The Bearcats have the potential to pose an elite backcourt.

The UC Bearcats came in at No. 8 in the Big 12 coaches poll at Media Day in Kansas City.

Oct. 19—Illinois scoring 105 points in its exhibition opener against Cincinnati — without star sophomore David Mirkovic — was a warning shot across the bow of every other college basketball program in the country. There would be no step back offensively for the Illini even after losing the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft who last year's entire system was built around. Giving up 96 ...

While Cincinnati dropped its second exhibition game to a potent Illinois team, the Bearcats showed reasons for excitement as the season nears.

UC Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun, Guard Tylen Riley Illinois Postgame Presser

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball 2026-27 Instant Takeaways: Illinois Fighting Illini Exhibition

Grading UC Bearcats basketball's win over Ohio State at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason Oct. 7

Cincinnati Bearcats coach Jerrod Calhoun, Tylen Riley, OSU coach Jake Diebler on outdoor exhibition at Lindner Tennis Center

UC head Coach Jerrod Calhoun, Guard Tylen Riley OSU Postgame