The Cincinnati Bearcats are poised to make a long-awaited return to the NCAA Tournament, ending years of March Madness disappointment. But will they live up to the hype? According to the highly respected KenPom rankings, the answer is a resounding yes!
KenPom, a renowned college basketball analytics system, has released its initial rankings for the upcoming season, and the Bearcats are off to a promising start. Ranked at No. 36, they are projected to make the tournament for the first time since 2019, a drought that fans are eager to see come to an end. And here's where it gets intriguing: their offensive and defensive prowess suggests they could be a force to be reckoned with.
The Bearcats boast an impressive offensive rating of 74 out of 361, and their defensive rating is even more remarkable at 5 out of 361. These ratings indicate a well-rounded team that can both score and shut down opponents. With these numbers, the Bearcats are projected to finish with a solid 20-11 record, placing them 8th in the competitive Big 12 conference.
But here's where it gets controversial: their projected conference record of 9-9 might not seem exceptional, but it would be the best finish for head coach Wes Miller since joining the Big 12. Last season, 8 Big 12 teams made the NCAA Tournament, with TCU sneaking in with a 21-13 record, including a 9-9 conference record. So, if Cincinnati can match this performance and secure some notable wins, their tournament spot seems all but guaranteed.
KenPom's analysis doesn't stop there. It rates three of Cincinnati's opponents as 'B-level' and a whopping 17 as 'A-level', indicating a challenging schedule. In fact, Cincinnati has the fifth-hardest schedule in the Big 12, which could either make or break their season. And this is the part most fans are buzzing about: KenPom predicts a thrilling 75-74 victory for the Bearcats over their rivals, the Xavier Musketeers, in the Crosstown Shootout. This would end a two-decade-long drought of Bearcats wins at Cintas Center, a streak that has haunted fans for years.
So, will the Cincinnati Bearcats finally break their March Madness curse? The numbers say yes, but the court is where the real story will unfold. What do you think? Is this the year the Bearcats roar back to the big dance, or will they fall short once again? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
