TicketsPHILADELPHIA – Announced Monday at American Athletic Conference (AAC) Basketball Media Day, University of Cincinnati women's basketball was selected to finish in a tie for third in the 12-team league. In addition, senior guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) and junior forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) were both tabbed for the preseason all-conference second team.
Chosen by the league's head coaches, the predicted finish is the highest the Bearcats have ever received in their seven years in The American, while the preseason all-conference accolades are the first since Alyesha Lovett received second team all-AAC honors in 2014.
Miller started all 35 games last season, averaging team bests of 13.6 points and 5.2 assists per game as the Bearcats enjoyed an historic run to the quarterfinals of the postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). She scored in double figures 30 times on the year, including a career-best 25 points at TCU in the WNIT quarterfinals. Following the 2018-19 AAC season, Miller collected second team all-conference postseason honors.
Thomas played in all 35 games, starting 24, averaging 12.9 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds per contest. A vital component during the Red & Black's history-making season, she scored in double figures 25 times, led the team in scoring 13 times, and recorded six double-doubles. For her efforts, Thomas was picked first team all-AAC – the first time UC has had a first team all-conference postseason honoree since 2003.
2019-20 AAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Place (First place votes) Points
1. UConn (11) 121
2. USF 107
T-3. UCF (1) 96
T-3. Cincinnati 96
5. Houston 81
6. Temple 68
7. Tulane 59
8. Memphis 42
9. Wichita State 37
10. Tulsa 33
11. ECU 31
12. SMU 21
Co-Preseason Players of the Year
Kay Kay Wright, UCF
Crystal Dangerfield, UConn
Preseason All-Conference
First Team
Kay Kay Wright, UCF
Crystal Dangerfield, UConn*
Megan Walker, UConn
Mia Davis, Temple*
Krystal Freeman, Tulane
Second Team
Antoinette Miller, Cincinnati
IImar'I Thomas, Cincinnati
Christyn Williams, UConn
Dorian Branch, Houston
Enna Pehadzic, USF
*denotes unanimous selection
// BEARCATS REWIND
UC will aim to continue the momentum from last year's historic season which included consecutive postseason wins for the first time in program history (WNIT quarterfinals), first 20-win season (24) since 2003, first time with 12 conference wins since 1999, and highest-ever finish in the American Athletic Conference (third place).
// THEY'RE BACK
With nine newcomers to the program in 2019-20, the Red & Black returns five starters, as well as Illinois transfer Addaya Moore (Granite City, Ill./Granite City/Illinois). Returning senior starters include Miller, Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake), and Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East). In addition to Thomas, reigning league Newcomer of the Year Florence Sifa (Bujumbura, Burundi/Jacksonville College) is also back.
// HOME COOKIN'
The Bearcats will play 17 regular-season home games inside Fifth Third Arena, as well as 12 contests on the road. UC will look to protect home court against an impressive list of opponents. Marquee non-conference matchups include Utah (Nov. 5), Ohio State (Nov. 13), and Pittsburgh (Dec. 21), while UCF (Jan. 12), USF (Feb. 2), and UConn (Feb. 26) visit FTA during AAC action. The 2020 AAC Women's Basketball Championship will be held March 6-9 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
// TICKETS INFO
UC women's basketball ticket mini-plans are now available for purchase. The mini-plan includes tickets for the Ohio State (Nov. 13) and UConn (Feb. 26) games, plus the choice of three other games for only $30. Season tickets are also available for purchase for just $50. Single-game tickets will go on sale Oct. 21 with prices starting at $7. Fans can purchase tickets by logging on to GoBearcats.com/Tickets, by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX, or by visiting the Athletics Ticket Office on the fourth floor of the Richard E. Lindner Center, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
// GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.
Chosen by the league's head coaches, the predicted finish is the highest the Bearcats have ever received in their seven years in The American, while the preseason all-conference accolades are the first since Alyesha Lovett received second team all-AAC honors in 2014.
Miller started all 35 games last season, averaging team bests of 13.6 points and 5.2 assists per game as the Bearcats enjoyed an historic run to the quarterfinals of the postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). She scored in double figures 30 times on the year, including a career-best 25 points at TCU in the WNIT quarterfinals. Following the 2018-19 AAC season, Miller collected second team all-conference postseason honors.
Thomas played in all 35 games, starting 24, averaging 12.9 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds per contest. A vital component during the Red & Black's history-making season, she scored in double figures 25 times, led the team in scoring 13 times, and recorded six double-doubles. For her efforts, Thomas was picked first team all-AAC – the first time UC has had a first team all-conference postseason honoree since 2003.
2019-20 AAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
Place (First place votes) Points
1. UConn (11) 121
2. USF 107
T-3. UCF (1) 96
T-3. Cincinnati 96
5. Houston 81
6. Temple 68
7. Tulane 59
8. Memphis 42
9. Wichita State 37
10. Tulsa 33
11. ECU 31
12. SMU 21
Co-Preseason Players of the Year
Kay Kay Wright, UCF
Crystal Dangerfield, UConn
Preseason All-Conference
First Team
Kay Kay Wright, UCF
Crystal Dangerfield, UConn*
Megan Walker, UConn
Mia Davis, Temple*
Krystal Freeman, Tulane
Second Team
Antoinette Miller, Cincinnati
IImar'I Thomas, Cincinnati
Christyn Williams, UConn
Dorian Branch, Houston
Enna Pehadzic, USF
*denotes unanimous selection
// BEARCATS REWIND
UC will aim to continue the momentum from last year's historic season which included consecutive postseason wins for the first time in program history (WNIT quarterfinals), first 20-win season (24) since 2003, first time with 12 conference wins since 1999, and highest-ever finish in the American Athletic Conference (third place).
// THEY'RE BACK
With nine newcomers to the program in 2019-20, the Red & Black returns five starters, as well as Illinois transfer Addaya Moore (Granite City, Ill./Granite City/Illinois). Returning senior starters include Miller, Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake), and Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East). In addition to Thomas, reigning league Newcomer of the Year Florence Sifa (Bujumbura, Burundi/Jacksonville College) is also back.
// HOME COOKIN'
The Bearcats will play 17 regular-season home games inside Fifth Third Arena, as well as 12 contests on the road. UC will look to protect home court against an impressive list of opponents. Marquee non-conference matchups include Utah (Nov. 5), Ohio State (Nov. 13), and Pittsburgh (Dec. 21), while UCF (Jan. 12), USF (Feb. 2), and UConn (Feb. 26) visit FTA during AAC action. The 2020 AAC Women's Basketball Championship will be held March 6-9 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
// TICKETS INFO
UC women's basketball ticket mini-plans are now available for purchase. The mini-plan includes tickets for the Ohio State (Nov. 13) and UConn (Feb. 26) games, plus the choice of three other games for only $30. Season tickets are also available for purchase for just $50. Single-game tickets will go on sale Oct. 21 with prices starting at $7. Fans can purchase tickets by logging on to GoBearcats.com/Tickets, by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX, or by visiting the Athletics Ticket Office on the fourth floor of the Richard E. Lindner Center, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
// GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.