The Cincinnati Bearcats delivered a resounding 91-62 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats, led by Jizzle James' 24 points. Cincinnati's strong performance was evident from the start, as they outscored Kansas State 53-31 in the first half. This significant lead allowed the Bearcats to maintain control throughout the game, ultimately resulting in a 29-point margin of victory. Kansas State's P.J. Haggerty scored 24 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bearcats' dominant display. Cincinnati's record improves to 13-12, while Kansas State falls to 10-14.
Baba Miller Records Near Triple-Double with 16 Points, 12 Rebounds, and 6 Assists
The game unfolded with Cincinnati taking an early lead, scoring 53 points in the first half compared to Kansas State's 31. The Bearcats' strong offense was led by Jizzle James, who scored 24 points, and Baba Miller, who contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. Kansas State struggled to keep pace, with P.J. Haggerty scoring 24 points, but the team's overall performance was hindered by their inability to contain the Bearcats' offense. At halftime, Cincinnati held a 22-point lead, which they maintained and expanded upon in the second half, outscoring Kansas State 38-31. The Bearcats' 91 points marked a significant improvement over their season average, while Kansas State's 62 points fell short of their average.
The top performers for both teams were impressive, with Jizzle James and P.J. Haggerty leading the way. James scored 24 points for Cincinnati, while Haggerty matched that total for Kansas State. Cincinnati's Jalen Celestine added 18 points and 5 rebounds, and Baba Miller contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. For Kansas State, David Castillo scored 8 points, and Khamari McGriff added 7 points. The Bearcats' balanced attack, with three players scoring 16 or more points, proved too much for the Wildcats to handle. James' 24 points marked his fifth 20-point game of the season, while Haggerty's 24 points were a season high.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
A closer look at the box score reveals several key statistics that contributed to Cincinnati's dominant performance. The Bearcats outscored Kansas State 53-31 in the first half, shooting 55% from the field compared to the Wildcats' 38%. Cincinnati also outrebounded Kansas State 42-30, with Baba Miller grabbing 12 rebounds. The Bearcats committed 12 turnovers, while Kansas State had 15. Cincinnati's 91 points marked their highest total of the season, while Kansas State's 62 points were their lowest in the last five games. The Bearcats' 29-point margin of victory was their largest of the season.
The CHD Scout prediction model correctly predicted a Cincinnati victory, albeit by a much narrower margin of 1 point. The actual margin of 29 points far exceeded the predicted score of 75-76. This significant discrepancy highlights the Bearcats' impressive performance and the Wildcats' struggles. The model's correct prediction of the winner demonstrates its accuracy, but the margin of victory was a surprise. Cincinnati's dominant display exceeded expectations, while Kansas State's poor performance fell short of their predicted score.
This game had real consequences for both teams' resumes, particularly in terms of their NET rankings. Cincinnati, currently ranked 69th, improved their Quad 2 record with this victory. Kansas State, ranked 91st, suffered a Quad 2 loss, which may impact their postseason chances. The Bearcats' 29-point margin of victory will likely boost their NET ranking, while the Wildcats' poor performance may drop them further. Cincinnati's record now stands at 13-12, with a 2-5 record in Quad 1 games and a 5-4 record in Quad 2 games. Kansas State's record falls to 10-14, with a 1-6 record in Quad 1 games and a 4-5 record in Quad 2 games.
Cincinnati's next game is scheduled for February 15th against the SMU Mustangs, while Kansas State will face the Oklahoma State Cowboys on February 14th. Both teams want to build on their current momentum, with Cincinnati seeking to continue their winning streak and Kansas State aiming to bounce back from this disappointing loss. The Bearcats must maintain their strong offense, which has averaged 80 points per game over the last three contests. Kansas State, on the other hand, must improve their defense, which has allowed an average of 75 points per game over the same period.