2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team

The 2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team represents the University of Cincinnati in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearcats are led by second-year head-coach John Brannen. The team plays their home games at Fifth Third Arena as members of the American Athletic Conference.

2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Head coachJohn Brannen (2nd season)
Assistant coaches
Home arenaFifth Third Arena
2020–21 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Cincinnati0–0 –  0–0  –
East Carolina0–0 –  0–0  –
Houston0–0 –  0–0  –
Memphis0–0 –  0–0  –
SMU0–0 –  0–0  –
South Florida0–0 –  0–0  –
Temple0–0 –  0–0  –
Tulane0–0 –  0–0  –
Tulsa0–0 –  0–0  –
UCF0–0 –  0–0  –
Wichita State0–0 –  0–0  –
As of June 27, 2020; Rankings from AP Poll
2021 AAC Tournament

Previous season

The Bearcats finished the 2019–20 season 20–10, 13–5 in AAC play, finishing tied for first place and winning a share of the regular season title. The Cats kept fans on the edge of their seats with a nation-leading 7 overtime games.[1] They entered as the No. 1 seed in the AAC Tournament, which was ultimately cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Bearcats were awarded the automatic bid to the 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by the conference, before it too was cancelled.[2]

On March 27, 2020 Keith Williams announced that he would enter the 2020 NBA draft, but would keep his options open to return to school for his senior season.[3] On April 21, 2020 Chris Vogt also announced his intentions to enter the draft, while also keeping his opportunity to return.[4]

Offseason

Departing players
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Chris McNeal 0 G 6'1" 190 Graduate Student Jackson, Tennessee Graduated
Trevor Moore 5 G 6'5" 195 Junior Houston, Texas Transferred to Morgan State (mid-season)[5]
Tre Scott 13 F 6'8" 225 RS Senior Darien, Georgia Graduated
Jaevin Cumberland 21 G 6'3" 185 Graduate Student Wilmington, Ohio Graduated
Prince Toyambi 24 F 6'7" 225 RS Freshman Kinshasa, DR Congo Transferred to Georgia Southern[6]
John Koz 32 G 6'1" 200 Senior Cleveland, Ohio Walk-on; graduated
Jarron Cumberland 34 G 6'5" 210 Senior Wilmington, Ohio Graduated
Jaume Sorolla 35 C 6'11" 240 Graduate Student Tortosa, Spain Left team (mid-season)[7]

Incoming Transfers
NamePos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Rapolas IvanauskasF6'10"230Graduate StudentBarrington, ILTransferred from Colgate after graduating. Will have one year of eligibility beginning immediately.[8][9]
David DeJuliusG6'0"190JuniorDetroit, MITransferred from Michigan. Under NCAA transfer rules, DeJulius will have to sit out for the 2020–21 season. Will have two years of remaining eligibility.[10][11]

Recruiting class of 2020
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Mike Saunders
PG		 Indianapolis, IN Wasatch Academy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) June 11, 2019[12] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 80
Gabe Madsen
SF		 Rochester, MN Mayo High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 180 lb (82 kg) August 31, 2019[13] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 80
Mason Madsen
CG		 Rochester, MN Mayo High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) August 31, 2019[14] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: NR
Tari Eason
PF		 Seattle, WA Garfield High School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) December 21, 2019[15] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 79
Viktor Lakhin
C		 Anapa, Russia CSKA Moscow 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 218 lb (99 kg) June 15, 2020[16] 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 39
  • 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 2020 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2020-03-11.

    Preseason

    AAC media poll

    Preseason Awards

    Roster
    2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G -- Mason Madson 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg) FrMayo High School Rochester, Minnesota
    G/F -- Gabe Madson 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)180 lb (82 kg) FrMayo High School Rochester, Minnesota
    G 0 David DeJulius  6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrMichigan Detroit, Michigan
    G 1 Zach Harvey 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoProlific Prep Topeka, Kansas
    G 2 Keith Williams 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)215 lb (98 kg) SrBishop Loughlin Memorial High School Brooklyn, New York
    G 3 Mike Saunders Jr. 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)165 lb (75 kg) FrWasatch Academy Indianapolis, Indiana
    F 13 Tari Eason 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg) FrGarfield High School Seattle, Washington
    F 20 Mamoudou Diarra 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS Jr22ft Academy Bamako, Mali
    G 23 Mika Adams-Woods 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg) SoNew Hampton School Syracuse, New York
    G/F 24 Jeremiah Davenport 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)205 lb (93 kg) SoHargrave Military Academy Cincinnati, Ohio
    F 25 Rapolas Ivanauskas 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg) GSColgate Barrington, Illinois
    C 30 Viktor Lakhin 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)218 lb (99 kg) FrCSKA Moscow Anapa, Russia
    G 31 Sam Martin (W) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg) RS JrSummit Country Day School Cincinnati, Ohio
    C 33 Chris Vogt 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)260 lb (118 kg) SrNorthern Kentucky Mayfield, Kentucky
    F 44 Adam Cook (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)180 lb (82 kg) SrMarysville High School Marysville, Ohio
    F 45 Rob Banks (W) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg) SoGould Academy Bracknell, England
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster
    Last update: March 4, 2020

    Schedule and results

    In a unique announcement on Twitter, John Brannen and Chris Mack exchanged tweets announcing a renewal of the Cincinnati–Louisville rivalry with the first game at Fifth Third Arena on November 13.[17] The Bearcats will travel to Knoxville for the second part of a home-and-home series with the Tennessee Volunteers. Cincinnati will also travel to Brooklyn to compete in the NIT Season Tip-Off.[18] The Bearcats will host the Xavier Musketeers in the annual Crosstown Shootout.

    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    *
    		 TBD     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH
    Non-Conference Regular Season
    November 13, 2020*
    		 Louisville
    Rivalry    		     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH
    November 19, 2020*
    		 at Northern Kentucky     BB&T Arena 
    Highland Heights, KY
    November 25, 2020*
    		 vs. Arizona, Texas Tech, or St. John's
    NIT Season Tip-Off    		     Barclays Center 
    Brooklyn, NY
    November 27, 2020*
    		 vs. Arizona, Texas Tech, or St. John's
    NIT Season Tip-Off    		     Barclays Center 
    Brooklyn, NY
    November 30, 2020*
    		 Lipscomb     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH
    December 12, 2020*
    		 at Tennessee     Thompson–Boling Arena 
    Knoxville, TN
    December 15, 2020*
    		 Furman     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH
    December 19, 2020*
    		 at Georgia     Stegeman Coliseum 
    Athens, GA
    December 22, 2020*
    		 Richmond     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH
    TBD*
    		 Xavier
    Crosstown Shootout    		     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH
    AAC Regular Season

    		 East Carolina     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 at East Carolina     Williams Arena 
    Greenville, NC

    		 Houston     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 at Houston     Fertitta Center 
    Houston, TX

    		 at Memphis
    Rivalry    		     FedEx Forum 
    Memphis, TN

    		 Memphis
    Rivalry    		     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 SMU     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 at SMU     Moody Coliseum 
    University Park, TX

    		 at South Florida     Yuengling Center 
    Tampa, FL

    		 South Florida     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 at Temple     Liacouras Center 
    Philadelphia, PA

    		 Temple     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 at Tulane     Devlin Fieldhouse 
    New Orleans, LA

    		 Tulane     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 Tulsa     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 at Tulsa     Reynolds Center 
    Tulsa, OK

    		 at UCF     Addition Financial Arena 
    Orlando, FL

    		 UCF     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH

    		 at Wichita State     Charles Koch Arena 
    Wichita, KS

    		 Wichita State     Fifth Third Arena 
    Cincinnati, OH
    AAC Tournament

    		 vs. TBD     Dickies Arena 
    Fort Worth, TX
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Eastern Time.

    Rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = 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 Not released 
    Coaches

    *AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings

    References
    1. http://digital.learfieldimgcollege.com/cincinnati-mbb-review/full-view.html
    2. Page, Fletcher (12 Mar 2020). "American Athletic Conference cancels men's basketball tournament amid coronavirus concerns". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 17 Apr 2020.
    3. "UC's Williams says he will enter 2020 NBA Draft, but keeping options open". WKRC.com. WKRC-TV. 27 Mar 2020. Retrieved 15 Apr 2020.
    4. Vogt, Chris [@ChrisVogt33] (21 Apr 2020). "Just a kid from Mayfield" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2020 – via Twitter.
    5. Borzello, Jeff [@jeffborzello] (9 December 2019). "Cincinnati guard Trevor Moore has entered the transfer portal, source told ESPN" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 February 2020 – via Twitter.
    6. Toyambi, Prince [@BIGPRINCE19] (8 May 2020). "Next Chapter, Georgia Southern University let's Go!!" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 May 2020 – via Twitter.
    7. Page, Fletcher. "Jay Sorolla leaves Cincinnati basketball, will turn pro". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
    8. Borzello, Jeff [@jeffborzello] (14 Apr 2020). "Colgate grad transfer Rapolas Ivanauskas announced his commitment to Cincinnati. 6-foot-10, has perimeter range, averaged 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds. Top-20 grad transfer" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 Apr 2020 – via Twitter.
    9. "Ivanauskas Joins Cincinnati Men's Basketball". GoBearcats.com. GoBearcats. 15 Apr 2020. Retrieved 15 Apr 2020.
    10. Clark, Dave (16 Apr 2020). "Michigan transfer David DeJulius commits to Cincinnati Bearcats". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 16 Apr 2020.
    11. "DeJulius Transferring to Cincinnati". GoBearcats.com. GoBearcats. 17 Apr 2020. Retrieved 17 Apr 2020.
    12. Clark, Dave (11 June 2019). "Mike Saunders Jr. gives Cincinnati Bearcats Class of 2020 commitment". Cincinnati Enquirer.
    13. Page, Fletcher (1 September 2019). "UC basketball: Gabe and Mason Madsen commit to play for John Brannen". Cincinnati Enquirer.
    14. Page, Fletcher (1 September 2019). "UC basketball: Gabe and Mason Madsen commit to play for John Brannen". Cincinnati Enquirer.
    15. Evans, Corey (22 December 2019). "Cincinnati wins out with four-star forward Tari Eason". Rivals.
    16. "UC basketball team lands forward from Russia". WKRC-TV. 15 Jun 2020.
    17. Rauch, Jeremy [@FOX19Jeremy] (30 Apr 2020). "Big college basketball news: UC will host Louisville on Friday, Nov. 13. A source really, really close to the situation told me to follow the tweets" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2020 – via Twitter.
    18. "Cincinnati to Play in 2020 NIT Season Tip-Off". GoBearcats.com. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
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