The Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball program is experiencing significant upheaval with star center Moustapha Thiam's decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. This departure comes on the heels of a coaching transition, as former head coach Wes Miller was replaced by Jerrod Calhoun from Utah State.
Thiam, a 7-foot-2 athlete, spent only one season with Cincinnati after transferring from UCF. Despite the team's challenging 18-15 record and failure to reach the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year, Thiam was a pivotal player. He was the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 12.8 points per game, and also contributed 7.1 rebounds per game. His defensive prowess was particularly notable, with an average of 1.6 blocks per game, earning him a top-10 defensive rating in the Big 12 conference.
The change in leadership has triggered a wave of player movements, impacting the Bearcats' roster considerably. Besides Thiam, freshmen Shon Abaev and Keyshaun Tillery have also announced their intentions to transfer. With other players graduating or considering the transfer portal, the team could potentially lose eight of its top nine players from the previous season. The NCAA Transfer Portal, which opened on April 7 and closes on April 21, allows athletes a 15-day window to declare their transfer intentions, although they are not required to commit to a new school by this deadline. Sencire Harris is currently the only other rotation player expected to return for the upcoming season.
This period of transition, though challenging, offers a fresh start for the Cincinnati Bearcats. It's an opportunity to build a new team dynamic under Coach Calhoun, fostering new talent and strategies. While losing key players is difficult, it also paves the way for emerging athletes to step up and contribute to the team's future success, embodying the spirit of resilience and growth in collegiate sports.
