Prediction: Alabama St Hornets VS Cincinnati Bearcats 2025-12-17

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Alabama State Hornets: A Statistical Circus with a Side of Three-Pointers

The Cincinnati Bearcats, fresh off the return of their prodigal son Jizzle James, are favored by 21.5 points over the hapless Alabama State Hornets in a matchup that’s as lopsided as a toaster oven trying to deep-fry a turkey. Let’s break down why this game is a statistical snoozer—and why the Bearcats’ home crowd might want to bring folding chairs for the postgame nap.

Parsing the Odds: Why Cincinnati’s Spread is a Math Problem for Alabama State
The Bearcats are priced as a near-lock to win, with decimal odds of 1.02 (implying a 98% implied probability) on several books. For context, Alabama State’s moneyline odds of 16.0 (a 5.6% chance) suggest bookmakers would pay you enough to buy a small island if the Hornets pull off a miracle. And why not? Cincinnati’s 6-1 home record and 26.9 defensive rebounds per game (led by Baba’s 8.3 RPG) make their home court feel like a gravitational trap for opponents.

Alabama State, meanwhile, is a team that shoots like a caffeinated squirrel on a basketball court. They average 8.8 three-pointers per game, but Cincinnati’s defense allows just 7.2. The Hornets’ leading scorer, Asjon Anderson (18.4 PPG), shoots a pedestrian 37.8%, which is about as efficient as a leaky faucet trying to water a garden. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s Day Day Thomas drains 2.7 threes per game—and he’s not even the team’s primary magician.

News Digest: Jizzle James Returns, and Alabama State Brings a Wet Blanket
Jizzle James, Cincinnati’s All-Big 12 honorable mention guard, has returned from a 120-day hiatus due to “personal issues”—a phrase that could mean anything from a solo road trip to a Netflix binge. His stats (10.7 PPG, 3.5 APG) are the Bearcats’ version of a reliable espresso shot: not flashy, but essential to keeping the machine running. Though his participation isn’t guaranteed, his presence in the stands (and 69,000-views-on-TikTok cameo next to teammate Jaylen Haynes) suggests he’s ready to dunk on doubters.

Alabama State, meanwhile, is the team equivalent of a forgotten grocery list. Their 1-6 road record and 21.6 defensive rebounds per game (led by Cameron Palesse’s 3.4 RPG) highlight a program that’s more “float on air” than “fly.” After losing to Missouri 85-77 with Anderson dropping 23 points, the Hornets might as well start planning a postgame team-building retreat at a go-kart track.

Humorously Yours: Puns, Absurdity, and the Three-Point Deluge
Cincinnati’s defense is like a rebound vacuum cleaner—swooshing up 26.9 boards per game while leaving Alabama State’s offense stranded in a desert. The Hornets’ three-point reliance? It’s as if they’re playing a basketball arcade game where every shot is a “Bling Bling” moment—loud, hopeful, and frequently rimmed out.

And let’s not forget the Bearcats’ field goal percentage (41.7%), which is 5.2 points below Alabama State’s 46.9% allowed. It’s the basketball equivalent of showing up to a pizza party with a bag of pretzels—technically edible, but why are you here?

Prediction: A Bearcat Bonfire, Not a Close Game
Cincinnati’s depth, home-court advantage, and James’ potential return make this a laughing matter for the Bearcats. Even if Jizzle sits, the team’s 12.7 PPG leader (last season) and All-Big 12 pedigree should dismantle Alabama State’s three-point hopes like a toddler with a LEGO set.

Final Verdict: Bet on Cincinnati to win by 25+ points, unless Alabama State’s Cameron Palesse invents a time machine to improve his rebounding numbers. Otherwise, this is a game where the only thing louder than the Bearcats’ offense will be the Hornets’ collective crickets.

Tip-off time: 6:00 PM EST. Bring popcorn. And maybe a fire extinguisher. 🏀🔥

Created: Dec. 17, 2025, 11:49 p.m. GMT

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