Cincinnati will try to put a tough loss in the Crosstown Shootout in the rear view mirror when they take on Georgia on Saturday afternoon in a Holiday Hoopsgiving appearance in Atlanta.
The Bearcats (6-3) have been off since their Dec. 5 loss at rival Xavier, 79-74. With a home loss to Eastern Michigan in late November and no signature win through nine games, the Bearcats’ games against Georgia and Clemson on Dec. 21 become c
Day Day Thomas (13.9 ppg), Baba Miller (13.6) and Shon Abaev (12.0) lead the team in scoring, with Miller averaging a double-double averaging 11.1 rebounds per game. Miller tallied 10 points, 17 rebounds and six assists in the loss to Xavier. Veteran point guard Kerr Kriisa leads the Bearcats with 41 assists.
But turnovers and a lack of 3-point shooting is this team’s Waterloo. Cincinnati averages 14.3 turnovers per game and is only shooting 32% from 3-point range.
“We had a really disappointing loss to Eastern Michigan,” head coach Wes Miller said. “There’s no way around that. I think if we win a few more possessions, people will think differently of us. We are in the process of becoming a great team. Our job is to win each day.”
Georgia (8-1) will be a massive test for the Bearcats. With an electric offense averaging a nation-best 99.9 points per game and a physical presence averaging 44.6 rebounds per game (seventh in the country), the Bulldogs also lead the nation with a plus-28.6 point differential.
Jeremiah Wilkinson leads the Bulldogs with 17.1 points per game, with Blue Cain right behind him averaging 15.4.
While no Bulldog averages more than 5.8 rebounds per game, 11 different players average at least two rebounds per game.
“Man, we can score it,” head coach Mike White said. “We can, especially if we’re allowed to play in space and the open floor. These guys turn people over so much. We’re a talented offensive team.”
Georgia’s lowest point total this season is 78 points, a win over Xavier in late November. The Bulldogs have scored 100-plus points four times this season.
Miller’s second game as the Bearcats’ head coach, in November 2021, was a home win over Georgia.
