Cincinnati basketball coach Wes Miller was all smiles, albeit a bit drenched, after his Bearcats pulled off a stunning 84-68 upset over No. 8 Kansas at the legendary Allen Fieldhouse. The locker room celebration was a joyous affair, marking a significant moment for a team that's been fighting to make its mark in the Big 12.
Miller, now in his fifth year with Cincinnati, reflected on the moment with pride, noting the significance of such victories. "These are the special moments you remember forever as a coach and player," he said, his shirt still damp from the festivities. "We can have more of these if we stay the course."
The Bearcats, who have clawed back to a 7-7 record in conference play after an 0-3 start, are now flirting with the idea of being an NCAA Tournament bubble team. This win over Kansas, which dropped to 20-7 overall, could be a pivotal point in their season.
"This is a great moment for our program, and I feel so much joy for our players," Miller shared. "I couldn’t be prouder of our team. Tonight, they got the reward they've been working hard for."
When asked about the significance of this victory, Miller, a former North Carolina player, emphasized the respect he holds for Kansas and its coach, Bill Self. "It’s a big-time win, and that says a lot about Kansas. But my main concern now is not to dwell on it too long because the Big 12 schedule is relentless."
One standout performance came from Moustapha Thiam, who celebrated his 20th birthday by delivering a career-high 28 points and grabbing eight rebounds. "That’s one heck of a birthday present," Miller said, clearly delighted with his player's performance. "We all got to feel like it was our birthday tonight with him."
Thiam, standing tall at 7-2, was equally thrilled. "This is definitely my best birthday," he said, crediting his teammates and staff for the victory. "We came out determined to get the win, and we did."
Cincinnati's dominance on the boards was a key factor, outrebounding Kansas 40-29. "Rebounding was a huge emphasis for us," Miller explained. "It’s about will and fight, and we knew it would be crucial against a strong rebounding team like Kansas."
Kansas' big man, Flory Bidunga, put up a solid fight with 18 points and 12 rebounds, but Thiam's defense was pivotal, forcing Bidunga into four turnovers.
Reflecting on his matchup with Bidunga, Thiam said, "I’ve played against him since high school. He’s a really good player, but I approach every game with the same competitive mindset."
With this victory, Cincinnati has shown they can hang with the best, and if they continue to build on this momentum, the Bearcats might just find themselves dancing in March.