2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team

The 2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played its home games at the BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky due to renovations at their home arena, Fifth Third Arena.[1] The Bearcats were led by 12th-year head coach Mick Cronin and are members of the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 31–5, 16–2 in AAC play to win the regular season championship. They defeated SMU, Memphis, and Houston to win the AAC Tournament and received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 2 seed in the South region, they defeated Georgia State in the First Round before being upset by Nevada in the Second Round.

2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball
NCAA Tournament, Second Round
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 12
APNo. 6
2017–18 record31–5 (16–2 AAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Larry Davis (12th season)
  • Antwon Jackson (6th season)
  • Darren Savino (8th season)
Home arenaBB&T Arena
2017–18 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 6 Cincinnati †16–2 .889  31–5  .861
No. 21 Houston14–4 .778  27–8  .771
No. 16 Wichita State14–4 .778  25–8  .758
Tulsa12–6 .667  19–12  .613
Memphis10–8 .556  21–13  .618
UCF9–9 .500  19–13  .594
Temple8–10 .444  17–16  .515
UConn7–11 .389  14–18  .438
SMU6–12 .333  17–16  .515
Tulane5–13 .278  14–17  .452
East Carolina4–14 .222  10–20  .333
South Florida3–15 .167  10–22  .313
† 2018 AAC Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

Previous season

The Bearcats finished the 2016–17 season 30–6, 16–2 to finish in second place in AAC play. They beat Tulsa[2] and UConn[3] in the AAC Tournament before losing to SMU in the championship game.[4] The Bearcats received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 6 seed in the South region. In the NCAA Tournament, they defeated No. 11 Kansas State in the First Round 75–61[5] before losing to No. 3 UCLA 79–67 in the Second Round.[6]

Offseason

Departing players
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Troy Caupain10G6'4"210SeniorMidlothian, VirginiaGraduated
Kevin Johnson25G6'3"185SeniorCincinnati, OhioGraduated
Zack Tobler45F6'5"225SeniorFort Mitchell, KentuckyWalk-on; graduated
Quadri Moore0F6'8"230JuniorLinden, New JerseyTransferred to Northwestern Oklahoma State[7][8]

Recruiting class of 2017
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Trevor Moore
SG		 Houston, Texas South Kent Prep 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jun 29, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 79
Eliel Nsoseme
C		 Kinshasa, DR Congo The RISE Centre Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Aug 21, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN grade: NR
Keith Williams
SG		 Brooklyn, New York Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Oct 4, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 80
Mamoudou Diarra
SF		 Bamako, Mali 22ft Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Apr 28, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Cincinnati 2017 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2016-06-29.

    Cincinnati will also add Preferred Walk-on Sam Martin a 5'10" PG from Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio.[9]

    Preseason

    At the conference's annual media day, the Bearcats were narrowly picked to win the AAC receiving seven of the 12 first-place votes.[10] Gary Clark, Jacob Evans, and Kyle Washington were named to the preseason All-AAC second team.[10]

    Roster
    2017–18 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G/F 1 Jacob Evans 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg) JrSt. Michael the Archangel High School Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    G 2 Keith Williams 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrBishop Loughlin Memorial High School Brooklyn, New York
    G 3 Justin Jenifer 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)175 lb (79 kg) JrMilford Mill Academy Baltimore, Maryland
    G 5 Trevor Moore 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrSouth Kent Prep Houston, Texas
    F 11 Gary Clark (C) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) SrClayton High School Clayton, North Carolina
    F 13 Trevon Scott 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS SoMcIntosh County Academy Darien, Georgia
    F 14 Jackson Bart (W) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg) RS SoOral Roberts Bartlesville, Oklahoma
    G 15 Cane Broome 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)160 lb (73 kg) JrSacred Heart East Hartford, Connecticut
    F 20 Mamoudou Diarra  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)205 lb (93 kg) Fr22ft Academy Bamako, Mali
    C 22 Eliel Nsoseme 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrThe RISE Centre Academy Kinshasa, DR Congo
    F 24 Kyle Washington (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS SrNC State Champlin, Minnesota
    G 31 Sam Martin (W) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)155 lb (70 kg) FrSummit Country Day School Cincinnati, Ohio
    G 32 John Koz (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoBay High School Cleveland, Ohio
    C 33 Nysier Brooks 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)240 lb (109 kg) SoAdvanced Prep International Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    G 34 Jarron Cumberland 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)218 lb (99 kg) SoWilmington High School Wilmington, Ohio
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster
    Last update: September 30, 2017

    Depth chart
    Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
    C Kyle Washington Nysier Brooks Eliel Nsoseme
    PF Gary Clark Trevon Scott Mamoudou Diarra
    SF Jacob Evans Keith Williams Jackson Bart
    SG Jarron Cumberland Trevor Moore John Koz
    PG Justin Jenifer Cane Broome Sam Martin

    Source[11]

    Schedule and results
    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    November 1, 2017*
    7:00pm    		 No. 12 vs. Bellarmine W 89–61 
    		 15 – Washington  5 – 3 tied  4 – Broome  Freedom Hall (4,135)
    Louisville, KY
    November 5, 2017*
    2:00pm, BearcatsTV    		 No. 12 Embry-Riddle W 101–68 
    		 27 – Cumberland  8 – Clark  9 – Jenifer  BB&T Arena (3,589)
    Highland Heights, KY
    Non-Conference Regular Season
    November 10, 2017*
    12:00pm, FSOH/ESPN3    		 No. 12 Savannah State W 107–77  1–0
    		  19 – Evans  11 – Clark  5 – 3 tied  BB&T Arena (6,610)
    Highland Heights, KY
    November 13, 2017*
    7:00pm, ESPN3    		 No. 12 Western Carolina W 102–51  2–0
    		  20 – Cumberland  8 – Brooks  6 – Evans  BB&T Arena (7,051)
    Highland Heights, KY
    November 16, 2017*
    7:00pm, FSOH/ESPN3    		 No. 12 Coppin State W 97–54  3–0
    		  19 – Cumberland  9 – Tied  4 – Evans  BB&T Arena (7,158)
    Highland Heights, KY
    November 20, 2017*
    7:30pm, FloHoops.com    		 No. 12 vs. Buffalo
    Cayman Islands Classic Quarterfinals    		 W 73–67  4–0
    		  24 – Clark  14 – Clark  5 – Jenifer  John Gray Gymnasium (1,200)
    George Town, Cayman Islands
    November 21, 2017*
    7:30pm    		 No. 12 vs. Richmond
    Cayman Islands Classic Semifinals    		 W 75–48  5–0
    		  13 – Broome  8 – Tied  7 – Clark  John Gray Gymnasium (1,400)
    George Town, Cayman Islands
    November 22, 2017*
    7:30pm    		 No. 12 vs. Wyoming
    Cayman Islands Classic Championship    		 W 78–53  6–0
    		  17 – Clark  11 – Washington  5 – Evans  John Gray Gymnasium (1,530)
    George Town, Cayman Islands
    November 27, 2017*
    7:00pm, ESPNU    		 No. 11 Alabama State W 83–51  7–0
    		  14 – Clark  7 – Tied  4 – Tied  BB&T Arena (7,012)
    Highland Heights, KY
    December 2, 2017*
    12:00pm, FS1    		 No. 11 at No. 21 Xavier
    Crosstown Shootout    		 L 76–89  7–1
    		  23 – Evans  7 – Tied  4 – Jenifer  Cintas Center (10,817)
    Cincinnati, OH
    December 9, 2017*
    6:00pm, ESPN2    		 No. 17 vs. No. 5 Florida
    Never Forget Tribute Classic    		 L 60–66  7–2
    		  15 – Broome  13 – Clark  2 – Cumberland  Prudential Center (9,112)
    Newark, NJ
    December 12, 2017*
    7:00pm, ESPN2    		 No. 25 Mississippi State W 66–50  8–2
    		  24 – Evans  13 – Clark  4 – Tied  BB&T Arena (8,128)
    Highland Heights, KY
    December 16, 2017*
    3:30pm, CBS    		 No. 25 at UCLA W 77–63  9–2
    		  19 – Washington  11 – Clark  5 – Cumberland  Pauley Pavilion (10,018)
    Los Angeles, CA
    December 19, 2017*
    7:00pm, ESPN3    		 No. 20 Arkansas–Pine Bluff W 77–49  10–2
    		  17 – Broome  7 – Evans  3 – 3 tied  BB&T Arena (5,812)
    Highland Heights, KY
    December 21, 2017*
    7:00pm, ESPN3    		 No. 20 Cleveland State W 81–62  11–2
    		  18 – Clark  9 – Washington  7 – Jenifer  BB&T Arena (7,988)
    Highland Heights, KY
    AAC Regular Season
    December 31, 2017
    4:00pm, ESPN2    		 No. 21 Memphis
    Rivalry    		 W 82–48  12–2
    (1–0)    		  15 – Cumberland  10 – Clark  6 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,143)
    Highland Heights, KY
    January 4, 2018
    9:00pm, ESPN2    		 No. 19 at Temple W 55–53  13–2
    (2–0)    		  18 – Washington  7 – Brooks  4 – Evans  Liacouras Center (4,274)
    Philadelphia, PA
    January 7, 2018
    6:00pm, ESPN2    		 No. 19 SMU W 76–56  14–2
    (3–0)    		  18 – Tied  8 – Tied  4 – 3 tied  BB&T Arena (9,109)
    Highland Heights, KY
    January 13, 2018
    7:00pm, ESPNews    		 No. 14 at South Florida W 78–55  15–2
    (4–0)    		  18 – Cumberland  10 – Clark  4 – Tied  USF Sun Dome (3,609)
    Tampa, FL
    January 16, 2018
    7:00pm, CBSSN    		 No. 12 at UCF W 49–38  16–2
    (5–0)    		  17 – Clark  14 – Clark  3 – Cumberland  CFE Arena (7,565)
    Orlando, FL
    January 20, 2018
    4:00pm, ESPNews    		 No. 12 East Carolina W 86–60  17–2
    (6–0)    		  17 – Tied  14 – Clark  6 – Broome  BB&T Arena (8,879)
    Highland Heights, KY
    January 24, 2018
    9:00pm, CBSSN    		 No. 9 Temple W 75–42  18–2
    (7–0)    		  17 – Clark  10 – Clark  5 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,924)
    Highland Heights, KY
    January 27, 2018
    6:00pm, CBSSN    		 No. 9 at Memphis
    Rivalry    		 W 62–48  19–2
    (8–0)    		  18 – Clark  10 – Washington  6 – Broome  FedEx Forum (12,223)
    Memphis, TN
    January 31, 2018
    7:00pm, CBSSN    		 No. 8 Houston W 80–70  20–2
    (9–0)    		  19 – Washington  10 – Clark  5 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,885)
    Highland Heights, KY
    February 3, 2018
    12:00pm, ESPN2    		 No. 8 at UConn W 65–57  21–2
    (10–0)    		  19 – Evans  11 – Washington  3 – Tied  Gampel Pavilion (9,170)
    Storrs, CT
    February 6, 2018
    7:00pm, CBSSN    		 No. 6 UCF W 77–40  22–2
    (11–0)    		  14 – Moore  8 – Scott  5 – Broome  BB&T Arena (8,673)
    Highland Heights, KY
    February 11, 2018
    4:00pm, ESPN    		 No. 6 at SMU W 76–51  23–2
    (12–0)    		  17 – Washington  8 – Washington  5 – Jenifer  Moody Coliseum (6,935)
    University Park, TX
    February 15, 2018
    7:00pm, CBSSN    		 No. 5 at Houston L 62–67  23–3
    (12–1)    		  16 – Evans  7 – Clark  2 – Tied  H&PE Arena (5,363)
    Houston, TX
    February 18, 2018
    4:00pm, ESPN    		 No. 5 No. 19 Wichita State L 72–76  23–4
    (12–2)    		  18 – Cumberland  8 – Clark  3 – Tied  BB&T Arena (9,523)
    Highland Heights, KY
    February 22, 2018
    7:00pm, ESPN    		 No. 11 UConn W 77–52  24–4
    (13–2)    		  17 – Clark  9 – Scott  5 – Evans  BB&T Arena (8,217)
    Highland Heights, KY
    February 25, 2018
    12:00pm, CBSSN    		 No. 11 Tulsa W 82–74  25–4
    (14–2)    		  17 – Tied  7 – Scott  8 – Cumberland  BB&T Arena (8,911)
    Highland Heights, KY
    March 1, 2018
    9:00pm, ESPN2    		 No. 10 at Tulane W 78–49  26–4
    (15–2)    		  16 – Washington  9 – Clark  5 – Cumberland  Devlin Fieldhouse (2,824)
    New Orleans, LA
    March 4, 2018
    12:00pm, CBS    		 No. 10 at No. 11 Wichita State W 62–61  27–4
    (16–2)    		  19 – Evans  7 – Tied  2 – Tied  Charles Koch Arena (10,506)
    Wichita, KS
    AAC Tournament
    March 9, 2018
    12:00pm, ESPN2    		 (1) No. 8 vs. (9) SMU
    Quarterfinals    		 W 61–51  28–4
    		  15 – Washington  9 – Clark  8 – Cumberland  Amway Center (8,491)
    Orlando, FL
    March 10, 2018
    1:00pm, CBS    		 (1) No. 8 vs. (5) Memphis
    Semifinals/Rivalry    		 W 70–60  29–4
    		  18 – Cumberland  12 – Clark  5 – Tied  Amway Center (8,644)
    Orlando, FL
    March 11, 2018
    3:30pm, CBS    		 (1) No. 8 vs. (3) No. 21 Houston
    Championship Game    		 W 56–55  30–4
    		  20 – Clark  12 – Clark  3 – Evans  Amway Center (8,670)
    Orlando, FL
    NCAA Tournament
    March 16, 2018*
    2:00pm, TBS    		 (2 S) No. 6 vs. (15 S) Georgia State
    First Round    		 W 68–53  31–4
    		  27 – Cumberland  13 – Clark  5 – Jenifer  Bridgestone Arena (17,552)
    Nashville, TN
    March 17, 2018*
    6:10pm, TNT    		 (2 S) No. 6 vs. (7 S) No. 24 Nevada
    Second Round    		 L 73–75  31–5
    		  19 – Evans  11 – Washington  3 – 2 tied  Bridgestone Arena (17,552)
    Nashville, TN
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. S=South.
    All times are in Eastern Time.

    Source[12][13]

    Awards and milestones

    All-American
    • Honorable Mention: Gary Clark

    All-AAC Awards
    • Player of the Year: Gary Clark
    • Defensive Player of the Year: Gary Clark
    • Sportsmanship Award: Gary Clark

    All-AAC First Team
    • Gary Clark
    • Jacob Evans

    All-AAC Honorable Mention
    • Kyle Washington

    Player of the Week
    • Week 3: Gary Clark[14]
    • Week 6: Jacob Evans[15]
    • Week 9: Jacob Evans[16]
    • Week 11: Gary Clark[17]
    • Week 12: Gary Clark[18]

    Weekly Honor Roll
    • Week 2: Jarron Cumberland
    • Week 6: Gary Clark
    • Week 8: Jarron Cumberland
    • Week 10: Jarron Cumberland
    • Week 13: Jacob Evans
    • Week 14: Kyle Washington
    • Week 16: Gary Clark
    • Week 17: Jacob Evans

    Rankings
    Main article: 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Final 
    AP 12 12 12 11 17 25 20 21 19 14 12 9 8 6 5 11 10 8 6 Not released 
    Coaches 13 13 13 9 18 RV 22 22 20 13 11 8 8 6 5 (1) 11 10 8 10 12

    *AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings

    References
    1. Watkins, Steve. "UC picks temporary basketball home for Fifth Third Arena renovation". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
    2. "No. 15 Cincinnati eases past Tulsa in AAC quarterfinals". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    3. "Bearcats defeat Connecticut to advance to AAC Championship Game". Down The Drive. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    4. "Cincinnati loses to SMU in the AAC title game, 71–56 and land sixth seed in the South Region". InsideTheBearcats.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    5. "Kansas State vs. Cincinnati – Game Recap – March 17, 2017 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
    6. MARSHALL, JOHN (March 19, 2017). "UCLA beats Cincinnati 79–67 to earn Sweet 16 trip". Retrieved August 2, 2017.
    7. Groeschen, Tom. "UC basketball player Moore to transfer". Cincinnati.com. Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 1 Sep 2017.
    8. Moore, Quadri [@theofficial_q] (9 Jan 2018). "Thankful to be attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University and to be given a second chance to hoop again" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 May 2020 – via Twitter.
    9. Groeschen, Tom. "UC basketball adds former Summit CD star". Cincinnati.com. Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
    10. "Cincinnati Selected as 2017–18 American Men's Basketball Preseason Favorite". Retrieved 2017-10-24.
    11. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/cincinnati/2018.html
    12. "Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball 2017–18 Schedule – Bearcats Home and Away – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
    13. "University of Cincinnati Official Athletic Site". www.gobearcats.com. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
    14. "Clark, White Jr. Earn Weekly Honors". Retrieved 2018-01-30.
    15. "Cincinnati's Evans, SMU's Chargois Earn Weekly Honors". Retrieved 2018-01-30.
    16. "Cincinnati's Evans, UCF's DeJesus Collect Weekly Honors". Retrieved 2018-01-30.
    17. "SMU's Milton Cincinnati's Clark, ECU's Williams Earn Weekly Accolades". Retrieved 2018-01-30.
    18. "Cincinnati's Clark, Houston's White Jr. Earn Weekly Honors". Retrieved 2018-01-30.
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