Cincinnati opened up the season with a lopsided win at home and the team hopes to repeat that formula on Tuesday night as the Bearcats welcome Mississippi Valley State to Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats took on Tennessee-Martin on Sunday and won 80-57 to get the season started off on a good note. The team made it to the NCAA regional semifinals last year before losing to Ohio State.
"We've worked so hard to get to where we are now, but everyone wants to be better," guard Sean Kilpatrick said to the Associated Press. "We want things to be better for this program and we want to be in a different slate than where we are now."
Cincinnati started off fast against Tennessee-Martin, opening the game with a 33-6 lead. The team played excellent defense and received a great game from Cashmere Wright, who scored 16 points and added four rebounds.
The Bearcats did an excellent job rebounding and currently rank in the top half of the country in defense and assists. The team struggled protecting the ball, committing 19 turnovers, and also had a bag game at the free throw line, making only 15 of 27 shots.
"Basketball is a game of mistakes," Cronin said. "To be a great team, you have to be like a machine and eliminate mistakes: defensive breakdowns, careless passing, and things that are controllable."
Mississippi Valley State enters the game coming off of a loss and is rebuilding a season after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference last year. The team went 21-13 last season and made it to the NCAA tournament before losing to Western Kentucky.
The team is in the first season under coach Chico Potts and is struggling after losing eight players from last year's squad. The Delta Devils lost their opener 93-57 and only had one player reach double figures in Davon Usher, who had 19.
According to the Associated Press, "Cincinnati is 12-0 all-time against SWAC opponents. The Bearcats won 74-48 at home Dec. 11, 1999, in their lone previous meeting with the Delta Devils."
"You have to play these games," Cronin said. "Playing 31 you have to get them in. That's why we start so soon. I'm sure our guys would rather play than practice. I would rather practice."
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