The Cincinnati Bearcats put on a shooting clinic Tuesday night, overwhelming Oakland 97-58 in an exhibition matchup at Fifth Third Arena. Cincinnati caught fire from beyond the arc, knocked down shots from all over the floor, and showed off the offensive firepower that could make this group a difficult matchup for opponents throughout the season.

The Bearcats knocked down 15 of 29 3-point attempts, shooting an impressive 51.7% from deep. They also assisted on 31 of their 39 made field goals, showcasing the unselfish approach that has helped this team find its rhythm early in the preseason.

Cincinnati built its lead in the first half and never looked back. The Bearcats carried a 44-25 advantage into the break before extending the margin in the second half. With the game well in hand, head coach Jerrod Calhoun rotated his lineup and gave several players additional opportunities to work through their assignments.

While the final score stood out, Cincinnati’s offensive efficiency and perimeter shooting offered the most encouraging signs of the night.

Cincinnati Catches Fire From 3 in the First Half

Cincinnati established control early by stretching Oakland’s defense and punishing the Golden Grizzlies from beyond the arc. The Bearcats shot 61% from the field overall, but their perimeter shooting gave the offense another dimension.

MJ Collins led the charge with 22 points, knocking down five of his seven 3-point attempts. Myles Colvin added 15 points and buried five of his 10 attempts from deep. Together, the pair gave Oakland a difficult choice: extend the defense to challenge Cincinnati’s shooters or risk giving the Bearcats clean looks from the perimeter.

Collins looked increasingly comfortable in his role. When the ball reached his hands, he attacked with confidence and showed little hesitation about taking the shot. He connected on back-to-back 3-pointers and consistently looked for opportunities to put pressure on Oakland’s defense.

Collins has the scoring instincts to become the most lethal weapon for Cincinnati. He can rise into a jumper without needing much space, and his willingness to take big shots gives the Bearcats another player who can create offense when a possession breaks down.

Colvin complemented Collins with an equally impressive shooting performance. His five 3-pointers helped Cincinnati maintain its offensive pressure, and his ability to space the floor will give the Bearcats valuable flexibility when they face defenses that collapse into the paint.

The numbers tell the story. Cincinnati shot 52% from 3-point range, while Oakland managed just four makes on 20 attempts. The Bearcats also finished 39-of-64 from the field, compared with Oakland’s 19-of-51 mark.

Cincinnati did not simply make difficult shots. It created enough quality opportunities to turn its shooting advantage into a commanding lead.

Amani Lyles Shows Flashes While Knocking Off the Rust

Amani Lyles gave Bearcats fans a glimpse of what he can bring to the frontcourt, even as he worked through a limited night.

Lyles finished with six points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 10 minutes. Foul trouble interrupted his rhythm, as he picked up 3 fouls during a stretch of the game. Still, he flashed the physical tools and instincts that make him an interesting piece of Cincinnati’s rotation.

Lyles found scoring opportunities through backdoor cuts, slipping behind Oakland’s defense when defenders focused their attention elsewhere. His ability to recognize those openings should complement Cincinnati’s perimeter attack, when opposing defenses pressure the ball and chase shooters around the floor.

His physical presence also stood out. Lyles brings a strong frame and the ability to compete around the basket, giving Cincinnati another option when it needs to finish possessions with rebounds or establish a presence inside.

Calhoun said after the game that both Lyles and Akai Fleming played under precautionary 10-minute restrictions. That context matters when evaluating their performances. Neither player needed to shoulder an extended workload, and Cincinnati could prioritize getting them comfortable within the rotation.

Lyles still has some rust to shake off, but Tuesday provided encouraging flashes of how he can contribute. His cutting, physicality and willingness to make plays for teammates give Cincinnati another dimension beyond its perimeter shooting. Very high basketball IQ player.

MJ Collins Looks Ready to Make His Mark

Collins delivered the night’s most productive individual scoring performance, finishing with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He connected on five of seven 3-pointers and added two free throws.

What stood out most was his confidence.

Collins looked comfortable attacking the defense, pulling up when he saw an opening and letting it fly without hesitation. He played with the mentality of a scorer who expects to make the shot rather than one who needs to see a few fall before finding his rhythm.

That confidence can make a significant difference for Cincinnati. The Bearcats need players who can punish defensive mistakes, create offense when the initial action stalls and capitalize when opponents devote extra attention to other shooters.

Collins showed all three qualities against Oakland.

His performance also fit perfectly within Cincinnati’s broader offensive approach. The Bearcats moved the ball, found open shooters and made Oakland defend multiple threats. Collins benefited from that spacing, but he also demonstrated the ability to make defenders pay when he had an opportunity to create his own shot.

If he continues to shoot with this level of confidence and efficiency, Collins will be one of Cincinnati’s most important scoring options.

David Iweze Brings Physicality to the Frontcourt

David Iweze showed several encouraging signs during the first half, providing a physical presence around the basket and competing hard for rebounds.

Iweze finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes. He also contributed 3 offensive rebounds, and 3 blocks. Showing an ability to pursue the ball and create additional opportunities for Cincinnati.

The frontcourt newcomer redshirted at Utah State last season, and his performance showed a glimpse of why Calhoun wanted to retain him. Iweze looks comfortable using his frame, attacking the glass and competing in traffic.

His impact does not depend on scoring in bunches. Cincinnati can benefit from his willingness to do the nitty gritty work, especially when he extends possessions with offensive rebounds or helps the team finish defensive stops.

Iweze still has room to develop, but his activity and physicality give him a foundation to build on. As he grows more comfortable within Calhoun’s system, his ability to contribute around the basket could become an important part of Cincinnati’s frontcourt depth.

Akai Fleming Makes the Most of Limited Minutes

Fleming also played under the precautionary 10-minute restriction, but he made his time count.

He scored 7 points on 3-5 shooting, including a 3-pointer, and added an assist in 10 minutes. His efficient performance gave Cincinnati another productive contribution from a player working with a limited workload.

With the game already under control, the Bearcats could manage Fleming’s minutes while still giving him an opportunity to find his rhythm. His shooting added to a team-wide performance in which Cincinnati consistently converted open looks.

Adlan Elamin Expected Back at Practice Soon

Adlan Elamin watched Tuesday’s exhibition in street clothes, but Calhoun provided a positive update on his status after the game.

The Cincinnati coach said Elamin should return to practice Wednesday or Thursday after dealing with a blister on his hand roughly the size of a golf ball.

The update gives Bearcats fans a clearer timeline for Elamin’s return to the floor. His absence did not prevent Cincinnati from producing an explosive offensive performance, but getting him back into practice should help the team continue building chemistry and depth as the season approaches.

The Numbers Behind Cincinnati’s Offensive Potential

The 3-point shooting deserves plenty of attention, but Cincinnati’s efficiency inside the arc offers another reason for optimism.

The Numbers Behind Cincinnati’s Offensive Potential

The three-point shooting deserves plenty of attention, but Cincinnati’s efficiency inside the arc offers another reason for optimism.

Across the first three exhibition games, the Bearcats have made 72 of 116 2-point attempts, good for approximately 62.1%. That level of efficiency stands out when compared with last season, when Cincinnati reached that mark in only two games. Both came against Western Carolina and Alabama State.

Exhibition games offer a different level of competition and preparation than the regular season. Still, the results show how effectively Cincinnati has converted opportunities near the basket during its preseason schedule.

Calhoun’s previous offense at Utah State ranked among the nation’s best in 2-point shooting, so this early production fits the offensive identity he wants to establish in Cincinnati.

The Bearcats now show the capability of hurting opponents in multiple ways. Collins and Colvin can stretch the floor, while Lyles and Iweze bring physicality and cutting ability inside. Cincinnati’s willingness to share the ball helps connect those pieces.

The 31 assists against Oakland provide perhaps the clearest evidence of that approach. Cincinnati recorded 31 assists against just 12 turnovers, a strong combination that reflects both ball movement and offensive efficiency.

The Bearcats also scored 46 bench points, demonstrating the depth available to Calhoun as he continues to evaluate his rotation.

Final Takeaway

Cincinnati’s 97-58 win over Oakland offered plenty for Bearcats fans to like, particularly the team’s ability to shoot from deep while maintaining an unselfish offensive approach.

Collins and Colvin led the perimeter attack, Lyles flashed his physical tools despite foul trouble and limited minutes, and Iweze showed the type of effort around the glass that can help a team win possessions.

The second half became an opportunity to rotate players and manage workloads, but the first half established the night’s defining theme: Cincinnati can put serious pressure on a defense when its shooters find their rhythm.

The Bearcats still have work to do before the games begin to count, and exhibition shooting does not guarantee regular-season success. However, the combination of perimeter accuracy, 2-point efficiency and ball movement gives Calhoun plenty of reasons to feel encouraged.

If Cincinnati can carry this offensive rhythm into the regular season, opponents will have to account for far more than one hot shooter. Against Oakland, the Bearcats showed what can happen when the entire lineup starts connecting from deep.