Preview: Cincinnati v Louisville

by Ryan Roberts November 21, 2025

Cincinnati steps into one of its earliest and biggest tests of the season Friday night when it meets No. 6 Louisville in the Hoops Classic at Heritage Bank Center. It is a rivalry that dates back to 1921, with Louisville owning the all-time series, 56-44. The Bearcats have a 24-22 edge in games played in Cincinnati.

(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)

Though many players are new to the series, head coach Wes Miller has long known the significance of UC–Louisville battles.

“I was very well aware of the rivalry,” Miller said during Tuesday's press conference. “Growing up, it was Conference USA. I remember watching those games… Living here, I’ve heard about it a long time. These rivalry games are fun… it’s a great opportunity for us.”

Being a Cincinnati native, Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey also understands the rivalry.

“Louisville–Cincinnati is a big rivalry… houses divided, just like here," Kelsey said. “Some of my first basketball memories are in that arena (Heritage Bank Center)… being back there is kind of a full-circle moment.”

Miller wishes the meeting were inside Fifth Third—“Heck yeah,” he admitted—but he still welcomes the chance to host it in the city.

While there's been a lot of excitement from both fan bases about the rivalry being renewed, albeit at a neutral site, ticket prices have been a major topic around the city with Miller also sharing that concern.

“That’s not Cincinnati… people in this city should be able to watch Cincinnati–Louisville for an affordable price.”

Players Baba Miller and Jalen Celestine also understand the magnitude even as transfers.

“We know about the history behind it,” Celestine said. “We’re just trying to add another win to Cincinnati’s column.”

With two of the nation’s top efficiency units — Louisville’s offense and Cincinnati’s defense — Kelsey expects a high-level battle.

“We have our work cut out for us… They have a very dangerous and talented and well-coached team. It’s going to be a big-time college basketball game.”

Scouting Louisville

Louisville enters with one of the most dangerous perimeter units in the nation—something Miller stressed repeatedly.

“They have five elite perimeter players,” he said. “A lot of teams you’ll play have one guy you can focus on. Louisville has four, and the fifth, Rogers, is probably a guy like that too."

Guided by second-year head coach Pat Kelsey, Louisville has opened the season 4-0 and already owns a marquee victory — a 96–88 victory over No. 9 Kentucky on Nov. 11. Through those four games, the Cardinals have overwhelmed opponents, winning by an average margin of 32 points.

Freshman standout Mikel Brown Jr. and senior guard Ryan Conwell, a transfer from Xavier, are driving the offense, each putting up 19.3 points per outing as part of a group of six Louisville players scoring in double digits. Brown Jr. is also nearly at eight assists per game, while sixth-year guard J’Vonne Hadley leads the team on the glass with 7.0 rebounds to go with his 11.0 points per contest.

(Photo: Nicole Finch / Louisville Athletics)

“Mikel Brown’s ability is there in every way,” Miller said. “Great size, makes every read, shoots it at a really high rate… I watched him this summer and thought he was the best player in the entire event. He doesn’t play young.”

Cincinnati is also familiar with former Indiana State and Xavier standout Ryan Conwell.

“He was maybe the most difficult cover we had on our entire schedule last year,” Miller said. “He shoots it in different ways, and he can do a lot more than just shoot.”

Add in the transfer firepower from 2025 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Adrian Wooley, and others, and Louisville’s guard depth becomes a near-constant matchup challenge.

“That’s why they’re the sixth-ranked team in the country and the second-ranked offense in the country,” Miller said.

Cincinnati's Emphasis: Defense, Pace, Consistency

Louisville loves to play fast. The Cardinals are currently averaging 103 points per game, good for second nationally, but Miller made it clear UC isn’t chasing a track meet.

“We care a lot about our pace, but we’re not in a competition for pace,” he said. “We’re only trying to figure out how to win the possession-to-possession competition.”

The Bearcats spent their opening stretch emphasizing growth, not perfection.

“My goal is our best defense to be in February and March,” Miller explained. “Right now it’s about becoming more consistent. If we get more consistent, our success can be more sustainable.”

Celestine echoed that message from a player’s perspective:

“The little things matter. Footwork, small details… consistency builds a great team, and that’s what we’re trying to be.”

Baba Miller agreed.

“A lot of wins come down to details… taking care of the small stuff is going to be key to winning games like this.”

UC PLAYERS ON THE MATCHUP WITH LOUISVILLE

Neither player has been in a situation quite like this.

“I feel like playing in Cincy is going to be a huge advantage,” Baba said. “The gym’s like two miles off campus… the fans are going to show up and bring energy.”

Louisville is among the nation’s fastest and most efficient offensive teams, but Cincinnati’s players are confident they can disrupt them.

“It starts with their guards,” Baba said. “But we have guards who can really sit down and guard and make them uncomfortable.”

(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)

Though the exhibitions against Michigan and Arkansas weren’t fully scouted, they offered valuable early tests to help prepare the Bearcats for early season matchups like Friday night against Louisville.

“We respected them,” Baba said, “but this is a real game… we’re taking this one far more seriously.”

For Celestine, he is looking to use the Louisville game to continue showing he can be better than what has been displayed during the first four games by the Baylor transfer following an injury.

“I’ve made a lot of progress… but I didn’t come to Cincy to do what I’ve done the last four games. I’m going to keep building on it.”

While Louisville is the current focus, the players emphasized Miller reminds them often of what Big 12 basketball requires and the matchup against Louisville being yet another reminder.

“It’s the best basketball league in the country,” Celestine said. “But it starts today in practice taking on Louisville.”

Baba has been absorbing that guidance from teammates with Power-Five experience.

“Having guys that already played at this level is very helpful… I watch a lot of Big 12 teams. It helps you prepare," Miller said.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Limiting Louisville’s Guards

UC must manage drives, rotations, and close-outs without over-committing. The Cardinals have attempted an average of 35 3-pointers per game over the first four contests. Connecting on 36% of those attempts, a game can get out of hand quickly if they are left open for easy looks. Brown, Conwell, and Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely all shoot it at a better than 40% clip from deep.

2. Controlling Pace Without Chasing It

UC wants to run—but only on its terms. The Bearcats can't get caught up in trying to match the pace that Louisville wants to play with. Limiting the possessions and not committing silly turnovers will go a long way in a Bearcats victory.

3. Defensive Consistency

The Bearcats have shown they can defend well in stretches. They need entire halves, not bursts. Speaking to media earlier this week, Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey praised Cincinnati’s defensive identity, noting the challenge his offense will face on Friday.

“Wes’s teams are always tough and nasty defensively… They have terrific size, terrific length, they play with phenomenal motors… they turn you over, they deflect the ball, they disrupt. There’s a reason they’re number two in defensive efficiency in the country.”

4. Offensive Balance

UC needs contributions across the board. Cincinnati is at it's best when they are taking good shots from the perimeter and getting to the rim for easy looks. This requires good ball movement to find the weak spot with the defense out of position.

Final Takeaways:

Wes Miller’s group must focus on consistency, defensive discipline, and winning possessions. Attention to detail, preparation, and execution will decide the game. UC will have to use their length and toughness to disrupt Louisville's high-powered offense.

Louisville enters Friday night with momentum and confidence. A win by the Bearcats on Friday would go a long way in solidifying the Bearcats as a legit conference and national contender. The talent for a Bearcat win is there. Now it's time to go prove it.