Three Man Weave: Cincinnati Fails Final Hard Non-Conference Test 82-68 Against Dayton

Cincinnati is now 4-18 in big games under Wes Miller.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
Dec 16, 2023 9:13 PM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats fell short in another big game under Wes Miller 82-68 against the Dayton Flyers. The Hoops Classic was a classic beat down as DaRon Holmes (28 points, seven rebounds) and the Flyers looked like the much better team throughout Saturday night.

Dayton's methodical, efficient offense found Holmes for a ton of high-percentage looks inside that also mixed in with plenty of free throws (30 for Dayton to Cincinnati's 16). UD outscored Cincinnati 28-8 in that metric and held firm in the rebounding battle (34-41).

No Bearcats took charge as the offensive hub on Saturday in something that's become a theme on the road for too many stretches. Cincinnati's allowed the opposing top scorers in its three game away from Fifth Third Arena to all post 24-plus points.

Slow Start, Again

Cincinnati started slowly for the third consecutive game as they continued to shoot the ball terribly outside of Fifth Third Arena. Cincinnati has now shot under 25% from deep in every game outside the home confines this season.

No one could buy a consistent lid breaker on some decent looks throughout the first half and game overall. It led to too many transition chances and contact hunting for Dayton. The guard platoon once again disappointed in a different environment as CJ Fredrick, Day Day Thomas, and Jizzle James all shot below 45% with just three assists.

The ball was stagnant all first half and most of the game.

Cincinnati just had no one in the expanded rotation who could settle down the offense early and create something on their own. UC hasn't missed a player like David DeJulius against bad teams this season, but when the opponents creep into the top 70, it's bad news.

That's all they'll face nearly the entire Big 12 schedule.

Holmes Hurts

Holmes was all he's cracked up to be on Saturday night as the bruising forward poured in a game-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting. The big fella displayed great footwork and cashed some nice jumper tries to lead the Flyers offense.

He led all players with a 31 efficiency score.

Dayton didn't look phased playing outside of UD Arena as they controlled the pace for much of the night thanks to Holmes's efficiency and great three-point shooting they've flashed all season.

Cincinnati's usual advantage on the glass got nullified thanks to Holmes & Co. as he made sure UC failed its first (and far from last) big-man test of the season. It didn't matter which towering UC defender matched up against him. Holmes outskilled them all.

Simas Sparks, Lakhin Lacks

The Bearcats got some life out of Simas Lukošius (14 points, one assist) and his shot on Saturday but that was about it from the wings and frontcourt players like Viktor Lakhin (four points on 2-of-9 shooting).

Lukošius took control as a lead ball handler for a crucial stretch in the second half and it showed how much Cincinnati needs a consistent option in that respect. No one could get the ball in for many easy big-men looks inside and Dayton answered with plenty of those themselves.

The lack of ball handling skill from Lakhin and others was a big problem against the biggest team they've faced this season. He shot poorly, and took just one free throw.

Cincinnati has no offensive identity right now, and they have to find one before traveling to BYU for the first Big 12 road game.

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