The college football season is over, and it couldn’t have come soon enough for Bearcat fans. After two seasons of sensational football, basketball seemed almost the forgotten sport in the Cincinnati area. But this season, the focus has shifted back to the hardwood floors in Fifth Third Arena. After a big win over Xavier in the Cross-town Shootout, the Bearcats broke into the Top 25 rankings and were 16-0.Then came the start of Big East Conference play-a 71-62 road loss to Top Ten-ranked Villanova. The Bearcats only hit two from beyond the arc and made only 36 percent of their total shots. But they rebounded against USF with a 74-66 victory.
Syracuse got the best of the Bearcats, though, beating the Cats 67-52 on January 15. What can the Cats take away from their second loss of the season? The 3-point shot. Nine of their 11 triples came in the first half and helped them climb out of a deep early hole. However, the Orange defense stepped it up and were able to keep UC at bay in the second half.
As the season progresses along, it’s not going to get any easier for the Cats. Seven of their last 13 games come on the road. If UC is going to make an appearance in the big dance, they’re going to have to pick up wins on the road and keep the home streak alive.