SAT · 8:00pm
Cincinnati Bearcats Mens Basketball vs. Xavier Musketeers Men's Basketball
Fifth Third Arena At Shoemaker Center
FRI · 6:30pm
Cincinnati Bearcats Women's Basketball vs. Ball State University Cardinals Womens Basketball
Friday, December 4 at Fifth Third Arena At Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati
About this event
The Cincinnati Bearcats women's basketball team opens its 2026-27 home schedule against East Texas A&M at Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus. The game also pairs head coach Katrina Merriweather with a former teammate on the other bench. It is the first game of a season-opening homestand.
Who's playing
Cincinnati plays in the Big 12 under Katrina Merriweather. She is a former Bearcats captain who returned to lead the program in 2023. East Texas A&M is coached by Valerie King, who played at Cincinnati with Merriweather and graduated in 2004. The Lions come to town as the visitors.
What to expect
This is a season-opening non-conference game in Fifth Third Arena, the Bearcats' home court, which seats about 12,000. Merriweather's teams have been building in the Big 12. The program had its first winning season in several years in 2024-25 and beat No. 11 Iowa State the following season. An early-season home game like this gives a first look at the new roster.
Why go
The King and Merriweather story gives the matchup some personal interest beyond the opener. It also starts a homestand that continues with Penn State and Saint Joseph's. For a Cincinnati college basketball night, it is a good place to see the women's program at the start of its season.
No refunds. No exchanges. Event date and time subject to change. All persons ages 4 and up must have a ticket for admission. The University of Cincinnati campus is tobacco, smoke and vape free. Fifth Third Arena follows a clear bag policy. For more information, visit GoBearcats.com. Fifth Third Arena has a no re-entry policy.
Where
Fifth Third Arena At Shoemaker Center · 2700 O'Varsity Way · Cincinnati OHDirections
WED · 7:00pm
Cincinnati Bearcats Mens Basketball vs. Monmouth Hawks Men's Basketball
Fifth Third Arena At Shoemaker Center
WED · 11:00am
Cincinnati Bearcats Women's Basketball vs. Bellarmine University Knights Womens Basketball
Fifth Third Arena At Shoemaker Center
WED · 12:00pm
Cincinnati Bearcats Women's Volleyball vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Womens Volleyball
Fifth Third Arena At Shoemaker Center