Dayton Flyers vs Cincinnati Bearcats Picks and Predictions December 20th 2024

No. 22 Dayton and No. 19 Cincinnati Set for Intense Ohio Showdown

A classic Ohio basketball rivalry gets renewed Friday night as No. 19 Cincinnati takes on No. 22 Dayton at the Heritage Bank Center in downtown Cincinnati. Both teams are riding high after recent victories, and the stage is set for an electric battle between two of the state’s premier programs.

Cincinnati Looking to Build Momentum

The Bearcats (8-1) are coming off a thrilling 68-65 victory over crosstown rival Xavier on Saturday. Leading scorer Simas Lukosius, who averages 16.0 points per game, led the charge with 14 points. Cincinnati’s triumph marked a significant confidence boost heading into this top-25 matchup.

“We woke up on Sunday morning, we’ve turned the page,” Cincinnati coach Wes Miller said. “The next opponent is one of the best basketball teams in the country, and has already proven it this year. So we’ve got our hands full this week, preparing for a great basketball team.”

Dayton’s Resiliency on Display

Dayton (10-2) comes into the game after a nail-biting 71-68 victory over UNLV on Tuesday. Malachi Smith delivered in the clutch, scoring five of his 11 points in the final 37 seconds, including a game-winning three-point play.

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“Nothing about the game was easy,” Dayton coach Anthony Grant said. “But the mark of a good team … is a level of resiliency and a level of toughness. They continue to keep themselves in the fight when they get hit.”

The Flyers are coming off a statement win last Saturday, upsetting then-No. 6 Marquette 71-63. However, they struggled from beyond the arc against UNLV, shooting just 5 for 21, a trend they’ll need to reverse against Cincinnati.

Players to Watch

For Cincinnati, Lukosius remains the centerpiece, but the Bearcats will need strong performances from their supporting cast to counter Dayton’s depth.

Dayton boasts a talented backcourt led by Malachi Smith and Enoch Cheeks, who averages 14.7 points per game despite a season-low four points against UNLV. Nate Santos has also been a consistent contributor, scoring 14 points in the win over the Rebels.

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Miller is particularly wary of Dayton’s versatile guards.

“They’re very, very dynamic at guard,” Miller said. “They’re so skilled, they’re so tough. A guy like Cheeks has really improved. Look at what he’s doing now. They have a ton of guards who can hurt you.”

High Stakes in the Rivalry

The Bearcats hold a 60-32 all-time advantage in the series, but Dayton won last year’s meeting 82-68, also at the Heritage Bank Center. This year, both teams are eager to solidify their standings in the top 25 and gain bragging rights in one of Ohio’s most heated rivalries.

With Cincinnati’s depth and home crowd advantage clashing against Dayton’s resilience and dynamic backcourt, this matchup promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry.