NCAA Tournament Tracker: Cincinnati's At-Large Hopes Take Major Hit Entering Utah Road Trip

Have to start stacking wins....now.
Cincinnati Bearcats forward Dillon Mitchell (23) and Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) fall in the second half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Texas Tech Red Raiders, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. Red Raiders won 81-71.
Cincinnati Bearcats forward Dillon Mitchell (23) and Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) fall in the second half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Texas Tech Red Raiders, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. Red Raiders won 81-71. / Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats are in major jeopardy of missing the 2025 NCAA Tournament following a 2-5 start in the Big 12. The 81-71 loss to Texas Tech leaves Cincinnati at 12-6 overall with zero Quad 1 wins (0-5) and a 4-1 record in Quad 2 outings.

Looking at the Bracket Matrix, Cincinnati is a part of just 11/74 major brackets and is firmly on the outside looking in of most projections. They hold just an 11% chance of earning an at-large bid on TeamRankings.

The Bearcats have one Quad 1 home matchup remaining as of this writing (Baylor), games they are 0-10 in throughout the Wes Miller era. Cincinnati essentially has to win five of the next six games before brutal road trips to Iowa State and Houston to have real hope of earning an at-large bid.

Bracket Matrix Jan. 21 Update
Bracket Matrix Jan. 21 Update / Bracket Matrix

Bookmark Bearcats Talk for the latest news, breakdowns, and so much more. Check out our YouTube page as well, starting with the video below.

You may also like:

Cincinnati Bearcats Slight Betting Underdogs Against Texas Tech

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Storylines: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Recruiting Roundup: Cincinnati Offers Four-Star Linebacker, Other 2026 Defenders

Watch: Highlights From Cincinnati Basketball's Victory Over Arizona State

Report: Cincinnati Guard Connor Hickman Ruled Out Indefinitely Due to Injury

Three Man Weave: Simas Lukošius' Heroics Lift Cincinnati Over Colorado 68-62

Look: Cincinnati Commit Shon Abaev Makes Naismith Midseason National Team

Watch: Highlights From Cincinnati's 68-62 Win Over Colorado

The Athletic Names Jizzle James Among NBA Draft Prospects to Watch This Season

NCAA Tournament Tracker: Bearcats Losing Streak Moves Them Out of Field For First Time This Season

Cincinnati Boosts Rushing Attack With Wisconsin Transfer Running Back Tawee Walker

Report: Cincinnati Bearcats Football Adds Middle Tennessee State Transfer Safety Xavier Williams

Look: Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Falls Out of Latest AP Poll

ESPN Names Scott Satterfield to Way-Too-Early Coaching Hot Seat List

Watch: Ivan Pace Jr. Makes Big Play Against Lions in Regular-Season Finale

Cincinnati Adds Commitment From Virginia Tech Edge Rusher C.J. McCray

Watch: Alec Pierce Catches Deep Touchdown on Final Day of NFL Regular Season

Cincinnati Bearcats Football Lands New Mexico Transfer Safety Tayden Barnes Entering Weekend

Look: Cincinnati Bearcats Football Promotes Assistant Coach Cort Braswell to Assistant Defensive Coordinator Role

Pinging The Portal: Tennessee Cornerback Christian Harrison Visiting Cincinnati Bearcats Football

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on Bearcats Talk all the time!

Follow Bearcats Talk on Twitter: @BearcatsTalk

Like Bearcats Talk on Facebook: Bearcats Talk


Published
Russ Heltman
RUSS HELTMAN

Russ Heltman is a contributor for AllBearcats and AllBengals. He is the morning host and producer for 89.3 WMKV in Cincinnati, OH. Russ can be found on Twitter: @RussHeltman11 or you can reach him by email at Heltmandm@yahoo.com.