In AAC play, the Cincinnati Bearcats will hope to hold off the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and keep putting pressure on the SMU Mustangs at the top of the conference standings.
TV Schedule: Saturday, Feb. 18, 12:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Arena: Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, OH
It’s neck and neck in the AAC as the SMU Mustangs and Cincinnati Bearcats fight for a place at the top of the regular season AAC standings, but, a half-game behind, Cincinnati still has some work to do. The Bearcats’ next match-up is with the sneaky-good Tula Golden Hurricane and could result in a much better game than most of us expect.
Losing their last five games, Tulsa’s hopes at salvaging their season have gone out the window. Sure, this team could make the Big Dance by winning the conference tournament, but the scenario grows more and more unlikely by the minute. The Golden Hurricane’s defense has been strong all season long; it’s their offense that continues to let them down.
Cincinnati has a tough, yet comfortable end to the 2016-17 schedule, as they have already beaten every remaining team on the schedule except the Memphis Tigers, who they have yet to play. Non-conference wins over Iowa State, Rhode Island, and Xavier do not look as good as they did a few months ago, but will nevertheless lead to this team making the Big Dance with ease.
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For Cincinnati to win the AAC regular season title, however, they will have to avoid a loss to Tulsa. Tulsa, who pushed the Bearcats from start to finish in their previous match-up, will feel like they should have won the home game and come into this one confident in their ability to knock off the favored team. Unfortunately for the Golden Hurricane, this is not going to happen. Cincinnati wins easily and goes on to win the AAC regular season title, as well.
Prediction: Cincinnati 66, Tulsa 58