After promising starts for Cincinnati and Arizona State, conference play has not been kind to two of the newer members of the Big 12.
On Saturday afternoon, when the Bearcats (11-5, 1-4 Big 12) host the Sun Devils (10-6, 1-4), it will be a matchup of teams that have struggled since conference competition kicked off in the final week of December.
The only league victories for both teams have come over last-place Colorado.
The Bearcats got their 68-62 win over the Buffaloes on Wednesday as Simas Lukosius delivered 16 points and made two 3-pointers in the final 3:31.
“It was nice to see us pull one out, a close game on the road,” Cincinnati coach Wes Miller said. “That’s something we haven’t been able to do here the last couple weeks, home or away.”
In addition to Lukosius, who averages a team-high 12.5 points per game, Cincinnati also looks for offense from Dan Skillings Jr. (12.4 points).
Saturday’s matchup will be an interesting contrast in styles. While the Bearcats rotate up to 10 players and rarely use anyone for more than 30 minutes a game, the Sun Devils have three players who average at least 30 minutes per game.
Arizona State is fueled by BJ Freeman (13.3 points), Joson Sanon (12.8) and Basheer Jihad (12.6).
Freshman Jayden Quaintance is a rapidly developing force inside, averaging 9.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.
Quaintance had his best game on Tuesday night when Arizona State fell at home to UCF 95-89. The freshman had 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go along with his seven rebounds and five blocks.
“JQ was fantastic tonight, what he did offensively, efficiency, using his physicality in certain matchups to score around the basket and guarding multiple guys,” Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley said.
The downside against UCF was surrendering a season-high 95 points, with 40 coming from Keyshawn Hall.
“It’s just frustrating because we’ve been a top 30 defense most of the year,” Hurley said. “I feel like (we’re) a dam that has holes in it.”
With Arizona State in its first year in the Big 12, it has not met Cincinnati since 1997. The Sun Devils lead the series 2-1.
