Bearcats to Play in East Division of the AAC in 2015

June 1, 2014

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The AAC recently announced its conference divisions for 2015. It looks like the Bearcats will play in the East Division, which is the tougher division by a mile. Here’s how the divisions look:

East Division
Cincinnati
UCF
UConn
East Carolina
USF
Temple

West Division
Houston
Memphis
Navy
SMU
Tulane
Tulsa

Under the planned division of teams, each team will play the other five teams within its division each year. Then, the other three games will rotate between three teams from the other division. This means that each team is guaranteed a home-and-home series with every other conference team within a four-year period.

More importantly, this division of teams will allow the conference to have a conference championship game. While that may not seem too critical at first blush, if some of the teams prove to be nationally competitive, it may allow the leader of the AAC (presumably, the Bearcats) to sneak into the playoff.

Or maybe UC will be invited to join the ACC or Big 12 before then. Here’s to dreaming…

Bearcats Basketball After Anthony Mason’s Son?

May 31, 2014

The Esteemed

Word on the street is that the Bearcats are after Antoine Mason, the son of Anthony Mason. Jermaine Lawrence’s departure may play right into Mick Cronin’s hand. If Antoine plays with the same toughness that his pops brought to the Knicks, he would be a tremendous add to the Bearcats.

For reference sake, he does have a Wikipedia…

So there’s that, too.

More speculation found at the Enquirer…

Stay tuned.

The Cincinnati Bearcats Will Win the AAC Conference Title in 2014

May 31, 2014

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Honestly, I don’t think this is that bold of a prediction. Louisville has left the conference. UCF has lost some ground with their ground game. Another blogger has gone so far as to articulate ten specific reasons the Bearcats will win.  

While I tend to agree with Mr. Cox, I think the reasons are far more simple:

(1) Much of the top talent and teams have been extracted by conference realignment.

Which is fine. I’m not bitter. Like at all.

Pitt, Louisville, and Rutgers have gone on to greener pastures. I promise not to laugh too hard when the Panthers stumble and stammer their way through the ACC. If we’re honest, Rutgers couldn’t even compete in the former Big East (RIP underestimated conference), so they are bound to flop in the B1G.

Enjoy that northeast market B1G! I’m sure a ton of people will tune into that Rutgers / Northwestern match-up. Nothing draws ratings quite like watching a sub-par B1G team beat up on a woeful Rutgers squad.  See bitter disclaimer above.

The Bearcats will have plenty of chances to prove their strength this year. Maybe you’ve heard that they play a certain team up north (See Ohio State’s schedule September 27, 2014).

(2) Tommy Tuberville

He is the class of the conference. He’s been around a lot of great teams and programs. It takes every good coach a little bit to get their feet beneath them. I trust him.

(3) Gunner

Get used to that name. He’s a beast. He will fill the seats. He will take us to great heights. He will compete for a Heisman.

Remember, you heard it here first.

You Make the Call…Bearcats Attendance This Fall…

May 31, 2014

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With the move to Paul Brown Stadium, how will the Bearcats attendance numbers look at the end of the year? 

Born Ready v. Lebron

May 31, 2014

Well, our Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson made us…well…proud (?) last night.  He cupped Lebron’s chin, shoved him down, and engaged in all sorts of chicanery.  Nevertheless, and in a losing effort, he managed to score 11 points, grab 4 rebounds, and had 1 assist.  For more coverage of the game’s final tally, you can examine the mothership’s coverage here.

Maybe next year Lance will get the Pacers over the top, assuming he stays in Indy.