UC basketball teams head to Big 12 Media Days. Football looks ahead to Baylor.

The public dribbling of NCAA Wilson basketballs has arrived and this week the University of Cincinnati men's and women's teams will be at Kansas City's T-Mobile Center for Big 12 Media Days. The Enquirer will be in attendance.

Here is a brief rundown of what to expect this week and in the coming month for the Bearcats of Wes Miller and Katrina Merriweather. The Big 12 women's teams are featured Tuesday, with the men appearing Wednesday.

Wes Miller's Big 12 Bearcats

In addition to Miller, which players will attend?

Viktor Lakhin – The 6-foot-11 redshirt junior averaged 11.6 points per game with a team-leading 7.1 rebounds per game. He started 32 of the 33 games he played and shot 61.7% from the field (15th in the NCAA).

John Newman III – The 6-5 wing is a graduate student who earned a medical hardship after appearing in only one game a year ago. In Miller's first UC season, he started 31 of 32 games averaging 6.9 points per game and 4.2 rebounds.

Ody Oguama – Voted UC's team Defensive Player of the Year, the 6-9 Oguama started 21 of 36 games last season, joining the lineup in January. The graduate student averaged 5.5 points per game and 5.4 rebounds, shooting 57.6% from the field.

How can I watch?

The festivities are on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Wes Miller is scheduled to be on set from 10:17-10:24 Wednesday morning (Eastern), followed by Viktor Lakhin from 10:25-30. Miller will be in front of the media for a press conference from 10:25-10:35. Players from the morning session teams will be available from 12:30-1. Follow @sspringersports on X/Twitter for updates and Cincinnati.com.

Men's preseason honors?

UC was not represented on the All-Big 12 Team nor given any honorable mention individual votes. The Bearcats are picked to finish 11th of the 14 teams. Kansas is the preseason favorite, followed by Houston. Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, a 7-2 center now at Kansas, is picked as Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

When do the men tip off?

The first game is Nov. 6 against Illinois-Chicago at 9 p.m. It is the nightcap of a doubleheader with the UC women's team which will play Louisville at 6 p.m. UC's first Big 12 game is at BYU Jan. 6 with the first Big 12 game at Fifth Third Arena against Texas Jan. 9.

Secret scrimmage

The NCAA allows teams to schedule closed scrimmages to test the competitiveness of their squads, as long as details remain private. UC scrimmaged Maryland on Sunday and lost 74-70. Butler transfer Simas Lukošius led UC with 14 points with Dan Skillings Jr. adding 12 based on available information. Transfers Aziz Bandaogo and Jamille Reynolds did not play as they still await an NCAA ruling on their eligibility.

Katrina Merriweather's team

Who joins Coach Merriweather in KC?

Jillian Hayes – The 6-1 senior led the Bearcats in scoring at 12.8 points per game and in rebounding with 8.6 per game. She also topped the team in steals with 49 and was second in blocks with 39.

Braylyn Milton – The 5-11 junior guard was second on the team in assists with 68 and averaged 4.2 points per game.

Mya Jackson – The 5-7 guard was second on the team in scoring at 11 points per game and led in assists with 76. She was also tops in free throw percentage (81.7) and three-point percentage (32.3).

TV times

Head coach Katrina Merriweather will be on the Big 12 Now ESPN+ set from 10:31-10:36 (Eastern) Tuesday morning. Jillian Hayes follows between 10:38-10:43. Merriweather, Hayes, Milton and Jackson have a Q & A session with the media between 10:45-10:55.

Women's preseason honors?

The Bearcat women were shut out of individual honors like the UC men. The Preseason Player of the Year is Rori Harmon of Texas and the Preseason Newcomer of the Year is Jada Waller of Baylor. The Bearcats are picked No. 13 of the 14 Big 12 teams. Texas is the favorite, followed by Baylor.

When do the women tip off?

The season opener is the front end of a doubleheader with the men with Merriweather's squad facing Louisville Monday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m Their Big 12 opener is Saturday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. vs. Kansas State.

UC football's next attempt at a Big 12 win

At 2-4 (0-3 Big 12) Scott Satterfield's Bearcats have another 12 noon tip on Saturday against Baylor on Big 12 Now ESPN+.

Baylor is also 2-4 but does own a Big 12 win over UCF. The Bears had a bye this past weekend.

Reason for optimism?

UC should be as hungry as anyone after a disappointing performance on homecoming. Plus, it would seem to be a "must-win" if they're holding out hope for a bowl opportunity. Baylor has scored 30 or more points three times this season but scored only 33 total points in their other three games. Baylor AD Mack Rhoades voiced his displeasure on a show called 365 Sports.

Speaking on Baylor's struggle to run the ball, Rhoades said, "Quite frankly, we need to make some changes, particularly on the offensive side of the ball."

Reason for pessimism?

Baylor most recently lost to Texas Tech Oct. 7 at home, 39-14. In their Big 12 win at UCF, they were down 35-7 in the third quarter and beat the Knights 36-35 in the "Bounce House" in Orlando.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC basketball teams in Kansas City. UC football vs. Baylor Saturday.