Preview: Wes Miller, Cincinnati Bearcats to 'learn a lot' in Hall of Fame Classic

The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team is off to a hot start.

The Bearcats on Thursday made Wes Miller the first coach to win his first four games at UC since Tay Baker in 1965.

More:What we learned: Abdul Ado throws block party as Cincinnati Bearcats improve to 4-0

Cincinnati boasts home victories over Evansville, Georgia, Alabama A&M and Presbyterian.

But on Monday, the real fun starts.

UC will head to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Hall of Fame Classic. The Bearcats' first test of the two-day event will be No. 10 Illinois (2-1), which will have 7-foot, 285-pound All-American center Kofi Cockburn for the first time this season.

"We'll learn a lot about ourselves when we play against some of the best programs in the country, the best teams in the country this year on a neutral floor," Miller said. "We're all excited for that challenge and that opportunity. But we'll learn a lot."

More:Analysis: Seniors shine, defense dominates as UC secures second-most impressive win

Millers' Bearcats will face either No. 16 Arkansas or Kansas State on Tuesday.

THE GAME

Tipoff: 6:30 p.m. on Monday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.

TV/Radio: ESPNews/WLW-AM (700)

Series info: This is the fifth meeting between Illinois and Cincinnati, with the Illini owning a 3-1 advantage. Illinois has won three straight in the series, including a 67-45 victory over the Bearcats in the last meeting on Dec. 31, 2004, in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic.

SCOUTING REPORT

Cincinnati (4-0)

Coach: Wes Miller, first season (4-0)

Offense: 75.7 ppg

Defense: 59 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

David DeJulius (G, 6’, 11.3 ppg)

Mika Adams-Woods (G, 6’3”, 4.3 apg)

John Newman III (G, 6’5”, 6.5 ppg)

Jeremiah Davenport (G, 6'7", 12.5 ppg)

Abdul Ado (F, 6’11”, 1.8 bpg)

Illinois (2-1)

Coach: Brad Underwood, fifth season (73-57)

Offense: 76.3 ppg

Defense: 55.7 ppg

Projected lineup

Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)

Andre Curbelo (G, 6'1', 9.5 ppg)

Trent Frazier (G, 6'2", 17.5 ppg)

Jacob Grandison (G/F, 6'6", 15 ppg)

Coleman Hawkins (F, 6'10", 14.3 ppg)

Kofi Cockburn (C, 7', season debut)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Abdul Ado

The 6-foot-11, 255-pound Mississippi State transfer is healthy and is slowly getting used to Miller's system. Ado had a breakout game for the Bearcats on Thursday, posting five blocks and a pair of steals in a dominant 79-45 win over Presbyterian.

Kofi Cockburn

The 2021-22 Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year was a first-team All-Big Ten honoree last season after being the only player in the country to average at least 15 points and nine rebounds while shooting at least 60% from the field.

Cockburn will make his season debut against the Bearcats after being suspended for the first three games of the season for selling institutionally issued apparel and memorabilia in June.

KEY TO THE GAME

Make it tough for Cockburn

Cockburn is a load inside. But between Ado, Hayden Koval, Viktor Lakhin and even Ody Oguama, Cincinnati has the size to make it tough for him. Illinois runs everything through Cockburn. If the Bearcats can slow him down, they'll be able to slow down the Illini.

RANKINGS

KenPom.com: Cincinnati (96);Illinois (6)

RPI: Cincinnati (24); Illinois (31)