Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams attends Cincinnati Bearcats basketball tip-off dinner

One of the most-anticipated seasons in recent memory was celebrated Tuesday evening at Fifth Third Arena as the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball program held its Tip-Off dinner to donors and season ticket holders. Proceeds went to UC’s Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) collective, Cincy Reigns. The event was presented by the Herche Family Foundation.

UC head coach Wes Miller helped secure a marquees name for the event as his former coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Roy Williams attended. Williams had 903 wins in his career in 15 seasons at Kansas and 18 at North Carolina. He guided the Jayhawks to a pair of NCAA title game appearances and won three national titles with the Tar Heels in 2005, 2009 and 2017.

His 2005 North Carolina champs included point guard Warren Weston “Wes” Miller.

Mentor Williams chats up Cincinnati Bearcats donors with Wes Miller

No media was permitted at the private fundraiser, but the following events have been confirmed. Before the actual Tip-Off dinner, Williams and Miller met with members of UC’s Flight Club in the Mercedes-Benz Courtside Club. The program involved players in different groups being asked entertaining questions as well as season expectations for the Bearcats.

The main event featured another famous North Carolina Tar Heel, Marty Brennaman, as emcee. Miller made note of the Hall of Fame announcer’s presence just a day after losing a close friend from the Big Red Machine, the Hit King Pete Rose.

Miller and Brennaman talked about their North Carolina connection and the legendary play-by-play man said he was honored to be involved and would help UC whenever he could.

What did Roy Williams say about Cincinnati Bearcats basketball?

According to those present, Williams said he watches every Cincinnati Bearcats game and is very invested.

During his recruiting visit to the Miller household, Williams told the future Bearcats coach that if he wanted to be a coach, North Carolina was the place to be because they would show him the way and connect him for the future.

What did Wes Miller say about his experience with Roy Williams?

Miller said it was tough to be at North Carolina being told he might not play but he bet on himself leaving James Madison to go to a blue-blood as a recruited walk-on.

He then pointed out reserve guard C.J. Anthony as a recruited walk-on who could have gone to a smaller Division I school to start or even finish his career, but Anthony wanted to be a Bearcat.

Tyler McKinley’s injury confirmed

Miller told the audience that freshman forward Tyler McKinley from Winton Woods High School recently had successful knee surgery as The Enquirer reported last week. McKinley is expected to miss the season and was not present at the evening’s festivities.

Wes Miller, Cincinnati Bearcats projected in Top 25

In his preseason “Rothstein 45”, CBS insider Jon Rothstein listed the UC Bearcats at No. 21, just behind No. 19 Ohio State and No. 20 Xavier. The Bearcats will host the Buckeyes in a charity exhibition Oct. 18 at Fifth Third Arena.

In other rankings, ESPN has UC at No. 19, ahead of traditional blue-bloods Kentucky and UCLA. In the Big 12 alone, ESPN has Houston 4th, Baylor 6th, Iowa State 7th and Arizona 9th in addition to the Bearcats at No. 19.

Some Cincinnati Bearcats game times, broadcasts released

The Bearcats have a non-conference game at Georgia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. at McCarnish Pavilion in Atlanta. That game is the same day Cincinnati Bearcats football plays at Kansas State. No kickoff time has been released for the Big 12 football game.

On Monday, Dec. 2, UC’s in Philadelphia for another non-conference game with Villanova that is set for 6:30 p.m. on FS1.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hall of Famer Roy Williams attends Cincinnati Bearcats tip-off dinner