The Bearcats will be looking to regroup tonight when they take on the Wagner Seahawks at Fifth Third Arena. Saturday was a bad day for Cincinnati basketball. Fans and players were alike blindsided by the news that Coach Cronin had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. The news took its toll on the players who seemed distracted and disengaged for large stretches during the loss to VCU.
Though Coach Cronin will not yet be rejoining the team, tonight’s game presents the perfect opportunity for the guys to come together and get a win for their ailing leader. Cincinnati is better than Wagner at every position. I expect to see an emotional and energetic Bearcats team win in a blowout. The defense should smother the Seahawks who aren’t particularly adept at scoring even when left unguarded — the team is shooting under 40% from the floor for the season.
Octavius Ellis enters tonight’s game as the AAC’s leading rebounder. Wagner’s poor shooting should provide him with plenty of opportunities to extend that lead. I’m predicting that he ends the night with a double-double.
PREDICTION: Cincinnati 74, Wagner 50
By Rhett Lemmel