As the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare to host the West Virginia Mountaineers at Fifth Third Arena, fans are anticipating a thrilling encounter. The Bearcats have been showing a mix of resilience and areas for improvement in their recent games, which will undoubtedly influence their approach to the upcoming matchup.

Dec 19, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) high-fives guard Day Day Thomas (1) after a play against the Merrimack Warriors in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game against TCU Horned Frogs, the Bearcats struggled defensively, allowing 75 points and suffering from a low assists-turnover ratio of 0.81. Their field goal percentage stood at 42 percent with a three-point shooting rate of 36 percent, indicating room for growth in offensive efficiency.

However, when they faced Oklahoma State Cowboys at home, there was a notable uptick in performance. The team's field goal percentage increased to 50 percent and they managed an impressive 58 percent from two-point range. Despite this offensive surge leading to 76 points scored, it wasn't enough to secure victory as defensive lapses allowed the Cowboys to notch up 80 points.

The game against UCF Knights showcased Cincinnati's ability to rebound effectively with a total of 45 rebounds and an improved assists-turnover ratio of 1.1. Their tenacity resulted in securing more second-chance points (12) than previous games but was slightly overshadowed by personal fouls reaching up to fifteen.

These past performances highlight that while Cincinnati has shown potential offensively – particularly inside the paint – consistency on defense could be key against West Virginia Mountaineers' attack.

Looking ahead, fans can expect Cincinnati's coaching staff to emphasize improvements on both ends of the court while leveraging home advantage at Fifth Third Arena – known for its vibrant atmosphere that often energizes the home team.

The scheduled game is set for March 9th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time and will be broadcast on ESPN+ for those who wish to follow along live or stream it online.

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