NCAA Basketball: Top 16 breakdown, belief in Maryland, and more weekly takeaways
By Brian Rauf
6) Cincinnati is playing themselves into the tournament
As Florida slides down to the bubble, Cincinnati is rising there thanks to a five-game win streak that includes victories at home over Houston and on the road over Wichita State in their last two outings.
Less than a month ago, the Bearcats were a mediocre 10-7 team with as many Quad 1-2 wins (three) as Quad 3 losses. Their tournament hopes seemed lost. Yet they have picked up three Quad 2 wins and their only Quad 1 win during this stretch to put them right back in the mix.
So, what changed for the Bearcats?
They’ve started to figure things out offensively, scoring at least 80 points three times in their last five games (they had only scored 80 on four previous occasions, all of which were against mid-major teams). Jarron Cumberland has been the driving force behind that. He has more like the reigning AAC Player of the Year of late, averaging 22.8 points per game over the last four games.
Earlier this season, he seemed disinterested.
So, uhhhh ... that's one way to lose. 😬
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 15, 2019
Cincinnati's Jarron Cumberland jacks up a half-court shot with four seconds remaining and then the Bearcats send Colgate to the line for the eventual game-winning free throws.
Yiiiikes.pic.twitter.com/q8aNcFgiB2
Now, though, he’s back to being a consistent go-to scorer for Cincinnati, and the Bearcats are reaping the benefits.
Big time players make big time plays. Cincinnati’s Jarron Cumberland wills his team to a 80-79 win over Wichita State. HUGE win for the Bearcats’ tournament hopes.
— CollegeBB News (@CollegeBBNCAA) February 7, 2020
pic.twitter.com/NraCPJRIy1
If they can hold serve the rest of the way (KenPom projects a 6-2 finish for them), they’ll return to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th straight year.