(10) Iowa Hawkeyes vs (7) Cincinnati Bearcats: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Cincinnati Bearcats

Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

When: Friday, March 22nd at 12:15 PM EST

How (TV): CBS, NCAA.com

(10) Iowa Hawkeyes (Away)

Head Coach: Fran McCaffery {Record: 22-11 | Conference: 10-10, 6th in Big Ten}

Fran McCaffery’s Iowa Hawkeyes enter this game with a clear and obvious game plan. Score, score, and score some more. The Hawkeyes may have only gone .500 in the Big Ten, but they showed that they can score regardless of the opposition whether they will be a conference or non-conference competition.

The Hawkeyes are one of the nation’s best three-point shooting teams. They average about eight three-point field goals per game and luckily face off against a Cincinnati defense that struggles to contain the perimeter attack. Jordan Bohannon, Joe Wieskamp, Isaiah Moss, and Nicholas Baer all convert on at least one three-point field goal per game.

Key from range is junior Jordan Bohannon. He is very much a three-point specialist, who’s three-point rating has actually dropped from 43% to 39% from his sophomore to junior year. He is certainly still a danger from range, but with the book out on Bohannon the Hawkeyes will have to do more than usual to manufacture open looks for him and his other sniper teammates.

(7) Cincinnati Bearcats (Home)

Head Coach: Mike Cronin {Record: 28-6 | Conference: 14-4, 2nd in AAC}

The Bearcats may be a seven seed in the tournament, but Mike Cronin’s men have put together competitive statistics equivalent to some top four seeds in the tournament. They are 57th in the nation in offensive rating and 34th in defensive rating. While their ranking belies their actual competence, the Bearcats will still have to execute against a hard-pressing Iowa squad.

The Bearcats are the grit-and-grind team of the NCAA. They rank 338th in the nation in possessions per game and can slow the game down better than almost anybody. They limit opponents’ pace so greatly that they are in the top fifty in opponent two-point attempts, makes, and field-goal percentage. If anyone can stop the fast-charging Hawkeyes, it is this Cincinnati team.

Nysier Brooks is a Philly-born center who is integral to Cincinnati’s ability to control the pace of a match. He is a rebounder and a rim-protector that has the feet to shut down some pacier offenses. While the Hawkeyes are a dangerous three-point shooting team, Brooks’ ability at the rim will allow the Bearcats to close out on shooter comfortably.

Iowa Roster Notes

F Cordell Pemsl – 18 Dec 2018 – OUT (Knee) – is out for the season.

G CJ Fredrick – 11 Nov 2018 – OUT (Redshirt) – is ineligible for this season.

F Jack Nunge – Nov 2018 – OUT (Redshirt) – is ineligible for this season.

Cincinnati Roster Notes

The Cincinnati Bearcats have no roster changes of note.

Head-to-Head: Tyler Cook (IWA) vs Jarron Cumberland (CIN)

Two key players in this matchup will be in the post and on the wing. Tyler Cook is a talented big man for Iowa who is central to their ability to manufacture open looks for their shooters. On the other end is Jarron Cumberland, a combo wing who has shown the ability to score to pair with his impressive ability to defend the ball.

Tyler Cook

Forward | 6-9, 250lb (206cm, 113kg) | Chaminade College Preparatory School | St. Louis, MO | Junior

14.9 PPG | 2.4 APG | 7.9 RPG | 0.8 SPG | 0.6 BPG | 2.8 TOV | .528 FG% | .000 3P%

Tyler Cook has shown himself to be improving every season. Now sporting a defensive rating of 103.5, Cook has proven himself in an NCAA that is moving away from his type of play. Regardless, Cook is a tenacious rebounder and loves to punish opponents on the inside. His improved passing ability allows him to spark the Iowa offence with some inspired swings toward open shooters.

Jarron Cumberland

Guard | 6-5, 205lb (196cm, 92kg) | Wilmington High School | Wilmington, OH | Junior

18.8 PPG | 3.6 APG | 4.5 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 2.8 TOV | .404 FG% | .391 3P%

Jarron Cumberland has always been able to defend the ball. Even in limited minutes as a freshman, Cumberland was one of the best defenders on this Bearcats squad. While his defensive rating has weakened slightly as his offensive role increased, the trade-off has been negligible. The reigning AAC player of the year will be a load offensively as he can attack the rim and convert from deep at a 39% clip. Cumberland’s all-around ability deserves praise, but if he can’t keep his teammates involved the Bearcats slow pace may come back to hurt them.

Iowa Hawkeyes at Cincinnati Bearcats Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Cincinnati Bearcats favored over the Iowa Hawkeyes by 4, with an over/under of 110.