Cincinnati Basketball: Jizzle James Heats Up, Flemings Looms, and Baba Miller Keeps Rising
It’s been a rollercoaster season for the Cincinnati Bearcats, and as they head into a pivotal Big 12 matchup, a few key storylines are starting to take shape-none bigger than the emergence of Jizzle James, the challenge of containing Kingston Flemings, and the continued rise of Baba Miller.
Jizzle James: Putting in the Work, Seeing the Results
Sometimes, the game rewards the grind. After Monday’s practice in Arizona, Jizzle James stayed behind to put up 100 three-pointers.
That kind of extra effort doesn’t always translate immediately, but in this case? It sure looked like it did.
In his next outing, James knocked down five threes-his most since that February 2025 loss to Iowa State-and poured in a season-high 17 points, just one shy of his career best. For a player who’s been searching for consistency all year, especially on the offensive end, this was a much-needed breakthrough.
James has struggled to string together strong performances, particularly on the road. He’s only reached double figures twice away from home-once against Clemson at a neutral site, and once at UCF in Orlando.
That’s been a theme for the Bearcats overall, with fellow guard Day Day Thomas also battling inconsistency in hostile environments. It’s no coincidence that Cincinnati is still looking for its first road win of the season.
But if James’ recent shooting surge is a sign of things to come, the Bearcats might finally have a spark to lean on away from home.
The Flemings Factor
Of course, even a hot Jizzle James won’t be enough if Cincinnati can’t slow down Kingston Flemings.
Flemings has been on a tear lately, making his earlier 19-point outing against the Bearcats look like a warmup. He’s been one of the most dangerous players in college basketball over the past few weeks, and if Cincinnati wants any shot at pulling off a road win, they’ll need to find a way to disrupt his rhythm.
The good news? Flemings hasn’t been quite as dominant at the Fertitta Center this season.
That, combined with Cincinnati’s ability to defend without fouling, could be the key. He’s hit 17 of his last 19 free throws over the past two games, so keeping him off the line will be crucial.
Sencire Harris: Defensive Anchor Returns?
Cincinnati’s defense could also get a big boost if Sencire Harris is back in the lineup. Harris missed the Baylor game due to illness, only being ruled out about an hour before tipoff after IVs and medication failed to get him game-ready.
He’s had a few days to recover since then, and if he’s good to go, it would be a major lift for the Bearcats. Harris is their best on-ball defender, and his presence could be pivotal in trying to contain Flemings and disrupt the opposing backcourt.
Baba Miller: Quietly Dominant, Loudly Efficient
While James is finding his shot and Harris eyes a return, Baba Miller continues to be the engine that’s keeping this team afloat.
Miller has been nothing short of a force for Cincinnati, playing with relentless energy and physicality on both ends of the floor. His numbers might not jump off the page from beyond the arc, but that doesn’t tell the full story. He’s been dominant inside, and now he’s starting to knock down free throws with confidence-17 of his last 20, good for 85%.
It’s the kind of production that’s starting to draw comparisons to past Bearcat standouts. Think Landers Nolley, who averaged 17 points and shot over 41% from deep in his lone season in Cincinnati. Or David DeJulius, who put up nearly 15 points and over five assists per game alongside Nolley.
Miller’s game is different, more interior-focused, but the impact is undeniable. If he keeps playing at this level, he’s a legitimate first-team All-Big 12 candidate. And it raises the question: what could this team have looked like if the rest of the roster had matched his level of play?
Looking Ahead
Cincinnati’s season has had its share of ups and downs, but with James heating up, Harris potentially returning, and Miller continuing to anchor the team, there’s still time to make noise in the Big 12. The road hasn’t been kind to the Bearcats this year-but with renewed energy and a few key pieces clicking into place, they might finally be ready to change that narrative.