Miami (OH) vs No. 19 Cincinnati Game Preview

[BasketBySteveLogan]

What, you mean Brian Kelly isn't the only story this week?

Yeah, let's get to Toyloy and the Crew.

UC usually dominates in US Bank Arena, and Miami hasn't beaten UC in a lonnnngggg time.

The Redhawks have started the season 2-5, including a loss to Towson by double digits.

Senior guard Kenny Hayes is their best player, averaging 13.3 ppg and 4 apg. However, he is only 6 foot 2, so Lance and Rashad should be able to smother him.

You probably know the Redhawks nearly knocked off No. 4 Kentucky in Rupp Arena (L, 72-70) earlier in the season, thanks to a career night for 6-7 junior Nick Winbush, who cashed eight of his ten 3-pt attempts. So this team is capable of putting together a good effort.

Not much depth, heighth, or athleticism to speak of for Charlie Coles' squad though. And, as we know, thanks to the tireless recruiting of Mick and his staff, UC now possesses all three of those attributes.

Prediction: Miami slows the tempo down and UC could be a bit rusty from the long layoff. UC 68, Miami 52. Yancy registers his third double-double of the season. Go 'Cats.

(Follow my articles throughout the season on Bleacher Report-- http://bleacherreport.com/users/2972-jux-berg)

[catscratchfever]

We do seem to shoot really well at US Bank arena! Wonder why that is?

[CincyBeerCo]

I'll be there...hope we pound them. I'd love to see the killer instinct from this team in every game regardless of the caliber of opponent.

[Thegreatone]

Whats this have to do with BK??????

I think he stays...

[BigDaddyCornHusker]

Miami had a great game against KY. Have they done anything since then?

UC 72 MU 60

[Brooklyn Bearcat]

We do seem to shoot really well at US Bank arena! Wonder why that is?

A lot of times it has to do with the physical layout of the arena. US Bank, for example is larger and more cavernous than 5/3, which for some reason might benefit this particular group. In reality, it's an optical illusion. But the amount of arc and trajectory a shooter puts on the ball has a lot to do with the physical setting. For example, if ever you play in a gym with a low ceiling, you may find that you have hard time shooting if you tend to naturally put a lot of arc on your shot. Although you know that it is very unlikely that your shot would actually hit the ceiling, just the fact that the ceiling is there, looming in your periphery will effect your shot. Same thing with how your shot might differ when you play outdoors as opposed to indoors.
I have also heard baseball players say that they hit more homeruns in stadiums where the outfield is symetrical or if the seats behind the outfield wall run flush against the wall, rather than at an angle with the wall or away from the wall, so it's a similar set of circumstances.
So, it might just be that the layout of US Bank gives a better "shooter's eye" than 5/3. Sorry for the long-winded, "smarty pants" answer.
Either way, GO UC! Beat Miami and X!