Cincinnati opens Baha Mar Summer League run with dominant 110-63 win over Victoria (Canada)

Cincinnati began its Baha Mar Summer League schedule in Nassau the way many teams hope to start these late-summer tuneups, with a decisive defensive-and-offensive jump that never let Victoria (Canada) get comfortable. The Bearcats rolled to a 110-63 victory, a 47-point margin that set an early tone for their month-long evaluation window.

It was the first public appearance of the Jerrod Calhoun version of Cincinnati basketball, according to Yahoo Sports’ account of the game. Calhoun’s group got scoring contributions throughout the lineup, with seven players finishing in double figures. That spread matters in summer settings because it gives a coach a clearer picture of how multiple lineups create shots and sustain possessions when rhythm changes from run to run.

A pair of Utah State transfers helped lead the way. MJ Collins scored 15 points and added four assists, giving Cincinnati a productive ball-handling and creation presence against Victoria. The fact that the assists came alongside a modest scoring total also suggests the Bearcats were not simply leaning on one or two scorers to carry the load.

Adlan Elamin provided the outside punch. The report says Elamin made four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points while also leading Cincinnati as the top rebounder with eight. That combination, perimeter shooting paired with active rebounding, is often the kind of two-way role players are asked to establish early in nonconference exhibition stretches.

Beyond the individual stat lines, the broader shape of the game pointed to Cincinnati’s ability to turn solid shot-making into run prevention. A 110-point output, coupled with a large margin, generally indicates the Bearcats were able to control both pace and shot quality, forcing Victoria into difficult possessions and limiting clean looks over the course of the contest.

The results in a summer league do not map perfectly onto the fall, but they do provide a snapshot of fit. For Cincinnati, the early question is how quickly new personnel and new coaching priorities translate into consistent spacing, decision-making, and transition execution against international and non-league competition.

Next for the Bearcats is to see whether the offensive distribution and role clarity from this opener hold up in subsequent games of the Baha Mar Summer League. If Cincinnati can continue getting multiple contributors into double figures while maintaining rebound activity from wings or guards, it would be a strong sign that the early work is sticking.

As always, summer box scores are only one part of the evaluation. This story should be read as a first-week indicator, not a projection of the regular-season rotation, especially because opponents in these events often differ in style, size, and defensive structure from what the Bearcats will face in the Big 12. Still, Cincinnati’s 110-63 statement win provides a clear starting point for what Calhoun’s group wants to emphasize.