Preview: Cincinnati at Georgia Tech

18th-ranked Cincinnati (4-0) will face their most difficult test to date on Saturday when they travel to Atlanta for a road matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-2).

Wes Miller's team was tested early into the second half Tuesday evening at NKU but ultimately pulled away for a 76-60 win. Simas Lukosius paced the Bearcats with 18 points, converting 6-of-9 three-point attempts, including a 5-for-5 showing from deep in the second half as UC made 74% (17-of-23) of their field goal attempts during the final 20 minutes. 

Georgia Tech will try to rebound and improve on their 2-2 record following a 77-69 loss to in-state rival Georgia. Reserve Lance Terry scored 20 points off the bench for head coach Damon Stoudamire's team in the loss.

The Jackets were picked to finish 12th in the Preseason ACC Coaches Poll. 

Tech has connected on just 37.2 percent of its field goal tries (45-of-121) in its last two games and is currently 105th in Kenpom's team rankings, 105th in Offensive rating, as well as 106th in defensive rating. 

The Bearcats defeated the Jackets 89-54 last season, but Cincinnati will face a more experienced team this season.

"You look down their roster and the first thing that you know is going to lead to some success this year and that's continuity on the roster from a year ago," Miller told media Thursday afternoon.

"They had some really, really gifted young players that played heavy minutes in the ACC last year and because of that, they're gonna have a significantly better year than they did (last year). They also did a great job at adding the right kind of pieces in the transfer portal."

Players to know:

6-foot-9 Soph F Baye Ndongo (15.8 ppg, 8 rpg)

Versatile, skilled and athletic forward who is an excellent defender and rebounder and difficult to stop around the basket. Made the ACC All-Rookie team last season and was voted second-team Preseason All-ACC this season.

Ndongo has scored in double-digits in all four Tech games this season, getting 14 points against Georgia, including 6-for-6 from the free throw line. He leads the team in scoring average (15.8 ppg) and is tied for the team lead in rebound average (8.0 rpg).

6-foot-2 Sr G Javian McCollum (14.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.8 apg)

McCollum transferred in this season from Oklahoma and has scored in double figures in all four games for Tech this season. He had 13 points against Georgia, going 6-for-7 from the foul line. He has at least one three-point field goal in each game this season, converting 8-of-20 attempts from deep.

6-foot-3 Sr G Lance Terry (14 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)

Scored all 20 of his points in the second half vs. Georgia (7-11 FG, 4-4 FT). Good shooter who can also drive to the basket and is excellent in transition. Did not see action in 2023-24 due to a leg injury but has had a good start to this season scoring nine points in game one and double figures the past three games. Terry began his career at Gardner-Webb.

6-foot-7 Sr F Kowacie Reeves Jr. (12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Super-athletic and rangy wing who can get to the rim with authority. Reeves scored just two points against Georgia (1-of-6 FG, 0-2 3FG) but scored in double figures the first three games of the season. Made 39% of his three-point field goals last season but has struggled through his first four games this season, making just 8-of-27 attempts. 

6-foot-8 Sr. F Luke O'Brien (9.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg)

Transfer from Colorado who played four seasons and was a key rotation player the last three for the Buffaloes. Scored six points against Georgia, making 2-of-3 three-point attempts. 

6-foot-3 Soph G Nathan George (8.5  ppg , 5.8 apg)

Earned the starting point guard position last season as a freshman after displaying good court vision and strong work ethic. Solid two-level scorer who shows the ability to make plays at both ends of the floor. Will attempt three's but has been inconsistent, making just 26.3 % of his attempts. Leads the team in assists per game average. 

6-foot-11 Frosh F Doryan Onwuchekwa (3.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

Has started Tech’s last two games and grabbed a total of 20 rebounds, including  11 against Georgia. Also scored seven points in Tech's loss to Georgia. Damon Stoudamire described Onwuchekwa as one of the better shooting bigs in the country.

"They assembled a great roster. Damon is a proven coach, I have an incredible amount of respect for him," said Miller. 

"Returning players. Great players in the transfer portal. Great coaching. It's a game on the road against an ACC opponent. We know we have our hands full and that it's a test."

Video: Wes Miller Previews Georgia Tech:

 Final Thoughts:

 Tech was 3-0 in home games against ranked opponents last season. While Tech already has home losses to North Florida and Georgia this season, this will be a good early season test to see how the Bearcats stack up against a team with similar size and athleticism. 

Georgia Tech has shown an ability to defend the three-point line and play good half-court defense, limiting their opponents to just 30.8% on three-point attempts. Cincinnati's strength has been their ability to connect from deep, albeit against poor competition. 

Leading those efforts from deep has been Simas Lukosius, who is currently making 70% of his three-point attempts. 

Rebounding will have to be a focus for all 40 minutes after the Bearcats were out-rebounded 20-11 in the first half against NKU. 

With Dan Skillings still out and Day Day Thomas having a successful return against NKU, it will be interesting to see how Miller distributes minutes and which rotations he uses as his team faces their stiffest competition to date. 

How to Watch:

Saturday 

2:00 pm

ACC Network