Jerrod Calhoun Builds New Cincinnati Bearcats Roster
The coaching staff finalized a 15-player lineup for the upcoming season, featuring a blend of veteran transfers and young talent.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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Head coach Jerrod Calhoun has completed the assembly of a 15-man roster for the Cincinnati Bearcats, a process that began in April 2026. The team enters the new season looking to integrate experienced transfers with rising talent, including notable newcomers like MJ Collins.
Why it matters
Coaches aim to strike a competitive balance by pairing experienced veteran players with developmental bench talent. This strategy seeks to provide depth throughout the schedule as the team pursues success in a rigorous conference.
The roster features 15 total players, including five seniors. Key newcomer MJ Collins brings experience from Utah State, where he averaged 17.5 points per game and shot 48.7% from the field last season.
The players
Jerrod Calhoun
He serves as the head coach for the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team.
MJ Collins
He is a transfer player who previously started 36 games for Utah State.
Adlan Elamin
He is a player on the Bearcats roster who recently scored 15 points in an exhibition game.
The details
The Bearcats are preparing for their final exhibition game before shifting focus to the regular season opener against American and Green Bay. Recent exhibition performances showed potential, with Adlan Elamin scoring 15 points in a contest last Saturday and MJ Collins contributing 8 points against Illinois.
Timeline
Jerrod Calhoun began building the roster in April 2026.
Adlan Elamin scored 15 points in an exhibition game on October 17, 2026.
Jerrod Calhoun spoke about the team at Big 12 Media Days on October 21, 2026.
The team plays its third exhibition game on October 28, 2026.
The regular season begins against American and Green Bay in November 2026.
Season Trajectory
The team participated in the Big 12 Basketball Media Days to align their roster vision with the high-stakes conference environment. This transition period is critical for establishing team chemistry before the conference schedule tests their depth.
MJ Collins arrives with a proven shooting touch, maintaining a 36.1% average from three-point range last season. His ability to anchor the backcourt rotation will be a primary factor in the team's offensive efficiency throughout the non-conference schedule.
The takeaway
Maintaining a mix of senior leadership and younger prospects is a common strategy to ensure sustained performance over a long college season. Fans can look for these developmental players to see increased usage as the team rounds into form for conference play.
What happens next
The Bearcats play their third and final exhibition game on October 28, 2026, followed by the regular season opener against American and Green Bay in November 2026.
Further reading
Get more updates on the upcoming season in the Cincinnati Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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