Cincinnati, Utah seek to ignite struggling offenses

Field Level Media|published: Mon 27th January, 23:12 2025

Jan 22, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Utah Utes guard Gabe Madsen (55) drives against Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) during the second half at Fertitta Center. The Cougars defeated the Utes 70-36. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Cincinnati travels to Salt Lake City on Tuesday to face Utah in a battle of Big 12 teams that share a lot in common.

The Bearcats (12-7, 2-6) have lost two straight and are coming off their worst game of the season, an 80-52 defeat at BYU on Saturday. The hosts shot 73.9 percent (17-of-23) in the second half to pull away, including 11-for-15 (73.3 percent) from the 3-point line.

Cincinnati was outshot 62.5 percent to 17.9 percent from the arc for the game. The Bearcats made just 5 of 28 from deep.

In conference play, the Bearcats rank 14th in overall field-goal shooting at 39.8 percent, and they are last in the 16-team league in 3-point shooting, making just a quarter of their shots. Their average of 60 points per game in conference play also ranks last.

"We have a chance to be a good shooting team this year," coach Wes Miller said after the loss. "Point blank, we've got to shoot it better."

Simas Lukosius leads the Bearcats, averaging 12.3 points per game. However, his scoring has dipped in Big 12 play to just 8.8, although he has gone for double figures in his last four, including a team-high 14 Saturday.

The Utes (11-8, 3-5) have also lost two straight and fell Saturday 76-61 to Baylor. Similar to Cincinnati, Utah struggled from the perimeter against the Bears, going just 5-for-23 (21.7 percent) and missing 12 of their 13 shots after halftime.

Utah ranks just ahead of Cincinnati in 3-point shooting, making just 26.5 percent through its eight Big 12 games and is 14th in scoring at 63.3 points per game.

Gabe Madsen, who transferred from Cincinnati after the 2020-21 season, leads the Utes, averaging 14.8 points this season. However, he has struggled mightily in conference play, shooting just 25.3 percent overall and 18.8 percent from the perimeter and scoring 9.3 points per contest.

When asked after the Baylor loss if Madsen has lost his confidence, Utah coach Craig Smith admitted that's something he thinks about often, adding that his senior guard has never endured such a slump before this season.

"You know, a lot of times you can draw back on experiences, but when you've never been through something like that, it's probably a little bit harder because what experience do you have doing that?" Smith said.

--Field Level Media