CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bearcats tip off Year 2 of the Wes Miller era Monday against Chaminade at Fifth Third Arena. Cincinnati will host a trio of home games to open the nonconference schedule before a quick road trip across the river to Northern Kentucky on Nov. 16. Then it’s off to the islands for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational starting Nov. 21, when the competition really cranks up.
We already have gone in-depth on the roster and expectations in our season preview and examined why the returning pieces and continuity in Miller’s second season could be a significant benefit for the Bearcats. With the opener just days away, let’s run through a few of my prevailing thoughts and observations based on practice viewings and conversations with people around the program.
Here are 10 thoughts on Cincinnati’s program as the 2022-23 schedule is set to begin:
Nolley is exactly what this program was missing
The fifth-year Memphis transfer who started his career at Virginia Tech filled a gaping hole in the roster when he made the move to UC this offseason. At 6-foot-7, Landers Nolley II is a bonafide bucket-getter with the size and skill to play multiple positions and be used on and off the ball. He’s a good, high-volume shooter, averaging 37 percent from beyond the 3-point line in two seasons at Memphis and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Cincinnati will run actions to get him open and also put him in ball screens and allow him to create for himself and his teammates. Last year at Memphis was a bit of a mess, but his averages of 13.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 2021-22 while shooting 45/39/80 and playing 27 minutes per game is a decent barometer for what the Bearcats are expecting out of Nolley this season.
Nolley should bring some much-needed edge
In addition to some scoring pop on the wing, last year’s team often was lacking in attitude and was short on killer instinct. Nolley should add that. In addition to his ability to get points, he has a confidence to him that felt infectious (in a good way!) in some of the offseason open gym sessions and workouts. Nolley isn’t exactly a defensive stopper, but that energy can help provide the team toughness on both ends of the court.
In Cincinnati’s final 19 games last year, John Newman III (15) scored in double figures eight times. (Katie Stratman / USA Today)
Phinisee should offer a new dimension at point guard
The Indiana transfer never averaged more than 7.3 points per game in four years with the Hoosiers, but that’s not why the Bearcats brought him in. Cincinnati needed more on-ball perimeter defense and a steady presence at the lead guard position, two things Rob Phinisee is known for. If he can chip in six to eight points per game, that’s great for UC, but more important is Phinisee’s ability to pick up full-court and contain ball-handlers on defense, then initiate fast breaks and actions on offense while taking care of the ball.
Ezikpe adds offensive versatility, has big shoes to fill defensively
The third of Cincinnati’s three offseason portal additions, Kalu Ezikpe will give the Bearcats a new identity as the main post presence, at least among the expected starters. At 6-8, the Old Dominion transfer has solid size but is a different player than Abdul Ado and Hayden Koval, the pair of 7-0 centers from last year’s roster. Ezikpe has the versatility to step out, square up and even handle the ball as a point-forward on offense, which should space Cincinnati out and help pick up the tempo. He will be the main line of post defense replacing Ado and Koval, who were two of the most prolific active shot-blockers in college basketball last season. Ezikpe won’t be expected to provide the same degree of rim protection as those two, but the fifth-year senior often will be tasked with rebounding and defending the opposing team’s best post player.
Rebounding is a top priority
Defense always will be a focal point of any Miller-coached team, and while it remains a work in progress with this group, Miller and his staff put enough emphasis on it that it should continue to improve as the season unfolds. Rebounding, however, will be a critical aspect, even more so this season with that departing rim protection. Much of that will fall to Ezikpe, but it will have to be a team effort on both ends of the floor. Otherwise, it could be an ongoing concern and issue for this squad.
Newman, if healthy, could be the unsung hero
John Newman III is the team’s best on-ball defender, and after shortened or injury-riddled offseasons the past few years, he got in great shape with strength coach Mike Rehfeldt during the spring and summer. Newman was hampered by a nagging ankle injury last season but improved during the season. After shooting just 27 percent from 3-point range and scoring in double figures once through the first 13 games, he shot 37 percent from distance during the final 19 contests with eight games in double figures. Newman is one of the team’s leaders, and if he can stay healthy, shoot at a solid clip and supply his customary stellar defense, it could be a difference-maker.
Someone needs to emerge in the post
The Bearcats have a lot of experience in the backcourt and depth on the wing, but the frontcourt is the thinnest spot on the roster. Assuming Jeremiah Davenport starts as a stretch-four, as he did all of last season, Ezikpe likely will be the only true post player in the starting lineup. And with incoming 7-1 freshman Sage Tolentino a likely redshirt candidate, that means someone(s) among Viktor Lakhin, Ody Oguama and even Jarrett Hensley will need to develop into a reliable post player, particularly on defense. For Lakhin and Oguama, that means less foul trouble and mental lapses (and staying healthy for Lakhin). For Hensley, that would mean adjusting to a new position. Whoever it is, if someone can prove they can rebound and defend in the post, there are minutes to be had.
How much should we expect from the freshmen?
Four-star wing Daniel Skillings is a project on defense, but his shooting ability and athleticism will earn him minutes. Josh Reed might get some chances early as well, and while he doesn’t look to be quite as game-ready as Skillings, his length and versatility could get him on the floor. Some of Reed’s usage might depend on injury but also on where Hensley fits into the rotation and how much Hensley plays in the post. Skillings and Reed are going to be a massive part of the Bearcats’ equation moving into the Big 12, but fortunately, they shouldn’t have to be relied upon too heavily as freshmen. Tolentino seems like a prime redshirt candidate as a talented player who would benefit from a full year in the strength and conditioning program.
The rotation could go 10-deep
A dozen players could see some minutes early in the buy-game portion of the nonconference slate. Maybe 13 if walk-on C.J. Anthony gets on the floor. That obviously will tighten up for quality games and conference play, but I believe Miller will go a legit 10-deep. My starting-five prediction remains Phinisee, DeJulius, Nolley, Davenport and Ezikpe, with Mike Adams-Woods, Newman, Lakhin and Oguama all contributing off the bench. That 10th spot probably comes down to who proves most effective between Hensley and Skillings.
Can Cincinnati knock down shots and defend?
With Phinisee at point guard and the offensive potential of DeJulius, Nolley, Davenport and Ezikpe, getting good shots should not be a problem for the core of this roster. That would be a major positive change from last season. The question is, without obvious rim protection, will the Bearcats be able to defend well enough to win games? They will need to foul less often than a year ago and fight for rebounds, but being less hamstrung on offense will help ease that pressure.
(Top photo of Landers Nolley II: Courtesy Cincinnati Bearcats Athletics)
