Tre Scott and Nysier Brooks are Out Playing Everyone's Expectations

Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati fans were skeptical about this year after they lost two seniors in Gary Clark and Kyle Washington who were nearly impossible to replace. Gary Clark was one of the best players in the country do anything from scoring, defending, blocking shots, and rebounding. Kyle Washington was a threat to score from anywhere on the court and was a dominant offensive player. Their back ups were Tre Scott and Nysier Brooks, two guys who really never got any significant minutes so nobody really ever knew how good they were, but they are proving this year, they are a lot more than just back ups.

Tre Scott has turned into the starting big man for Cincinnati. Scott's minutes have gone way up with the graduation of Washington and Clark, and so has his production. Scott is averaging over 31 minutes a game this year compared to last years 11. Scott is the teams leading rebounder on a team that has absolutely flourished on the boards this year (Cincinnati is top 25 team in the nation in rebound margin). He already has three double-doubles this year and he has turned into a pretty good post defender with the ability to block a shot or two a game. Scott has also improved greatly from the free throw line shooting over 71% this year, compared to his 58% clip from last year. He plays physical, which is typical for a Mick Cronin big man.

Nysier Brooks is also providing some really solid minutes. Brooks is just as intense on the boards as Tre Scott is and he has showed that he is a pretty good post up player as we saw against UCLA. Brooks has recorded two double-doubles this year and has been a pretty good big man in this tough nosed Cincinnati rotation. Brooks has also been a block machine at the rim and has 6-11, 240 pound frame has made it almost impossible for anyone to do anything against him in the post.

Brooks and Scott are leading one of the nations best rebounding teams. Cincinnati came into this year looking like bubble team, but with improved inside play of Brooks and Scott and along with Justin Jenifer who is having his best season as a Bearcat, Cincinnati is surpassing expectations greatly.