Preview: Cincinnati at Kansas State

by Ryan Roberts February 11, 2026

Cincinnati will try to build on one of its most complete performances of the season when it travels to Manhattan for a Wednesday night matchup against Kansas State. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET at Bramlage Coliseum, with the game televised on CBS Sports Network.

The Bearcats (12-12, 4-7 Big 12) snapped a two-game skid in emphatic fashion Sunday, rolling past UCF 92-72 at Fifth Third Arena. Now comes the next challenge: translating that success away from home. Cincinnati is 12-3 at home this season but still searching for its first win away from Fifth Third, sitting at 0-9 outside of Cincinnati, including 0-6 in true road games.

Kansas State (10-13, 1-9 Big 12) enters on a four-game losing streak and is off to its worst start in Big 12 play since 1999-2000 and 2020-21. Still, Bramlage Coliseum has been a difficult venue under head coach Jerome Tang. The Wildcats are 47-15 at home during Tang’s tenure, including 22-11 in Big 12 games, and are 8-6 at home this season.

(Photo: Kansas State Athletics)

For Cincinnati, this game represents both opportunity and urgency. A win would not only improve its conference standing but also remove the looming narrative about road struggles.

Bearcats Defense vs. Wildcats Offense

Cincinnati’s identity remains firmly rooted on the defensive end.

The Bearcats allow just 67.3 points per game, ranking 29th nationally and fourth in the Big 12. According to KenPom, Cincinnati ranks 10th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. They excel in several critical areas:

13th nationally in non-steal turnover percentage (9.5%)
17th nationally in opponent offensive rebound percentage (25.9%)
10th nationally in opponent 2-point field goal percentage (7.1% block rate indicator)
Fourth in the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense (41.3%)

Wes Miller’s squad forces opponents to operate deep into the shot clock, with teams averaging 17.8 seconds per possession. That deliberate style has helped Cincinnati control tempo and limit quality looks inside the arc.

That defensive discipline will be tested by a Kansas State team averaging 81.7 points per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.1% from three. The Wildcats average 10.2 made threes per game and move the ball well (18.3 assists per contest).

The headliner, of course, is junior guard P.J. Haggerty.

Kansas State Players to Know

P.J. Haggerty | 6-4 Junior Guard

23.3 points per game (2nd in Big 12, tied for 2nd nationally)
5.2 rebounds per game
48.6% FG, 36.4% 3PT
83 assists

Haggerty is one of the most dynamic scorers in the country. He’s capable of scoring at all three levels and carries a massive offensive load (403 field-goal attempts). Slowing him — or at least making him inefficient — will be Cincinnati’s top defensive priority.

Nate Johnson | 6-3 Senior Guard (Lakota East HS)

11.3 points per game
4.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists per game
38.1% from three

The Cincinnati-area product does a bit of everything for the Wildcats. He’s their secondary playmaker and an experienced presence who can stretch the floor.

David Castillo | 6-1 Sophomore Guard

11.7 points per game
39.8% from three (47 makes)

Castillo provides perimeter scoring and spacing. If Cincinnati collapses too aggressively on Haggerty, Castillo can make them pay.

Khamari McGriff | 6-9 Senior Forward

10.0 points per game
74.1% shooting from the field
4.2 rebounds per game

Recently back from injury, McGriff is highly efficient around the rim and gives K-State interior scoring punch.

Abdi Bashir Jr. | 6-7 Junior Guard (status uncertain)

13.2 points per game
44.4% from three (67 makes)

Bashir has missed five straight games. If he returns, he immediately becomes one of the Wildcats’ most dangerous floor spacers.

Injuries and illness have disrupted Kansas State’s rotation, with regulars Elias Rapieque and Andrej Kostic also missing time. Depth and continuity remain question marks.

Cincinnati’s Offensive Outlook

While defense drives the Bearcats, their offensive ceiling often determines outcomes — especially on the road.

Cincinnati ranks third in the Big 12 in three-point attempts (26.5 per game) and fourth in the league in assists (16.4 per game), signaling improved ball movement. The Bearcats are at their best when they share the ball and generate inside-out looks.

Senior forward Baba Miller anchors the group, averaging a double-double with 13.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. His versatility — scoring inside, stepping out, defending multiple positions — makes him a key matchup piece against K-State’s forwards.

Against UCF, Cincinnati’s offense looked freer and more aggressive. Replicating that confidence away from home will be critical against a Wildcats defense allowing 80.3 points per game and 45.4% shooting.

Keys to Victory for Cincinnati

1. Make Haggerty Work for Everything
He’s going to score. The goal is to limit efficiency and prevent 30-point explosions. Show multiple defenders, force contested jumpers, and avoid sending him to the free-throw line.

2. Win the Glass
Kansas State is slightly negative in rebounding margin (-1.3). Cincinnati ranks 17th nationally in limiting opponent offensive rebounds. One-and-done possessions will fuel transition opportunities.

3. Poise on the Road
The Bearcats’ 0-9 record away from home cannot be ignored. Early composure — especially if Kansas State makes a run — will be essential in a building where Tang’s teams historically thrive.

4. Convert From Three
Kansas State allows 32.9% from beyond the arc. With Cincinnati averaging 26.5 attempts per game, efficient shooting from deep could swing the game.

5. Take Advantage of K-State’s Rotation Uncertainty
If illness and injuries limit the Wildcats’ depth, Cincinnati’s physical defensive pressure could wear them down over 40 minutes.

Final Thoughts

This matchup pits strength against strength in an intriguing way: Cincinnati’s elite defense versus Kansas State’s explosive scoring backcourt.

On paper, the Bearcats have the defensive profile to disrupt the Wildcats — particularly inside the arc. But the lingering question remains whether Cincinnati can execute away from home with the same discipline and confidence it shows at Fifth Third Arena.

Kansas State is desperate, wounded, and dangerous — especially with a scorer like P.J. Haggerty capable of taking over.

For Cincinnati, this is more than just another conference game. It’s a chance to prove that its defensive identity travels — and that its postseason hopes don’t hinge solely on home-court comfort.

If the Bearcats bring Sunday’s edge and maintain their defensive standard, their first road win of the season could come in Manhattan.