Cincinnati (15-9) (NET: 46)
1-7 (Q1), 6-2 (Q2), 1-0 (Q3), 7-0 (Q4)
The Bearcats boasted a 10-1 record when nonconference play came to an end, though just a few of those wins were of significant value. As members of the Big 12, there are still opportunities here, but they’ll need to play much better basketball than we’ve seen in league play.
What’s unacceptable is that the only Quad 1 win came at UCF just over a week ago, and that alone isn’t getting anyone into this Tournament field. The Bearcats have a flurry of Quad 2 wins, but few will be moved by wins over Arizona State, Colorado, or Georgia Tech.
After that hot start to the season, Cincinnati lost their first four Big 12 games, though all of them were Quad 1 games at the very least. The Quad 2 losses have been more recent, dropping a tough one at Utah before a rough home loss against West Virginia to begin February.
Fortunately the Bearcats have won three straight since dropping that game to the Mountaineers, including a revenge game over Utah this week. The schedule still includes very tough road games at Iowa State and Houston, with the Bearcats needing to make an impression, especially in more winnable contests against Baylor and West Virginia.