College Basketball Countdown: Cincinnati Bearcats- #28

College basketball is right around the corner. Games will be starting before you know it, and practices are just right around the corner.

Here at Roundballchat I will release my top 100 teams for the 2012-13 college basketball season. I will start at 100 and count my way down. I will rank all the 75 programs in the six major conferences, as well as 25 mid majors in my top 100 countdown.

Along with my top 100 countdown I will also feature a ton of previews. Like the top players at each position, All Conference teams, top players by class, top games, previewing the early season tournaments and much more.

Who will put at number 1? Louisville or Indiana or maybe a surprise stay tuned to Roundballchat for the next month to find out.

#28 Cincinnnati

Coach: Mick Cronin (6 seasons at Cincinnati 113-88), Overall 182-112, 9 seasons

2011-12: Record 26-11 overall, 12-6 in Big East (Tie 4th)

Starters Returning (3) Cashmere Wright, Sean Kilpatrick, JaQuon Parker

Preseason Tournament: Global Sports Classic

Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Alabama, vs. Xavier, at Marshall, vs. New Mexico

Transfer Out: Octavious Ellis

Sat Out: Shaquille Thomas (redshirt)

Last season started out ugly for Mick Cronin and the Bearcats they lost to Presbyterian then had the ugly brawl with Xavier. After that brawl Cronin did a heck of a coaching job as the Bearcats won 10 of their 11 next games. They made it to the sweet 16. While the Bearcats lose 2 out of their 3 top scores off last year’s team they also bring back about everyone else. They will feature the best backcourt in the Big East. This team is primed to make their 3 straight trips to the big dance.

There is no question that the Bearcats are guard heavy. Leading the way in the backcourt is Sean Kilpatrick (14.3 ppg). Kilpartick did a little bit of everything last season; he even played some minutes at power forward. His biggest strength is three point shooting in which he led the Big East with 2.49 made threes per game. Running the point guard duties will be Cashmere Wright (10.9ppg). Wright was one of the best point guards in the Big East last season with his versatile scoring ability and defense. He set the Cincinnati record with most steals in a season. At the other guard spot will be JaQuon Parker (9.4 ppg). He is the glue guy for this team. Although only 6’3” he averaged 5.6 rebounds pg. The Bearcats have solid depth here giving them a 5 man rotation. Those depth guys are Jeremiah Davis III (2.5 ppg) and Ge’Lawn Guyn (2.3 ppg).

How far this team can go will depend on how the frontcourt develops. Leading the way will be Justin Jackson (5.1 ppg). His biggest strength his is shot blocking; he got some starting experience last season. He will need become more of an scorer. Joining him in the backcourt is freshman Shaquille Thomas. Thomas a highly recruit a year ago sat out last season because of grades. He can score both inside and out. The Bearcats have solid depth here. Leading the way I s Kelvin Gaines (.8 ppg) and Cheikh Mbodj (1. 7ppg). Also providing depth will be JUCO transfer Titus Rubles and Jermaine Sanders (1.5 ppg).

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