2018–19 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team


The 2018–19 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearcats were led by 13th-year head coach Mick Cronin, and played its home games at the newly renovated Fifth Third Arena as members of the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 28–7, 14–4 in AAC play, finishing in second place. They defeated SMU, Wichita State, and No. 1 seed Houston to win the AAC Tournament for the second consecutive year, and received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 7 seed in the South region, they were upset by No. 10 seed Iowa in the first round.

Previous season

The Bearcats finished the 2016–17 season 31–5, 16–2 in AAC play to win the regular season championship. They defeated SMU, Memphis, and Houston to win the AAC Tournament and received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 2 seed in the West region, they defeated Georgia State in the First Round before being upset by Nevada in the Second Round.

Offseason

Departing players

On September 13, 2018 Associate Head Coach Larry Davis resigned before the start of the season. In October, Greg Youncofski was named as the third assistant coach for the 2018-19 season.

Recruiting class of 2018

Preseason

AAC media poll

The AAC media poll was released on October 15, 2018, with the Bearcats predicted to finish second in the AAC.
Media poll

Preseason Awards

American Athletic Conference
Lindy's Sports
Athlon Sports
Street & Smith's

Schedule and results

The Bearcats had a pre-season tour in Canada, playing three teams on the trip. The Bearcats will reopen Fifth Third Arena against Ohio State on November 7, 2018.
!colspan=12 style=|Exhibition
!colspan=12 style=| Non-Conference Regular Season
!colspan=12 style=| AAC Regular Season
!colspan=12 style=| AAC Tournament
!colspan=9 style=| NCAA Tournament

Awards and milestones

[2019 NCAA [Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]]

All-AAC Awards

AAC Tournament MVP

Source

Rankings

*AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings