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GAME NOTES: For the first time since 2001, Cincinnati and Wright State will tangle on the hardwood, as the Bearcats host the Raiders at Fifth Third Arena this evening.

Although these two teams share the same state, and are only separated by 50 miles, this will be just the seventh all-time matchup. The previous six games were played in Cincinnati, and all six have been won by the Bearcats.

The Raiders' season began with an embarrassing, 67-44 setback to Indiana on the road. However, the team rebounded in a huge way, by reeling off three straight victories, two of which came by 20 or more points. Wright State could not continue its impressive run, and instead has taken steps backwards by losing two straight matchups to Richmond (71-61) and most recently Southern Illinois (56-50).

As for the Bearcats, they have been one of the more impressive teams in the nation early in the season and roll into this matchup with a flawless 5-0 mark. Four of the five victories have come at home and outside of the 65-59 decision over IPFW, each win has come by double figures. After this game will be Cincy's first true road test, as the Bearcats travel to Toledo.

The Raiders were ice cold from the start against Southern Illinois, and connected on just three of their 23 attempts in the first half. It did not get much better in the second stanza, as Wright State made only eight of its 28 shots over the final 20 minutes of action. All those numbers add up to a woeful 21.6 shooting percentage, 50 points and most importantly, a loss. N'Gai Evans, who is netting 12.3 ppg, led the way with 11 points, while Vaughn Duggins and Troy Tabler scored 10 points apiece, despite shooting a combined 5-of-22 from the floor. It was clearly both players' worst efforts in this early season, as Duggins is still leading the team with 16.0 ppg, while Tabler is helping out with 12.2 ppg.

Cincy's quick start has plenty to do with the team's play defensively, which could work out well for the Bearcats, who are catching a Wright State squad that is struggling to find consistent production. Through five games the Bearcats are holding opponents to a amazing 48.8 ppg, and has kept them around 34.8 percent shooting on the year. With that type of defensive play, a team can get by with only two players averaging double figures, and that is what Cincy has in Yancy Gates and Dion Dixon. Both players are netting 11.2 ppg, while Gates is also grabbing a team-best 7.8 rpg. However, Gates only finished with five points against Dayton this past weekend. Dixon picked up the slack by registering 20 points. That was almost all Cincy needed considering the Bearcats held the Flyers to just 34 points on 20.0 percent shooting.

This is just bad timing for Wright State. They have never beaten Cincinnati, and now have to travel to Fifth Third Arena, after a terrible outing against Southern Illinois. Look for the Bearcats to play their typical defense, en route to their sixth win.