Struggling Big 12 squads meet on Sunday as the Cincinnati Bearcats host the Utah Utes at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Utes (9–15, 1–10 Big 12) have dropped six straight games and are entrenched in a deadlock for last place in the Big 12. The Bearcats (13–12, 5–7 Big 12) sit in 10th place in the conference but have won three of their last five games, including two straight.
Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. ET. Cincinnati enters as a hefty 11.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, and the game total is set at 141.5 points.
Utes vs. Bearcats Preview
Utah Utes Preview
The Runnin’ Utes have been stuck in neutral. They’re 1–10 in Big 12 play and are currently mired in a brutal six-game losing streak, punctuated by a 14-point loss to No. 3 Houston. The program ranks 125th nationally in KenPom’s net rating behind a stagnant offense and porous defense.
Utah has scored the third-fewest points in the Big 12 and allowed the third-most. It also ranks dead last in opponent field-goal percentage at a ghastly 47.2%. Despite limiting turnovers, the Utes’ ball movement has stalled, and so has their rebounding — sitting 15th in both categories in the 16-team field.
They also haven’t won a road game this season.
Despite the off-putting team results, Utah still has individual talent. FDU transfer Terrence Brown leads the charge with 20.8 points per game, fourth-most in the Big 12.
He’s flanked by former Western Kentucky sharpshooter Don McHenry, who adds 17.3 points on 2.5 threes per game. Down low, junior forward Keanu Dawes is a top-five rebounder in the conference with 9.1 boards a night.
Cincinnati Bearcats Preview
Cincinnati hasn’t fared much better this season, but it has remained competitive in the Big 12 — winning three of its last five games with a 12-3 record at home — behind one distinct advantage.
The Bearcats’ offense has arguably been the worst in the conference, ranking 15th in scoring and sitting dead last in field-goal, three-point, and free-throw percentage. But it’s an entirely different story on the other end: According to KenPom, they boast the 11th-strongest defense in the country.
Cincinnati has allowed the Big 12’s fourth-fewest points per game, anchored by FAU transfer Baba Miller and former UCF standout Moustapha Thiam. Miller, a 6-foot-11 forward, leads the team in scoring (13.7) while pulling down the conference’s second-most rebounds (10.5). Thiam, a 7-foot-2 rim protector, swats the Big 12’s seventh-most blocks per game (1.5).
That’s not to say Cincinnati is completely toothless offensively. The Bearcats are coming off a 19-point win over Kansas State, where junior sharpshooter Jizzle James erupted for a season-high 24 points with six triples.
Utes vs. Bearcats Pick, Best Bet
One elite defense. Two unreliable offenses.
Cincinnati’s size and rim protection should neutralize Utah’s primary scoring threats — but its own sputtering attack may struggle to fully capitalize. Don’t expect fireworks when the Utes and Bearcats tip off on Sunday afternoon.
