AP Poll: Bearcats voted #20 in preseason poll

The Associated Press released their preseason top 25 on Monday with the Bearcats checking in at #20 in the first installment of the weekly rankings. 

Wes Miller returns six of his top eight players from last season, including Jizzle James, Day-Day Thomas, Dan Skillings, Simas Lukosius, and Aziz Bandaogo.

James averaged 23 points per game during an NIT run after Thomas went down with a season ending injury against San Francisco.

Miller also addressed depth, talent, and versatility in the transfer portal with the additions of 6-foot-2 Bradley transfer Connor Hickman, 6-foot-8 Texas transfer Dillon Mitchell, and 6-foot-10 USC transfer Arrinten Page.

The Bearcats return to the preseason top 25 for the first time since 2017-18, where it was No. 12 and ultimately reached the top-five. UC's last time ranked overall was in the final 2018-19 poll.

Big 12 Conference coaches recently picked the Bearcats No. 6 in their preseason poll. 

We will get our first look at Wes Miller's squad this Friday, October 18th, when Cincinnati meets Ohio State in a charity exhibition. Tip off is set for 7 pm.