Preview Paw Prints: Northern Kentucky

The Bearcats are 1-0 all-time against The Norse since they entered Division I ten years ago.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
Nov 15, 2022 11:49 AM EST

CINCINNATI — A few hiccups hit the Bearcats (3-0) over their three-game winning streak to open the season, but zooming out it's been a great start to Year 2 of the Wes Miller era.

Cincinnati now turns its sights to a real test for the first time with this new team. The lone road game on the non-conference slate is up next as UC travels just across the Ohio River to face Northern Kentucky (1-1) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

The Bearcats enter this game as slight projected favorites against the first opponent of the season ranked inside of KenPom's top 200 (No. 182). ESPN's Matchup Predictor has UC winning 55.8% of the time at Truist Arena, where NKU has already fallen in a 79-57 blowout from Kent State (No. 100 KenPom).

Let's look at three pertinent topics for this game as UC goes for a 9-0 all-time record against NKU.

Dynamic DeJulius

Cincinnati Bearcats guard David DeJulius (5) sets up a play in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. Eastern Kentucky Colonels At Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball — © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bearcats' leading scorer keeps cementing himself as a certified bucket after a 22-point dicing against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Senior guard David DeJulius has been fantastic through three games.

The zen master is leading UC in scoring (21.3 ppg, 36th nationally), three-point percentage (78%), assists (11), and steals (6). His patience and prowess over the offense is this team's cupcake, while Landers Nolley is the icing.

The addition of the latter has taken pressure off of DeJulius, keeping him effective across all 40 minutes. His scoring is now more efficient and he's back over 3.5 assists per game for the first time since 2021.

"He's got to be the guy that creates for our team," Miller said after the Cleveland State win. "What I've been trying to tell him is that if he embraces that, that the ball is going to eventually find him, and he's going to score it. What I like is in our first two games, he's creating really well, and the ball is still finding him, and his efficiency is much better than it was last year in any stretch, so that is going to have to continue for us to be a good team."

It's the perfect storm for DeJulius's game. He is better than he's ever been while having the most talent around him during his time at UC.

Injury Woes

Cincinnati Bearcats guard Daniel Skillings (0) lays the ball up as Cleveland State Vikings guard JaMir Price (5) looks on in the first half of the men s NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Cleveland State Vikings at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. Cleveland State Vikings At Cincinnati Bearcats — © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cincinnati's backcourt depth is already getting tested early in 2022. Miller announced that guard John Newman III would be out "for some time" after he suffered a knee injury against Chaminade.

"Everybody who's watched us a year ago knows what John means to our team," Miller said about Newman on Sunday. "It's impossible to put a value on that. There were some moments last year when we didn't have him and it was like a completely different team. It's like that now this year."

No Newman will hurt the most at Maui next week in a field with six teams getting AP Top 25 votes. He is a crucial part of UC's man-to-man defensive game plan and is a great locker-room presence. The veteran got bit by the worst part of sports right when he began his most confident, tuned-up season.

Alas, it's next man up on the Bearcats bench, where Jarrett Hensley took advantage with a great energy performance against Eastern Kentucky (11 points, 57% FG, three rebounds, two blocks). The sophomore could inject rocket fuel into his career with this expanded role.

"I felt good today," Hensley said after the EKU game. "My mom and dad came from Kansas City, so I had to play good."

At 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, Hensley can impact the game all over the floor as a versatile wing, while guarding multiple positions. He looks stronger, more in tune with the offense, and more confident after reshaping his shot following his late-season injury a few months back. Cincinnati needs him to embrace an expanded role until Newman returns.

Freshman Dan Skillings is also banged up after spraining his ankle against EKU, but Miller did not indicate that it will be a serious issue.

Balanced Norse

Northern Kentucky Norse guard Marques Warrick (3) drives to the basket during the men s Horizon League tournament final against the Wright State Raiders, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis. Nkuwsuhorizonmbbfinal 030822 Am1168 — © Alex Martin/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

This NKU team is tough to gauge after a 1-1 start to the season. They shot terribly in game one against Toledo (30%, 18.5% from deep), where the Rockets hit 54% of their 24 three-point attempts.

They hammered UC-Clermont 89-49 at home, cool.

Going back to the preseason, Horizon League coaches picked NKU to win the league and voted three players to the preseason All-Horizon team. They've earned respect after a 20-12 record last season, many veterans stuck around for another run.

Darrin Horn keeps a tight seven-man rotation that includes three players averaging 12-plus points. Junior guard Marques Warrick (16.0 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 4.0 Ast), senior guard Trevon Faulkner (15.0 Pts, 6.5 Reb, 1.0 Ast), and sophomore guard Sam Vinson posted 12 points in his first game against Kent State.

Cincinnati's newfound pressing ability on defense could prove crucial against the bevy of guards. Making sure that stays a weapon will go a long way towards disrupting this trio's offensive rhythm.

The rebounding acumen from UC (15 offensive boards per game and 19.3 second-chance points) will play a big role in this game as well. NKU is first nationally in offensive rebounding (19 per game) and 32nd overall (44.5 rebounds).

Slowing down Chris Brandon's glass attacks is the first step. The 6-foot-8 forward leads the country with 14.5 rebounds per game.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Fans can watch on ESPN+.

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