There is no doubt that the Cincinnati Bearcats have had deeper, more talented rosters than the one Wes Miller will be coaching in his second year at Cincinnati. This article will detail the Cincinnati basketball roster.
The mastery of Oscar Robertson back in the late 1950s, followed by back-to-back championship-winning teams in 1961 and 1962 was the first era of dominance for Cincinnati. Decades later, the Bob Huggins era came about. A 1992 Final Four appearance and several rankings as the top team in the nation during his reign at Cincinnati brought Bearcats basketball back to national prominence. A short time after his forced resignation, the Mick Cronin era sprang to life. Despite a lack of success in the Big Dance, Cincinnati was an NCAA Tournament staple for the better part of a decade in the 2010s. All of these teams had rosters with experience, discipline and playmakers on both sides of the ball.
For this year’s version of the team, however, it may be a bit difficult to find the success that teams of the past found. The Bearcats return plenty of veterans who should provide leadership for the team and an understanding of what it takes to get through a full season. Some transfers from outside the program are expected to make an immediate impact for the team. Cincinnati has just three freshmen on the roster and seven players who are either seniors or have already graduated.
Here is an expanded look into how the roster will shape out ahead of the season:
Skillings was recruited out of Philadelphia and averaged 24.6 points and 10 rebounds per game on his AAU team. He earned First-Team All-Catholic, All-State and All-City honors for Roman Catholic High School. He will play a bench role behind some more experienced guards for the Bearcats in his first season.
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A transfer from Old Dominion, Ezikpe is entering his last year of eligibility and will play for a brand new team after spending his first four seasons with the Monarchs. He should grab plenty of rebounds and offer efficient scoring from inside the paint.
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After spending his first year of college at Virginia Tech, Nolley transferred to Memphis where he played his last two seasons. He should see plenty of time on the court for the Bearcats this season.
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In his fourth year with the program, Adams-Woods will split time running the offense with other experienced guards on the roster. He offers little scoring but should be a good ball distributor in his fourth year.
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After two seasons at Michigan, DeJulius has emerged as a playmaker for the Bearcats the past two seasons. He could very well be the primary scorer and go-to option in crunch time this season.
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Spending his entire career at Indiana before transferring to Cincinnati, Phinisee will try to end his career on a strong note. His playing time dwindled, as did his numbers, as his Hoosier career went on. He will join a crowded position room at guard.
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Anthony was the State Player of the Year at Harvest Prep in Canal Winchester his junior and senior seasons in high school. Entering his second year with the Bearcats, he will likely only see the court in garbage time like he did as a freshman last year.
Recruited out of Atlanta, Reed showed out in high school and for his AAU team in Georgia. He averaged 17 points per game as a junior at Pace Academy and averaged 20 points per game for AC Georgia in AAU play. The lengthy guard could provide a boost off the bench for the Bearcats as a freshman. His role should greatly increase following the graduations of several key players after this season.
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After three seasons with Clemson, Newman transferred to Cincinnati and was a key contributor for the Bearcats a season ago. He started 31 of 32 games and will likely maintain a similar role this year.
Serving as a manager for the team last year, Kirkwood earned a walk-on spot on the roster after workouts this summer. He averaged 19.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in his senior season in high school at Friends School of Baltimore. The standout season netted him MIAA All-Conference honors. Like CJ Anthony, his role will be very limited as a walk-on.
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A Cincinnati native, Davenport will look to capitalize during his senior season for the Bearcats. He emerged as a sophomore but failed to take the next step as a junior. He will be a primary scoring option and playmaker for Cincinnati this season.
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Lakhin played under limited minutes in his first year on the court after redshirting his first season due to injury. His role could be similar this season, although the roster only consists of five forwards, so there are opportunities for the Russian native to see more time on the court this year.
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Recruited by Wes Miller at UNC Greensboro, Hensley followed his head coach to Cincinnati after his freshman season with the Spartans. He played in every game for the Bearcats last year but in very limited playing time. His role could expand as an upperclassman.
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Oguama spent his first two seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Cincinnati last year. He did not play a huge role in his first year as a Bearcat, but the chance for more playing time could surface in his senior season.
Tolentino will make his debut season on the collegiate level this year. He went to Maryknoll High School in Hawaii, ranking as the third best player on Hawaii’s FAB 15 and leading the state in blocks, before moving to Cincinnati and attending Hamilton High School. The tallest player on the roster, Tolentino could be a stopper on the defensive end and grab plenty of rebounds as a freshman depending on how much playing time he gets as a freshman.