Preview: BYU at Cincinnati

by Ryan Roberts March 3, 2026

The stage is set for a high-stakes Senior Night inside Fifth Third Arena as Cincinnati closes their home slate against BYU Cougars at 9 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN2.

(Photo: BYU Athletics)

Winners of five of their last six, the Bearcats look to secure their sixth victory in seven games while sending three members of the program out in style. Senior forwards Jalen Celestine and Baba Miller, along with guard Day Day Thomas, will all be honored in pregame festivities.

BYU enters Tuesday having lost three of their previous four, including consecutive losses to UCF at home and a road loss at West Virginia.

From a Cincinnati perspective, the formula continues to be the same: defend, rebound and control tempo.

Cincinnati’s Defensive Identity

The Bearcats continue to hang their hat on one of the nation’s elite defenses:

67.5 points allowed per game
13th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (KenPom)
10th nationally in non-steal turnover percentage (9.5%)
9th nationally in opponent 2-point percentage (7.1%)
Top five in the Big 12 in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense (41.5%), 3-point percentage defense (32.0%) and turnovers forced (13.0 per game)

Cincinnati doesn’t gamble — they stay disciplined, force tough twos and limit easy looks at the rim. That defensive structure will be tested against a BYU team that ranks second in the Big 12 at 85.0 points per game and shoots nearly 48% from the field.

The matchup becomes strength-on-strength: BYU’s explosive offense versus Cincinnati’s structured, physical defense.

BYU Overview

Under second-year head coach Kevin Young, BYU enters at 20-9 (8-8 Big 12) after narrow losses to UCF and West Virginia. Even in defeat, the Cougars showed their firepower, shooting 47.1% at West Virginia but getting undone on the glass (39-29 rebound deficit).

BYU’s profile:

85.0 PPG (2nd Big 12)
38.7 rebounds per game (+4.3 margin)
35.3% from three
4.7 blocks per game (31st nationally)
10.7 turnovers per game (excellent ball security)

The Cougars can score in bunches and protect the rim, but they can be vulnerable on the boards and in physical games — something Cincinnati will look to exploit.

Key Players to Know

AJ Dybantsa – 6-8, Freshman Forward

24.9 PPG (No. 1 nationally) | 6.8 RPG | 3.7 APG

Dybantsa is one of the most dynamic scorers in the country and is likely to be a top-2 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft in June. He has scored 20+ in eight straight games and owns a 43-point outing this season. He can score at all three levels and gets to the line frequently (242 FT attempts). Cincinnati’s ability to make him inefficient — not necessarily stop him — is paramount.

Robert Wright III – 6'1 Sophomore Guard

18.3 PPG | 4.8 APG | 43% from three

Wright is having one of the most efficient seasons in Power Conference basketball. In Big 12 play, he’s averaging 20.0 PPG and has posted back-to-back 30-point games this year, including a 39-point explosion vs. Colorado. He spaces the floor and creates off the bounce.

Keba Keita – 6'8 Senior Center

6.4 PPG | 7.0 RPG | 48 blocks

Keita anchors BYU’s rim protection. He ranks among the nation’s leaders in field goal percentage (.664) and is two blocks shy of 50 on the season. Cincinnati’s finishing at the rim will be challenged.

*Note: The Cougars are 1-3 since losing senior guard Richie Saunders (18.0 ppg) to a season-ending ACL injury.

Cincinnati Notes

Baba Miller

Miller is putting together one of the best all-around seasons in the Big 12:

11 double-doubles (2nd in Big 12)
9.9 rebounds per game (2nd in Big 12)
7.52 defensive rebounds per game (1st in Big 12)
1,000 career points (reached Feb. 8 vs. UCF)

He’ll be central in countering BYU’s size and rebounding edge.

Day Day Thomas

Recently surpassed 1,000 career points with 26 against Oklahoma State. His perimeter defense against Wright and timely shot-making could swing momentum.

Jizzle James

Needs just 18 points to reach 1,000 for his career. He scored 24 in last season’s 84-66 home win over BYU — a game in which Cincinnati dominated the second half 45-24.

Keys to a Cincinnati Victory

1. Make Dybantsa Work for Everything

No clean catch-and-shoot threes. Force contested mid-range attempts. Keep him off the free-throw line.

2. Win the Glass

West Virginia exposed BYU with 18 offensive rebounds last game. Baba Miller and the Bearcats must neutralize BYU’s rebounding ability.

3. Control Tempo

BYU thrives in transition and quick-hitting offense. Cincinnati’s defense is most effective in half-court possessions.

4. Attack the Rim with Purpose

Keita blocks shots, but he also commits fouls. Make him defend without fouling and test BYU’s depth.

5. Feed Off Senior Night Energy

Emotional lift matters — especially early. A strong defensive start could ignite the home crowd and put pressure on a BYU team coming off two losses.

Final Thoughts

This game shapes up as one of the more compelling stylistic clashes of the season. BYU wants pace, space and shot-making. Cincinnati wants physicality, discipline and grind.

The Bearcats have been surging defensively and playing connected basketball during this 5-of-6 stretch. If they can turn this into a half-court battle, dominate defensive rebounds and limit second-chance points, they’ll put themselves in prime position to send their seniors out with a statement win.

Expect an electric environment with intensity and a performance defined by Cincinnati’s defensive toughness.