Preview: Cincinnati at No. 8 Kansas

by Ryan Roberts February 21, 2026

The Bearcats hit the road Saturday for one of the toughest assignments in college basketball, traveling to Allen Fieldhouse to face No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. Cincinnati (14-12, 6-7 Big 12) enters on a three-game winning streak — the longest current streak in the league — after knocking off Utah, UCF and Kansas State.

(Photo: Kansas Athletics)

The challenge ramps up significantly against a Kansas squad that is 20-6 overall, 10-3 in Big 12 play and ranked No. 13 in the NET with seven Quad 1 wins against the nation’s No. 1 strength of schedule. Head coach Bill Self has the Jayhawks surging, winners of nine of their last 10 games and fresh off an 81-69 road victory at Oklahoma State.

From a Cincinnati perspective, the formula remains clear: defense, discipline and shot selection. The Bearcats allow just 67.0 points per game and rank 11th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (KenPom). They are elite at limiting high-percentage looks, ranking 11th nationally in opponent two-point percentage (7.1% block rate inside the arc) and 33rd in opponent offensive rebound percentage (26.8%).

Cincinnati also protects the ball at a high level, ranking ninth nationally in non-steal turnover percentage (9.6%), and forces opponents deep into possessions — teams average 17.9 seconds per trip against UC. In a hostile road environment, that defensive consistency will be tested against one of the Big 12’s most balanced and efficient offenses.

Key Players for Kansas

Darryn Peterson – 6'6 Freshman Guard

20.0 points per game
44 made 3-pointers (43.1%)
3.7 rebounds per game

Peterson is the engine of Kansas’ offense, one of the nation’s premier freshmen, and a potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Dradt. He has seven 20-point performances and is shooting nearly 49% from the field. His ability to score at all three levels, especially from deep, makes him the top priority in Cincinnati’s scouting report. He did check out with just under 18 minutes remaining in the Jayhawks' most recent win over Oklahoma State, after scoring 23 points, so his availability and for how long have recently raised questions.

Flory Bidunga – 6'10 Sophomore Center

14.5 points, 9.2 rebounds per game
2.85 blocks per game (third nationally)
65.8% field goal percentage

Bidunga anchors the paint on both ends. He leads the Big 12 with 74 total blocks and is the only Division I player averaging at least 14.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. His rim protection (Kansas averages 6.2 blocks per game, third nationally) and efficiency around the basket are major factors.

Melvin Council Jr. – 6'4 Senior Guard

13.8 points per game (14.9 in Big 12 play)
134 assists, 2.98 assist-to-turnover ratio
24 steals

Council directs the offense and takes care of the basketball. His ability to create for others and limit mistakes fits perfectly against a Cincinnati team that thrives on forcing tough half-court possessions.

Tre White – 6'7 Senior Guard

13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds per game
39 made 3-pointers (40.6%)
86.3% from the free-throw line

White is a versatile scorer and clutch free-throw shooter. He leads Kansas with 101 free throws made and can stretch the floor while also rebounding effectively from the wing.

Bryson Tiller -- 6"11 Freshman Forward

9.0 ppg, 6.2 rebounds per game
21 pts, 7 rebounds against BYU, 18 pts, 8 rbs against Arizona

Tiller has good athleticism and versatility to make plays all over the court. He has shown the ability to score in the paint, as well as facing up. Tiller isn't a threat to beat you from deep, but he is capable. He knocked down 4-of-4 attemopts from three against North Carolina and was 3-of-5 against BYU.

Keys to Victory for Cincinnati

1. Win the Possession Battle

Kansas averages just 10.5 turnovers per game. Cincinnati must neutralize that edge. Limiting Bidunga on the glass and maintaining its strong defensive rebounding numbers (26.1 per game) will be critical.

2. Make It a Half-Court Game

The Bearcats’ defensive identity is built on forcing long, deliberate possessions. Against a Kansas team averaging 77.3 points per game, controlling tempo and keeping the score in the 60s increases Cincinnati’s chances.

3. Contest Without Fouling

Kansas shoots 76.6% from the free-throw line as a team, and White (86.3%) is among the league’s best. Cincinnati must defend aggressively but avoid putting KU’s experienced guards at the stripe.

4. Hit Timely Threes

Cincinnati ranks third in the Big 12 in three-point attempts per game (26.2). Kansas leads the conference in three-point defense (29.7%), so shot selection will matter. The Bearcats don’t need volume for volume’s sake — they need efficiency and timely makes to loosen the Jayhawks’ interior defense.

5. Handle the Environment

Allen Fieldhouse remains one of the most difficult venues in the sport. Poise early — particularly against Kansas’ shot-blocking and crowd momentum — will be essential to avoid a game-breaking run.

Final Thoughts

This matchup pits Cincinnati’s elite defensive metrics against one of the nation’s most complete teams. Kansas combines interior dominance (Bidunga), perimeter scoring (Peterson and White) and veteran leadership (Council) with top-tier defensive numbers of its own, including a national top-five field goal percentage defense (38.4%).

For Cincinnati, the path is narrow but clear: defend without fouling, control the glass, protect the ball and make enough perimeter shots to stretch Kansas’ defense. The Bearcats have momentum and confidence after three straight wins, but sustaining that against a top-10 opponent on the road will require their most disciplined 40-minute performance of the season.

If Cincinnati can dictate tempo and turn this into a physical, half-court battle, it has a chance to make things uncomfortable deep into the second half. But against a surging Kansas team with championship-level balance, the margin for error will be razor thin.