Tickets#2 Seed CINCINNATI (26-6) vs. #6 Seed WICHITA STATE (19-13)
2019 American Championship Semifinals
Saturday, March 16 • 5 p.m. (ET) • FedExForum • Memphis, Tenn.
WICHITA STATE SERIES INFO: 33rd meeting;
Cincinnati leads 20-12 overall;
Cincinnati leads 12-4 in Cincinnati;
Cincinnati leads 9-8 in Wichita; This is the first neutral site meeting in series history.
STREAK: Cincinnati - 3
2018-19 MEETINGS: Cincinnati won 66-55 on Jan. 19 in Wichita; Cincinnati won 72-62 on Feb. 17 in Cincinnati
Gregg Marshall is in his 12th season at Wichita State (305-111); 21st season overall (499-194)
Mick Cronin is in his 13th season at Cincinnati (294-146); 16th season overall (363-170)
AP/USA TODAY RANKINGS (MARCH 11): Cincinnati (24/23); Wichita State (--/--)
RADIO: 700 WLW; Dan Hoard provides play-by-play with color analyst Terry Nelson
TV: ESPN2; Adam Amin provides play-by-play with color analyst John Thompson III
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (TWITTER, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM): @GoBearcatsMBB or GoBearcatsMBB
// SEMIFINALS PREVIEW
Second-seed Cincinnati (26-6) battles sixth-seed Wichita State (19-13) in the 2019 Air Force Reserve American Championship semifinals Saturday at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Tipoff is approximately 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and 700 WLW.
The 24th-ranked Bearcats rallied from an eight-point first-half deficit for an 82-74 win over 10th-seed SMU on Friday in quarterfinals action. The AAC Player of the Year Jarron Cumberland scored a game-high 26 points with a game-best eight assists. Justin Jenifer scored 17 points thanks in part to 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range. Trevon Scott posted his fifth double-doouble of the season with 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Wichita State rallied from a seven-point first-half deficit to outlast third-seed Temple, 80-74, in Friday's quarterfinal finale. Markis McDuffie scored a game-high 34 points with 12 rebounds. Dexter Dennis added 19 points and 12 rebounds.
The winner takes on either top-seed Houston or fifth-seed Memphis in the tournament championship game Sunday at 3:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
// CINCINNATI VS. WICHITA STATE
Cincinnati leads its series with Wichita State 21-12 overall, including a 12-4 mark at home. The Bearcats lead the series 9-8 in games played in Wichita, Kan.
Earlier this season, Cincinnati claimed a 66-55 win at Wichita State on Jan. 19 to became the first school since Southern Illinois in 2009 to win back-to-back games at Charles Koch Arena. The Bearcats earned a 72-62 win over the Shockers on Feb. 17 at Fifth Third Arena.
The two squads split a pair of meetings last season. Then-No. 19 Wichita State snapped then-No. 5 Cincinnati's 39-game home wins streak (longest in the nation at the time), posting a 76-72 on Feb. 18, 2018 at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Ky.
However, the Bearcats answered in the regular-season finale on March 4 in Wichita, Kan., as No. 10 Cincinnati edged No. 11 Wichita State, 62-61, to claim the AAC regular season championship outright. It marked Cincinnati's first outright regular-season title since 2001-02 (Conference USA).
The matchup at BB&T Arena in Highland, Heights, Ky., last season, marked the first meeting in the series since an 87-67 Wichita State win over Cincinnati on Dec. 5, 1981.
Cincinnati posted a 16-10 mark against Wichita State from 1957-58 through 1969-70 during the Bearcats' membership in the Missouri Valley Conference.
During its 13 seasons in the MVC, Cincinnati posted a 286-76 overall record, 128-52 conference mark, won seven league championships, advanced to five consecutive Final Fours (1959-63) and claimed two national titles (1961 and 1962).
Prior to becoming AAC league members, the two schools met three times after Cincinnati left the MVC. Before the 1981 meeting, UC posted a 92-85 win at Wichita State on Jan. 26, 1976 and a 68-60 home win on Jan. 26, 1977 at Riverfront Coliseum (now U.S. Bank Arena) in Cincinnati.
// CINCINNATI STORYLINES
PERFECT JENIFER: Cincinnati senior guard Justin Jenifer was perfect from the field against SMU in the quarterfinals, making all six attempts, including a 5-of-5 effort from three-point range. It marked only the fourth time in school history that a Bearcat shot 100 percent from long range (with a minimum of five attempts) and the first occasion since Sean Kilpatrick went 5 for 5 against Wright State in 2010-11.
JUST WIN BABY: Jenifer ranks among the winningest Bearcats in school history. Entering Saturday, Jenifer has played in 105 victories during his UC career, third most at Cincinnati, behind only Steve Logan (111 from 1999-2002) and Gary Clark (106 from 2015-18).
CUMBERLAND IN THE CLUTCH: Jarron Cumberland scored a game-high 26 points, handing out a career-high eight assists against SMU on Friday. It marked the 16th time this season the junior guard has scored 20 or more points in a game. He has led the Bearcats in scoring in 21 games this season, including 15 of the last 19. The AAC Player of the Year scored two traditional 3-point plays inside the final 3:46 of the SMU game to help the Bearcats pull away.
500-POINT SEASON: Cumberland has scored 595 points this season entering Saturday. He is the third Bearcat to score 500 or more points in a season during the Cronin coaching era, along with Sean Kilpatrick (3X: 2012, 2013, 2014) and Deonta Vaughn (2008). He needs five points to become the 14th player in school history to score 600 or more points in a season, the first since Sean Kilpatrick scored 701 in 2013-14.
THREES IN A SEASON: Cumberland has 75 three-pointers this season, sixth most during the Cronin era. He is one of only three players during the era to hit 75 or more threes in a season along with Deonta Vaughn and Sean Kilpatrick.
WINNING BEARCAT: Cincinnati owns an 86-17 record in games Jarron Cumberland has played during his career.
GREAT SCOTT: Trevon Scott registered his fifth double-double of the season Friday against SMU, tallying 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting and a game-high 12 rebounds. He entered the postseason ranked sixth in the AAC with 6.6 rebounds per game.
COMEBACK CATS: Cincinnati's 82-74 win over SMU Friday marked the seventh time this season the Bearcats have rallied from a deficit of eight or more points to earn a win. SMU led 29-21 at 7:37 in the first half.
STRETCH OF REMARKABLE SUCCESS: Cincinnati's 87 wins since the start of 2016-17 are the most in any three-year stretch in school history. The previous high was 85 wins compiled from 2000-2002.
26 WINS AGAIN: Cincinnati's quarterfinals win over SMU gave the Bearcats at least 26 wins in a season for the sixth time in the last nine campaigns.
FIVE POINTS OR LESS: Cincinnati is 10-2 this season in games decided by five points or less. Eleven conference games were decided within that margin. UC's 10 wins of five points or less this season are tied with the 2011-12 squad (10-5) for most during the Cronin coaching era. The Bearcats led the nation in scoring margin (+16.7) a year ago.
2019 American Championship Semifinals
Saturday, March 16 • 5 p.m. (ET) • FedExForum • Memphis, Tenn.
WICHITA STATE SERIES INFO: 33rd meeting;
Cincinnati leads 20-12 overall;
Cincinnati leads 12-4 in Cincinnati;
Cincinnati leads 9-8 in Wichita; This is the first neutral site meeting in series history.
STREAK: Cincinnati - 3
2018-19 MEETINGS: Cincinnati won 66-55 on Jan. 19 in Wichita; Cincinnati won 72-62 on Feb. 17 in Cincinnati
Gregg Marshall is in his 12th season at Wichita State (305-111); 21st season overall (499-194)
Mick Cronin is in his 13th season at Cincinnati (294-146); 16th season overall (363-170)
AP/USA TODAY RANKINGS (MARCH 11): Cincinnati (24/23); Wichita State (--/--)
RADIO: 700 WLW; Dan Hoard provides play-by-play with color analyst Terry Nelson
TV: ESPN2; Adam Amin provides play-by-play with color analyst John Thompson III
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (TWITTER, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM): @GoBearcatsMBB or GoBearcatsMBB
// SEMIFINALS PREVIEW
Second-seed Cincinnati (26-6) battles sixth-seed Wichita State (19-13) in the 2019 Air Force Reserve American Championship semifinals Saturday at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Tipoff is approximately 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and 700 WLW.
The 24th-ranked Bearcats rallied from an eight-point first-half deficit for an 82-74 win over 10th-seed SMU on Friday in quarterfinals action. The AAC Player of the Year Jarron Cumberland scored a game-high 26 points with a game-best eight assists. Justin Jenifer scored 17 points thanks in part to 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range. Trevon Scott posted his fifth double-doouble of the season with 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Wichita State rallied from a seven-point first-half deficit to outlast third-seed Temple, 80-74, in Friday's quarterfinal finale. Markis McDuffie scored a game-high 34 points with 12 rebounds. Dexter Dennis added 19 points and 12 rebounds.
The winner takes on either top-seed Houston or fifth-seed Memphis in the tournament championship game Sunday at 3:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
// CINCINNATI VS. WICHITA STATE
Cincinnati leads its series with Wichita State 21-12 overall, including a 12-4 mark at home. The Bearcats lead the series 9-8 in games played in Wichita, Kan.
Earlier this season, Cincinnati claimed a 66-55 win at Wichita State on Jan. 19 to became the first school since Southern Illinois in 2009 to win back-to-back games at Charles Koch Arena. The Bearcats earned a 72-62 win over the Shockers on Feb. 17 at Fifth Third Arena.
The two squads split a pair of meetings last season. Then-No. 19 Wichita State snapped then-No. 5 Cincinnati's 39-game home wins streak (longest in the nation at the time), posting a 76-72 on Feb. 18, 2018 at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Ky.
However, the Bearcats answered in the regular-season finale on March 4 in Wichita, Kan., as No. 10 Cincinnati edged No. 11 Wichita State, 62-61, to claim the AAC regular season championship outright. It marked Cincinnati's first outright regular-season title since 2001-02 (Conference USA).
The matchup at BB&T Arena in Highland, Heights, Ky., last season, marked the first meeting in the series since an 87-67 Wichita State win over Cincinnati on Dec. 5, 1981.
Cincinnati posted a 16-10 mark against Wichita State from 1957-58 through 1969-70 during the Bearcats' membership in the Missouri Valley Conference.
During its 13 seasons in the MVC, Cincinnati posted a 286-76 overall record, 128-52 conference mark, won seven league championships, advanced to five consecutive Final Fours (1959-63) and claimed two national titles (1961 and 1962).
Prior to becoming AAC league members, the two schools met three times after Cincinnati left the MVC. Before the 1981 meeting, UC posted a 92-85 win at Wichita State on Jan. 26, 1976 and a 68-60 home win on Jan. 26, 1977 at Riverfront Coliseum (now U.S. Bank Arena) in Cincinnati.
// CINCINNATI STORYLINES
- Cincinnati is looking for back-to-back conference tournament titles for the first time since 1995 (Great Midwest Conference) and 1996 (Conference USA).
- The Bearcats won their first conference tournament title since 2004 (Conference USA) last season in Orlando, Fla., defeating SMU, Memphis and Houston.
- Cincinnati's 87 wins since the start of 2016-17 are the most in any three-year stretch in school history and are tied with Kansas for the third most in the nation behind only Gonzaga (99) and Villanova (92) through Friday.
- The Bearcats are 10-2 this season in games decided by five points or less. Eleven of their conference games were decided within that margin.
- Cincinnati has rallied to win seven times this season when trailing by eight or more points.
- Jarron Cumberland was named The American's 2019 Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-AAC selection as voted upon by the league's coaches. He has scored 20 or more points 16 times this season and has led the Bearcats in scoring in 21 games this season, including 15 of the last 19.
- Cumberland needs five points to become the 14th player in school history to score 600 or more points in a season, the first since Sean Kilpatrick scored 701 in 2013-14.
- Justin Jenifer became only the fourth player in school history to shoot 100 percent (minimum five attempts) from three-point range when he went 5 of 5 from beyond the arc against SMU on Friday.
- Cincinnati is one of six schools to appear in the NCAA Tournament each of the last eight seasons.
PERFECT JENIFER: Cincinnati senior guard Justin Jenifer was perfect from the field against SMU in the quarterfinals, making all six attempts, including a 5-of-5 effort from three-point range. It marked only the fourth time in school history that a Bearcat shot 100 percent from long range (with a minimum of five attempts) and the first occasion since Sean Kilpatrick went 5 for 5 against Wright State in 2010-11.
JUST WIN BABY: Jenifer ranks among the winningest Bearcats in school history. Entering Saturday, Jenifer has played in 105 victories during his UC career, third most at Cincinnati, behind only Steve Logan (111 from 1999-2002) and Gary Clark (106 from 2015-18).
CUMBERLAND IN THE CLUTCH: Jarron Cumberland scored a game-high 26 points, handing out a career-high eight assists against SMU on Friday. It marked the 16th time this season the junior guard has scored 20 or more points in a game. He has led the Bearcats in scoring in 21 games this season, including 15 of the last 19. The AAC Player of the Year scored two traditional 3-point plays inside the final 3:46 of the SMU game to help the Bearcats pull away.
500-POINT SEASON: Cumberland has scored 595 points this season entering Saturday. He is the third Bearcat to score 500 or more points in a season during the Cronin coaching era, along with Sean Kilpatrick (3X: 2012, 2013, 2014) and Deonta Vaughn (2008). He needs five points to become the 14th player in school history to score 600 or more points in a season, the first since Sean Kilpatrick scored 701 in 2013-14.
THREES IN A SEASON: Cumberland has 75 three-pointers this season, sixth most during the Cronin era. He is one of only three players during the era to hit 75 or more threes in a season along with Deonta Vaughn and Sean Kilpatrick.
WINNING BEARCAT: Cincinnati owns an 86-17 record in games Jarron Cumberland has played during his career.
GREAT SCOTT: Trevon Scott registered his fifth double-double of the season Friday against SMU, tallying 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting and a game-high 12 rebounds. He entered the postseason ranked sixth in the AAC with 6.6 rebounds per game.
COMEBACK CATS: Cincinnati's 82-74 win over SMU Friday marked the seventh time this season the Bearcats have rallied from a deficit of eight or more points to earn a win. SMU led 29-21 at 7:37 in the first half.
STRETCH OF REMARKABLE SUCCESS: Cincinnati's 87 wins since the start of 2016-17 are the most in any three-year stretch in school history. The previous high was 85 wins compiled from 2000-2002.
26 WINS AGAIN: Cincinnati's quarterfinals win over SMU gave the Bearcats at least 26 wins in a season for the sixth time in the last nine campaigns.
FIVE POINTS OR LESS: Cincinnati is 10-2 this season in games decided by five points or less. Eleven conference games were decided within that margin. UC's 10 wins of five points or less this season are tied with the 2011-12 squad (10-5) for most during the Cronin coaching era. The Bearcats led the nation in scoring margin (+16.7) a year ago.