Cincinnati Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Bearcats to beat Ohio State

Cincinnati Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Bearcats to get revenge on Ohio State

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Cincinnati Bearcats cheerleaders perform during the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Tre Scott #13 of the Cincinnati Bearcats battles for the ball with Ryan Kriener #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Win the Turnover Battle

Cincinnati is usually one of the best defensive teams in the nation, last season the Bearcats gave up only 62.7 points per game, good enough for 14th in the nation. They’ll again need to be solid on the defensive end this year and look to limit the damage the Buckeyes can do on the offensive end.

Cincinnati only gave up 64 points in the matchup last year with 37 of them being allowed in the second half. Ohio State turned the ball over 13 times in comparison to Cincinnati’s 10 turnovers. A majority of the Bearcats turnovers last season came from Jarron Cumberland, he’s keyed on from defenders and will need to take care of the ball.

Cincinnati likes to play at a fast pace and in transition, they have thrived playing chaos. Brannen said in an interview over the summer he didn’t plan to change their playstyle. Cincinnati turned the ball over 12 times in the exhibition game against Thomas Moore something they will have to improve on against what should be a much stouter defense in Ohio State.

Winning the turnover battle should put Cincinnati in a good position to win this game. It didn’t work out last year when they won the turnover battle due to an extremely poor first-half shooting effort.

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