Cincinnati has already provided college basketball fans with two very different performances during the 2026 preseason. One suggested the Bearcats could become a difficult team to beat, while the other revealed an area that could prevent them from reaching their potential. Those performances came against Ohio State and Illinois, two Big Ten opponents that presented different challenges and helped illustrate both the promise and uncertainty surrounding Cincinnati's roster.
The Bearcats defeated Ohio State 79-68 on October 7 before falling to Illinois 105-96 on October 17. Neither result counts toward the official standings, but the performances provide an interesting glimpse into what Jerrod Calhoun's team might become. Tuesday's final exhibition against Oakland offers another opportunity to determine which version of Cincinnati is closer to reality before the regular season begins.
The Ohio State victory showed Cincinnati can win with defense
Cincinnati's first exhibition took place at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, where the Bearcats faced Ohio State in the CareSource Invitational. The result was an encouraging 79-68 victory that demonstrated Cincinnati's ability to compete with a Big Ten opponent while responding to adversity. The Bearcats didn't simply overwhelm the Buckeyes from the opening possession, instead relying on important second-half contributions from several experienced players to establish control.
Senior guard Tylen Riley scored 23 points, including 18 after halftime, while senior forward Tyler Tejada added 17 points, with 15 coming during the second half. Their offensive production helped Cincinnati overcome a difficult start and eventually secure the victory. The performance was particularly encouraging because it demonstrated that the Bearcats could receive important contributions from multiple players when the game became competitive.
However, the most encouraging number might have been the 68 points allowed. Holding a Big Ten opponent to that total demonstrated that Cincinnati could produce a competitive defensive performance while finding enough offense to win. For a team trying to establish an identity under Calhoun, the result provided a promising starting point and suggested that the Bearcats could become difficult to beat when their defense and offense function together.
Illinois exposed a completely different concern
Cincinnati's second exhibition produced considerably more offense, but the result was a 105-96 defeat against Illinois at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats scored 17 more points than they had against Ohio State, but they also allowed 37 more. That difference provides the clearest explanation of why Cincinnati's second performance raised concerns despite several encouraging individual contributions.
Illinois shot 52.9 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers, consistently finding ways to score against a Cincinnati defense that struggled to establish control. The Bearcats weren't particularly inefficient offensively, shooting 48 percent from the field and connecting on 12 three-pointers. They produced enough offense to challenge a nationally prominent opponent, but the Fighting Illini repeatedly found ways to answer.
Illinois entered the game ranked No. 3 in the preseason polls, meaning Cincinnati was facing one of the nation's most talented teams. That context matters when evaluating the result because the Bearcats won't encounter opponents of that caliber every night. Still, allowing 105 points in an exhibition is difficult to ignore, especially for a program hoping to establish itself as a serious contender in the Big 12.
The Bearcats must determine whether their defensive problems were primarily the result of Illinois' offensive talent or a warning about issues that could continue throughout the season. Their offense has already demonstrated considerable potential, but consistent success will require a more dependable defensive approach. Tuesday's game against Oakland provides another opportunity to make progress in that area.
Tylen Riley's production has been remarkable
One of Cincinnati's most encouraging developments has been Riley's performance through the first two exhibitions. The senior guard followed his 23-point effort against Ohio State with an outstanding showing against Illinois, finishing with 31 points, 13 assists, five rebounds and three steals. Those numbers demonstrate an ability to influence the game in several ways, making him a particularly important part of Cincinnati's offense.
Riley wasn't simply scoring against a highly ranked opponent. He was also creating opportunities for teammates and contributing defensively, providing the kind of all-around production that can help a team survive difficult stretches. Through two exhibitions, Riley is averaging 27 points and eight assists per game, suggesting Cincinnati has found a player capable of carrying significant offensive responsibility.
Tejada has also contributed consistently, averaging 15 points through the first two exhibitions. Adlan Elamin scored 15 against Illinois, while Tejada added 13 in that contest, giving the Bearcats additional production beyond Riley. Cincinnati received enough offense to remain competitive even when Illinois was shooting efficiently, creating an intriguing possibility for the regular season.
If the offense continues developing while the defense improves, the Bearcats could become a more dangerous team than their preseason expectations suggest. However, scoring alone won't solve every problem, particularly against Big 12 opponents capable of generating efficient offense. Cincinnati needs its defensive performance to become more consistent if it hopes to take advantage of Riley's impressive playmaking.
Oakland provides a different kind of test
Cincinnati concludes exhibition play Tuesday when Oakland visits Fifth Third Arena for a 7 p.m. ET game. The Golden Grizzlies enter the matchup after experiencing their own mixed preseason results, defeating Grand Valley State 103-74 on October 15 before losing to Tennessee State 89-75 on October 24. Those performances suggest Oakland has demonstrated offensive potential but has also experienced difficulty against stronger competition.
For Cincinnati, the opponent provides another opportunity to evaluate defensive consistency. The Bearcats should be particularly interested in how effectively they defend the perimeter, limit second-chance opportunities and prevent extended scoring runs. Those areas become increasingly important when facing Big 12 opponents capable of scoring from several positions and exploiting mistakes.
Cincinnati also needs to continue developing its offensive chemistry. Riley's playmaking has been impressive, but the Bearcats will benefit from establishing dependable contributions throughout their rotation. The final exhibition provides an opportunity to experiment with combinations and identify which players are ready for larger responsibilities before the results begin counting.
The Bearcats have a clear opportunity before opening night
Cincinnati begins regular-season competition November 2 against American, giving Calhoun and his coaching staff less than a week to make final adjustments following Tuesday's exhibition. The Bearcats have already demonstrated that they can defeat a Big Ten opponent and score 96 points against another. Those are encouraging accomplishments, even though neither result counts toward the official record.
The unanswered question concerns whether Cincinnati can combine its offensive potential with the defensive discipline required to compete consistently in the Big 12. The difference between allowing 68 points and 105 points is enormous, and while some of that variation reflects the quality and style of the opponents, Cincinnati must establish a more dependable defensive standard. Riley and Tejada have provided reasons for optimism, and the team's offensive production has been impressive.
Now, the challenge is ensuring that the defense can support it. Tuesday's game against Oakland won't provide every answer, but it represents Cincinnati's final opportunity to make progress before the regular season begins. If the Bearcats can find a balance between the defensive effort they showed against Ohio State and the offensive production they displayed against Illinois, they could become an intriguing team to follow throughout the season.
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