How to watch, listen to University of Cincinnati Bearcats vs. UConn Huskies basketball
Charlie Goldsmith
Enquirer contributor
The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team opens conference play at home Wednesday against Connecticut.
The Huskies will make their final trip to Fifth Third Arena as a member of the American Athletic Conference, with the team heading to the Big East next season.
Here is the information you need to know to follow the game on TV and radio, as well as storylines to watch.
Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 1 | Fifth Third Arena (capacity: 12,012)
TV/Radio: Tom McCarthy (play-by-play) and Bob Wenzel (analyst) will have the call on CBS Sports Network. | Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and Terry Nelson (analyst) will have the radio call on WLW-AM (700).
Series info: 29th meeting. Cincinnati leads 15-13 all-time and swept both matchups last season.
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Record: 7-5
KenPom.com rating: No. 57
Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 105.2, No. 73
Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 92.5, No. 50
The coach: John Brannen – 7-5; first season at UC; 89-57 overall (Northern Kentucky).
Projected starting lineup:
Mika Adams-Woods: G, 6-3, 185, Fr. 6.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Jarron Cumberland: G, 6-5, 210, Sr. 13.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Keith Williams: G, 6-5, 215, Jr. 12.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Trevon Scott: F, 6-8, 225, Sr. 8.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg
Chris Vogt: C, 7-1, 260, Jr. 12.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg
The coach: Dan Hurley – 24-20; second season at Connecticut; 175-125 overall (Wagner, Rhode Island).
Alterique Gilbert: G, 6-0, 180, Jr. 10.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Christian Vital: G, 6-2, 177, Sr. 13.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Tyler Polley: F, 6-8, 200, Jr. 10.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Akok Akok: F 6-9, 193, Fr. 6.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Josh Carlton: F, 6-10, 235, Jr. 11.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Connecticut guards Christian Vital and Alterique Gilbert
When the AAC coaches voted for the preseason all-conference teams in October, they recognized Vital and Gilbert as two of the best eleven players in the league. As the team's two starting guards, Vital and Gilbert have been the focal points of Connecticut's offense this season, taking almost 35 percent of the Huskies total shots. In wins this season, they average a combined 22.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.
Cincinnati guard Mika Adams Woods
Adams-Woods earned the spot two weeks ago by shooting over 50 percent from three-point range. He scored 11 points in his first start on Dec. 18 against Tennessee, and Adams-Woods has been in double figures in five of UC's last seven games. He'll be asked to continue to provide a spark offensively while defending Vital or Gilbert.
The Bearcats begin their 18-game conference slate against Connecticut. UC started the year as the No. 3 team in the AAC men's basketball preseason poll. The Bearcats' up-and-down play during the non-conference schedule has led to them falling to fifth out of twelve teams in KenPom's current rankings, and Connecticut ranks fourth.