Women’s Basketball Preview: East Tennessee State

The 1-0 Cincinnati Bearcats’ women’s basketball team returns to action this Friday night at the Fifth Third Arena against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers.

The game is at 7 PM and can be seen on GoBearcats.com. Better yet, go support your Bearcats in person and check out the upgrades at University’s fantastic home arena.

In their home opener, Cincinnati earned new head coach Michelle Clark-Heard her first win at UC, as the Bearcats posted a 69-48 victory over Austin Peay. The Bearcats employed a multifaceted offensive attack against Austin Peay, which put five different UC players in double figures by the end of the evening.

Similar offensive prowess will be needed against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, who represent the Southern Conference. Last season, the Buccaneers scored an upset victory over the Bearcats 87-77, as ETSU played in front of their home crowd in Johnson City, Tennessee. Last season, ETSU posted a 20 win season and earned a bid to the Women’s NIT.

ETSU returns several of the standouts which helped their beat the Bearcats last season. Foremost among the returning Buccaneers is Raven Dean, a 6’1 senior forward whose size and strength make her an imposing low-post presence. In addition, the Buccaneers boast a cadre of quick guards, which will prove a difficult matchup for Cincinnati’s back court.

Check back with Down the Drive tomorrow evening for a full recap of this early season showdown.