Bearcat Player Power Rankings: Week 10

This is pretty great, huh? After swallowing the bitter pill of a losing season from the football team, its refreshing, even invigorating, to have a team that is just winning left and right. The Cincinnati Bearcats are 16-2, a perfect 6-0 in American Athletic Conference play and riding a nine-game winning streak. So we can say that one thing has been consistent; UC just wins. However, the makeup of each victory has obviously been different game to game and that means different player’s stocks are rising and others are falling, but its mostly the rising variety. Take a look.

13. John Koz (LW 13)

Its a baker’s dozen for Koz again as he did not play against East Carolina or Temple.

12. Jackson Bart (LW 12)

Tom Brady is No. 12. Jackson Bart is also No. 12.

11. Zack Tobler (LW 11)

No #ToblerTime this week unfortunately.

10. Quadri Moore (LW 10)

In all of five minutes against ECU, Moore snagged a single steal but did little else. He did not get on the court against Temple.

9. Justin Jenifer (LW 8)

Jenifer’s playing time is headed in the wrong direction. He is averaging only 6.3 minutes per game over the last three contests. He did get in for 11 minutes against ECU, but only recorded two points on the stat sheet. He also made little impact on the box score against Temple.

8. Tre Scott (LW 7)

Like Jenifer, Scott isn’t getting the same workload in conference play as he did in non-league action. In a total of 13 minutes combined against ECU and Temple, the freshman tallied two points, four rebounds and an assist, while turning the ball over three times.

7. Nysier Brooks (LW 9)

A few weeks ago it appeared that Scott was the freshman big man du jour, but Brooks has made his case the last two games. He played 13 and nine minutes, respectively, against ECU and Temple and his ability to protect the rim was on full display. He rejected five shots (to go with four rebounds and two points) against the Pirates and also blocked two attempts from the Owls.

6. Jarron Cumberland (LW 6)

As the sixth man off the bench, this is a fitting spot for Cumberland. During the last two games, Cumberland was the only non-starter to average more than 15 minutes per game. In fact, he surpassed the 20-minute mark. However, his shooting splits (.182/.167/.800), outside of the free throw line, were weak as were his counting stats. If he will be eating up as much time on the court as he has been, he’ll need to bounce back.

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5. Jacob Evans (LW 5)

Evans also remains where he was even if he didn’t play poorly this past week. His best effort of the week came against Temple, as he netted 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while tallying four rebounds and three assists as well. Those 15 points were his largest point total since Dec. 22 when he poured in 25 against Marshall.

4. Kevin Johnson (LW 4)

The difference between KJ and Evans was the slimmest in this week’s rankings, but Johnson’s three-point shooting and strong defense gave him a slight edge over the sophomore. Johnson splashed 3-of-5 three point attempts to finish with 16 points in the win over Temple and also had four assists in the contest, his second-straight game with as many dimes. He also stole the ball three times against ECU, but his strong showing against Temple is really what earned him another week at No. 4.

3. Gary Clark (LW 2)

Even if he deserves it, Clark often shies from the spotlight while still being the motor that pushes the Bearcats onward and upward. The 6’7” forward did not score in double figures in either game this past week, but have no fear, he still put the stat keepers to work. He had nine rebounds to go with eight points against ECU and then flirted with a triple double against Temple (seven points, seven rebounds and eight assists). He has had at least four assists four times this season and at least two in 12 contests. Oh, and did I mention he blocked two shots on Wednesday night?

2. Kyle Washington (LW 3)

Washington could be here on the backs of his ECU game alone. He recorded his first double-double since Dec. 1 last Sunday, tallying 16 points, 11 rebounds, not too mention three blocks. He has scored in double figures in four-straight games, including the 16 he added to the cause against Temple.

1. Troy Caupain (LW 1)

Caupain was solid against ECU (eight points, four rebounds) but was dominant against Temple. UC needed him to be that type of player as the Owls gave the Bearcats some trouble throughout the evening. Caupain answered the call with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. It marked the third time in the last four games in which he has had at least 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. The rest of the AAC better be on notice. #CaupainAmerica is coming for you.