Memphis vs Cincinnati: 2019-20 key storylines for return game at Bearcats

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 18: Jarron Cumberland #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats drives against Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half of the game at Fifth Third Arena on December 18, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Major Bubble Implications

Cincinnati and Memphis both sit as members of the First Four Out on bracketmatrix.com and their projected field making this such a crucial game. Busting Brackets own Lukas Harkins has Cincinnati as a 12 seed and Memphis on the outside looking in his latest field.

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A win for Memphis would give them a season sweep over Cincinnati and would really hurt the Bearcat’s chances of an at large bid with nine losses and a trip to Houston still to come. Cincinnati needs to get back on track, a defeat here makes things really difficult with only two more chances to pick up quality wins.

The bad losses that Cincinnati suffered at the beginning of the season may haunt the Bearcats as we get closer to selection Sunday. Defeats to Colgate, Bowling Green and Tulane are going to be hard to look past as the selection committee compares resumes for the last few at large spots.

Memphis have been riddled with injuries and the departure of James Wiseman, those are likely factors that the committee may take into account when seeing if the Tigers are to get an at large bid. They need a few more quality wins and are also in a spot where dropping two straight will set them back.