Big 12 basketball continues on Tuesday night with a matchup between a new member, and a team on their way out when the #20 Texas Longhorns (11-3, 0-1 Big 12) take on the Cincinnati Bearcats (12-2, 1-0 Big 12). Texas lost their league opener at home against Texas Tech, going down 78-67, losing outright as 6.5-point favorites. Cincinnati went into 12th ranked BYU's home stadium, and left with a 71-60 win as 10-point underdogs. These teams did not meet last season, as Cincinnati was still a member of the AAC. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 EST from Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati and can be found on the Big 12 Network.
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The Texas Longhorns have put their backs against the wall by taking a loss in their conference opener. Not only did they lose to an unranked team as 6.5-point favorites, but they also lost on their home floor. Tech shot better from the field and won the turnover battle in the upset win. Texas Tech took the lead with 15 minutes left in the game and held it until the end of the game. Texas guard Tyrese Hunter had 20 points, and Max Abmas added another 18 in the close loss.
Max Abmas is their leading scorer as a 6'0 senior guard with 17.2 PPG, and is tied for the lead in assists with 4.4 per game. Abmas has scored 18 points and had at least five assists in the past two games. He is also the top shooter on the team, he has 40 made threes on the year on 39.6% shooting from deep. His backcourt mate is Tyrese Hunter, he is another 6'0 guard and is averaging 13.2 PPG and also averages 4.4 APG. Hunte r has been playing well as of last as he has had at least 20 points in the past two games. The Longhorns have three forwards averaging between 11.0 and 11.4 PPG. Dillon Mitchell is the highest scorer of the bunch, he is a 6'8 forward with 11.4 PPG and a team high 9.4 RPG. Kadin Shedrick is a 6'11 senior and Dylan Disu is a 6'9 senior, they both average 11.0 PPG.
Texas is currently ranked 39th overall according to KenPom. They are ranked 40th in offensive efficiency and 54th in defensive efficiency. The Longhorns play slow on offense, their tempo ranks 222nd in the nation based on their pace of play.