The Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team just blew a seven-point lead with 2:37 left against Minnesota, eventually falling 63-61 on a last-second three-point shot. This isn’t just a tough loss; it sets the stage for their very first road test against the Dayton Flyers at UD Arena, and frankly, things are looking shaky.
Minnesota Exposed Some Ugly Truths
That Minnesota game on November 9, 2026, was a disaster. Not only did they fumble a late lead, but the numbers reveal some serious issues that Coach Jerrod Calhoun’s squad needs to fix fast. They got absolutely hammered on the boards, getting outrebounded by a shocking 12, with the final tally at 40-28. And from beyond the arc? Outside of Tylen Riley, who somehow went 6-for-9 on threes, the *entire rest of the team* combined for a dismal 1-for-20 from deep. One-for-twenty! That’s just brutal and unsustainable. It’s hard to win games when you can’t hit a shot and you’re giving up so many second-chance opportunities.
Injury Woes Are Piling Up
As if a blown lead and horrendous shooting weren’t enough, the Bearcats are battling some serious injury concerns, particularly in the frontcourt. Center Jayden Hastings, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound presence, was limited to less than three minutes in their opening 79-53 win against American University. Why? His shoulder has fallen out of its socket not once, but twice, leaving him a spectator. Without him, UC’s top rebounders against Minnesota were guards Myles Colvin and Tylen Riley, each with just five boards. Coach Calhoun is scrambling, admitting, “You’re trying to figure it out with our forward production. Whoever plays the hardest with the most production will probably play in there ’til Jayden gets back.”
And it’s not just Hastings. Bowling Green transfer Javontae Campbell, who averaged a hefty 18.7 points per game last season, has been sidelined since he arrived in September. His absence is clearly felt in the guard play and turnover issues. Calhoun himself said, “It’s by committee until Javontae Campbell gets back. He’s inching closer and closer.” But “inching closer” isn’t “on the court,” and until these guys are back, the roster depth is a major headache.
Dayton Might Be Struggling, But It’s Still Dayton
Here’s the kicker: the Dayton Flyers are not exactly rolling into this game on a high note either. They just dropped a 99-89 loss to Siena on November 10, following an overtime loss to Northern Illinois three days prior. So, both teams are feeling the pressure. But let’s be real, walking into UD Arena for your first road test after blowing a big lead and shooting historically bad from three-point range? That’s a different kind of challenge entirely. The Bearcats need to sort out their rebounding, their shooting, and figure out their depth issues before they drive up I-75.
This next game against the Dayton Flyers isn’t just another game. It’s a test to see if this team can shake off that Minnesota debacle, manage their injury issues, and find some kind of rhythm on the road. All eyes will be on how they respond in a hostile environment, especially with Jayden Hastings’ status “up in the air” and Campbell still on the mend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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