p.m. on Sunday at Fifth Third Arena
TV/Radio: ESPN+/WLW-AM (700)
Series info: This is the first-ever meeting between Bryant and Cincinnati.
SCOUTING REPORT
Bryant (3-5)
Coach: Jared Grasso, fourth season (43-49)
Offense: 72.4 ppg
Defense: 75.8 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Erickson Bans (G, 5'11", 2.5 ppg)
Charles Pride (G, 6'4", 13.3 ppg)
Adham Eleeda (G, 6'5", 8 ppg)
Peter Kiss (G, 6'5", 19.5 ppg)
Hall Elisias (F, 6'8", 8.8 ppg)
Cincinnati (6-2)
Coach: Wes Miller, first season (6-2)
Offense: 71.4 ppg
Defense: 58.6 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
David DeJulius (G, 6’, 12.6 ppg)
Mika Adams-Woods (G, 6’3”, 6.8 ppg)
John Newman III (G, 6’4”, 5.7 ppg)
Jeremiah Davenport (G, 6'7", 11.1 ppg)
Abdul Ado (F, 6’11”, 1.6 bpg)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Peter Kiss
After beginning his career at Quinnipiac and playing a season at Rutgers, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard is having his most productive campaign yet in his second season with the Bulldogs. Kiss is averaging a team-high 19.5 points per game along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Mika Adams-Woods
The junior guard had five assists for the fourth time this season against the RedHawks. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Syracuse, New York, native also committed zero turnovers for the fifth time. With 30 total assists and only four turnovers through the first eight games, Mika Adams-Woods leads the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio.
KEY TO THE GAME
Play smart
Miller made it a point to mention his team's "mental breakdowns in both halves defensively" following the one-point victory at Miami. Mental lapses, particularly on the defensive end, can't happen against good teams. The Bearcats need to build smart habits now before they face Xavier and get into conference play.
RANKINGS
KenPom.com: Bryant (247); Cincinnati (72)
RPI: Bryant (247); Cincinnati (48)
