As the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrate their 125th season, the program reflects on a storied history that includes 44 All-Americans, 41 conference titles, six Final Four appearances, and back-to-back national championships. Recognized as a top-10 program in college basketball history by the Associated Press, Cincinnati's legacy is rich with cultural impact and iconic players.
Defensively, the Bearcats are a force to be reckoned with, allowing just 67.7 points per game and ranking 12th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Their prowess extends to non-steal turnover percentage, where they sit 13th nationally at 9.3%, and they are seventh in the nation in limiting opponent 2-point shots to just 7.2.
In the Big 12, Cincinnati is making its mark with impressive stats across the board. They rank second in 3-point attempts per game (26.5), third in 3-pointers made per game (8.9), and hold strong positions in scoring defense, assists, and defensive metrics.
Senior forward Baba Miller has been a standout, even after missing two games due to injury. He’s tied for 25th nationally and second in the Big 12 with 12 double-doubles.
His defensive rebounding is exceptional, ranking first in the conference and fourth nationally with 7.83 per game. Miller's overall rebounding numbers place him 14th in the country with 10.1 per game, and he ranks eighth nationally in defensive rebounding percentage at 28.0%.
Milestones have been a theme this season, with Miller reaching the 1,000-point mark with a dunk against UCF. Day Day Thomas hit the same milestone with a standout 26-point game against Oklahoma State, and Jizzle James joined the club with a three-pointer against BYU. Jalen Celestine is also on the cusp, sitting at 993 points.
Recognition came for Miller and sophomore Moustapha Thiam in the Big 12’s postseason awards. Miller earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Newcomer Team, while Thiam received an Honorable Mention.
The Bearcats have had success against the Utah Utes, winning five of their seven all-time meetings, including a recent 69-65 victory. In that game, Cincinnati overcame a late deficit with a 9-0 run.
Moustapha Thiam recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Miller added 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Day Day Thomas contributed 15 points and four assists, and freshman Keyshuan Tillery scored 10 points on efficient shooting.
Utah, led by first-year head coach Alex Jensen, has had a challenging season with a 10-21 record and a 2-16 conference run, earning them the No. 16 seed in the Big 12 Tournament. Junior guard Terrence Brown leads the Utes with 19.8 points per game, while fifth-year guard Don McHenry and junior forward Keanu Dawes contribute significantly to the scoring and rebounding efforts.
The Bearcats are poised to continue their strong performance as they head into the postseason, building on their historic legacy and recent successes.