NIT Preview Paw Prints: Utah Valley Wolverines

Cincinnati is trying to get over .500 all-time in NIT play on Wednesday.

CINCINNATI — The NIT rolls on as Cincinnati eyes a trip to Las Vegas for the semifinals. Utah Valley stands in the way of getting there as the Wolverines welcome Cincinnati for the second all-time meeting between the two teams.

Cincinnati posted an impressive 79-65 win at Hofstra on Saturday to set up a trip west after traveling east.

"I thought we got back the last couple of days to what we've been about all year," Head coach Wes Miller said after the Hofstra win. "I was happy as a clam that we had a great day of practice yesterday. I liked how we came out and defended in the second half. I could keep talking about our guys, but they gave great effort. Ody set a tone on the offensive and defensive glass and gave us a punch on our ball-screen defense...like Landers and David have been all year, they made plays on offense."

The Wolverines have lost just one game at home this season and are slight underdogs, despite being the fifth-best team at covering spreads. 

The Bearcats are ranked 48th on KenPom, while UVU is 64th. ESPN's Matchup Predictor has the Wolverines winning 54.9% of the time.

UC is in the NIT quarterfinals for the third time in program history (2006, 1955). Wes Miller's crew is now 10-10 all-time in the NIT.

Here's the preview as UC tries to keep momentum cooking in Utah.

Valuable Experience

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I've never understood why teams would turn down postseason invites if the players and coaches are all on board with playing. We are seeing how valuable it can be during this UC run. Players like Dan Skillings, Ody Oguama, and Viktor Lakhin are getting more chances to sharpen the skills Cincinnati needs to be deadly in the Big 12.

Oguama just posted a double-double against Hofstra (14 points, 11 rebounds). His second double-double of the season (Tulane). UC is now 13-1 this season when any player notches a double-double. It's obvious how much faster Oguama's playing. He's deep into a second season in one system for the first time as a college player and its bred nice results.

Skillings should take a big leap this summer and turn more of his flashing skill into consistent impact. He hasn't been great in the NIT, but 27 minutes of extra tournament play is rarely bad.

"Our players are still improving," Miller said after beating Hofstra. "Whether they're young players going to return or old players. They're still getting better before they get on to their next part of basketball."

Lakhin's another one of those players. He could be the Bearcats' best player in 2023-24, pending Landers Nolley's future. Big Vik (16 points, 8 rebounds) looks healthier each game he gets further away from that ankle injury. Saturday was his first time shooting over 65% since the injury and his highest scoring output since Feb. 4.

Guard Trio

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The Wolverines rely on a three-guard trio to power its offense night in and night out. 

Le'Tre Darthard (13.9 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 1.5 Ast), Justin Harmon (13.8 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 2.9 Ast), and Trey Woodbury (13.7 Pts, 5.7 Reb, 4.6 Ast) make up that attack.

The latter is one of the better passers in the country as a member of the 2022-23 All-WAC first team. Woodbury was second among WAC players in assists per game and does a nice job funneling offense throughout all areas of the floor.

Woodbury is the team's best shooter as well, posting a 40.6% mark from deep on 4.6 attempts per game. Darthard narrowly leads the team in scoring but just focusing on him is a mistake. Woodbury controls the offense a little bit more and can't be allowed to dictate things.

All three guards are good free-throw shooters, with Darthard pacing the crew at 90.1% on 4.1 attempts per game. It's a balanced team with four players averaging double figures in scoring and six players averaging at least 1 assist. 

Bruising Balance

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You don't win 27 games by accident at the Division 1 level.

Utah Valley is a formidable quarterfinal opponent that relies on physicality, rebounding, and free throw efficiency to win games. 

They rank 53rd and 36th nationally in free throw attempts and free throws made per game this season while ranking seventh in total rebounding. Center Aziz Bandaogo (11.4 Pts, 10.1 Reb, 1.2 Ast) has a lot to do with UVU's astounding rebounding average (39.9 per game).

He is a 7-foot, 225-pound force down low. The type of player Lakhin and Oguama haven't had to deal with very often this season. How they combat his efficiency (60.6% FG mark) and glass presence will play a big role in this tight game.

Discipline is crucial, especially in a projected raucous road environment. 

UC cannot get into foul trouble and let it have a cascading effect. Early fouls lead to more free throws and less aggression on the glass. That's exactly how the Wolverines want to win on Wednesday.

Here's the preview as UC tries to keep momentum cooking in Utah.

Catch the game at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. It's available via fuboTV—start your free trial here.

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