Big 12 Tournament: Cincinnati v Utah Preview
The Cincinnati Bearcats open play in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament on Tuesday afternoon as the No. 9 seed, facing No. 16 seed Utah Utes men's basketball at the T-Mobile Center. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in Kansas City.
Cincinnati enters the postseason at 17-14 overall and 9-9 in conference play after closing the regular season with a loss on the road at TCU. The Bearcats now shift their focus to tournament basketball, where their defensive identity and experienced backcourt will be key against a Utah team looking to play spoiler after a difficult Big 12 campaign.
Utah, led by first-year head coach Alex Jensen, finished 10-21 overall and 2-16 in conference play to earn the tournament’s No. 16 seed. Despite the record, the Utes feature one of the conference’s most dynamic scoring duos and have shown the ability to put up points in a hurry.
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
Cincinnati won the first meeting between the teams this season, rallying late for a 69-65 victory at Fifth Third Arena on Feb. 15. The Bearcats trailed 65-60 with 1:56 remaining before finishing on a 9-0 run. Moustapha Thiam led UC with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Baba Miller added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Day Day Thomas scored 15 points and Keyshuan Tillery contributed 10 points and three assists in the comeback.
Players to Know (Utah)
Terrence Brown – 6'3 Junior Guard
Brown is the engine of Utah’s offense and one of the top scorers in the conference. Averaging 19.8 points per game (fourth in the Big 12), he carries a heavy offensive load and can score at all three levels. Brown shoots 45.7 percent from the field and has attempted nearly 500 shots this season, illustrating how much the offense runs through him.
Don McHenry – 6'2 Fifth-Year Guard
McHenry forms a dangerous backcourt pairing with Brown, averaging 17.3 points per game while shooting 40 percent from three-point range. His 78 made threes lead the Utes, and he’s capable of heating up quickly from deep if left open.
Keanu Dawes – 6'9 Junior Forward
Dawes anchors Utah in the frontcourt, averaging 12.4 points and a team-best 8.7 rebounds per game. He shoots 55 percent from the floor and is a physical presence on the glass, posing one of the Utes’ biggest interior challenges for Cincinnati.
Keys to a Cincinnati Victory
1. Lean on Elite Defense
Defense has been Cincinnati’s calling card all season. The Bearcats allow just 67.7 points per game and rank 12th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Limiting Utah’s high-scoring backcourt—especially Brown and McHenry—will be the top priority. If Cincinnati can keep the Utes in the mid-60s again, the Bearcats will be in strong position.
2. Control the Perimeter
Utah shoots 35.5 percent from three and averages nearly eight made threes per game. McHenry and guard Seydou Traore are capable perimeter threats. Cincinnati’s defense has been strong against the three-point shot, holding opponents to 31.7 percent from deep, and maintaining that discipline will be key.
3. Win the Turnover Battle
Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best at avoiding live-ball mistakes, sitting 13th nationally in non-steal turnover percentage (9.3%). Taking care of the ball while forcing Utah into difficult offensive possessions can create the extra opportunities needed in a tournament setting.
4. Use the Three-Point Volume
The Bearcats are one of the most active three-point shooting teams in the Big 12, ranking second in attempts (26.5 per game) and third in makes (8.9). If Cincinnati finds rhythm from beyond the arc early, it can stretch the Utah defense and open driving lanes for the guards.
5. Win the Glass
Utah’s Dawes is a strong rebounder, but Cincinnati’s frontcourt—led by Thiam and Miller—has the length and physicality to neutralize that advantage. Securing defensive rebounds will prevent second-chance points and allow UC to control the pace.
Final Thoughts
For Cincinnati, the formula is straightforward: defend, rebound and execute in the half court. The Bearcats have proven they can close tight games, as evidenced by their late rally in the first meeting with Utah. If they replicate that defensive intensity and avoid letting Utah’s guards take over, Cincinnati should have the edge.
Tournament games often hinge on momentum swings, and the Bearcats’ ability to string together stops has carried them throughout the season. With a balanced offensive attack and one of the conference’s top defenses, Cincinnati enters the matchup as the favorite—but Utah’s scoring punch means the Bearcats will need a focused 40-minute effort to advance in Kansas City.