TicketsKANSAS CITY -- The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team is set for its Hall of Fame Classic opener when it battles Illinois on Monday. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET inside the T-Mobile Center on ESPNEWS.
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THE RUNDOWN
The Bearcats, who have not trailed in a second half this season, are entering their biggest challenge yet against Illinois. Wes Miller became the third UC coach all-time to start his tenure 4-0 (the others in 1902 and 1965). Despite the lineup remaining consistent, 10 players are averaging between 13 and 25 minutes. Cincinnati's 37 turnovers are its fewest in a four-game stretch since 2015-16. UC has also improved its free-throw shooting each game, leaving the homestand with a 14-for-16 clip (.875).
Abdul Ado tallied five blocks in the second half alone in Thursday's win, his ninth-career game with five or more overall. All four of UC's bigs are newcomers, with reserves Viktor Lakhin (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 14.3 mpg) and Ody Oguama (8.3, 5.0, 15.1) wowing on both ends of the floor while leading the team in field-goal percentage. The UC bench has outscored its foes by an average of 36.5 to 12 ppg.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
UC is seeking its first ranked win since Dec. 18, 2019 against No. 21 Tennessee. Its last away from home was March 17, 2019 against No. 11 Houston in the AAC Championship. The Bearcats' 21st-ranked assist-turnover ratio (1.82) will challenge itself against Illinois' defense, which forces 17.7 turnovers per game. The two teams are also two-tenths of a point's difference in scoring offense and defenses.
ILLINOIS SERIES HISTORY
All four games in the series have been at neutral sites, including a 2004 meeting in the NCAA Round of 32. Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller was on the North Carolina team that defeated the Illini in the 2005 National Championship game. Cincinnati is looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Big Ten, with its last victory coming against Penn State (71-50) on Nov. 20, 2016 in Uncasville, Conn.
Watch Live | Live Stats
THE RUNDOWN
The Bearcats, who have not trailed in a second half this season, are entering their biggest challenge yet against Illinois. Wes Miller became the third UC coach all-time to start his tenure 4-0 (the others in 1902 and 1965). Despite the lineup remaining consistent, 10 players are averaging between 13 and 25 minutes. Cincinnati's 37 turnovers are its fewest in a four-game stretch since 2015-16. UC has also improved its free-throw shooting each game, leaving the homestand with a 14-for-16 clip (.875).
Abdul Ado tallied five blocks in the second half alone in Thursday's win, his ninth-career game with five or more overall. All four of UC's bigs are newcomers, with reserves Viktor Lakhin (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 14.3 mpg) and Ody Oguama (8.3, 5.0, 15.1) wowing on both ends of the floor while leading the team in field-goal percentage. The UC bench has outscored its foes by an average of 36.5 to 12 ppg.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
UC is seeking its first ranked win since Dec. 18, 2019 against No. 21 Tennessee. Its last away from home was March 17, 2019 against No. 11 Houston in the AAC Championship. The Bearcats' 21st-ranked assist-turnover ratio (1.82) will challenge itself against Illinois' defense, which forces 17.7 turnovers per game. The two teams are also two-tenths of a point's difference in scoring offense and defenses.
ILLINOIS SERIES HISTORY
All four games in the series have been at neutral sites, including a 2004 meeting in the NCAA Round of 32. Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller was on the North Carolina team that defeated the Illini in the 2005 National Championship game. Cincinnati is looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Big Ten, with its last victory coming against Penn State (71-50) on Nov. 20, 2016 in Uncasville, Conn.