Bearcats Set for Clemson Clash in Greenville Winter Invitational Amid Historic Season
CINCINNATI - Cincinnati men’s basketball is headed to Greenville, South Carolina, this Sunday for a showdown with Clemson in the Greenville Winter Invitational. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, with the game airing on ESPN and available on 1360 WSAI and the TuneIn app.
This isn’t just any season for the Bearcats - it’s their 125th year of competition, and they’re honoring that legacy all year long. Cincinnati's program has been a cornerstone of college basketball history, with a resume that includes 44 All-Americans, 41 conference titles, six Final Four appearances, and back-to-back national championships. That’s not just tradition - that’s a blueprint for sustained excellence dating all the way back to the 1901-02 season.
Defense First, and It’s Working
This year’s squad is making a name for itself with its defensive identity. The Bearcats are holding opponents to just 65.5 points per game and rank 10th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
But it doesn’t stop there - they’re also elite in the finer details of team defense. Cincinnati is fifth in the nation in non-steal turnover percentage (10.9%), meaning they’re forcing mistakes without gambling.
Opponents are shooting just 44.3% in effective field goal percentage (13th nationally), grabbing offensive boards at only a 24.6% clip (14th), and getting blocked at a 16.0% rate (also 14th).
That’s a defense that doesn’t just slow you down - it frustrates you, possession after possession.
Controlling Tempo on Both Ends
Offensively, the Bearcats are playing with pace - ranking 24th nationally in average offensive possession length at just 15.2 seconds. They’re getting into their sets quickly and looking to create early opportunities.
But on the other end, they’re dragging opponents into the mud. Opposing teams are averaging 17.6 seconds per possession, which ranks 258th in the country.
That contrast - fast on offense, grinding on defense - is a recipe for wearing teams down.
In Big 12 play, Cincinnati’s defensive numbers continue to impress. They’re second in the conference in blocks (5.45 per game), third in opponent field goal percentage (38.4%) and opponent three-point percentage (28.3%), and fourth in turnovers forced (15.5 per game). And when the shot goes up, they’re cleaning the glass - leading the Big 12 with a 75.4% defensive rebounding percentage.
Baba Miller: A Force on the Glass
Senior forward Baba Miller has been a game-changer - even with a brief injury absence that sidelined him for matchups against NJIT and Eastern Michigan. He’s tied for seventh nationally and leads the Big 12 with six double-doubles. His rebounding numbers are eye-popping: 8.56 defensive boards per game (best in the country), 11.0 total rebounds per game (fifth nationally), and a defensive rebounding percentage of 31.4% - second in the nation.
He’s not just cleaning up misses - he’s ending possessions and igniting the Bearcats’ transition game.
Day Day Thomas: Deadeye from Deep and the Line
Graduate guard Day Day Thomas is another key piece. He’s shooting a blistering 45.9% from three - third in the Big 12 and 27th nationally.
And when he gets to the line, it’s almost automatic. He leads the conference and ranks ninth nationally with a 94.4% free-throw percentage.
In close games, that kind of shooting is pure gold.
A Brief History with Clemson
Sunday’s game marks the sixth all-time meeting between Cincinnati and Clemson, with the Bearcats holding a 4-1 edge. The series dates back nearly a century - all the way to December 17, 1927, when Cincinnati rolled to a 42-16 win. The most recent matchup came in 2003, when the Bearcats dominated 79-56 behind a 20-point, 8-rebound, 5-block performance from Jason Maxiell and 17 points from Field Williams.
Scouting the Tigers
Clemson enters the contest at 9-3 and is receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches polls. Head coach Brad Brownell is in his 16th season at the helm, and his Tigers are playing disciplined, efficient basketball.
They’re averaging just 9.0 turnovers per game - the fewest in the ACC and fourth-fewest nationally. Defensively, they’ve been stingy from deep, holding opponents to just 26.3% from beyond the arc (sixth nationally).
And their bench is deep and productive, leading the ACC and ranking 22nd in the country with 36.1 points per game from the reserves.
Senior forward RJ Godfrey leads the Tigers with 11.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while graduate guard Jestin Porter (10.4 ppg) and junior forward Carter Welling (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg) round out a balanced scoring trio.
What’s at Stake
This is more than just a non-conference matchup. For Cincinnati, it’s a chance to continue building momentum in a season that’s already full of historic significance. The Bearcats are defending, rebounding, and playing with a purpose - and Sunday’s contest offers another opportunity to show just how far this team has come.
With a defense that travels, a frontcourt force in Miller, and sharpshooting from Thomas, Cincinnati is bringing a well-rounded, gritty brand of basketball into Greenville. And if they can impose their style on Clemson, they’ll be heading home with another win - and another chapter in a season that’s already one to remember.