Monday, December 12, 2016

ESPN3: #25 Cincinnati Bearcats Welcome Texas Southern on Tuesday at 7 p.m.ET



Cincinnati Game Notes | WatchESPN | Buy Tickets

The No. 25/23 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2) begin a three-game homestand Tuesday when they welcome Texas Southern (4-5) to Fifth Third Arena. The game tips at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN3 and 700 WLW. 

The Bearcats saw their five-game win streak snapped Saturday at No. 16 Butler, 75-65. Troy Caupain led all scorers with a season-high 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting with a pair of three-pointers and five rebounds. Gary Clark posted his second double-double of the season with 14 points on 7-of-13 shooting with a game-high 12 rebounds. Jacob Evans added 14 points. 

The Tigers have lost four in a row after dropping a 102-71 decision at No. 11 Louisville on Saturday. Freshman point guard Demontrae Jefferson made his debut, scoring a game-high 27 points on 10-of-30 shooting with a trio of threes. Derrick Griffin posted a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 26 rebounds, the most by a player in an NCAA Division I game this season. 

Cincinnati has won all three previous meetings with Texas Southern, including a 94-57 decision on Dec. 1, 2009 at Fifth Third Arena. 

The Bearcats will also play host to 2016 NCAA Tournament participant Fairleigh Dickinson (Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m. FOX Sports Ohio/ESPN3/700 WLW) and Marshall (Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. CBS Sports Network/700 WLW) before the holiday break.

GAME AT A GLANCE

SERIES INFO: Fourth meeting; Cincinnati leads 3-0 overall; Cincinnati leads 3-0 in Cincinnati
LAST MEETING: Cincinnati won 94-57 on Dec. 1, 2009 at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati
STREAK: Cincinnati - 3
COACHES: Mick Cronin is in his 11th season at Cincinnati (214-131); 14th season overall (283-155)
Mike Davis is in his fifth season at Texas Southern (80-62); 17th season overall (317-214)
AP/USA TODAY RANKINGS (DEC. 12): Cincinnati (25/23); Texas Southern (--/--)
RADIO: 700 WLW; Dan Hoard provides play-by-play with color analyst Chuck Machock.
TV: ESPN3; Tom Gelhrter provides play-by-play with color analyst Mark Adams. 
UC TWITTER PAGES: @GoBearcats and @GoBearcatsMBB

SCOUTING TEXAS SOUTHERN

Texas Southern (4-5) comes to Fifth Third Arena on Tuesday looking to snap a five-game losing streak. Two of the losses during the stretch include setbacks at No. 16 Arizona (85-63 on Nov. 30) and at No. 11 Louisville (102-71 on Dec. 10).

Texas Southern is in the midst of playing its first 16 games of the season away from home. In fact, the Tigers will play only nine home games all year. 

Sophomore forward Derrick Griffin was named the 2016 SWAC Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. He averages 12.4 points and 11.4 rebounds. He entered Saturday ranked first in the nation with 6.2 offensive rebounds per game. 

Against Louisville, Griffin posted a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 26 rebounds, the most by a player in an NCAA Division I game this season. His effort included 15 offensive rebounds against the Cardinals.

Guard Zach Lofton (18.9 points and a team-best 58 field goals) has been named the SWAC Player of the Week twice this season. 

Freshman point guard Demontrae Jefferson debuted with 27 points on 10-of-30 shooting with a trio of three-pointers against Louisville. 

Texas Southern finished 18-15 overall and took first place in the SWAC with a 16-2 league mark a year ago, advancing to the NIT. 

The Tigers have advanced to postseason play each of the last three seasons with two NCAA Tournament appearances. 

Former Indiana and UAB head coach Mike Davis is in his fifth season with Texas Southern. He was named the 2015 SWAC Coach of the Year and claimed his 300th career win last season. 

TEXAS SOUTHERN SERIES HISTORY

Cincinnati leads Texas Southern series 3-0 with all three meetings coming at Fifth Third Arena. 
Tuesday marks the third meeting between the teams during the Mick Cronin era. 

The Bearcats claimed a 94-57 win in the last meeting between the schools, on Dec. 1, 2009. 
The series began with an 87-44 UC win on Dec. 1, 1992.

CINCINNATI VS. THE SWAC

Cincinnati holds a 14-0 record against current members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference: Alabama State (1-0), Alcorn State (2-0), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-0), Jackson State (1-0), Mississippi State (2-0), Prairie View A&M (1-0), Southern (1-0), Texas Southern (3-0). 

BEARCAT TIP-INS

The Bearcats have won 13 consecutive home games dating back to a 76-57 win over Tulsa (1/2/16). 

Cincinnati is one of eight teams to appear in the NCAA Tournament each of the last six seasons (along with Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, North Carolina, VCU and Wisconsin). 


UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI BEARCATS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

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