Cincinnati vs. Arizona: Encouraging Loss Or Same Old Problems? UC Basketball Rumors, Analysis

The Cincinnati Bearcats followed up the biggest win of Wes Miller’s tenure — a shocking home victory over No. 2 Iowa State — with a massive road test against No. 1 Arizona. While the final score doesn’t look pretty, this game revealed far more about where Cincinnati basketball truly stands in Big 12 play.

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Arizona is the real deal. A national title contender loaded with elite freshmen, physical bigs, and a hostile home environment, this was as tough of a road game as you’ll find in college basketball. Yet for much of the first half — and even early into the second — the Bearcats competed. Cincinnati defended, forced tough shots, and stayed within striking distance despite Arizona struggling from three-point range.

The problem, once again, was offense. Cincinnati finished with just over 50 points, shot under 20% from three, committed costly turnovers, and lacked consistent guard play. When the Wildcats went on a second-half run, the Bearcats didn’t have a go-to scorer who could stop the bleeding. That’s been a season-long issue.

Players like Baba, DayDay, and Cham showed flashes but weren’t consistent enough against elite competition. Buck Harris brought his usual defensive energy but remains a liability offensively. One of the biggest positives came from Shaith, who finally saw shots fall and showed why he was such a highly touted recruit — a development Cincinnati desperately needs moving forward.

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The frustrating part? This game would feel very different if the Bearcats had taken care of business earlier in the season against teams like Eastern Michigan, Georgia, or West Virginia. Instead, another competitive loss adds to the disappointment.

Cincinnati didn’t get embarrassed — but in the Big 12, hanging around isn’t enough. Execution, shooting, and guard play must improve fast if the Bearcats want to turn effort into wins.

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