Bearcats Win AAC Title Outright, #8 in AP Poll

From The Bottom

On Sunday, February 18^{th –} UC hosted new conference rival Wichita State.

It was one of the biggest match-ups, not only for UC, but one of the biggest match-ups of the week; #5 in the Nation vs #19 in the Nation.

It was an absolute heartbreaker… with the Shockers ending the Bearcats’ 39-game winning streak at home. Worse on the week – with this handing them back to back losses as they fell to Houston the Thursday before.

I tried to stay hopeful, but I had my doubts/concerns whispered back to me tenfold by the masses of doubters and naysayers.

“UC couldn’t finish the job.”

“UC can’t beat a ranked team.”

“UC is just headed for another second round exit in the tourney.”

We heard and endured it all…

On The Rise

Flash forward two weeks…

Gameday. ?⚫? #BeatWichita #DontSleepOnCincinnati pic.twitter.com/65PwsEONG2

— Cincinnati Problems (@CincyProblems) March 4, 2018

UC is heading to Wichita – where only TWO opponents had won in the last 5 years.

Add the spiciness that Wichita is now the #11 team in the country, playing on their senior day, and the obviously the Bearcats were underdogs in this one.

But they did it. They beat Wichita in a nail-biting, heart-wrenching, lung-puncturing, hair-loss-inducing game 62-61.

TFW you capture an outright conference title! #Bearcats ?: @kellyross2

A post shared by Cincinnati Men's Basketball (@gobearcatsmbb) on Mar 4, 2018 at 12:11pm PST

Cincinnati was just ranked #8 in the AP Poll, which means they have been ranked in every single AP poll this year.

The first time that’s happened under Cronin and the first time for Cincinnati since the 2003-2004 season.

Your Cincinnati Bearcats move up to #8 in the AP Top 25 Poll! ??⚫? #BearcatNation #DontSleepOnCincinnati pic.twitter.com/t50E8zgAjz

— Cincinnati Problems (@CincyProblems) March 5, 2018

The emergence of guard play is what I’ll attribute Cincinnati’s late season success – as Jarron Cumberland, Cane Broome, and Jacob Evans are playing the best ball they have all year (especially Cane). Pair that trio with Kyle Washington, a sturdy deep bench, and of course the Problem himself Gary Clark, and when we’re on.. we’re scary good.

Onto The Next

This team knows how to win games.

Everybody buckle up, because March is upon us and with it comes the Madness. No doubt the Cincinnati Bearcats have their eyes set on San Antonio.

Next up – we have the American Tournament down in Orlando. On Friday at Noon, #1 UC plays the winner of #9 SMU v #8 UConn. Until then, pour yourself another glass of scotch and enjoy the conference regular season championship!