Chatterbox Bearcats | Cincinnati Bearcats Podcast

Game 26: Bubble Pops, Bearcats Need A Miracle After 62-59 Loss To West Virginia

The Cincinnati Bearcats' NCAA Tournament dreams likely came to an end with a gut-wrenching 62-59 loss to West Virginia. Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the final seconds, the Bearcats couldn't overcome their offensive struggles and rebounding woes.
This defeat feels like the final nail in the coffin for a season that began with such high expectations. We entered the year believing this could be a top-15 team, but the reality has been far different. At 5-10 in Big 12 play, even the most optimistic fans must admit our tournament hopes are on life support.
The game itself was a microcosm of our entire season. We showed flashes of brilliance, building a six-point lead in the second half. But just as quickly, it all unraveled. Jizzle James, our offensive catalyst, picked up his fourth foul on an ill-advised reach-in, sending him to the bench. In the blink of an eye, West Virginia went on a 7-0 run to retake the lead.
Our offense looked lost for long stretches, often devolving into James or Day Thomas dribbling aimlessly before hoisting contested jumpers. The lack of ball movement and off-ball action was painful to watch. Even more frustrating was our inability to secure defensive rebounds, giving West Virginia far too many second-chance opportunities.
Looking Ahead to an Uncertain Future
As we look ahead to next season, there are more questions than answers. Will Jizzle James return? Can we land impact transfers to complement our existing talent? And perhaps most importantly, is Wes Miller the right coach to lead this program back to national relevance?
Miller's seat isn't hot yet, but the temperature is rising. In four years at the helm, he's yet to guide Cincinnati to the NCAA Tournament. For a program with our storied history, that's simply not good enough. Next season feels like a make-or-break year for Miller's tenure.
The transfer portal will be crucial this offseason. We desperately need to add shooting and playmaking to complement James (if he returns) and our existing frontcourt pieces. Finding a stretch five who can space the floor should be a top priority.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the state of Bearcats basketball, tune into the Chatterbox Bearcats podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today's Chatterbox Bearcats Podcast:
• Breaking down Wes Miller's struggles against Quad 1 opponents
• The impact of NIL on roster construction and player retention
• Evaluating the development of young players 
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Cincinnati Bearcats' Tournament Hopes Hinge On Win Over West Virginia

Can the Cincinnati Bearcats bounce back after their tough loss to the Iowa State Cyclones? With a crucial matchup against the West Virginia Mountaineers on the horizon, the Bearcats' tournament hopes hang in the balance. This episode breaks down the Bearcats' recent struggles with defensive rebounding and controversial officiating, spotlighting Jizzle James' standout performance. The hosts, Nick Niehaus and Eric Lily, explore the must-win game against West Virginia, analyzing the Mountaineers' strengths and weaknesses. They also tackle listener questions about Dan Skillings' recent form and the potential return of former UC coaches like Bob Huggins. The episode wraps up with a celebration of the UC baseball team's impressive series win against Duke, highlighting Carrington Cross's contributions. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the Bearcats' path to success and the challenges ahead.
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Game 25: Jizzle James Looks Like NBA Talent, The Referee Crew Steals His Spotlight In 81-70 Loss To Iowa State

The Cincinnati Bearcats suffered a tough loss to Iowa State, falling 81-70 in a game marred by questionable officiating. Despite Jizzle James' continued dominance, the Bearcats struggled to overcome a significant foul discrepancy that heavily favored the Cyclones.
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Jizzle, A Winning Streak, An Iowa State Preview, And Cincinnati's Path to NCAA Tournament Contention

Nick Niehaus and Eric Lilly discuss the Cincinnati Bearcats' recent three-game winning streak in college basketball. They analyze the team's performance against Utah, BYU, and UCF, highlighting improved offensive output and key player contributions. The hosts debate whether the Bearcats are "back" or simply beating weaker opponents. They preview the upcoming game against Iowa State, breaking down the Cyclones' strengths and the challenges Cincinnati faces. The podcast covers the Bearcats' NCAA tournament prospects, potential roster changes for next season, and standout performances from players like Jizzle, Dayday, and Josh Reed. The hosts also touch on the team's improved shooting and overall confidence during the winning streak.
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Game 24: THREE IN A ROW! Bearcats Outshoot Utes In 85-75 Win, Featuring Viktor Lakhin

In this episode of Chatterbox Bearcats, hosts Chuck Walter and Houdini discuss the Cincinnati Bearcats' 85-75 victory over Utah. They analyze the team's recent offensive surge, highlighting standout performances from Jizzle James and Josh Reed. The hosts explore the Bearcats' three-game winning streak and its implications for their tournament chances. Former Cincinnati player Viktor Lakhin makes a surprise appearance, offering insights on Coach Wes Miller and the program's future. The podcast covers game statistics, player development, and the team's upcoming challenges in the Big 12 conference. Throughout the episode, the hosts blend passionate analysis with humor, reflecting on the Bearcats' evolving identity and potential postseason prospects.
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GAME 23: STANDING OVATIONS AT THE SHOE! Bearcats DEMOLISH BYU, Give Hope & Inspire A Sold Out Crowd

After a rough stretch in Big 12 play, the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team is suddenly giving fans reason for hope. With back-to-back wins over UCF and BYU, the Bearcats have put up 80+ points in consecutive games and are playing with renewed energy and confidence.
The 84-66 victory over BYU was particularly impressive, considering Cincinnati lost to the same team by 30 points just two weeks ago. This time around, the Bearcats dominated from start to finish, shooting a blistering 58% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
Sophomore guard Jizzle James led the way with a breakout performance, scoring 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. James has struggled with his outside shot for much of the season, but appears to be finding his rhythm at the right time.
Day Day Thomas continued his strong play with 15 points, while Josh Reed added 12 points and some highlight-reel plays including a thunderous two-handed dunk that brought the Fifth Third Arena crowd to its feet.
Perhaps most encouraging was the Bearcats' improved ball movement and spacing on offense. They tallied 17 assists on 34 made baskets and looked much more fluid than in recent weeks. Coach Wes Miller's decision to play smaller lineups for longer stretches seems to be paying dividends.
At 4-8 in Big 12 play, Cincinnati still faces an uphill battle to make the NCAA Tournament. But with winnable games remaining against Utah, West Virginia, TCU and others, there's a path to finishing strong if they can maintain this level of play.
The Bearcats will need to string together several more wins to have a realistic shot at dancing in March. But after looking dead in the water just a week ago, they've injected new life into their season and given fans reason to believe again.
Up next is a crucial road game at Utah. A win there would give Cincinnati its first three-game winning streak in Big 12 play and set up a potentially season-defining stretch. The Bearcats aren't back yet, but they're showing signs of the team many expected to see when the season began.

Game 22: Bob Huggins Shows Up To UCF In Bearcats Gear, UC Proceeds To Put Up 93 In A 93-83 Win Over Central Florida

The Cincinnati Bearcats finally showed the fight and tenacity we've been waiting for all season, securing a crucial 93-83 road win against UCF. This victory marks West Miller's first Quad 1 win of the season and breathes new life into a team that seemed to be on the brink of collapse.
From the opening tip, it was clear this wasn't the same Bearcats team we've seen struggling in recent weeks. The offense, which has been anemic for much of the season, exploded for 93 points – the highest total we've seen since conference play began. Dayday Thomas set the tone early, pouring in 18 first-half points and finishing with 20 for the game. His aggressive play and quick decision-making were infectious, sparking a team-wide offensive resurgence.
Dillon Mitchell was another standout performer, contributing 19 points on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting. His ability to finish around the rim and connect on lob passes provided a much-needed vertical threat to the Bearcats' attack. Aziz Bandaogo also had his best game of the season, scoring 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbing 6 rebounds.
What was most encouraging about this performance was the team's resilience. Every time UCF made a run to close the gap, Cincinnati had an answer. Whether it was a timely three-pointer from Simas Lukosius or a clutch basket from Jizzle James down the stretch, the Bearcats showed a level of composure that has been sorely lacking in recent weeks.
While the defense wasn't perfect – allowing UCF to grab 17 offensive rebounds is concerning – the overall effort and energy were vastly improved. The Bearcats forced 16 turnovers and used their length and athleticism to disrupt UCF's offensive flow throughout the game.
This win doesn't erase all of the struggles we've endured this season, but it does provide a glimmer of hope. With upcoming home games against BYU and Utah, there's an opportunity to build some momentum and potentially make a late-season push.

The Season Is Cooked, But We Need To Find Out Who Should Be A Bearcat Next Year

Nick Niehaus and Eric Lilly debate all things Cats on the midweek show.

Game 21: UC On Another 4-Game Losing Streak After 63-50 Loss To West Virginia

As a die-hard Cincinnati Bearcats fan, it pains me to say this, but our basketball program is in shambles. The recent 63-50 loss to West Virginia at home was the final nail in the coffin for what has been a disastrous season.
Let's face it: Wes Miller's tenure as head coach has been an abject failure. In his fourth year at the helm, we're sitting at 2-8 in Big 12 play, with only Colorado performing worse. The team's performance against West Virginia was abysmal, with more turnovers than made field goals in the first half. The once-raucous Shoemaker Center was eerily quiet, save for the boos raining down from frustrated fans.
The most infuriating part? Miller's massive buyout. If UC were to fire him now, it would cost a staggering $13 million. Even waiting until after the season would still require a $9.9 million payout. It's an absurd amount of money for a coach who has objectively failed to deliver results.
What's most concerning is the lack of improvement from players under Miller's tutelage. Nearly every player on the roster has regressed or stagnated. The offense looks lost, with no easy baskets or cohesive game plan. Defensively, a supposed strength of Miller's teams, we've fallen apart.
The roster construction is puzzling at best. Players like Viktor Lakhin, who showed promise in previous years, have struggled to find their footing. The team lacks complementary pieces that allow guys like Aziz Bandaogo and Simas Lukosius to play to their strengths.
Looking ahead, it's hard to see a path forward with Miller at the helm. The fan base has completely turned on him, and rightfully so. The program that Bob Huggins once chose over his alma mater, West Virginia, has become a laughingstock in college basketball.
The administration needs to take a hard look at the direction of this program. Yes, the buyout is steep, but at what point does the long-term health of Cincinnati basketball take precedence? We can't afford to become irrelevant in the ultra-competitive Big 12.
It's time for a change. Whether it's pursuing a proven winner like Will Wade or taking a chance on a up-and-coming mid-major coach, something needs to be done. The passionate Cincinnati fan base deserves better than what we're seeing on the court right now.
As Wes Miller himself said after the West Virginia loss, "If I was someone who supported this program, I'd be frustrated and pissed off." Well, coach, we are. And it's time for the university to do something about it.

Game 20: Cincinnati Bearcats Alone In 15th Place In Big 12 After Loss To Utah Utes

UC loses again. Destroyed on the glass. Missed free throws. It's bad, really bad. Eric Lilly and Nick Niehaus vent about the loss to Utah and take callers.
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