Cinci wary of SMU's Home presence

[dr. rick]

https://sports.yahoo.com/no-6-cincinnat ... ncaab.html

Sixth-ranked Cincinnati owns a 15-game winning streak and a three-game lead in the American Athletic Conference standings as it rolls into Dallas to play Southern Methodist on Sunday at Moody Coliseum.

But all the momentum the Bearcats have built over their successful two-month run could be lost in one complacent performance against the short-handed Mustangs.

Part of the challenge Sunday will be beating SMU on the road, a feat that Cincinnati hasn't accomplished since February 2015. The Mustangs are 13-1 at home this season and have lost just five of 86 games in their home gym since it was renovated and expanded prior to the 2013-14 season.

Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin understands the importance of this game and how difficult it is to win in Dallas. The Bearcats have lost twice in a row at Moody Coliseum.

"We've got to be ready to take their best shot, ready for a hostile environment," Cronin said. "This is a game they probably need to win to get into the NCAA Tournament, so we would be foolish to think that they're not going to play unbelievably hard to give themselves a chance to get a quality win.

"I would give their home winning 80 percent to their coaching and play, and 20 percent to their crowd, maybe. But it's been good."

Cincinnati's most recent win was a 77-40 rout over UCF on Tuesday in its temporary home, at Northern Kentucky University, that pushed the Bearcats (22-2, 11-0 AAC) into the top spot in the nation for average margin of victory (20.4 points per game). Purdue ranks second at 19.8 ppg.

The Bearcats easily handled SMU in the first meeting this season, winning 76-56 at "home."

SMU (15-9, 5-6), the defending conference champion, has struggled mightily in recent weeks as it has dealt with injuries to key players and a tough stretch of AAC games.

Mustangs junior guard Shake Milton, who is averaging 18.0 points and was named conference preseason player of the year by the AAC's coaches, has missed the past two games with a hand injury and likely won't play on Sunday. SMU has lost three of its past four contests and is 0-2 without Milton in the lineup.

Mustangs coach Tim Jankovich said after SMU's 67-58 loss at Houston on Thursday that Milton's status is day-to-day.

"Shake is questionable for the Cincinnati game and could still be a week and a half away from where he needs to be," Jankovich said. "He's getting better, but I don't know when it's going to be good, where he's good to play and can be effective."

SMU is also down to only seven available scholarship players after junior guard Jarrey Foster (knee) and freshman forward Everett Ray (foot) were lost for the season to injuries. Foster was the Mustangs' second-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game when he went down.

Junior guard Jahmal McMurray has taken the Mustangs' reins in Milton's absence as the team leader. McMurray averaged double digits in scoring when he played at South Florida before transferring to SMU. He has averaged 19.7 points in SMU's past three and is averaging 12.1 points on the season.

Cincinnati will be the eighth opponent that is ranked or has received votes to face SMU this season; the Mustangs are 4-3 in the first seven of those games.

[One Trick Pony]

I guess he's talking about the NIT Tournament

[Terry Webster]

The papers and news up here all talk about Moody and how loud it can get. Cronin was on the news talking about how he has to prepare the team for the crowd. I really hope they are loud and crazy tomorrow. I am not sure I can stand another loss against uc with the people up here. Would love to wear some SMU stuff to the gym on Monday.

[RI Stang]

I guess he's talking about the NIT Tournament

Took you eight minutes to respond with something negative, you are slacking.

[One Trick Pony]

I guess he's talking about the NIT Tournament

Took you eight minutes to respond with something negative, you are slacking.

I don't think the NCAA tournament is realistic. In fact the NIT is being positive

[RI Stang]

Certainly isn't looking good, and isn't realistic at all without Shake. But Cronin is obviously talking about the NCAA Tournament, especially since he referenced "NCAA Tournament".

Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin understands the importance of this game and how difficult it is to win in Dallas. The Bearcats have lost twice in a row at Moody Coliseum.

"We've got to be ready to take their best shot, ready for a hostile environment," Cronin said. "This is a game they probably need to win to get into the NCAA Tournament, so we would be foolish to think that they're not going to play unbelievably hard to give themselves a chance to get a quality win.

[Charleston Pony]

Really need some Moody Magic today. Another loss would drop us into a tie for 7th place in the AAC

[One Trick Pony]

Really need some Moody Magic today. Another loss would drop us into a tie for 7th place in the AAC

3's

[Charleston Pony]

Really need some Moody Magic today. Another loss would drop us into a tie for 7th place in the AAC

3's

Yep. 3's all around today or else

[PonySnob]

Really need some Moody Magic today. Another loss would drop us into a tie for 7th place in the AAC

It would be true Moody Magic if this team wins today.

[tristatecoog]

Getting some BOGO Raising Canes after the game. C'mon Ponies!

[oilpony]

Ethan is out for Cincy gane. He rolled his ankle

[dr. rick]

wow! can anything else go wrong?

[One Trick Pony]

Wilfong starting? Lol just messing.

[mrydel]

Pyle to get extended time