Stalled in Clifton: Another Season of “What Ifs” for the Bearcats

The 2025–26 season for the Cincinnati Bearcats has officially come to an end, and the result feels painfully familiar. After a crushing 66–65 loss to UCF in the Big 12 Tournament, Cincinnati finished the year 18–15, once again falling short of an NCAA Tournament berth. For a program with the history and expectations that exist in Clifton, that outcome represents more than just a disappointing season—it signals continued stagnation.

This marks the fifth straight year the Bearcats have failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. For a fan base that once viewed March Madness appearances as the standard rather than the goal, the frustration has reached a boiling point. The program showed flashes of potential throughout the year, but the inability to sustain momentum ultimately defined the season.

A Season Defined by Missed Opportunities

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Cincinnati’s season was the inconsistency. At times, the Bearcats looked capable of competing with anyone in the country. Their 84–68 road victory over No. 8 Kansas proved that the talent and defensive identity were present.

But those highs were consistently followed by head-scratching losses. The 64–56 defeat at home to Eastern Michigan was the clearest example of the team’s inability to maintain focus against lesser competition.

More than anything, Cincinnati struggled in the moments that matter most. The Bearcats finished 1–6 in games decided by one possession, a statistic that highlights the team’s struggles to execute late in games. In college basketball, those tight contests often define tournament teams—and Cincinnati repeatedly came up short when the pressure peaked.

A Roster Facing Major Turnover

As disappointing as the season was, the roster itself is about to undergo significant change.

Veteran contributors Kerr Kriisa, Jalen Celestine, Day Day Thomas, and Jalen Haynes are all moving on, leaving behind major gaps in experience and leadership. That means the next chapter of Cincinnati basketball will likely depend heavily on a younger core.

Players like Jizzle James, Tyler McKinley, and Moustapha Thiam now represent the program’s future. James has shown flashes of being an explosive offensive playmaker, while Thiam’s size and defensive presence could make him a cornerstone in the paint.

However, in the modern era of college basketball, nothing is guaranteed. With the transfer portal reshaping rosters every offseason, Cincinnati must not only develop its young talent but also convince those players that the program’s direction is worth staying for.

A Defining Moment for the Program

The biggest question now revolves around head coach Wes Miller and the future of the program.

When Miller arrived in 2021, he inherited a difficult situation during a transitional period for the university. Early patience from fans and administrators was understandable. But as the seasons have passed without an NCAA Tournament appearance, that patience is beginning to wear thin.

Complicating matters is the financial timeline. Miller’s buyout is scheduled to drop significantly—from $9.9 million to $4.69 million on April 1—giving the university a clear decision point.

The administration must now decide whether the program is trending in the right direction or whether a change is necessary to restore Cincinnati basketball to national relevance.

The Bottom Line

The Bearcats’ season will ultimately be remembered as another campaign filled with “what ifs.”

What if they had closed out those tight games? What if the inconsistency had been eliminated? What if the flashes of elite play had become the norm?

Instead, Cincinnati finds itself once again watching March Madness from the outside. And for a proud program that once defined toughness and postseason success, the question facing Clifton now is simple:

Is the program rebuilding—or simply standing still?