Cincinnati Bearcats NCAA Basketball Betting
Cincinnati Bearcats coach John Brannen had a tough act to follow. But so too did his predecessor. Mick Cronin had the unenviable task of taking over as the full-time head coach for local hero and legend Bob Huggins. Huggy Bear was the biggest winner at UC since Ed Jucker led the Bearcats to three consecutive berths in the national championship game from 1961 through 1963, winning twice in 1961 and 1962. Huggins was loved for his winning and renegade style, which eventually wore out the NCAA and university administrators. Initially, Cronin had four mediocre years before having his players and program kick into gear with Big Dance appearances from 2011 through 2019. In fact, he became so successful and respected that he ended up as head coach of the historic blue blood UCLA Bruins. Enter Brannen. After a decent 20-10 rookie season last year, he struggled mightily in the current campaign. But a berth in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game earned back some goodwill.
The Cincinnati Bearcats finished with a 2020-21 record of 12-11 straight up, 6-14 against the spread, and 15-5 over the total. The Bearcats had some rather disturbing metrics. Out of 350 teams, Cincinnati ranked 219th for scoring, 228th for field goal percentage, 293rd for 3-point field goal percentage, 309th for free-throw shooting, and 228th for offensive rebounds. Defensively the Bearcats ranked 222nd for points allowed, 189th for field goal percentage against, 101st for 3-point field goal percentage against, and 146th for defensive rebounding.
The Bearcats salvaged an otherwise disappointing season with a strong run in the American Athletic Conference Tournament. Cincinnati opened with a 74-71 win over the SMU Mustangs as 5-point dogs, with the game going over the total of 144. Following that was a 60-59 win over the Wichita State Shockers as 4.5-point dogs. That game went under the total of 142. And then, in the AAC championship game, the Bearcats were put back in their place with a 91-54 loss at the Houston Cougars as 13.5-point dogs. The game went over the total of 135. The Houston smackdown was a reminder of just how far Cincinnati has to go.
Cincinnati finished the regular season with a record of 8-6 in the American Athletic Conference, which was good for 5th place. Senior guard Keith Williams led Cincinnati with 14.6 points per game in his third season as a regular, the best of his career.
Sophomore guard Jeremiah Davenport averaged 11.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. This was his first season as a starter. He scored in double digits in six of his last eight games.
Cincinnati flopped severely out of the gate and spent the rest of the season trying to dig out. After going 2-1 to start the year, the Bearcats lost five in a row en route to a 3-7 start. Cincinnati did not beat a ranked team this season while losing at #12 Tennessee 65-56 and at #6 Houston 90-52.
Head coach John Brannen arrived from Northern Kentucky, where he produced a .614 win percentage in four seasons with two Big Dance and one NIT appearance. He won two Horizon League regular season and tournament titles. Brannen was named 2017 Horizon League Coach of the Year. Cincinnati has proven to be a challenging step up for Brannen. And he will begin the 2021-22 season on a very warm seat that could quickly turn into a raging inferno.
Cincinnati has a rich tradition of winning, starting with George Smith and Ed Jucker leading a national powerhouse from 1958 through 1963. Smith led the Bearcats to the Final Four in his final two seasons before assuming Athletic Director duties. Smith followed with those aforementioned championship game appearances. Huggins put teams that were consistently ranked in the top ten on the floor from 1992 through 2005. And then Cronin led UC to the Big Dance every year from 2011 through 2019. Cronin produced one Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2012. Huggins led the Bearcats to the 1992 Final Four and made two Elite Eights with one Sweet 16. The great Oscar Robertson was a consensus 1st Team All-American in 1958, 1959, and 1960.
Cincinnati Bearcats Seasons (2000)
| SEASON |
RECORD |
NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULT |
| 2020-21 |
12-11 |
- |
| 2019-20 |
20-10 |
Tournament Cancelled |
| 2018-19 |
28-7 |
First Round |
| 2017-18 |
31-5 |
Second Round |
| 2016-17 |
30-6 |
Second Round |
| 2015-16 |
22-11 |
First Round |
| 2014-15 |
23-11 |
First Round |
| 2013-14 |
27-7 |
First Round |
| 2012-13 |
22-12 |
First Round |
| 2011-12 |
26-11 |
Sweet Sixteen |
| 2010-11 |
26-9 |
Second Round |
| 2009-10 |
19-16 |
- |
| 2008-09 |
18-14 |
- |
| 2007-08 |
13-19 |
- |
| 2006-07 |
11-19 |
- |
| 2005-06 |
21-13 |
- |
| 2004-05 |
25-8 |
Second Round |
| 2003-04 |
25-7 |
Second Round |
| 2002-03 |
17-12 |
First Round |
| 2001-02 |
31-4 |
Second Round |
| 2000-01 |
25-10 |
Sweet Sixteen |
NCAA Basketball Teams
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