The wait is finally over. The Cincinnati Bearcats begin their 2026–27 regular-season campaign Monday when they welcome the American University Eagles. With expectations rising under head coach Jerrod Calhoun, Cincinnati enters the season looking to build on the foundation established during the offseason and take the first step toward a return to March Madness.

Opening night brings an interesting matchup against a Patriot League program that offers something many early-season opponents cannot. Experience. American returns nearly its entire roster from last season, giving the Eagles continuity that could present an early challenge for a Cincinnati team implementing a new system and integrating several pieces.

The Bearcats have the athleticism, depth, and offensive firepower to control this matchup. However, American’s experience and defensive discipline deserve attention. Cincinnati must establish the tempo, take advantage of its physical tools, and avoid allowing the Eagles to dictate the flow of the game.

American Brings Experience and Continuity to Fifth Third Arena

Unlike many programs that experienced significant roster turnover through the transfer portal, American returns nearly its entire group from the 2025–26 season. That continuity gives the Eagles a valuable advantage, particularly during the opening weeks of the season when many teams still work through rotations, chemistry, and new offensive responsibilities.

American enters the campaign as the preseason favorite to win the Patriot League. The Eagles have legitimate reasons for that recognition, especially with two returning standouts expected to shoulder much of the offensive responsibility.

Their familiarity with one another could make American a difficult opponent to put away. The Eagles already understand their teammates’ tendencies, know where they want the ball, and have experience executing their system together. Against a Cincinnati team looking to establish a new identity under Calhoun, that familiarity could help American settle into the game early.

Expect the Eagles to emphasize discipline, ball security, and deliberate offensive possessions. Rather than getting caught in a track meet against a more athletic opponent, American will likely look to limit turnovers, control the pace, and make Cincinnati execute in the half court.

Madden Collins Leads the Offensive Attack

Madden Collins | Sophomore Guard

American’s offensive outlook begins with sophomore guard Madden Collins, who emerged as one of the program’s most productive players during his freshman season. The 6-foot-6 guard earned Patriot League All-Third Team and All-Rookie honors while taking home AU Athletics Men’s Newcomer of the Year recognition.

Collins averaged 13.4 points and 1.3 steals per game during the 2025–26 campaign while shooting an impressive 50.8% from the field. Those numbers reflect a player who already understands how to make an impact without relying on excessive possessions or difficult shots.

His combination of size, strength, and efficiency makes him an interesting matchup for Cincinnati’s perimeter defenders. Collins plays with the physicality of a bigger guard, allowing him to attack smaller defenders, finish through contact, and create opportunities around the basket.

The Bearcats must account for Collins whenever he touches the ball. Allowing him to establish an offensive rhythm could give American the confidence to hang around, especially if Cincinnati struggles to generate consistent stops early.

Greg Jones Anchors Both Ends of the Floor

Greg Jones | Senior Forward

While Collins provides much of the offensive production, senior forward Greg Jones gives American an experienced presence capable of influencing the game on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-6 forward enters the season with a reputation as one of the Patriot League’s premier defenders and earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year recognition.

Jones has twice earned Patriot League All-Defensive Team honors, establishing himself as a reliable option against opposing perimeter threats. His defensive versatility allows American to assign him difficult matchups while maintaining flexibility across the rest of its lineup.

Jones also contributes offensively. He averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal per game last season while converting 80.7% of his free throws. His ability to contribute beyond scoring makes him an important piece of the Eagles’ overall structure.

Cincinnati should expect Jones to take on a significant defensive assignment. His length and physicality could challenge the Bearcats’ guards and wings, particularly if American manages to slow the game down and force more individual matchups. The Bearcats must make him defend multiple actions, move laterally, and work through constant offensive pressure rather than allowing him to settle into comfortable defensive possessions.

Cincinnati Must Dictate the Tempo

Cincinnati has a clear athletic advantage entering Monday’s matchup, but the Bearcats must turn that advantage into a consistent offensive weapon. Calhoun’s exhibition run offered an encouraging glimpse of what this roster can accomplish when the team plays with pace, attacks the basket, and uses its depth to keep opponents under pressure.

The Bearcats cannot afford to let American dictate the terms of the matchup. The Eagles have the experience and familiarity to make possessions difficult if Cincinnati allows the game to become a slower, half-court battle. Instead, the Bearcats need to push the ball after rebounds, attack before American can establish its defensive positioning, and look for opportunities to create easy points in transition.

Cincinnati’s depth should also play a significant role. Consistent pressure can force American to defend for longer stretches, rotate across the floor, and expend energy chasing the ball. The Bearcats should look to create movement through dribble penetration, quick ball reversals, and drive-and-kick opportunities that force the Eagles to make difficult defensive decisions.

Moving the ball from one side of the floor to the other will be particularly important. American’s defenders cannot comfortably load up on Cincinnati’s primary scorers if the Bearcats consistently create advantages and find open shooters. The more Cincinnati forces the defense to rotate, the more opportunities should emerge around the perimeter and near the basket.

Defensively, the Bearcats must make American uncomfortable. Disrupting Collins’ rhythm, challenging Jones’ offensive opportunities, and limiting clean looks from the perimeter will go a long way toward preventing the Eagles from controlling the game.

The Road to March Starts Monday

Monday’s opener represents the first opportunity for Cincinnati to show what the 2026–27 roster can accomplish. The Bearcats enter the season with legitimate expectations, a new offensive identity under Calhoun, and the personnel to make noise throughout the college basketball landscape.

American presents an interesting opening challenge because the Eagles bring experience, continuity, and two established leaders. Cincinnati cannot overlook those strengths, particularly against a team that will enter the matchup confident in its ability to compete.

However, the matchup favors the Bearcats when they play to their strengths. Cincinnati possesses the athleticism and roster depth to overwhelm American, provided the team establishes its tempo and maintains offensive discipline. A strong defensive effort combined with aggressive transition play should create the separation Cincinnati needs.

The journey toward March begins Monday at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats have spent the offseason building toward this moment. Now, they have an opportunity to turn preseason expectations into results and begin the new campaign with a statement.