West Virginia Mountaineers Face Cincinnati Bearcats in Crucial Big 12 Showdown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Mountaineers (13-7, 4-5 Big 12) will host the Cincinnati Bearcats (12-8, 2-7 Big 12) at the WVU Coliseum on Sunday at 2 p.m. EST, as both teams look to rebound from recent struggles in a pivotal Big 12 matchup.

The Mountaineers, led by first-year head coach Darian DeVries, are riding a three-game losing streak, including a tough loss to No. 6 Houston. Despite the skid, West Virginia remains in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid, thanks to a strong start to the season that included four wins over ranked opponents. “It’s a long season and it’s a grind,” DeVries said. “We still have 11 games left, so there are lots of opportunities to go win games.”

Cincinnati, under fourth-year head coach Wes Miller, has also struggled in conference play, posting a 2-7 record in the Big 12. The Bearcats, who entered the season with high expectations, have been hampered by offensive inefficiency, ranking 277th in 3-point shooting (31.7 percent) and 350th in free-throw shooting (64.5 percent). Despite these challenges, Cincinnati boasts a strong defense, ranked 14th nationally in adjusted efficiency (94.1).

West Virginia’s offense has sputtered during its losing streak, with the team averaging just 61 points per game in Big 12 play. Guard Javon Small, the Big 12’s leading scorer at 19.1 points per game, has been a focal point for opposing defenses. “We did a lot of stuff tonight with Javon off the ball to try and get it back to him and get him on the move a little bit more,” DeVries said after Small’s season-low eight-point performance against Houston.

Cincinnati’s offense is led by Simas Lukosius, who averages 12.2 points per game and shoots 37 percent from beyond the arc. However, the Bearcats lack consistent perimeter shooting outside of Lukosius, which has contributed to their offensive struggles. Forward Dillon Mitchell, a former five-star recruit, adds athleticism and defensive versatility, averaging 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

Defensively, Cincinnati relies on its interior presence, led by 7-footer Aziz Bandaogo, who ranks among the conference’s top shot blockers. The Bearcats hold opponents to just 50.2 percent shooting at the rim, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. “They’re a tough defensive team,” DeVries said. “We’ll have to find ways to create offense against their pressure.”

Both teams are in desperate need of a win to bolster their postseason hopes. West Virginia, currently ranked 48th in KenPom’s rankings, is looking to avoid a fourth straight loss, while Cincinnati, ranked 58th, aims to snap a three-game skid. The game is expected to be a low-scoring affair, with both teams struggling offensively but boasting strong defensive units.

West Virginia holds a slight edge in the all-time series, leading 11-10, but Cincinnati has won six of the last eight meetings. The Bearcats will look to continue their recent success against the Mountaineers, while West Virginia hopes to turn its season around with a crucial home victory.