Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Opens Play With Exhibition Saturday

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball opens play Saturday afternoon at 2pm against the Carleton University Ravens. Saturday’s game is

Feb 24, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Justin Jackson (5) controls the ball in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 62-41. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

only an exhibition game, but it is a game that could see the Bearcats tested. Carelton isn’t the pushover that some people think they are. Cincinnati though is looking to shore up a solid lineup in preparation for a season in the new American Conference.

What do you know about Carleton University? More than likely nothing which is completely understandable. To start off with they aren’t even an american university. They are located in Ottawa, Ontario Carleton is home to 26,000 students and a very impressive basketball team. They finished the 2012-2013 season with a 31-1 record and the Canadian National Championship. They have won 9 out of the last 11 Canadian National Championships.

That is who Carleton is. Cincinnati is use to playing legitimate pushovers to open up exhibition play. Today they will be pushed, Carleton took Syracuse to overtime a week ago and beat Wisconsin. With that type of talent coming to the court the Bearcats will need to be on their game.

Led by senior Sean Kilpatrick the Bearcats will likely try out different lineups to ready for the season. Freshman Jermaine Lawrence will see sometime today as the heralded freshman looks to make an impression early.

Seniors Titus Rubles, Justin Jackson and Dave Nyarsuk will looked at to be the leaders this season along with Sean Kilpatrick. The seniors have been to three NCAA tournament appearances in a row they know what it takes to get there. They will be able to get the younger guys in line to hopefully make a deep run.

Cincinnati has won all three of their games against Carleton. On Saturday they look to make it four. If you’re around Clifton or you don’t have anything to do around 2pm head to Fifth Third Arena tickets are still available.