The Bearcats have a huge game tonight against the Georgetown Hoyas. The Hoyas are ranked number 11 in the nation. You would have to think that a win on the road over the Hoyas will get the Bearcats into the NCAA tournament regardless of what happens from here on out. It's not going to be easy though, as the Hoyas have been on fire as of late winning 9 of their last 10 games.
Back to the NCAA tournament, a win tonight would give the Bearcats quality wins over Georgetown, Louisville, St. Johns, and Xavier. That should be enough of a resume to put them in over other bubble teams. Especially those mid major bubble teams that don't have nearly the number of quality wins that the Bearcats have. Even if they finish .500 in Big East play that should be considered better than finishing 2nd or 3rd in a conference such as the Atlantic 10 or similiar conferences. People are going to complain if the Big East gets 10 or 11 teams in, but the 10th place team in the Big East is probably better than any team in the Atlantic 10 and as good as the 4th or 5th place team in the SEC and probably better than the 3rd place team in the ACC and there won't be complaints when those conferences get 4 or 5 teams in.
Even with a loss tonight they'll get another crack at Georgetown at home. They also have Connecticut at home and a road game against Marquette remaining. Honestly I think one more win should get them. A home win against UCONN is a quality win against a top 15 team or a road win against Marquette should also be considered a quality win as they'll be fighting for their NCAA tournament lives in that game. One more win will have them finish atleast .500 in the conference and they should get atleast one win in the Big East tournament. If you are the selection committee you have to think that finishing .500 or better in the brutal Big East makes you a worthy tournament team and should prepare you to be able to beat any team they face in the 1st round of the tournament.
Right now Joe Lunardi has the Bearcats as an 8 seed playing Kansas State in the first round. UC has more quality wins than Kansas State and even though they beat Kansas, Cincinnati would be the favorite in that game and should be able to advance to the 2nd round. I'm hoping UC can win two of it's remaining games and then get two in the Big East tournament and that should propel them to atleast a 7 seed, and maybe even a 6 seed. It's important to get that and not have to face a 1 seed in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament. If they can get a 6 or 7 they could get a draw where they face BYU or San Diego State in the 2nd round. With all due respect to what those teams have done this season, I think that could be a winnable game with all the tough teams UC has played this season. So if the Bearcats can finish strong they could set themselves up for a sweet 16 run and if they can get some help with upsets maybe even farther.
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