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Not even people who watch the American Athletic Conference with regularity saw Cincinnati starting this hot.
The Bearcats are 5-0 to start the season with wins over both Georgia and, Monday night, No. 14 Illinois. The win against the Fighting Illini was a 34-point swing as Cincinnati rallied from a 14-point deficit to win by 20. Cincy was picked to finish sixth in the 11-team AAC before the year.
Accordingly, coach Wes Miller’s team should provide Arkansas with the toughest test the Razorbacks have faced so far in the early season. The two teams tip off Tuesday night in the championship of the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City at X p.m.
Mike Saunders scored 20 points off the bench and preseason All-AAC second-teamer Jeremiah Davenport added 19 more to lead Cincinnati to Monday’s win. Only two Bearcats players average double figures this season, with Davenport leading at 12.5 points per game. Cincinnati’s strength, though, is defense. Opponents are shooting just 37% against them this season.
The Razorbacks’ biggest weakness this season was defense. At least, it was defending the 3-pointer. Arkansas entered the tournament 341st out of 350 Division I teams in opponent’s 3-point percentage. But Kansas State shot just 3 of 22 on Monday night as the Hogs dominated the inside and used their length to challenge away from the rim.
Arkansas found itself ranked No. 12 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll on Monday. Cincinnati did not receive any votes.