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Nasty Nati Missing Multiple Key Players Ahead of Opening TBT Game

The fellas will have to win Game 1 shorthanded.

Russ Heltman

The Cincinnati Bearcats mascot entertains fans during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between the Houston Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bearcats mascot entertains fans during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between the Houston Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
In this story:

CINCINNATI — Nasty Nati could be really shorthanded in their opening game of The Basketball Tournament as key players from last season are doubtful or declared out.

20-plus point-per-game scorer Jacob Evans is doubtful to play after making a quick trip to Cincinnati following another game he had in the middle of the week. Plus, Nasty Nati's top defensive player last season, Marquez Letcher-Ellis, is going through the same midweek game time crunch making him doubtful.

Nati only had forward Tre Scott for one game last year due to the NBA Summer League and he's delayed for the same reason this year. Scott will not play in the opening game, nor will fellow Summer Leaguer Isaiah Miller. The guard is expected to be a solid contributor to the team.

Cincinnati is the top-seeded team in the region, but they'll have to fight through absences to advance against Team AboutBillions.

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Russ Heltman

RUSS HELTMAN

Russ Heltman is a contributor for AllBearcats and AllBengals. He is the morning host and producer for 89.3 WMKV in Cincinnati, OH. Russ can be found on Twitter: @RussHeltman11 or you can reach him by email at Heltmandm@yahoo.com.

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