Prolonged Scoring droughts, bad turnovers, and fouls. This is not the recipe you want in your conference opener, but it is the recipe the Cincinnati Bearcats brewed Wednesday night at Fifth/Third Arena.
John Brannen's team shot the ball well for the most part in tonight's game until ending the game, shooting one for their last eight field-goal attempts leading to South Florida taking the game and pulling off the upset.
Cincinnati came into the game as -8.5 favorites according to William Hill Sportsbook, which, if you took South Florida, was easy money.
The Bearcats are now 2-3 overall, 0-1 in American Athletic Conference play. John Brannen doesn't seem too pleased with his teams' effort at times, including tonight going to his younger players very early in the game due to a lack of defense from his starters.
One of the more significant issues for the Bearcats is senior Chris Vogt's rebounding struggles this season. Tonight Vogt had just four rebounds, and going into the matchup tonight, he has averaged only 4.5 rebounds per game, including just one in the Crosstown Shootout vs. Xavier.*
Senior leader Keith Williams brought the Bearcats back into the game late, going on a 12-0 scoring run himself before fouling out late in the game. Now at 2-3 and heading on the road to play at the Georgia Bulldogs, the Bearcats seek answers on who this team will be.
*stats provided by sports-reference.com/cbb
