UC Bearcats to face off against Gonzaga tonight in finals of Maui Invitational

November 25, 3:21 PMDayton Youth Coaching ExaminerNate Schimmoller

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F Yancy Gates looking old-school Kenyon Martin

AP Photo/Eugene Tanner

The UC Bearcats have beaten back to back ranked teams in Vanderbilt (#24) and Maryland (#22) to advance to the finals of the Maui Invitational against the Gonzaga Bulldogs tonight at 10 PM EST on ESPN. 

Gonzaga coasted to a 13 point win over Wisconsin (74-61) in a game that was never really in doubt.  The Bulldogs were led by G Matt Bouldin's 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists as they extended a lead over a Wisconsin team that struggled to get within 10.

The Bearcats will counter with F Yancy Gates who has averaged just shy of a double-double (13.0 pts/game and 9.0 reb/game) through the first part of the season.

A win by the Bearcats will make a strong statement for vaulting them into the Top 25 rankings.  It will also mark their third consecutive victory over a quality opponent far from their home territory of Southwest Ohio.  UC will also be well-positioned to march right into the regular season schedule with momentum and a preseason title on their resume.

It would also beg the question of who is the best college basketball team in Ohio?  Flyers fans would point to Dayton's performance last year in the tournament and preseason ranking this year.  UC faithful could make the case that they are underrated and ready to blow up.  Ohio State is a perennial Top 25 team.  It's going to be fun to watch, but make no mistake, there is some outstanding basketball being played in the Buckeye State.