The Cincinnati Bearcats were on the verge of snapping a seven-year NCAA Tournament drought, but an eight-point lead slipped away in the final minutes, costing them a likely spot in March Madness and leading to a coaching change.
Cincinnati decided to part ways with head coach Wes Miller after five seasons. Miller's tenure saw him rack up a 100-74 record, but the team fell short of the NCAA Tournament again after a nail-biting 66-65 overtime loss to UCF.
Miller's Tenure with the Bearcats
Miller's squad showed promise towards the end of the season, winning seven of their last nine games leading up to the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals against UCF. Heading into the matchup, ESPN's Joe Lunardi had UCF as one of the last teams in the tournament at No. 65, while Cincinnati was at No. 72, just missing the cut.
This game was crucial for both teams, with a tournament berth likely on the line. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, three consecutive turnovers in the closing moments sealed their fate.
Miller's journey with Cincinnati included a 23-13 record in 2022-23 and a 22-15 mark in 2023-24, which earned them NIT appearances but not the coveted March Madness spot. Joining the Big 12 elevated their schedule's difficulty, making it a tougher road in a fiercely competitive conference.
The Path Forward for Cincinnati
As the Big 12 remains a powerhouse in college basketball, Cincinnati needs a coach who can thrive under such pressure. While Miller was solid, the Bearcats are clearly aiming higher.
Would a single additional win and an NCAA appearance have secured Miller's position? It’s quite possible, especially given their recent victories over Kansas and BYU, which highlighted their potential as a formidable tournament team.
The next coach will face the challenge of revitalizing a program with a storied past and a challenging present. Their top priority? Ensuring the team can maintain leads in critical games.