2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team

2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball
NCAA Tournament, Second Round
Conference American Athletic Conference
Ranking
Coaches No. 12
AP No. 6
2017–18 record 31–5 (16–2 AAC)
Head coach Mick Cronin (12th season)
Assistant coach Larry Davis
Assistant coach Darren Savino
Assistant coach Antwon Jackson
Home arena BB&T Arena
2017–18 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 6 Cincinnati †16–2 .889  31–5  .861
No. 21 Houston14–4 .778  27–8  .771
No. 16 Wichita State14–4 .778  25–8  .758
Tulsa12–6 .667  19–12  .613
Memphis10–8 .556  21–13  .618
UCF9–9 .500  19–13  .594
Temple8–10 .444  17–16  .515
Connecticut7–11 .389  14–18  .438
SMU6–12 .333  17–16  .515
Tulane5–13 .278  14–17  .452
East Carolina4–14 .222  10–20  .333
South Florida3–15 .167  10–22  .313
† 2018 AAC Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played its home games at the BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky due to renovations at their home arena, Fifth Third Arena.[1] The Bearcats were led by 12th-year head coach Mick Cronin and are members of the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 31–5, 16–2 in AAC play to win the regular season championship. They defeated SMU, Memphis, and Houston to win the AAC Tournament and received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 2 seed in the West region, they defeated Georgia State in the First Round before being upset by Nevada in the Second Round.

Previous season

The Bearcats finished the 2016–17 season 30–6, 16–2 to finish in second place in AAC play. They beat Tulsa[2] and Connecticut[3] in the AAC Tournament before losing to SMU in the championship game.[4] The Bearcats received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 6 seed in the South region. In the NCAA Tournament, they defeated No. 11 Kansas State in the First Round 75–61[5] before losing to No. 3 UCLA 79–67 in the Second Round.[6]

Offseason

Departing players

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Troy Caupain10G6'4"210SeniorMidlothian, VirginiaGraduated
Kevin Johnson25G6'3"185SeniorCincinnati, OhioGraduated
Zack Tobler45F6'5"225SeniorFort Mitchell, KentuckyWalk on; graduated
Quadri Moore0F6'8"230JuniorLinden, New JerseyTransferred to Northwestern Oklahoma State[7][8]

Recruiting class of 2017

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Trevor Moore
SG		 Houston, Texas Phillis Wheatley High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jun 29, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 79
Eliel Nsoseme
C		 Kinshasa, DR Congo The RISE Centre Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Aug 21, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Keith Williams
SG		 Brooklyn, New York Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Oct 4, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 80
Mamoudou Diarra
SF		 Bamako, Mali 22 Feet Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Apr 28, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Cincinnati 2017 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2016-06-29.

    Cincinnati will also add Preferred Walk-on Sam Martin a 5'10" PG from Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio.[9]

    Preseason

    At the conference's annual media day, the Bearcats were narrowly picked to win the AAC receiving seven of the 12 first place votes.[10] Gary Clark, Jacob Evans, and Kyle Washington were named to the preseason All-AAC second team.[10]

    Roster

    2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G/F 1 Jacob Evans 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg) JrSt. Michael the Archangel High School Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    G 2 Keith Williams 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrBishop Loughlin Memorial High School Brooklyn, New York
    G 3 Justin Jenifer 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)175 lb (79 kg) JrMilford Mill Academy Baltimore, Maryland
    G 5 Trevor Moore 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrWheatley High School Whitney, Texas
    F 11 Gary Clark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) SrClayton High School Clayton, North Carolina
    F 13 Tre Scott 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS SoMcIntosh County Academy Darien, Georgia
    F 14 Jackson Bart (W) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg) RS SoOral Roberts Bartlesville, Oklahoma
    G 15 Cane Broome 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)160 lb (73 kg) JrSacred Heart East Hartford, Connecticut
    F 20 Mamoudou Diarra  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)205 lb (93 kg) Fr22 Feet Academy Bamako, Mali
    C 22 Eliel Nsoseme 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrThe RISE Centre Academy Kinshasa, DR Congo
    F 24 Kyle Washington 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS SrNC State Champlin, Minnesota
    G 31 Sam Martin (W) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)155 lb (70 kg) FrSummit Country Day School Cincinnati, Ohio
    G 32 John Koz (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoBay High School Cleveland, Ohio
    C 33 Nysier Brooks 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)240 lb (109 kg) SoAdvanced Prep International Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    G 34 Jarron Cumberland 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)218 lb (99 kg) SoWilmington High School Wilmington, Ohio
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster
    Last update: September 30, 2017

    Schedule and results

    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    Nov 1, 2017*
    7:00 p.m.    		 No. 12 vs. Bellarmine W 89–61 
    		 15 – Washington  5 – 3 tied  4 – Broome  Freedom Hall (4,135)
    Louisville, KY
    Nov 5, 2017*
    2:00 p.m., BearcatsTV    		 No. 12 Embry–Riddle (FL) W 101–68 
    		 27 – Cumberland  8 – Clark  9 – Jenifer  BB&T Arena (3,589)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Non-conference regular season
    Nov 10, 2017*
    Noon, FSOH/ESPN3    		 No. 12 Savannah State W 107–77  1–0
    		  19 – Evans  11 – Clark  5 – 3 tied  BB&T Arena (6,610)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Nov 13, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN3    		 No. 12 Western Carolina W 102–51  2–0
    		  20 – Cumberland  8 – Brooks  6 – Evans  BB&T Arena (7,051)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Nov 16, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., FSOH/ESPN3    		 No. 12 Coppin State W 97–54  3–0
    		  19 – Cumberland  9 – Tied  4 – Evans  BB&T Arena (7,158)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Nov 20, 2017*
    7:30 p.m., FloHoops.com    		 No. 12 vs. Buffalo
    Cayman Islands Classic quarterfinals    		 W 73–67  4–0
    		  24 – Clark  14 – Clark  5 – Jenifer  John Gray Gymnasium (1,200)
    Cayman Islands
    Nov 21, 2017*
    7:30 p.m.    		 No. 12 vs. Richmond
    Cayman Islands Classic semifinals    		 W 75–48  5–0
    		  13 – Broome  8 – Tied  7 – Clark  John Gray Gymnasium (1,400)
    Cayman Islands
    Nov 22, 2017*
    7.30 p.m.    		 No. 12 vs. Wyoming
    Cayman Islands Classic championship game    		 W 78–53  6–0
    		  17 – Clark  11 – Washington  5 – Evans  John Gray Gymnasium (1,530)
    Cayman Islands
    Nov 27, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., ESPNU    		 No. 11 Alabama State W 83–51  7–0
    		  14 – Clark  7 – Tied  4 – Tied  BB&T Arena (7,012)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Dec 2, 2017*
    Noon, FS1    		 No. 11 at No. 21 Xavier
    Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout    		 L 76–89  7–1
    		  23 – Evans  7 – Tied  4 – Jenifer  Cintas Center (10,817)
    Cincinnati, OH
    Dec 9, 2017*
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 17 vs. No. 5 Florida
    Never Forget Tribute Classic    		 L 60–66  7–2
    		  15 – Broome  13 – Clark  2 – Cumberland  Prudential Center (9,112)
    Newark, NJ
    Dec 12, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 25 Mississippi State W 66–50  8–2
    		  24 – Evans  13 – Clark  4 – Tied  BB&T Arena (8,128)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Dec 16, 2017*
    3:30 p.m., CBS    		 No. 25 at UCLA W 77–63  9–2
    		  19 – Washington  11 – Clark  5 – Cumberland  Pauley Pavilion (10,018)
    Los Angeles, CA
    Dec 19, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN3    		 No. 20 Arkansas–Pine Bluff W 77–49  10–2
    		  17 – Broome  7 – Evans  3 – 3 tied  BB&T Arena (5,812)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Dec 21, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN3    		 No. 20 Cleveland State W 81–62  11–2
    		  18 – Clark  9 – Washington  7 – Jenifer  BB&T Arena (7,988)
    Highland Heights, KY
    AAC regular season
    Dec 31, 2017
    4:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 21 Memphis W 82–48  12–2
    (1–0)    		  15 – Cumberland  10 – Clark  6 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,143)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Jan 4, 2018
    9:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 19 at Temple W 55–53  13–2
    (2–0)    		  18 – Washington  7 – Brooks  4 – Evans  Liacouras Center (4,274)
    Philadelphia, PA
    Jan 7, 2018
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 19 SMU W 76–56  14–2
    (3–0)    		  18 – Tied  8 – Tied  4 – 3 tied  BB&T Arena (9,109)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Jan 13, 2018
    7:00 p.m., ESPNews    		 No. 14 at South Florida W 78–55  15–2
    (4–0)    		  18 – Cumberland  10 – Clark  4 – Tied  USF Sun Dome (3,609)
    Tampa, FL
    Jan 16, 2018
    7:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 No. 12 at UCF W 49–38  16–2
    (5–0)    		  17 – Clark  14 – Clark  3 – Cumberland  CFE Arena (7,565)
    Orlando, FL
    Jan 20, 2018
    4:00 p.m., ESPNews    		 No. 12 East Carolina W 86–60  17–2
    (6–0)    		  17 – Tied  14 – Clark  6 – Broome  BB&T Arena (8,879)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Jan 24, 2018
    9:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 No. 9 Temple W 75–42  18–2
    (7–0)    		  17 – Clark  10 – Clark  5 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,924)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Jan 27, 2018
    6:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 No. 9 at Memphis W 62–48  19–2
    (8–0)    		  18 – Clark  10 – Washington  6 – Broome  FedEx Forum (12,223)
    Memphis, TN
    Jan 31, 2018
    7:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 No. 8 Houston W 80–70  20–2
    (9–0)    		  19 – Washington  10 – Clark  5 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,885)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Feb 3, 2018
    Noon, ESPN2    		 No. 8 at Connecticut W 65–57  21–2
    (10–0)    		  19 – Evans  11 – Washington  3 – Tied  Gampel Pavilion (9,170)
    Storrs, CT
    Feb 6, 2018
    7:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 No. 6 UCF W 77–40  22–2
    (11–0)    		  14 – Moore  8 – Scott  5 – Broome  BB&T Arena (8,673)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Feb 11, 2018
    4:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 6 at SMU W 76–51  23–2
    (12–0)    		  17 – Washington  8 – Washington  5 – Jenifer  Moody Coliseum (6,935)
    University Park, TX
    Feb 15, 2018
    7:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 No. 5 at Houston L 62–67  23–3
    (12–1)    		  16 – Evans  7 – Clark  2 – Tied  H&PE Arena (5,363)
    Houston, TX
    Feb 18, 2018
    4:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 5 No. 19 Wichita State L 72–76  23–4
    (12–2)    		  18 – Cumberland  8 – Clark  3 – Tied  BB&T Arena (9,523)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Feb 22, 2018
    7:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 11 Connecticut W 77–52  24–4
    (13–2)    		  17 – Clark  9 – Scott  5 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,217)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Feb 25, 2018
    Noon, CBSSN    		 No. 11 Tulsa W 82–74  25–4
    (14–2)    		  17 – Tied  7 – Scott  8 – Cumberland  BB&T Arena (8,911)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Mar 1, 2018
    9:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 10 at Tulane W 78–49  26–4
    (15–2)    		  16 – Washington  9 – Clark  5 – Cumberland  Devlin Fieldhouse (2,824)
    New Orleans, LA
    Mar 4, 2018
    Noon, CBS    		 No. 10 at No. 11 Wichita State W 62–61  27–4
    (16–2)    		  19 – Evans  7 – Tied  2 – Tied  Charles Koch Arena (10,506)
    Wichita, KS
    AAC Tournament
    Mar 9, 2018
    Noon, ESPN2    		 (1) No. 8 vs. (9) SMU
    Quarterfinals    		 W 61–51  28–4
    		  15 – Washington  9 – Clark  8 – Cumberland  Amway Center (8,491)
    Orlando, FL
    Mar 10, 2018
    1:00 p.m., CBS    		 (1) No. 8 vs. (5) Memphis
    Semifinals    		 W 70–60  29–4
    		  18 – Cumberland  12 – Clark  5 – Tied  Amway Center (8,644)
    Orlando, FL
    Mar 11, 2018
    3:30 p.m., CBS    		 (1) No. 8 vs. (3) No. 21 Houston
    Championship Game    		 W 56–55  30–4
    		  20 – Clark  12 – Clark  3 – Evans  Amway Center (8,670)
    Orlando, FL
    NCAA Tournament
    Mar 16, 2018*
    2:00 p.m., TBS    		 (2 S) No. 6 vs. (15 S) Georgia State
    First Round    		 W 68–53  31–4
    		  27 – Cumberland  13 – Clark  5 – Jenifer  Bridgestone Arena (17,552)
    Nashville, TN
    Mar 17, 2018*
    6:10 pm, TNT    		 (2 S) No. 6 vs. (7 S) No. 24 Nevada
    Second Round    		 L 73–75  31–5
    		  19 – Evans  11 – Washington  3 – 2 tied  Bridgestone Arena (17,552)
    Nashville, TN
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. S=South.
    All times are in Eastern Time.

    Source[11][12]

    Rankings

    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Final 
    AP 12 12 12 11 17 25 20 21 19 14 12 9 8 6 5 11 10 8 6 Not released 
    Coaches 13 13 13 9 18 RV 22 22 20 13 11 8 8 6 5 (1) 11 10 8 10 12

    *AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings

    References

    1. ↑ Watkins, Steve. "UC picks temporary basketball home for Fifth Third Arena renovation". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
    2. ↑ "No. 15 Cincinnati eases past Tulsa in AAC quarterfinals". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    3. ↑ "Bearcats defeat Connecticut to advance to AAC Championship Game". Down The Drive. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    4. ↑ "Cincinnati loses to SMU in the AAC title game, 71–56 and land sixth seed in the South Region". InsideTheBearcats.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    5. ↑ "Kansas State vs. Cincinnati – Game Recap – March 17, 2017 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    6. ↑ MARSHALL, JOHN (March 19, 2017). "UCLA beats Cincinnati 79–67 to earn Sweet 16 trip". Retrieved August 2, 2017.
    7. ↑ Groeschen, Tom. "UC basketball player Moore to transfer". Cincinnati.com. Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
    8. ↑ https://twitter.com/theofficial_q/status/950750918072467456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E950750918072467456&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcsnbbs.com%2Fthread-841366.html%7Cwebsite=twitter.com%7C
    9. ↑ Groeschen, Tom. "UC basketball adds former Summit CD star". Cincinnati.com. Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
    10. 1 2 "Cincinnati Selected as 2017–18 American Men's Basketball Preseason Favorite". Retrieved 2017-10-24.
    11. ↑ "Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball 2017–18 Schedule – Bearcats Home and Away – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
    12. ↑ "University of Cincinnati Official Athletic Site". www.gobearcats.com. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.