Ibrahima Thomas News

Lance Stephenson had 19 points and five assists as 25th-ranked Cincinnati clubbed Lipscomb, 80-52, at Fifth Third Arena.

Bragging rights and more are on the line Sunday night when No. 19 Cincinnati travels to Xavier for this season's installment of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout.

The timing couldn't be better for Ibrahima Thomas. The 6-foot-11, 238-pound junior transfer from Oklahoma State, who has been waiting for a year to play for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, makes his UC debut Sunday night against Xavier in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout at Cintas Center.

The No. 19 Cincinnati Bearcats v. Xavier Muskateers in the Crosstown Shootout, December 13, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. The No.

University of Cincinnati basketball coach Mick Cronin was confident from the moment he signed Lance Stephenson on June 30 that the highly-rated freshman would be cleared to play by the NCAA, even as many around college basketball doubted that he would.

After two-plus weeks of practice, University of Cincinnati basketball coach Mick Cronin is confident that his team will have a lot more offensive firepower than it's had in his previous three years.

Among the many difficult aspects of coaching the University of Cincinnati basketball program for the past three years for Mick Cronin was trying to figure out how to walk that fine line between tempering fans' expectations because of the rebuilding situation and providing them with enough hope to stay interested.

Coach: Mick Cronin . Last season's record: 18-14 overall, 8-10 in Big East . Postseason: None.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, While most of the Pre Season NCAA basketball polls have again predicted great seasons for Kansas, UNC, Texas, or Michigan State, there are always a few teams who fly below the radar and make a deep run into March Madness.

After a one-year absence, it appears Miami University will be back on the University of Cincinnati basketball schedule in 2009-10. "We're working on the date," UC coach Mick Cronin said Friday.