Women's Hoops Opens Cal Classic with Cincinnati
11/27/2014 3:33:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. - The Creighton women's basketball team will celebrate Thanksgiving in the Bay Area as the Bluejays battle Cincinnati in the first round of the Cal Classic on Friday, Nov. 28 at 9:30 pm (CT).
11/29: - Creighton vs. #14 California or San Jose State - TBA(CT)
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Creighton vs. Cincinnati:
Creighton and Cincinnati have not met prior to Friday's contest.
Creighton vs. San Jose State:
Creighton and San Jose State have never met before.
Creighton vs. #14 California:
Creighton and Caliornia met once, a victory for the Golden Bears in the 1987 WNIT tournament. Cal won the matchup, 86-82, on March 20, 1987.
About Cincinnati
- Located in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Known as the Bearcats, Cincinnati was founded in 1819 and has an enrollment of 42,656.
- The Bearcats finished 2013-14 with a perfect 13-18 record and a 5-13 mark in the AAC.
- Cincinnati returns eight letter winners from last season, including two starters (Chelsea Jamison and Jasmine Whitfield).
Cincinnati Head Coach: Jamelle Elliott, Sixth Season (Connecticut, 1996)
- Elliott has a career record of 62-90, all at Cincinnati.
- She led the Bearcats to their first postseason berth since 2005-06 as Cincinnati played in the WNIT in 2011-12.
- Elliott spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Connecticut before taking over at Cincinnati in prior to the 2009-10 season.
- Elliott played for UConn when the Huskies won their first National Title in 1995, playing alongside Rebecca Lobo.
Scouting Cincinnati (1-2)
Cincinnati enters the Cal Classic after dropping back-to-back losses to Iowa State
(L, 85-54 on Nov. 23) and Tennessee-Martin (L, 62-61 on Nov. 19).
The Bearcats opened their season with a 73-57 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 15 at home.
Cincinnati has a strong starting group led by Jasmine Whitfield (16.0 ppg) and Marley Hill (14.7 ppg). Off the bench the Bearcats have another player averaging double-figures as Makenzie Cann has scored 31 points (10.3 ppg) in three contests.
While offense hasn't been an issue for Cincinnati in the early going, defense has been an issue. The Bearcats gave up 85 points to Iowa State on Sunday and are averaging 68.0 points allowed.
Cincy has also had trouble taking care of basketball, averaging 16 turnovers per game.
Second Opponent in Cal Classic To Be Determined
The Bluejays know they'll face Cincinnati on Friday, Nov. 28. The opponent for Saturday, however, will depend upon Friday's outcome.
If Creighton defeats Cincinnati the Bluejays will face the winner of San Jose State vs. #14 California at 9:30 pm (CT) in the Championship game.
If the Bluejays fall to the Bearcats, Creighton will face the loser of the SJS/#14 Cal game in the Consolation game at 7:00 pm (CT).
Connecticut Connection Continued
Coming off their game at UConn on Sunday, the Bluejays will continue the trend by facing a former Huskie player. Cincinnati's head coach Jamelle Elliott was a member of Connecticut's first national championship team in 1995.
Its a Small World After All
Cincinnati assistant coach Aaron Swinson was the high school coach for Creighton's Alexis Akin-Otiko during her freshman season at Holland Hall Preparatory High School.
Akin-Otiko moved to Nebraska after that season, playing her final three years of high school for Creighton's current assistant Matt Fritsche.
