Chatterbox Bearcats | Cincinnati Bearcats Podcast

Cincinnati Bearcats Losing Jizzle James in Transfer Portal? College Basketball Rumors, Coaching News

The Chatterbox Bearcats crew discusses the first day of the transfer portal for college basketball, as rumors are swirling with Jizzle James and Dan Skillings. The fellas also discuss the latest college basketball coaching rumors, the Bearcats competing the prestigious Crown Tournament and answer viewer questions.

Cats Play DePaul In The Crown, UC Hires A Hoops GM, Plus Spring Football Thoughts

Cincinnati Bearcats basketball faced a challenging season, culminating in their participation in the "Crown" tournament. With a $300,000 prize at stake, can the Bearcats turn their fortunes around against DePaul? Meanwhile, the football team shows promise with standout performances in spring practice, hinting at a brighter future under new leadership.
Explore the impact of Corey Evans' hiring as General Manager for UC basketball and his potential to reshape recruiting strategies. 
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The Season From Hell Is Over Following Loss To Iowa State, What's Next?

Chuck and Houdini react to the Cincinnati Bearcats loss to Iowa State in Big 12 Tournament, their final live reaction show of the season.
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Big 12 Tournament Opener: Cincinnati Bearcats Look Good In BLOWOUT Win Over Oklahoma State, Iowa State Up Next

The Cincinnati Bearcats have earned themselves another opportunity with the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Tournament, this coming after UC demolished Oklahoma State from start to finish. Chuck Walter and Nick Niehaus breaks down a really good performance, but why it makes the outlook even more frustrating.
 
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Game 31: Wes Miller Confirmed Returning Next Season... Oh The Game? Yeah We Lost Again

The Cincinnati Bearcats basketball program will finish only above Colorado and Arizona State in the Big 12 after losing to Oklahoma State to finish the season. 
Wes Miller was returning regardless. Chuck and Houdini react to what has been a brutal Cats season.

Game 30: Infuriating Senior Day Loss To Kansas State Raises More Questions About Direction Of This Program

Chuck Walter and Hudson Klauke are angry. Listen to them vent, following a Senior Day loss to Kansas State.
The Cincinnati Bearcats' NCAA Tournament dreams came crashing down in a gut-wrenching 54-49 loss to Kansas State on Senior Night. This defeat not only ended our hopes of making the Big Dance but also exposed deeper issues within the program.
As a lifelong Bearcats fan, I'm beyond disappointed. We entered this must-win game as 8.5-point favorites at home, yet we couldn't even muster 50 points. The atmosphere in Fifth Third Arena felt more like a funeral than a crucial late-season matchup.
A Season of Frustration
This loss encapsulates our entire season - inconsistent play, lack of offensive identity, and an inability to close out games. We've gone from being ranked 15th in the country after beating Xavier to now facing the harsh reality of missing the NCAA Tournament yet again.
The most frustrating part is that this team has talent. Players like Jizzle James and Dayday Thomas have shown flashes of brilliance, but we've struggled to put it all together consistently. Our offense often devolves into contested jumpers from undersized guards - a recipe that simply doesn't work at the Big 12 level.
Questions Surrounding Wes Miller
While I believe Wes Miller is a good person and players seem to like him, his tenure so far has been underwhelming. In four years, he hasn't left the program in a better place than he found it. The lack of progress is concerning, especially given the resources and support he's received.
Miller's roster construction and in-game adjustments have come under scrutiny. The regression of players like Dan Skillings and Simas Lukosius is particularly troubling. As much as I want to believe in Wes, it's becoming increasingly difficult to justify his long leash.
The transfer portal will be crucial this offseason. Miller needs to overhaul this roster and find a way to compete in the Big 12. If he can't turn things around next season, his seat will undoubtedly get hot.
For Bearcats fans, this is a bitter pill to swallow. We've gone from being a perennial NCAA Tournament team to struggling for relevance. The passion is still there, but the product on the court needs to improve dramatically.
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Cincinnati Has A Few Seniors Not Walking? Plus, Kansas State Preview And Life On The Bubble

Eric Lilly and Nick Niehaus bring you the midweek show, ahead of Senior Night against Kansas State at Fifth Third Arena.
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Game 29: Day Day Thomas Foul Trouble Dooms Cats Early, Houston Cougars Cruise Past Bearcats 73-64

Cincinnati had a prime chance to firmly stamp an NCAA ticket with a road win over Houston, but really never stood a chance against a LEGIT National Title contender and Big 12 Champion.
Chuck and Houdini react to the game.
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The Bubble For Dummies, Plus Houston Cougars- UC Bearcats Preview

Nick Niehaus and Eric Lilly focus exclusively on the NCAA Tournament bubble and on the Houston Cougars, who the Bearcats play Saturday.

Game 28: Bearcats Secure Crucial Win Against Baylor, Keep NCAA Tournament Hopes Alive

The Cincinnati Bearcats pulled off a nail-biting 69-67 victory over the Baylor Bears, breathing new life into their NCAA Tournament aspirations. This win, arguably their second-biggest of the season, improves their conference record to 7-10 and overall record to 17-11.
Jizzle James led the charge with 18 points, setting the tone early with a step-back three-pointer and tenacious on-ball defense. Despite his high usage rate and occasional over-dribbling, James proved to be the offensive catalyst the Bearcats needed.
Dillon Mitchell emerged as the unsung hero, contributing 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. His assertiveness in the paint and timely blocks in the closing moments were crucial to securing the win. Josh Reed also shone brightly, particularly in the first half, showcasing his playmaking abilities and finishing with 11 points.
The Bearcats' defense, led by Day Day's relentless effort both on and off the ball, disrupted Baylor's rhythm throughout the game. Cincinnati's ability to limit turnovers to just seven while shooting an impressive 46% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc proved to be the difference-maker.
Looking Ahead to Houston
With this vital win under their belts, the Bearcats now face their toughest test yet – a road game against the formidable Houston Cougars. Houston, boasting a 16-1 conference record and the nation's top-ranked defense, will be a significant challenge for Cincinnati.
The Cougars, led by LJ Cryer's 14.5 points per game have risen to national championship contender status. However, their rebounding prowess isn't as dominant as in previous years, ranking 109th nationally compared to Cincinnati's 213th.
While the odds may be stacked against them, the Bearcats have shown resilience and the ability to compete with top-tier teams, as evidenced by their close game against Iowa State earlier in the season. A strong showing or even an upset against Houston could significantly bolster Cincinnati's tournament resume.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bearcats' NCAA Tournament chances, tune into the Chatterbox Bearcats podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today's Chatterbox Bearcats Podcast:
• Mick Cronin's 500th career win and his impact on Cincinnati basketball
• The evolution of Cincinnati's fan support since Cronin's tenure
• Analysis of Baylor's recent struggles and their tournament outlook