Preview:: Lipscomb at Cincinnati
Cincinnati wraps up its non-conference schedule Monday night as it hosts Lipscomb at Fifth Third Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+ and 700 WLW.
(Photo: Lipscomb Athletics)
Scouting the Bisons: Lipscomb
Under first-year head coach Kevin Carroll, Lipscomb enters the game at 7–5 and brings one of the more efficient offenses Cincinnati has seen in non-conference play. The Bisons average 83.3 points per game, shoot 45.5% from the field, and knock down 11.4 three-pointers per contest at a 36.1% clip.
Ball movement is a strength. Lipscomb averages 20.0 assists per game and owns a solid 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio, while committing just 12.7 turnovers per game. The Bisons also capitalize on mistakes, scoring 21.7 points off turnovers and averaging 8.8 steals per game.
Key Players
Grant Asman, Graduate Center
Asman is the focal point inside, leading Lipscomb with 14.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 53.8% from the floor. His ability to score in the paint will be tested by Cincinnati’s rim protection and rebounding.
Mateo Esmeraldo, Redshirt Junior Guard
Esmeraldo has emerged as one of the ASUN’s top newcomers, earning back-to-back ASUN Newcomer of the Week honors. He averages 11.1 points and 7.2 assists per game, shoots 38.5% from three, and recently posted a double-double week that included a career-high 12 assists. He also posted 14 points, eight assists in a recent 97-73 loss to Duke. His playmaking ability will be central to Lipscomb’s offensive flow.
Ross Candelino & Titas Sargiunas
Candelino (11.0 ppg) and Sargiunas (10.0 ppg) provide additional scoring punch, particularly from the perimeter, giving Lipscomb four double-figure scorers and multiple shooting threats to space the floor.
What to Watch
The matchup will hinge on whether Lipscomb’s efficient, assist-heavy offense can handle Cincinnati’s pressure and length. The Bearcats’ ability to limit second chances, contest threes, and control the glass—areas where they rank among the nation’s best—figures to be decisive against a Bisons team that prefers rhythm and spacing.
As Cincinnati closes its non-conference slate, Monday night offers a final tune-up and another opportunity to showcase a defense that has quietly become one of the best in college basketball.
The Bearcats are allowing just 65.8 points per game and rank 10th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Wes Miller’s group has done a decent job dictating tempo this season, playing fast offensively while forcing opponents into longer, more deliberate possessions on the other end.
After getting down big early to Clemson in the Bearcats' most recent loss, Miller elected to insert Jizzle James and Sencire Harris into the starting lineup for the second half. Their energy off the bench led to an immediate and noticeable difference at both ends of the floor. It will be interesting to see what Miller does and if he chooses to stick with that lineup in the final tuneup before the Cats' Big 12 opener against Houston on Saturday.