The Cincinnati Bearcats play host to the SMU Mustangs on Sunday afternoon in an interesting AAC showdown from Fifth Third Arena. Both teams come into this one on near opposite sides of the standings, while the Mustangs look to avoid a three-game losing streak. For the Bearcats, they simply are aiming to get back into the win column in this one after losing the last time out. The first meeting of the season saw the Bearcats sneak by with a two-point win, though they could be hard-pressed to make it a season sweep against one of the conference's scrappiest teams.
Only a few years removed from one of the best decades in SMU basketball history, the Mustangs have struggled to find much footing this season. Coming into Sunday near the bottom of the AAC standings, this group doesn't have much to play for besides pride, though they'll be hoping that's enough to spring the upset in this one. They sit with a 10-20 record and are a staggering 1-10 in true road games this season. After struggling to grab the win in the first meeting of the season between these two teams, the Mustangs will be hard-pressed to flip the switch and find the win in the rematch, especially on the road for this one. This group not only struggles to find balance on both ends but the lack of confidence as they head into Sunday is a massive concern.
It should help that SMU is at least healthy as they head into this one. Injuries have been an issue for much of the season but with a clean bill of health as they hit the road for this one, that could prove to be a massive advantage.
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6 Ben Moore '16-17
5 Ben Moore '15-16
5 Marcus Weathers '21-22
4 Markus Kennedy '13-14
4 Sterling Brown '16-17
4 Feron Hunt '20-21
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As mentioned earlier, the struggles on both sides of the court will make life tough for the Mustangs in this one. On the offensive end, trying to play at a slow pace hasn't benefited this team of late, while they find themselves ranked in the 300s in a number of offensive categories. Unfortunately, with the defense being one of the worst in the AAC as well, they haven't been able to get a break. Zhuric Phelps (17.4 ppg) is one of the most explosive players in the conference but without much help, he's been relied on to do too much this season. The frontcourt will need to find a way to step up in this one but even that might not be enough to help them.
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