Takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats basketball season-opening win vs. Illinois-Chicago

The initial path to Big 12 basketball began in somewhat rocky fashion Monday night, but ended in victory as the University of Cincinnati Bearcats downed Illinois-Chicago 69-58.

On a night when the shots weren't falling as smoothly as head coach Wes Miller might like, the Bearcats still made enough to run their record to 29-9 at Fifth Third Arena under their third-year coach.

UC had three players in double figures led by new junior point guard Day Day Thomas with 15. Sophomore Dan Skillings Jr. had 13 and C.J. Fredrick 11 in his first game as a Bearcat, all in the first half.

UC shot 41.8% from the field, but only 20% on three-pointers going 5-for-25. The Bearcats outrebounded the Flames 39-36.

"You go 5-for-25 from three, and you still win by double figures, you're pretty dang happy as a coach," Miller said. "We're going to be a good shooting team. I thought there were some really good looks that just didn't go."

Takeaways from opening night

Dazzling debut for Day Day

Playing in his first NCAA Division I game, Thomas led the Bearcats in points (15), assists (3) and steals (3). He was one of the reasons UC led the Flames in points off turnovers 20-2.

The 6-foot point guard also showed some hops on a breakaway dunk.

"I actually was looking at the student section when I dunked the ball," Thomas said. "I was really excited, (I) loved it!"

Euros down

The Dow Jones was up Monday, but UC's European connection had an off night offensively. Combined, Viktor Lakhin (Russia) and Simas Lukošius (Lithuania) were 4-for-19 from the field and the Butler transfer Lukošius only made one of his six three-point tries. Lakhin had seven points but did contribute eight rebounds.

Lukošius got the start and finished with five points. Miller doesn't appear worried.

"We know they're good," Miller said. "Vik's a really good offensive player and Simas is a proven good offensive player in the Big East for two seasons. They're going to be fine. You can see there's some firepower on the floor and it wasn't our best night."

C.J. sinks his opening shots

Just as he has done at Covington Catholic, Iowa and Kentucky, C.J. Fredrick can knock down shots. After UC missed their first six from the perimeter, Fredrick canned his first as a Bearcat midway through the first half and finished the stanza as UC's top scorer with 11.

"Seeing the first one go in is definitely a good feeling," Fredrick said. "I just felt like I was in a good rhythm to get some confidence going early. Most of my family lives in Cincinnati so just having everybody here supporting me was awesome. Especially a 9 o'clock game. The student section was rocking. Shout out to the student section, shout out to our fans. We really leaned on them tonight."

Attendance was listed at 9,936 for the opener. Fredrick didn't start but says he's comfortable doing whatever it takes to help the team win.

"I thought C.J. was great in the first half," Miller said. "Not just making shots, making the right play with the ball. It's not just the shooting, it's the playmaking overall that's really underrated."

Fredrick did roll an ankle in the game but by his own account is fine.

Late night success

UC is 5-0 under Wes Miller in games that start after 9 p.m. When Illinois-Chicago last came to town, the Bearcats were playing their home games downtown at then-Riverfront Coliseum in the early 1980s.

Miller happy for win, unhappy with NCAA

Wes Miller ended his remarks in the press room with a two-plus minute rant on currently ineligible transfers Aziz Bandaogo and Jamille Reynolds. He claims both have met the NCAA guidelines handed down for two-time transfers and it punishes players when they are sidelined.

"It's bittersweet when you win and two kids that deserve to play are sitting in street clothes," Miller said. "I feel like hell. I feel bad for those two kids. Those two dudes deserve to be playing basketball. I cannot see what it serves to keep them from playing basketball. That was a really hard night for those two kids. What point's trying to be made here? Seven guidelines. They meet all seven. I can tell you emphatically, it's seven for seven. I'm trying to hold my tongue while we wait on this appeal, but what are we waiting on?"

Two more this weekend

UC's MTE (Multiple Team Event) is this weekend at Fifth Third Arena. The games are not part of the season-ticket package but prices are lower than most games with fans being given the opportunity to sit in seats that aren't always available. The Bearcats play Detroit Mercy Friday night at 7 p.m., then Eastern Washington Sunday at noon.

The Merriweather matinee

Katrina Merriweather's UC women's team began the season in a 6 p.m. game with No. 17 Louisville prior to the men's game. The Bearcats outscored Louisville in the first and third quarters, but a late second-quarter run gave the Cardinals some separation that they wouldn't relinquish as they won 77-59.

Jillian Hayes led UC with 20 points and nine rebounds.

"The bright spot for me is that she can pull those type of numbers against this quality team in 25 minutes," Merriweather said. "There's no need to play Jill 35-37 minutes a game and run her into the ground."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcat basketball takeaways from win over UIC.