As Cincinnati prepares for a marquee matchup against Arizona, all eyes are on Kerr Kriisa - a player who knows the McKale Center better than most. Listed as probable by the Big 12 ahead of the game, Kriisa could be making his return to the court after a four-game absence due to a shoulder injury. And if he suits up, it won’t just be another road game - it’ll be a homecoming with a little extra edge.
Kriisa’s college journey has taken him across the country, with stops at Arizona, West Virginia, Kentucky, and now Cincinnati. He first made his name in Tucson, signing with Arizona in the 2020 class and spending three seasons there.
In that span, he averaged 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game - numbers that reflect his role as a high-usage, high-risk playmaker. After a year at West Virginia in 2023-24 and a short stint at Kentucky, he landed with the Bearcats for the 2025-26 season.
This year, Kriisa has started 12 of the 14 games he’s played for Cincinnati, logging 24.4 minutes per game - fifth on the team - while averaging 7.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. His presence matters.
The Bearcats went 2-2 during his recent absence, but they’ve strung together back-to-back wins to regain some footing after an 0-3 start to Big 12 play. Getting Kriisa back in the lineup could help stabilize the offense, especially in a hostile environment like Tucson.
But let’s talk about the matchup - because it’s a juicy one.
On the other side is Jaden Bradley, a former Alabama guard who transferred to Arizona in 2023, a move made possible when Kriisa left the program. Bradley has blossomed into a potential All-American this season, and now he’ll be staring down the player he effectively replaced.
That’s not just a storyline - it’s a chess match with personal stakes. Arizona’s staff knows Kriisa’s tendencies inside and out, and Bradley is expected to apply pressure, particularly knowing that Kriisa isn’t much of a threat to attack off the dribble.
That scouting report isn’t just smoke. Kriisa’s game has always leaned heavily on the perimeter.
In his six collegiate seasons, he’s averaged 8.2 field goal attempts per game, with 6.6 of those coming from beyond the arc. This season, that trend has continued - 6.7 shot attempts per game, 6.2 of them threes.
That kind of volume from deep, especially when paired with a career average of 2.8 turnovers per game, has made him a lightning rod for criticism.
Arizona fans know that better than anyone. During his time as the Wildcats’ starting point guard, Kriisa was a polarizing figure.
His fiery personality and trash talk rubbed opposing fanbases the wrong way, while Arizona supporters often found themselves frustrated by his shot selection and turnover issues. Still, it’s hard to argue with the results - Arizona went 61-11 in the two full seasons he ran the show.
Now, he’s back - wearing different colors, but stepping onto a court where he once led one of the nation’s top programs. The reception he gets from the McKale Center crowd will be worth watching.
Will it be boos? Applause?
A little bit of both? Either way, it’s going to be loud.
Cincinnati will be without forward Jalen Haynes (lower body), but if Kriisa is cleared to play, it adds another layer to a game already brimming with intrigue. For the Bearcats, it’s a shot at a statement win. For Kriisa, it’s a chance to remind Arizona - and everyone else - that he’s still got something to say.