The Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball schedule for the new Big 12 season is officially complete, and holy smokes, this thing is absolutely stacked! We’re talking about a lineup that will push them to their absolute limit right out of the gate, with some of college basketball’s top-ranked teams coming straight to Fifth Third Arena. This is gonna be a wild ride!
The Gauntlet Starts NOW
Get ready, because the Big 12 opener is Saturday, Jan. 2, right at Fifth Third Arena against Texas Tech. These guys finished last season at No. 21 in both college basketball polls, so that’s a serious test to kick off the year! But that’s just the start. The Bearcats are set to host some absolute giants. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, they’ll get a crack at the reigning Big 12 champions, Arizona. These Wildcats finished last season at a dominant No. 3 in both polls! Talk about a statement game. Then, on Tuesday, March 2, the Big 12 runner-up Houston rolls into town.
And if that wasn’t enough, Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks, who were No. 20 in both polls, are set to visit Cincinnati on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Don’t forget about the road trips either, like going to face Iowa State on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The Cyclones were No. 8 in the polls last season, making that a brutal road game. But here’s the thing: last season’s UC squad actually knocked off Kansas in their own house, Allen Fieldhouse! They also beat those Cyclones in a home game. So, can they do it again against these ranked opponents? You bet we’ll be watching to find out!
Relentless Rivalries and Non-Conference Warm-ups
Beyond the top-ranked teams, the Bearcats are facing a relentless Big 12 slate. They’ll have intense home-and-away series with Kansas State, Texas Tech, and West Virginia. These are the kinds of matchups that define a team’s season and build serious character. The annual home-and-away series with West Virginia is a big one, featuring a Saturday, Jan. 16 game in Morgantown, with the return game at Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Mark your calendars for those!
Other key home games include matchups with Arizona State, UCF, and TCU. On the road, they’re heading to Baylor, BYU, Colorado, Oklahoma State, and Utah. This schedule is a full Big 12 experience, meaning there are absolutely no easy nights ahead. Don’t forget their non-conference slate either, which they made public in late August. It includes a doubleheader against Ohio State coming up on Oct. 7 at the Lindner Tennis Center, followed by matchups against Xavier and Dayton. These early games are crucial for getting Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun’s squad fully dialed in before the Big 12 madness even begins.
So, yeah, the schedule is officially set. Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun and the Cincinnati Bearcats are already putting in the work, gathering in the film room for sessions to break down what’s ahead. Game times and TV networks are still TBD, but one thing is clear: the road to the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship at T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City from March 9-14 is gonna be an absolute war. Get ready, college basketball fans, this season is going to be WILD!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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