LAS VEGAS – Nearly two months after their last meeting, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats will take on Big 12 conference foe UCF in the College Basketball Crown quarterfinals Thursday night.
UC coach Wes Miller got his team back on the winning track by beating DePaul 83-61 in the opening game Tuesday. Six Bearcats scored in double figures with Dillon Mitchell leading the pack with 15 points. Day Day Thomas added 13 points and swiped the ball seven times. He's now pilfered the pill 17 times in his last three games.
"He's fast!" Mitchell said. "We can really get out, run the lane and he's going to make the right plays. Really with all of us being active, what Coach talks about is being ready. It just helps you to make plays and read the court."
Departing seniors Aziz Bandaogo and Simas Lukošius were also part of the double-figure scorers as was Dan Skillings Jr. Bandaogo and Lukošius are playing their final UC games in the Las Vegas tournament which ends with a final Sunday.
"The season was disappointing for me," Lukošius. "I'm grateful I get an opportunity to finish on a better note."
UCF got a late free throw from 7-foot-2 Moutapha Thiam to break a tie with Oregon State. Thiam then blocked a shot late and the Knights held off a late attempt by the Beavers to prevail 76-75. Both teams were down roster-wise due to the portal and both used just eight players. UC played 10 against DePaul who likewise went with eight players.
Last UC, UCF battle in Orlando
After dropping four straight Big 12 games between Jan. 21 and Feb. 3, the Bearcats got well at Orlando's Addition Financial Arena with a 93-83 win over the Knights, who then had Keyshawn Hall, the Big 12's leading scorer (18.8). Hall is one of the Knights in the transfer portal."
Hall had 23 points in the loss in February and teammate Darius Johnson had 21, but was disappointed the Knights lost on his birthday, so revenge is on his mind.
"I'm definitely looking forward to the game," Johnson said. "We only played once this season and they got us at home. I'm looking forward to playing them, conference rival from The American to the Big 12. It's going to be a competitive, physical game, a hard-nosed fight to the end."
UCF Coach Dawkins was a little more generic in his thoughts.
"Cincinnati's a really good team, very talented," he said. "They've got good size, good length and they play hard. They're a tough team."
Which UCF Knights will play vs. UC Bearcats?
UCF has eight players in the transfer portal including Tyler Hendricks and Nils Machowski who played Tuesday. Jaylin Sellers, who was limited to three games this season is believed to be one of numerous players on UC's list to secure. Other Knights in addition to Hall, Hendricks and Machowski that are not playing are J.J. Taylor, Cameron Simpson, Rokas Jocius and Mikey Williams.
