TicketsThis is Coach Heard's fourth season at the helm of the program (54-37/.685) and her 12th as a collegiate head coach (232-117/.504). The Bearcats look to build upon many superlatives heading into the 2021-22 season, including back-to-back 20 win seasons from 2018-2020 and UC's first appearance in a conference tournament final, both of which last occurred in 2002-03.
Niang, who redshirted her first year, returns for her third season with the Bearcats. The graduate senior started in 21of the 24 games last season and averaged 24.7 minutes a game. She averaged 6.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and ranked among AAC leaders in blocked shots (fourth at 1.5), defensive rebounds (11th at 4.5) and rebounds (tied for 14th at 6.2).
Men's basketball head coach Wes Miller, entering his first season leading the Bearcats, and junior Jeremiah Davenport, will join Coach Heard and Niang for the hour long segment that will air live on ESPN+.HOW TO WATCH MEDIA DAYS
2021 AAC Media Days will air live on ESPN+ and you can watch it here.
SCHEDULE OF SCHOOLS
Wednesday, Oct. 13
Houston – 11:45 a.m. ET/10:45 a.m. CT
South Florida – 12:35 p.m. ET/11:35 a.m. CT (men's team going first at this time)
Wichita State – 1:25 p.m. ET/12:25 p.m. CT (men's team going first at this time)
SMU – 2:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. CT (men's team going first at this time)
Temple – 3:05 p.m. ET/2:05 p.m. CT (men's team going first at this time)
Thursday, Oct. 14
Cincinnati – 10:35 a.m. ET/9:35 a.m. CT (women's team going first, men's team right after).
East Carolina – 11:25 a.m. ET/10:25 a.m. CT
UCF – 12:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. CT
Tulsa – 1:05 p.m. ET/12:05 p.m. CT
Tulane – 1:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. CT
Memphis – 2:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. CT
RETURNING THIS SEASON
Seven players return to the team this season.
- Sophomore Jillian Hayes, the 2021 AAC Freshman of the Year, looks to continue her success on the court. The Cincinnati native started in 20 of the 24 games, averaging 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.
- Junior Caitlyn Wilson, who ranked second on the team in three point percentage at .323 and averaged averaged 9.6 points a game, looks to build upon her scoring success.
- Juniors Jada Scott, Jadyn Scott, Sofia Gritzali and senior Nesma Khalifa all return and bring both on and off the court leadership to the team.
- The entire coaching staff also returns this season, keeping consistency on the sideline.
NEW FACES
Clark-Heard welcomes eight new faces to the team this season.
- Junior Akira Levy, who redshirted last season to rehab a knee injury, looks to showcase her talents on the court. Levy was named 2018-19 All-SEC Freshman Team during her time at Missouri, where she appeared in 28 games before a season-ending injury. She averaged 4.8 points and 2.1 assists in 15.8 minutes per game.
- Local talent will be seen on the court, with freshman Clarissa Craig the highlight of the local class. The freshman averaged 13.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 54.9 percent from the floor last season at Roger Bacon High School.
- Sophomore forward Nevaeh Dean, who played at Lakota West, transferred to Cincinnati from Virginia Tech and looks to showcase her ESPN #23 Forward / #90 Overall ranking on the court.
- Sophomore Malea Williams, from Georgetown, Ky., transferred to UC after one season at Louisville. She played in eight games, averaging 1.5 points and shooting 4-7 from the floor and 2-3 from 3-point range.
- Sophomore Taziah Jenks, a four star recruit coming out of high school where she attended Mercy Academy in Louisville, transfered to Cincinnati from West Virginia this season. She is a versatile guard who can play inside and defend the wing very efficiently - look for her to make an impact on the court.
- Freshman Braylyn Milton hails from Charlotte, N.C., where she was named one of the top prospects in according to Phenom Hoop Report and one of the top three players in Charlotte.
- Freshmen Lojain Elfatairy and Emerita Mashaire bring overseas talent to the team, with both having national team experiences playing for their home countries. Elfatairy comes to Cincinnati from Egypt where she played on the U17 National Team and Mashaire comes from Helsinki, Finland where she played on the U20 National Team.
PRESEASON PICKS
2021-22 American Athletic Conference
Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Team (First-Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. South Florida (10) | 100 |
| 2. UCF (1) | 91 |
| 3. Houston | 77 |
| 4. Tulane | 72 |
| 5. Temple | 69 |
| 6. Cincinnati | 44 |
| 7. East Carolina | 38 |
| 8. Wichita State | 36 |
| 9. Tulsa | 32 |
| 10. SMU | 26 |
| 11. Memphis | 20 |
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
2021-22 women's basketball tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Cincinnati Bearcats Ticket Office at 1-877-CATS-TIX or online by clicking here. Season ticket packages are $50 for adult general admission and $30 for youth (ages 4-12), seniors (age 65+), faculty/staff, and the military. The Champions Club is available for all ages for just $70 (ages 3 and under don't need a ticket).
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's basketball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati WBB (@GoBearcatsWBB) and Coach Michelle Clark-Heard (@Coachheard) on Twitter. You can also follow the team on Facebook and Instagram.