Preview: UC Faces Tennessee Tech in Final Non-Conference Game of 2021

Cincinnati had a perfect 2-0 week following its blowout loss in the Crosstown Shootout.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Dec 20, 2021 3:53 PM EST

CINCINNATI — Wes Miller and company have one non-conference game remaining before a week break leading into AAC play. Tennessee Tech (3-9) comes into town for a contest against Cincinnati (9-3) on Tuesday night.

UC is trying to shake off a lackluster finish to Saturday's 71-57 win over Ashland University.

"I don’t want to be a negative Nancy and all that," Miller said after the game. "There were some moments and segments that were good, and at times we did some good things. But, I am disappointed in our performance over 40 minutes. We had what I think was the best in-season practice we had yesterday. We had a real sense of urgency to address and work on some of the things that were holding us back. I don’t know another way to do it besides get in the gym and work on it."

The coaching staff poured over the tape and have one last test run to try and work out the kinks. The Golden Eagles enter the game ranked No. 282 in KenPom, while Cincinnati sits at No. 69. ESPN's matchup predictor has Cincinnati winning its third ever matchup against TTU 87.5% of the time.

Head coach John Pelphrey's team is struggling mightily in 2021, winning just a single Division I matchup so far (Lipscomb 88-77). Jr. Clay (12.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists) and Keishawn Davidson (11.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists) lead the way offensively for Tech.

The entire gameplan flows through the potent guard combo, and the rest of the offense thrives off of their actions. Tech comes into the game averaging 16.9 assists (28th nationally), and the starting guards account for nearly half of that.

Outside of Davidson and Clay, six other Golden Eagles are averaging at least one assist in the unselfish offense, including Mamoudou Diarra (8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists). The four-year Cincinnati letter winner is wrapping up his college career with the Golden Eagles.

The 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward leads Tech in rebounding and is shooting 54% from the field. That's the highest mark on the team among players taking at least seven shots per game. Wes Miller has not been happy with his team's defensive rebounding marks, and that's an advantage for TTU.

The Golden Eagles have a knack for sniffing out misses from teammates and being in the right spot. Diarra and company pull in 13 offensive rebounds per game (24th nationally). Cincinnati also rebounds well offensively but is barely above average tracking down opponents' misses (26.8 defensive boards per game, 151st).

Cincinnati will likely need to hit shots in this game and not rely on physicality and fouling. Tech plays fast and disciplined in transition, and it seems to rub off on other teams. Their games are averaging just 27.6 fouls this season, which ranks in the bottom-third of all Division I teams.

Tech's been liable to allow plenty of open looks in 2021; no matter how you slice this defense, it's bad news. Teams are shooting 53.9% from two-point range (335th) and 33.3% from deep this season (212th). TTU's speedy pace (71.5 possession, 105th) helps them on offense but crushes their ability on the other end.

They rank 242nd in defensive rating (99.9), 314th in effective field goal rate allowed, and 272nd in points allowed (72.2). Tuesday is the perfect opportunity for Cincinnati to find a succinct offensive mindset before facing the best defensive team in the AAC next week in Houston (84 defensive rating, 12th).

Diarra and the Golden Eagles are a decent offensive team on paper, but lift the veil on their point totals, and it's a total sham. They put up 117 points on an NAIA school in Montreat College; dropped another 109 points on a USCAA-school in the Oakwood Ambassadors. Then capped off their high marks with 88 points against Lipscomb, who ranks 328th among Division I teams in defensive rating.

The offensive numbers can't be taken seriously and especially not when factoring in their next opponent. Cincinnati is sticking to its roots on defense in 2021-22. UC is 34th in defensive rating (87.4) and now up to No. 5 in effective field goal rate allowed (40.6%).

Miller is trying to get his team to play one complete game before the conference gauntlet starts. They have a great chance on Tuesday given the Golden Eagles' weaknesses. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET from Fifth Third Arena and airs on ESPN+.

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