Cincinnati travels to No. 1 Arizona in hopes of coming up with the biggest Big 12 upset to date on Wednesday with an 8 p.m. CT tipoff on FS1. The Bearcats (10-8, 2-3 Big 12) are coming off arguably their biggest win of the season against No. 2 Iowa State. The Wildcats (18-0, 5-0 Big 12) have stacked five wins in January to begin conference play. Arizona is the favorite by 13.5 points with an over/under of 151.5 points.
TOP STORYLINE: CAN CINCY SHATTER ARIZONA’S HOME RECORD?
Arizona is a perfect 10-0 at home this season, and leads the Big 12 with a 90.6 nightly scoring average. Simply put, it’s tough to win at the McKale Center, and the Bearcats are going to need another Iowa State-caliber performance. Jaden Bradley is coming off a 23-point showing in an 84-77 win at UCF on Saturday. Cincinnati forward Baba Miller fetched 12 rebounds and eight points against the Cyclones over the weekend; Day Day Thomas, Jizzle James, Sencire Harris and Jalen Celestine all scored in double figures. Cincinnati needs all five to return that energy on Wednesday if they want a chance.
MATCH UP TO WATCH: WHO BOTTLES UP JADEN BRADELY?
Bradley, breaking 20-plus scoring for just the third time this season at UCF, is a crucial assignment for the Bearcats. He’s coming off a fourth consecutive game with five or fewer assists, but finished a season-high 11-of-13 at the free-throw line against the Knights. This could be the toughest guard Cincy faces all year.
PREDICTION: ARIZONA 82, CINCINNATI 75
Arizona enters Wednesday’s game 52% from the field, and that number alone should tell you how efficient Tommy Lloyd’s group is. Cincinnati is coming off a quality win over a top-5 opponent in Iowa State, and I’m certain they can give the Wildcats a true fight, but my faith is with the nation’s top team outscoring opponents by an average of 7.9 points per game.
