Cincinnati Eyes Rebound Edge, Inside Growth vs. Alabama State
As Cincinnati gears up to face Alabama State, there are a few key areas where the Bearcats should look to assert themselves - and it all starts with slowing down the Hornets' hottest hand.
Job No. 1: Contain Asjon Anderson
Alabama State’s offense runs through Asjon Anderson right now - and for good reason. The wing has been on a heater, dropping 30 and 23 points in recent outings against New Mexico and Missouri. He’s clearly found his rhythm, and Cincinnati can’t afford to let him get comfortable early.
Anderson’s journey has been a winding one. After starting his college career at Utah Tech, where he averaged just over two points per game, he transferred to Queens University and made some noise early before fading out of the rotation later in the year.
Now at Alabama State, he’s emerged as their go-to scorer. The Bearcats will need to throw length and physicality at him early to disrupt his rhythm - and make someone else beat them.
Dominating the Glass: A Must-Win Battle
Cincinnati has a clear opportunity to control the boards in this matchup. Alabama State’s top rebounder, Jerquarius Stanback, is averaging just 4.9 rebounds per game.
Their tallest player, 6-foot-10 JaSteven Walker, hasn’t seen the floor yet this season. That leaves Stanback and 6-foot-9 Tyler Mason as the Hornets’ main interior presence - and that’s a mismatch the Bearcats need to exploit.
Moustapha Thiam is coming off back-to-back nine-rebound performances and looks primed to build on that. Baba Miller brings energy and length to the frontcourt as well. If both can stay active on the glass, Cincinnati should be able to generate second-chance points and get out in transition - two areas where they can really put pressure on Alabama State.
Thiam’s Offensive Role Still Developing
The Bearcats are still trying to figure out how to best utilize Thiam on the offensive end. The goal remains to establish him as a reliable post presence, but the efficiency hasn't quite been there yet. His field goal percentage doesn’t reflect someone the team can consistently run sets through down low - at least not yet.
One area to watch is his passing. Thiam has shown a tendency to go straight up with the ball when he gets touches in the paint, which isn’t necessarily a bad instinct, but it limits the offense’s versatility. If he can start reading the floor better and kick the ball out when help collapses, it could open up a lot more for Cincinnati’s perimeter shooters.
Jizzle James Watch: Subtle Signs of Progress
There’s been no official word on Jizzle James’ return, but the signs are trending in a positive direction. He was spotted in the stands during the Tarleton State game and traveled with the team to Atlanta for the Georgia matchup. That’s a notable shift from earlier in the season, when he was completely out of the picture.
Wes Miller hasn’t said much about James’ status, but when asked if having him back on the bench was a good sign, he offered a simple, “Yes.” That’s not nothing. While it’s still unclear when - or if - James will be back in uniform this season, his increasing presence around the team suggests the door isn’t closed.
Tyler McKinley Looking to Maximize Limited Minutes
Freshman big man Tyler McKinley has seen his role shrink in recent games. He’s averaging 14 minutes over the last three contests, including just 10 minutes in the loss to Georgia. His production has dipped as well - six points and 12 rebounds combined over the last four games.
Miller has mentioned McKinley’s knee as a lingering issue, which could be contributing to the reduced workload. And with Baba Miller back in the mix, the frontcourt rotation is only getting tighter. Still, McKinley’s a talented player with a high motor, and if he can stay ready and make the most of his minutes, he’ll continue to carve out a role - especially in matchups like this one, where size could be a major advantage.
Bottom Line: Cincinnati has the tools to control this game - especially on the glass and in the paint. But slowing down Anderson, staying disciplined on both ends, and continuing to develop their inside-out identity will be key if they want to handle business against Alabama State.