Cincinnati Basketball: Time for Wes Miller to Shake Up the Lineup?
As the Bearcats gear up for Big 12 play, head coach Wes Miller is facing a decision that’s been brewing for a while-how to get his best five on the floor to avoid the slow starts that have plagued this team. And after what we saw in the recent matchup against Clemson, it looks like change is not just coming-it’s necessary.
Let’s start with the most obvious move: getting Jizzle James back into the starting lineup in place of Kerr Kriisa. Against Clemson, Kriisa didn’t see the court for the final 23 minutes.
That’s not a small adjustment in rotation-it’s a clear signal. Offensively, Kriisa has been struggling, and Miller now has the flexibility to make a change without hesitation.
James brings a different energy and pace, and right now, Cincinnati needs both.
Another potential tweak? Swapping out Shon Abaev.
Like Kriisa, Abaev hasn’t been able to find his rhythm on offense. That opens the door for Sincere Harris to step in, potentially forming a new-look three-guard starting five alongside James, Day Day Thomas, Harris, Baba Miller, and Moustapha Thiam.
That group might not be the flashiest, but it could be the most balanced and defensively sound unit Miller has at his disposal.
The Bearcats need urgency, and Miller doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for things to click. With the Big 12 opener against Houston looming on Jan. 3, the time to experiment is now-not mid-conference play when the stakes are higher and the margin for error is razor-thin.
Tyler McKinley’s Status Worth Watching
One name to keep an eye on is Tyler McKinley. He suited up against Clemson but never saw the floor, an indication he wasn’t quite ready to go. He’s dealing with a bone bruise in his knee-nothing long-term, but the kind of injury that can linger if not managed carefully.
The good news? Cincinnati has had a 16-day gap between games, giving McKinley valuable time to heal.
And with Miller seemingly prioritizing defense and rebounding in his recent rotations, McKinley’s return could be timely. He’s not a stat-sheet stuffer, but he brings grit, effort, and the kind of hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score but win you games.
Whether it’s diving for loose balls, boxing out, or contesting shots, McKinley’s presence gives the Bearcats a toughness edge.
Scouting Lipscomb: A Team That Can Score in Bunches
Don’t let the name fool you-Lipscomb isn’t a cupcake. The Bisons have quietly put together a strong season, climbing from No. 207 to No. 137 in KenPom rankings. They’ve gone toe-to-toe with solid programs like Belmont and Duke and took care of business against a higher-ranked Marshall squad.
Offensively, Lipscomb is balanced and dangerous. Four players are averaging double figures, and they’re not afraid to let it fly from deep.
Forward Grant Asman leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, and he’s shooting a scorching 42.6% from three. Guards Mateo Esmeraldo and Ross Candelino are each putting up 11 points per game, giving the Bisons a well-rounded perimeter attack.
Nearly 41% of their total scoring comes from beyond the arc, where they shoot it at 34.8%. That’s good for 128th in the country, per KenPom-not elite, but certainly enough to punish a defense that doesn’t rotate or close out with urgency.
The Bottom Line
Wes Miller has a chance to reset the tone before conference play begins. The pieces are there: a potential defensive-minded starting five, a key rotational player getting healthy, and a clear opportunity to test new combinations against a capable Lipscomb squad.
The Bearcats can’t afford to sleepwalk through another first half. If Miller wants to make a statement and set the tone for Big 12 play, it starts with the lineup-and it starts now.