Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ron Jenkins/AP/Shutterstock (13807295s) Houston forward Jarace Walker (25) goes to the basket as East Carolina center Ludgy Debaut (24) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, in Fort Worth, Texas AAC East Carolina Houston Basketball, Fort Worth, United States – 10 Mar 2023
PREVIEW: Houston Cougars basketball faces off against Cincinnati in AAC Tournament semifinals
FORT WORTH — There are three things that have become guarantees in life: death, taxes, and Houston Cougars basketball meeting Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference tournament.
For the fifth consecutive time dating back to the 2017-18 season, No. 1 Houston and Cincinnati will face off in the AAC Tournament. This season, the two teams will play in the conference tournament semifinals.
Houston and Cincinnati played twice in the regular season. Freshman forward Jarace Walker starred with 21 points and five rebounds in the meeting in Ohio on Jan. 8. In the second game played on Jan. 28, Walker shined again as he scored 25 points and tracked down seven rebounds in the win.
In the second contest between the two teams, Houston won 75-69, but Cincinnati guard Landers Nolley II gave the Cougars a headache. He ended the game with 24 points and six rebounds in the loss.
For Houston, it is coming off a 60-46 victory over East Carolina in the AAC Tournament quarterfinals. Senior guard Marcus Sasser led the way with 30 points.
Despite winning by double-digits, the Cougars were disappointed in their inability to beat East Carolina on the offensive glass. They felt like the Pirates played closer to UH’s culture than UH itself.
As for the Bearcats, they trounced Temple 84-54 to advance. Cincinnati had three different players score 20 or more points. Nolley led the way with 20, senior guard Mika Adams-Woods had 20, and freshman guard Dan Skillings Jr. also had 20 points.
Houston and Cincinnati are scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. The game will air on ESPN2, and the radio call will be on KRPC 950 AM in Houston.