Cincinnati Bearcats v. Nebraska Cornhuskers Preview
By Matt Niehaus
Dec 23, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Ge
Today is a good day to be a Cincinnati Bearcats fan. Not only is the Belk Bowl today but the Bearcats Basketball team is also taking on the Nebraska Cornhuskers at noon in Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena on ESPN2.
Cincinnati has won their last three games after losing their previous two. The Nebraska game Saturday is the last game before the Bearcats open conference play this season. A win and a good performance is key to making a run through the AAC conference.
Nebraska enters Saturday’s game with an 8-3 record, Cincinnati marks their biggest test this season next to Creighton and UMass, both games in which the Cornhuskers lost. Nebraska opens up Big10 play following the Bearcats game so just like Cincinnati this will be key to setting the tone for conference play.
The Cornhuskers have been led this season by sophomore Terran Petteway who is averaging 16.8 points a game, and 30.7 minutes a game. Joining Petteway is sophomore Shavon Sheilds who like Petteway is averaging 30.4 minutes a game and 13.6 points a game. If Cincinnati is going to compete today it will be key to shut down this two sophomores.
As you all know Cincinnati is led by seniors Sean Kilpatrick, Titus Rubles, and Justin Jackson. These three seniors have taken control of Cincinnati this season, along with the help of sophomore Shaq Thomas and junior Ge’lawn Guyn have contributed tremendously.
Kilpatrick’s 18.9 points a game lead the Bearcats this season, picking better shot selections is the only thing the senior needs to work on. That goes for the whole team really, taking quality shots is key. A repeat of the Xavier game would not be good. Justin Jackson leads the team with 7.7 rebounds a game, that has been huge for the Bearcats this season as they have needed rebounds due to shot selection.
Obviously we’d like to predict a Cincinnati blowout today but it is hard to get a grip on this team this season. Nebraska hasn’t beat a quality opponent this season while Cincinnati has. Cincinnati wins by 10 today.