Cincinnati Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Bearcats

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: The Cincinnati Bearcats cheerleaders perform against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Kyle Washington /

Starters

Justin Jenifer

HOT TAKE ALERT: This will be the most controversial projection, but I’m of the belief that having a good bench is important against the better and deeper teams. Early in the season, it is possible we see Jenifer receive some time as a starter, even though Cane Broome will likely hold down the position for most of the season.

Jenifer was the backup to Caupain last season, averaging 13 minutes a game. He impressed in those minutes, though, shooting 38% from three and distributing 2.8 apg in limited minutes. One stat that makes him the best-suited ball handler for the team is his 4.3/1 assist-to-turnover ratio. There’s plenty of offense in this starting lineup already. Having a guy who is pass-first might be more important than a shooter who brings the ball up.

Jaron Cumberland

The 6’5″ Cumberland will get the promotion from the bench to the starting five this season. The Co-Sixth Man of the Year in the AAC averaged over eight points a game in under 19 minutes. If he has more performances like that 26-point outing against South Florida, he won’t be an afterthought on offense.

Jacob Evans

The leading scorer from last season at 13.5 ppg, Evans was incredibly proficient. He not only led the team with 69 made threes, but he did it on a 42% clip. Because of the other options on the court, he won’t be getting double-teamed. Evans may be the POY candidate from this team.

Gary Clark

Clark is the engine and motor of this team. His 10.8 ppg and 7.9 rpg in 29 minutes may not make him an All-American player, but his rebounding and outstanding defense played just as big a role in the team’s 30 wins as anything else the others did.

Kyle Washington

The former NC State big man may have been the answer to the offensive needs of this team. He’s always been known as a scorer and proved that by averaging just under 13 points a game and adding 6.8 rebounds as well last season. His peaks of 27 points versus UConn and 17 rebounds against Penn State will make any fan excited.

However, his inconsistency, poor defense, and the occasional lack of energy caused problems at times with his coach. He only played less than 25 mpg due to his liabilities on defense. In his final year, he needs to shore up those weaknesses if Cincinnati wants to go to the next level.

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