No 18 Bearcats Get First Road Test Tuesday At Nku

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No. 18 Bearcats Get First Road Test Tuesday at NKU
No. 18 Bearcats Get First Road Test Tuesday at NKU from

No. 18 Bearcats Get First Road Test Tuesday at NKU

Bearcats Open 2022-23 Season at NKU Tuesday Night

No. 18 Cincinnati opens its 2022-23 season Tuesday at Northern Kentucky University, marking the Bearcats' first road game of the campaign. Tipoff from Truist Arena in Highland Heights, Kentucky, is set for 7 p.m. ET.

The Bearcats return four starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's 18-14 squad that reached the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Cincinnati was picked to finish fifth in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Preseason Poll, while fifth-year senior guard David DeJulius earned Preseason All-AAC Second Team accolades.

Scouting the Norse

Northern Kentucky went 17-15 overall and 10-6 in the Horizon League last season, finishing tied for third in the regular-season standings. The Norse return three starters, including Preseason All-Horizon League First Team selection Marques Warrick.

Warrick, a 6-foot-6 forward, averaged 15.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season. He is joined in the starting lineup by 6-foot-3 guard Trevon Faulkner and 6-foot-8 forward Adrian Nelson, who averaged 10.6 and 8.9 points per game, respectively, last year.

Keys to the Game

* Limit turnovers: Cincinnati committed 17 turnovers in its exhibition win over Thomas More last week. The Bearcats will need to take better care of the ball against a Northern Kentucky team that forced 15 turnovers per game last season. * Rebound the basketball: Northern Kentucky outrebounded its opponents by an average of 5.3 rebounds per game last season. The Bearcats will need to crash the boards hard to prevent the Norse from getting second-chance opportunities. * Make shots: Cincinnati shot just 38.5% from the field in its exhibition win over Thomas More. The Bearcats will need to improve their shooting percentage to beat a Northern Kentucky team that held opponents to 40.5% shooting last season.

Prediction

Cincinnati is the more talented team, but Northern Kentucky is playing at home and will be looking to make a statement. The Bearcats will need to play their best game of the season to win this one. Prediction: Cincinnati 72, Northern Kentucky 68