Year 1 in the Big 12 was mildly successful for Cincinnati basketball, but this season they are back to ready to make their mark.
The tradition continues! CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: Cincinnati basketball.
Heading into the Big 12, many people expected this team to be good, but not tournament quality. That’s exactly how they ended up performing, finishing 7-11 in conference play and despite winning a few Big 12 tournament games, not having enough to make it all the way.
There was a clear fire on the Cincinnati team after the last game, and they responded by bringing back four of their five starters from last season. Then, they went into the portal to get that missing piece they needed last season, Dillon Mitchell. Mitchell was a former five-star for the Texas Longhorns, and while he hasn’t exactly played like one, the change of scenery can unlock this.
They also bring back Jizzle James, the son of NFL legend Edgerrin James who is coming off a promising freshman season. The backcourt looks solid with James, Dan Skillings Jr., and Day Day Thomas. All three can score and have a lot of confidence. You won’t see a lot of off nights from these three, and if they do, then that’s what Connor Hickman is for. Hickman averaged 14.5 a game for Bradley last season and started 30 games, showing that crucial experience.
They bring back Bandaogo down low as well. They missed Bandaogo for the first half of the season, but with no eligibility issues this time around, his defensive presence will be crucial for Cincinnati basketball. They also bring back Lukosios, who can stretch the floor and make clutch buckets when needed.
The non-conference is fun, with games against Xavier and Dayton. If you want to see an elite college basketball crowd, go to the Crosstown Classic. The Big 12 will be tough, and while they probably won’t win the Big 12, they can easily make a deep run in the tournament with this talented roster.
Click here to learn more about our preseason top 100 teams heading into the 2024-25 college basketball season.
Head coach: Wes Miller (4th season at Cincinnati, 14th season overall)
2023-24 record: 22-15 (7-11)
2024 postseason finish: Lost to Indiana State (85-81) in NIT quarterfinals
Notable departures:
- Viktor Lahkin (9.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 APG)
- John Newman III (9.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.8 APG)
- Jamille Reynolds (5.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.4 APG)
Notable non-conference games:
- at Georgia Tech (Nov. 23)
- at Villanova (Dec. 3)
- vs. Xavier (Dec. 14)
- vs. Dayton (Dec. 20)
Projected Rotation
PG: Day Day Thomas (6-1, 190, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 10.4 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.4 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 81.8 FT%
SG: Dan Skillings Jr. (6-6, 210, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 12.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 42.1 FG%
SF: Simas Lukosius (6-8, 225, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 11.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 38.5 3P%, 82.5 FT%
PF: Dillon Mitchell (6-8, 210, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 9.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 58.5 FG% (Texas)
C: Aziz Bandaogo (7-0, 235, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 6.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 0.6 APG, 1.7 BPG, 64.2 FG%
6: Jizzle James (6-3, 205, So.)
2023-24 stats: 8.8 PPG, 2.1 APG, 1.9 RPG, 43.3 FG%
7: Connor Hickman (6-3, 200, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 14.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 40.2 3P%, 70.1 FT% (Bradley)
8: CJ Fredrick (6-3, 185, Gr.-Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 6.1 PPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 RPG,, 42.6 3P%
9: Josh Reed (6-7, 220, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 2.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.5 APG
10: Arrinten Page (6-11, 240, So.)
2023-24 stats: 3.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.4 APG, 49.2 FG% (USC)
Cincinnati Basketball Team MVP: Dan Skillings Jr.
No clear #1 on this team, because everyone has such a different role. Skillings is a really talented scorer and has confidence that rivals few in the Big 12. He’s an on-court leader, and really shined at the end of the season. He took a big jump from freshman to sophomore year, and I expect him to take that jump again. The three-point shooting can use some help, but if he can get to a 32% shooter this can be a big season for him.
Cincinnati Basketball make-or-break player: Dillon Mitchell
Dillon Mitchell was the 8th-ranked recruit in his class, ahead of future NBA first-rounders Jarace Walker, Cam Whitmore, and Keyonte George. Mitchell hasn’t been bad by any means, averaging just under 10 points a game last season and 7.5 rebounds, but for a top 8 recruit, they want more. If Mitchell can unlock this, Cincinnati’s ceiling skyrockets for this season.
Mitchell is an athletic freak, making him elite on the defensive end. Offensively, he can score well in the paint but isn’t a threat outside. If he can add a midrange jumper, that elevates his game to a whole new level. The way this Cincinnati basketball team is built really caters to his skillset, so this can be the breakout we’ve been waiting for.
Key analytic: Offensive Rebounds per game
Generating extra possessions is a key to success in basketball, and Cincinnati was one of the best in the country. They averaged 11.5 a game, 10th best in the country last season. The leader on the team is a bit of a surprise, with Dan Skillings Jr., the guard, grabbing 88 total.
Now, they bring in Mitchell, who had 66 last year, on top of Benadogo, and this team will be dangerous on the class, and those extra possessions might be the difference between a few wins and losses in conference play.
Cincinnati Basketball 2024-25 projections
Projected conference finish: 6th in the Big 12
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Exit