Southern Methodist @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 27, 2019 ) Cincinnati 52, Southern Methodist 49

Second-seeded Cincinnati looks to rebound from a pair of losses to end the regular season when it takes on 10th seed SMU in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament Friday in Memphis, Tenn. The Bearcats were cruising along with five straight wins and controlled their own destiny to the top seed, but they lost at Central Florida before being blitzed by Houston 85-69 at home Sunday.

Cincinnati shot 37.1 percent from the field and got to the free-throw line only six times in the 58-55 loss to UCF before allowing 12-of-23 shooting from 3-point range and 18 offensive rebounds in the loss to Houston. “You give a team like (Houston) extra chances, they’re going to light you up,” Bearcats coach Mick Cronin told reporters. “. … There’s not a whole lot to say when you get whipped that bad physically, dominated physically. Eventually the dam’s going to break and that’s what happened.” Cincinnati beat SMU twice during the regular season, but just by a combined eight points, and the Mustangs have won consecutive games for the first time since early January after knocking off Tulsa 74-65 in Thursday’s first round. Second-team all-conference pick Jahmal McMurray led the way for SMU with 27 points Thursday and the senior guard is averaging 20.8 over his last five games while pushing his season mark to 18.1

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT SMU (15-16): Sophomore forward Ethan Chargois added 12 points Thursday and is averaging 16.3 in four games since being shut out by Cincinnati in 33 minutes of action during the 52-49 loss on Feb. 22. Junior point guard Jimmy Whitt Jr. is 11-of-20 from the field in two outings since returning from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury while senior guard Jarrey Foster scored 10 on Thursday for his third double-figure performance in 15 games this season. Freshman forward Feron Hunt is averaging 12.3 points and seven boards over his last four contests.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (25-6): Junior guard Jarron Cumberland was named the American’s Player of the Year, averaging team highs of 18.4 points, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals, but he has shown some fatigue of late while making 25-of-76 from the field the past six games. Sophomore guard Keith Williams is the only other player averaging in double figures (10.6) and junior forward Tre Scott (8.9 points) leads the team in rebounding (6.6). Senior guard Justin Jenifer (8.2 points) runs the show for the Bearcats, totaling 86 assists to go along with just 22 turnovers.

TIP-INS

1. SMU sophomore F Isiaha Mike was held to six points Thursday, but had seven rebounds and a team-high three steals.

2. Cincinnati junior C Nysier Brooks finished with 16 points and six rebounds against Houston on Sunday.

3. The Bearcats lead the all-time series 12-5, including wins in the last five meetings, but the Mustangs are 2-1 at neutral sites.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 72, SMU 64