Morehead State at Cincinnati Preview

Cincinnati will look to improve to 2-0 on Friday night when the Bearcats host Morehead State (1-1) inside Fifth Third Arena.

The Bearcats had eight different players score eight or more points in Monday's 109-54 win over Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Simas Lukosius led six double figure scorers with a game-high 20 points in the win. Dan Skillings recorded a double-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds. 

(Photo: Taylor Keeton / RiverfrontU )

Morehead State opened the season with a 93-45 loss at Louisville but rebounded with an 89-45 Boyce College, which competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association.

The Eagles won the Ohio Valley Conference last season, but will look much different this season after head coach Preston Spradlin left the program to accept the open head coach position at James Madison. 

Spradlin took virtually all of his staff with him, while the program also lost OVC Player of the Year Riley Minix and third-leading scorer Kalil Thomas to graduation.

Morehead State also entered the season having to replace second leading scorer Jordan Lathan and fourth leading-scorer Drew Thelwell, who both entered the transfer portal following the departure of Spradlin. 

7-foot center, and former Xavier transfer, Deionte Miles returns as the only starter from last season. Miles averaged 5.0 points, 5.0 rebounds per game last season and is currently averaging 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds through two games after pulling down 11 rebounds against Louisville.

6-foot-7 forward Kenny White Jr currently leads the Eagles in scoring, averaging 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds per game. White transferred in from Tennessee-Martin this off-season.

Other incoming transfers expected to make an impact this season include 5-foot-11 point guard Jalen Breazeale (USC-Upstate), 6-foot-4 shooting guard Tyler Brelsford (Bryant), 6-foot-5 small forward Jalen Windham (Ball State), 6-foot-4 guard Steven Clay (UIC), as well as 6-foot-4 grad-transfer Kade Ruegsegger.

Morehead was picked to finish fifth in the OVC Preseason Coaches Poll.

6-foot-4 redshirt sophomore Trent Scott was picked as a player to watch by the league coaches after missing the majority of the 2023-24 season due to injury.

Morehead State Projected starters:

• G Jalen Breazeale (5-11, 160, R-Jr.)
• G Steven Clay (6-4, 185, Jr.)
• G Tyler Brelsford (6-4, 185, Gr.)
• F Kenny White (6-7, 225, Sr.)
• F Dieonte Miles (7-0, 240, Gr.)

What to watch:

- Redshirt freshman Rayvon Griffith scored eight points in eight minutes of action Monday night against UAPB. It will be interesting to see the minute distribution in game two on the wing and if Griffith sees more minutes following a successful debut in game one. 

- Connor Hickman also had a successful Bearcat debut with 13 points in 22 minutes. With Cincinnati coaches continuing to be cautious with senior point guard Day Day Thomas after re-aggravating a prior foot injury, Hickman will have another opportunity to showcase what he is capable of both on and off the ball.

- Freshman Tyler Betsey recorded six points, four rebounds in 14 minutes on Monday night. These early season buy games will continue to be an important factor in Betsey's overall development and ability to be ready to make an impact when Big 12 play rolls around. 

- Free throw shooting. Cincinnati finished 13-of-23 from the free throw line in game one.

Final Thoughts:

Cincinnati is favored by 27.5 points and leads the all-time series between the two programs, 11-2.

Morehead State is a solid low major program who has a history of pushing high majors to the limits, but this is a game that shouldn't be close.

Expect the Bearcats to come out with high energy and focus from the opening tip and cruise to a convincing victory that covers the 27.5 projected spread. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm and can be watched on ESPN+