As the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers on Wednesday night, they’ll be without a key part of their rotation. Senior guard Simas Lukosius will be out, according to confirmation from head coach Wes Miller, a major loss for the Bearcats’ offense.
The 6-foot-8 sharpshooter from Kaunas, Lithuania, has made a mark on the Big 12 this season. With his silky stroke and basketball smarts, Lukosius averages 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game and shoots 40% from the field. His loss is a void in the scoring and veteran leadership on the court for Cincinnati.
Luckily, the Bearcats will also get sophomore forward Arrinten Page back, who’s projected to have an increased role after playing only 13 minutes of the last five games. His size and effort in the post may be able to offset some of what they miss with Lukosius absent.
Entering the game at Morgantown, Cincinnati enters as a 2.5-point underdog. With the season coming to a close, each game is crucial—and that includes this one. The Bearcats are desperate to remain relevant in the fight for a tournament bid and need to finish the season strong if they hope to get out of the “Next Four Out” bubble and join the conversation surrounding the NCAA Tournament.
The Bearcats enter the matchup in Morgantown as 2.5-point underdogs against a tough West Virginia squad. With the regular season winding down and March Madness just around the corner, every game carries added pressure. Cincinnati is still fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, currently sitting just outside the projected field. A win on the road would not only boost their confidence but also strengthen their tournament resume. With key players out and others stepping up, this game could prove to be a turning point in their postseason push.
