‘Cincinnati’ College Basketball Championship Wins
As part of the Big 12 Conference, the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball program boasts a rich history with 2 National Titles and 6 Final Fours. After a downturn in the 1980s, Bob Huggins revitalized the team in the late 1980s, leading to sustained success. Mick Cronin and later John Brannen continued this success with notable players like Sean Kilpatrick and Gary Clark. However, coaching changes occurred in 2019 and 2021, leading to Wes Miller taking over as head coach.
When did ‘Cincinnati’ win the College Basketball Championship?
The Cincinnati Bearcats clinched the College Basketball Championship twice, triumphing in 1961 and 1962. In 1961, they defeated Ohio State in the National Championship Game with a thrilling 70-65 victory, followed by a successful defense of their title in 1962 against Ohio State again, with a final score of 71-59. Below is a table showcasing Cincinnati's NCAA tournament results, along with their record against Big 12 Conference opponents:
| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1961 | – | National Championship Game | Ohio State | W 70–65OT |
| 1962 | – | National Championship Game | Ohio State | W 71–59 |
This table displays Cincinnati's record against Big 12 Conference opponents:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Winning Percentage | Streak |
| Kansas State | 7 | 1 | .875 | Won 7 |
| TCU | 5 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 5 |
| Iowa State | 4 | 2 | .667 | Won 2 |
| Houston | 33 | 14 | .717 | Lost 9 |
| Kansas | 4 | 3 | .571 | Lost 2 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | 2 | .667 | Won 4 |
| West Virginia | 9 | 7 | .563 | Lost 4 |
| Baylor | 0 | 0 | – | N/A |
| BYU | 1 | 1 | .500 | Won 1 |
| Oklahoma State | 2 | 3 | .400 | Won 1 |
| Texas | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 2 |
| Texas Tech | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 1 |
| UCF | 14 | 5 | .737 | Won 2 |
| Total | 85 | 38 | .691 |
‘Cincinnati’ College Basketball Championship appearances: How many College Basketball Championship appearances do the ‘Cincinnati’ have?
The University of Cincinnati Bearcats have made significant appearances in the College Basketball Championship throughout their history. Notably, they have appeared in the Final Four six times and have clinched the championship title twice, in 1961 and 1962. These back-to-back triumphs under the leadership of head coach Ed Jucker marked a golden era for Cincinnati basketball. The Bearcats' remarkable run in the early 1960s solidified their status as a powerhouse in college basketball. Despite several notable seasons and thrilling games over the years, including multiple appearances in the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds, Cincinnati's championship wins in 1961 and 1962 remain the pinnacle of their success on the national stage.
When did ‘Cincinnati’ last appear in the College Basketball Championship?
Here is a table summarizing Cincinnati's College Basketball Championship appearances:
| Year | Result |
| 1959 | Final Four (Third Place) |
| 1960 | Final Four |
| 1961 | National Champions |
| 1962 | National Champions |
| 1963 | Final Four (Runner-Up) |
| 1991 | Final Four |
| 1999 | Second Round |
| 2000 | Second Round |
| 2001 | Sweet Sixteen |
| 2011 | Sweet Sixteen |
| 2012 | Sweet Sixteen |
| 2018 | Second Round |
| 2019 | First Round |
| 2020 | Tournament canceled (COVID-19) |
‘Cincinnati’ Conferences Wins
The University of Cincinnati Bearcats have a storied history of success in various conferences throughout their basketball program's existence. Over the years, they have competed in different conferences, showcasing their dominance and consistency in conference play. One of their notable conference affiliations includes the Missouri Valley Conference, where they clinched multiple conference titles during the 1950s and 1960s. Additionally, Cincinnati has been a prominent member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) since its establishment, where they have continued to excel on the court. Their conference wins highlight their ability to compete at a high level consistently.
Below is a table summarizing Cincinnati's conference championships:
| Conference | Total Championships |
| Missouri Valley Conference | 7 |
| Great Midwest Conference | 1 |
| Conference USA | 7 |
| American Athletic Conference | 3 |
These victories underscore the Bearcats' prowess in navigating various competitive landscapes throughout their basketball history.
Know More About Other College Basketball Team Championship
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FAQ's on Cincinnati College Basketball Championship Wins
A. The name was inspired by a cheer and play on words for UC star player Leonard K. “Teddy” Baehr. A chant created during the game, “They may be Wildcats, but we have a Baehr-cat on our side,” eventually led to the name being memorialized in a cartoon published in the student newspaper following Cincinnati's win.
A. Cincinnati last won a national championship in 1962.
A. The University of Cincinnati is consistently ranked among the top-rated universities in the world. US News & World Report Global Universities Rankings 2023 ranked the University of Cincinnati at 203 in 2023 in the world. The University of Cincinnati QS ranking is 691-700 in 2024 in the world.
A. 57 players have been selected out of Cincinnati in NBA draft history, 11 in the first round (1 during the last 10 years), 14 in the second round and 4 among the top 3 picks. The last time a player out of Cincinnati was selected in the NBA draft was in 2018.
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