Prediction: NJIT Highlanders VS Cincinnati Bearcats 2025-11-24
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. NJIT Highlanders: A Lopsided Showdown with a Side of Sorrow
The Cincinnati Bearcats (4-1) host the NJIT Highlanders (3-3) on Monday, November 24, 2025, in a matchup that’s as lopsided as a pancake at a buffet. Cincinnati, a 34.5-point favorite, is coming off a humbling 74-64 loss to Louisville—a game where star center Baba Miller exited with a hip injury and the Bearcats’ three-point shooting woes were exposed like a toddler’s tantrum in a library. Meanwhile, NJIT, armed with the defensive efficiency of a sieve and the road prowess of a team that’s 2-2 away from home, is about to learn why they’re ranked 349th in the nation. Let’s break it down.
Parse the Odds: A Statistical Car Wash for Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s dominance starts with their defense, which ranks 2nd nationally in defensive efficiency. They allow a paltry 28.8% shooting from beyond the arc, which is like asking a group of penguins to shoot free throws—uninspiring and ineffective. Conversely, NJIT’s defense is as welcoming as a open buffet for opponents, sitting 349th in defensive efficiency and 257th in defensive rebounding. The Bearcats, meanwhile, average 38 rebounds per game, led by the now-questionable Miller, who’s a rebounding machine (10.0 RPG). Without Miller, Cincinnati’s interior dominance could falter, but their defensive clout remains unshaken.
Offensively, Cincinnati’s struggles are as glaring as a neon sign in a blackout. They shoot 29.4% from three (309th in the nation), with Kerr Kriisa and Shon Abaev combining to shoot 26.5% and 38%, respectively. It’s the basketball equivalent of trying to dunk with one hand tied behind your back. However, Day Day Thomas is a silver lining, nailing 54.2% of his threes—a stat that should be framed and hung in the “How Not to Suck” gallery.
NJIT, on the other hand, shoots 38.7% from the field but is 311th in free-throw attempts per game (25.3), meaning they’re the type of team that thinks “clutch” is a seasoning, not a skill. Their five-player rotation (David Bolden, Ari Fulton, etc.) is decent, but against Cincinnati’s defense? It’s like bringing a spoon to a sword fight.
Digest the News: Injuries, Breakdowns, and a Sprinkle of Drama
Baba Miller’s hip injury is the Bearcats’ version of a plot twist. He exited the Louisville game early, and while coach Wes Miller insists the team can “control” their breakdowns, it’s hard to ignore that Cincinnati’s second-half collapse against Louisville was the result of poor ball control and defensive lapses. Imagine a team that’s “controllable” as a toddler with a Rubik’s Cube—possible, but not pretty.
For NJIT, the silver lining is their ability to spread the wealth, with five players scoring in double digits against Navy. But against Cincinnati’s defense? Expect their offense to dry up faster than a soda left in the sun.
Humorous Spin: Squirrels, Sleepwalkers, and Other Metaphors
Cincinnati’s three-point shooting is like a group of squirrels trying to shoot hoops while riding trampolines—chaotic and unlikely to score. Their defense, however, is a well-oiled machine, the kind that could make a sleepwalker look like a Hall of Famer. NJIT’s defense? It’s the human equivalent of a tissue—soft, ineffective, and destined to be shredded.
As for the Bearcats’ rebounding advantage, it’s like giving a sumo wrestler a wrestling match against a group of kindergartners. The math just doesn’t add up for NJIT.
Prediction: A Foregone Conclusion with a Side of Redemption
Despite Cincinnati’s offensive struggles, their second-ranked defense and NJIT’s porous efficiency make this a mismatch ripe for a blowout. Even without Miller, the Bearcats’ interior dominance and rebounding (38 RPG vs. NJIT’s 25.3 defensive rebounds) should overwhelm the Highlanders.
Final Score Prediction: Cincinnati 78, NJIT 43.
Why: Cincinnati’s defense will stifle NJIT’s offense, and their interior play will dominate the glass. The Bearcats may still choke on three-pointers, but they don’t need to—they’ll win ugly, and that’s the point.
Bet: Cincinnati -34.5 to cover the spread. If you’re feeling spicy, take the Under 141.5—Cincinnati’s defense and NJIT’s offensive ineptitude suggest a low-scoring affair.
In conclusion, this game is less of a contest and more of a masterclass in why rankings matter. Cincinnati’s the professor; NJIT’s the student who forgot to study. Grade: A- for effort, F for execution from the Highlanders.
Created: Nov. 25, 2025, 12:02 a.m. GMT