Preview: Alabama State at Cincinnati

16th-ranked Cincinnati (5-0) will look to stay undefeated on Wednesday night when they host Alabama State (3-3) out of the SWAC.

The Hornets were picked to finish sixth in the SWAC preseason coaches poll and have three players that were picked as first or second team all-league selections.

While Alabama State doesn't bring the same name recognition as future opponents on the Bearcats' schedule, Wes Miller wants his team and Cincinnati fans to understand this is a better team than most realize.

"They just won two of their last three division one games on the road or in a neutral environment," Miller told media Tuesday afternoon. "They're a good basketball team. They have really good players. They're really well organized and coached, and we better be ready to play basketball."

Alabama State is led by first team All-SWAC selection TJ Madlock and second team All-SWAC selections CJ Hines and Ubong Okon. 

"They have a lot of shooting," said Miller. "Really really good guard play. Transition defense will be a big key. They're playing fast. They can put runs on you in a hurry because of how many guys they have that can shoot it and how many guys can make plays off the bounce."

Miller continued.

"Alabama State is a team that's going to compete to win their league. A team that you guys could see in your brackets in the (NCAA) tournament. I think they have a very good chance to do that with what I've watched on tape the last 48 hours."

Alabama State is currently 239th in Kenpom's ratings.

Players to know:

6-foot-3 Sr G TJ Madlock (14.5 ppg, 3.2 apg, 5.7 rpg)

- Son of ASU Head Coach Tony Madlock

6-foot-2 Sr G CJ Hines (15.7 ppg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 rpg)

- Has made 12-of-22 three-point attempts after missing his first seven attempts to begin the season.

6-foot-3 RS-So. G Amarr Knox (13.8 ppg, 2.8 apg)

-Originally committed to Memphis out of high school. Scored 20 points in a 74-61 loss to LSU and 19 points against UNLV.

6-foot-2 Jr G Micah Simpson (7.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

6-foot-5 Sr G Tyler Mack (6.5 ppg, 48% 3FG)

- Scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from three in November 24th loss to Akron

6-foot-10 RS So. F Jasteven Walker (6.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 50% 3FG)

6-foot-6 Jr F D'Ante Bass (5.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

- Started career at Georgetown. Sat out last season after a season-ending knee injury

Final Thoughts:

ASU wants to get up and down the floor.

The Hornets come in averaging 82.5 ppg and are attempting 27 three-pointers per game. 

Cincinnati will be the most talented team that ASU seen has seen to date, but road trips to UNLV and LSU will have them prepared for the physicality and athleticism that UC will put on the floor. 

At the end of the day, UC's talent and depth should overwhelm ASU. The Bearcats have placed four or more players in double-figure scoring in all five games and currently lead the nation in shooting (55.5 percent) and effective field goal percentage (63.5).

Cincinnati's perimeter defense is 21st nationally, allowing 25.9 percent from deep. No team has made more than five threes on the Bearcats yet. Georgia Tech was held to its season-low in points, field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and rebounds on Saturday.

The Bearcats should roll in this one and improve to 6-0 with another road test against Villanova on deck.

How to watch: 

7:00 pm 

ESPN+