Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Exhibition Recap: Ohio State Comeback, Illinois Test and Oakland Rout Launch a New Era

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Exhibition Recap: Ohio State Comeback, Illinois Test and Oakland Rout Launch a New Era

The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team completed its exhibition schedule with two victories, one defeat and plenty to evaluate before the 2026–27 season. A comeback against Ohio State, a shootout with Illinois and a commanding win over Oakland provided three different perspectives on a team beginning again under head coach Jerrod Calhoun.

Cincinnati defeated Ohio State 79–68 on October 7, fell to Illinois 105–96 on October 17 and closed with a 97–58 victory over Oakland on October 27. The results offered reasons for optimism while showing that offensive production alone will not guarantee success.

For a program introducing a new coach and an almost entirely new roster, October was about establishing working relationships as much as collecting wins. The Bearcats showed encouraging scoring ability, but their next challenge is making their execution dependable on both ends.

Ohio State: Riley and Tejada lead the comeback

Cincinnati opened at the CareSource Invitational, facing Ohio State outdoors at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason. The unusual setting gave the preseason opener a distinctive atmosphere, while the game itself tested the Bearcats’ ability to recover from a difficult start.

Ohio State led 35–30 at halftime, but Cincinnati controlled the second half, outscoring the Buckeyes 49–33 to secure an 11-point victory. The Bearcats also finished with a 45–35 rebounding advantage.

Tylen Riley scored 23 points, including 18 after halftime. Tyler Tejada delivered 17 points, with 15 coming in the final 20 minutes. Riley also converted 10 of 12 free throws during the second half, helping Cincinnati turn scoring opportunities into points when the game was being decided.

The comeback offered an early indication of how important those two veterans could become. Riley supplied scoring and pressure, while Tejada gave Cincinnati another player capable of changing the direction of a game.

There were imperfections. Cincinnati made only four of 19 three-point attempts and finished 19 of 32 at the free-throw line. Winning despite those numbers was encouraging, but the missed opportunities identified an immediate area for improvement.

For Calhoun, the value extended beyond beating an in-state opponent. His team experienced a halftime deficit, found more productive offense and finished with control. That sequence gave the Bearcats a useful example of how persistence can translate into results.

Illinois: Offensive promise meets a defensive challenge

The October 17 matchup at Fifth Third Arena produced Cincinnati’s most demanding exhibition test. Illinois left with a 105–96 victory, exposing defensive concerns even as the Bearcats demonstrated considerable scoring ability.

Riley delivered 31 points and 13 assists, adding five rebounds and three steals. Adlan Elamin scored 15, and Tejada contributed 13. Cincinnati shot 48 percent from the field and made 12 three-pointers.

However, Illinois shot 52.9 percent, connected on 14 three-pointers and placed six players in double figures. Andrej Stojakovic led the visitors with 24 points.

Cincinnati remained competitive deep into the second half. Riley’s free throws cut the deficit to two with 9:18 remaining, but Illinois eventually separated. Quentin Coleman scored 10 consecutive Illinois points during a crucial stretch that helped push the advantage to 14.

The lesson was clear: productive offense loses value when opponents repeatedly answer. Cincinnati showed enough scoring to threaten Illinois, but it could not produce the defensive resistance needed to complete another comeback.

That makes communication, containment and disciplined contests important priorities. Those are areas to examine as the staff reviews the performance, rather than assuming every defensive problem can be explained by one statistic.

Riley’s production also established an encouraging standard for leadership. A guard who can score while creating opportunities for teammates gives an offense flexibility. Cincinnati’s challenge is ensuring that such performances receive enough defensive support.

Oakland: Bearcats finish with their strongest result

Cincinnati responded in its October 27 finale by overwhelming Oakland 97–58 at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats scored the opening eight points and never trailed, turning their final rehearsal into a convincing victory.

MJ Collins Jr. led Cincinnati with 22 points, shooting eight of 11 overall and five of seven from three-point range. Myles Colvin added 15 points and six rebounds.

The team’s efficiency was striking: Cincinnati made 39 of 64 field-goal attempts, or 60.9 percent, and 15 of 29 three-pointers, or 51.7 percent. The Bearcats also held advantages of 25–11 in points off turnovers and 46–22 in bench scoring.

Oakland briefly cut the deficit to 14 early in the second half, but Cincinnati quickly restored its cushion and continued extending the lead.

The most useful takeaway was the response after Illinois. Cincinnati established control early and sustained it, while different players supplied the scoring. That distribution suggests possibilities for a rotation that should not depend on one player carrying every night.

What the preseason means for Cincinnati

Calhoun’s first Cincinnati roster includes 14 newcomers, with Grant Darbyshire the lone returning player. The group has no freshmen, giving the Bearcats collegiate experience even as they build familiarity with one another.

That distinction matters. Experience can help players recognize situations, but shared defensive habits and offensive timing still require work. October provided a starting point for evaluating which combinations function best together.

The exhibitions also supplied contrasting benchmarks. Ohio State tested resilience, Illinois exposed the cost of defensive lapses, and Oakland offered an example of sustained offensive efficiency. The goal now is combining the strongest elements into complete performances.

Cincinnati opens the regular season against American on Monday, November 2, at 7 p.m. Eastern at Fifth Third Arena. The exhibition record does not carry into the standings, but the lessons should carry into preparation.

The Bearcats have shown enough to create interest in Calhoun’s first season. Converting that interest into lasting confidence will require better defensive consistency, reliable execution and contributions throughout the rotation once the games begin counting.