Cincinnati Bearcats' NCAA Hopes Dashed in Overtime Heartbreaker
In a dramatic showdown in Kansas City, the Cincinnati Bearcats saw their NCAA Tournament dreams slip away in a nail-biting overtime loss to the UCF Knights, 66-65. The Bearcats, who finished the season 18-15, were on the brink of breaking into the tournament under coach Wes Miller for the first time.
Wes Miller’s Perspective
Coach Wes Miller passionately advocated for his team, stating, “If it’s about the best teams at this point, we’re one of the best in the country. We’re an NCAA Tournament team.” Despite his conviction, the tournament committee may not see it the same way.
The game reached overtime after UCF overcame a 10-point deficit in the final minutes. Cincinnati had a chance to seal it with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer but couldn’t convert, leading to an 8-7 scoring edge for UCF in overtime.
Bracketology Breakdown
Entering Wednesday, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had Cincinnati as one of the first four teams out, placing them fourth in that category. The Bearcats had clawed their way onto the bubble with a strong finish, going 6-2 in their last eight Big 12 games, including a stunning upset over then-No. 8 Kansas.
Lunardi suggested that Cincinnati needed a deep run in the Big 12 Tournament to secure a bid. The Bearcats boasted the sixth-best NET ranking among the bubble teams at 46, but their wins above bubble (WAB) was the lowest at 60.
A victory could have shifted the landscape, especially with SMU losing to Louisville and Stanford dropping its ACC Tournament opener. However, Auburn’s win over Mississippi State added pressure.
What’s Next for Cincinnati?
With their NCAA hopes dashed, Cincinnati will likely turn to the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas, a tournament for top non-NCAA teams. The Big 12 sends its two best non-NCAA teams, and the Bearcats, who participated last year, are poised to return.
As of now, Cincinnati holds the highest NET ranking among Big 12 teams not expected to make the NCAA Tournament. They’ll aim to make the most of their postseason opportunity in Las Vegas, hoping to build on this season’s strong finish.