There’s little in history of the Wright State-Cincinnati series to suggest the Raiders will beat the undefeated, 11th-ranked Bearcats at 4 p.m. Saturday, but there are plenty of reasons for the Raiders to believe they can.

In their last visit to Fifth Third Arena two seasons ago, Wright State led for most of the first half and trailed by only five at halftime before losing 77-69. It was by far the closest game in the series, which UC leads 8-0.

Wright State, which improved to 8-3 by beating Miami 67-59 on Wednesday, continues to defy expectations. An upset in Cincinnati today would just add to that storyline. It’s has four more wins than it did last year at this time, and it has the second-best record in the Horizon League.

“Every team is different,” Wright State coach Billy Donlon said. “I believe our guys have confidence. I know for the returning juniors, this is the third time we’ve played Cincinnati. I would hope we don’t have to sell them on, ‘We can win the game.’”

This will be the second season in a row Cincinnati has played Wright State days after playing its crosstown rival Xavier. The Bearcats lost 76-53 to Xavier last season in the infamous brawl game and then beat up on the Raiders four days later 78-58 at the Nutter Center, hitting 14 3-pointers.

Cincinnati beat Xavier 60-45 Wednesday to improve to 11-0. The Bearcats’ starting guards — Sean Kilpatrick, Cashmere Wright and JaQuon Parker — combined for 51 points.

Donlon doubts it will be any advantage for his team facing the Bearcats three days after an emotional win.

“There may be a time or a season where that’s true, but I think this Cincinnati team is on a mission,” Donlon said. “Their older guys, Kilpatrick and Wright, they’re on a mission. I don’t think they’re into who their next opponent is as much as they are into, ‘What is their mission.’ They’ll have their A game.”

Wright State has won three games in a row and four of its last five by playing consistently strong defense. In those four wins, it has held two opponents to 59 points and two to 57.

To beat the Bearcats, they’ll have to do a better job of handling the pressure defense. The Raiders had 19 turnovers against Miami, one short of matching a season high.

Cincinnati averages 80.9 points per game, 14th in the country, and forces 17 turnovers per game.

Even if the Raiders don’t win Saturday, it’ll be a valuable lesson for the team.

“I think it’s important to play these type of teams,” Donlon said. “We have a young team. Our guys need to see how good the elite teams are. We’ve played some quality people, but we certainly haven’t played a top-11 team in the country on their home floor. Our guys need to see what it takes in all facets: their physical strength, the difference in bodies, which is a big thing. I do think our guys will go there and compete very well. We’ll have a chance.”