It wouldn't be outlandish to call Wednesday's Big East Tournament second round victory over the No. 6 seed/rival Louisville Cardinals the biggest win for the Cincinnati Bearcats since their admission into the league in 2005. It was certainly the most important win of this tough season for the Bearcats as their NCAA Tournament hopes have been resuscitated.
After trailing by 9 points at the half, Cincinnati (18-14, 7-11 Big East) used tenacious rebounding and defense to overcome a poor shooting effort and shut down the Cardinals (20-12, 11-7). The Bearcats move on to the quarterfinals and a rematch with Cincinnati icon Bob Huggins and his West Virginia Mountaineers (ranked No. 6 nationally).
[Box Score: Cincinnati 69, Louisville 66]
For the second night in a row, however, the Bearcats overcame their most glaring weakness - free-throw shooting - to seal a victory. Deonta Vaughn made two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to put UC up by three. Vaughn then made a game-saving strip of Louisville's Edgar Sosa's three-point attempt just before the buzzer to seal the victory.
Yancy Gates had 16 points for Cincinnati, which finished with a 54-33 rebound advantage, including 28-9 on the offensive end. Vaughn had 10 points. Four players scored in double figures for Cincinnati.
The Bearcats' chances at securing an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament had been all but written off as UC entered the Big East Tournament losing 5 of their last 6 games and three in a row. Couple that slide with the fact that Cincinnati had never won a Big East Tournament game in 4 seasons in the league and most understandably didn't give the Bearcats much of a shot for postseason play.
The Bearcats have won two straight games in a conference tournament for the first time since 2004, when the team won the Conference USA tournament.
While the 'Cats second victory in as many days will have them back in tournament discussions, they still likely need a victory in the quarterfinals Thursday night to secure an at-large bid. West Virginia - owners of two byes in over the first two rounds of the tournament - will be well rested heading into Thursday night. The 'Cats, however, will be playing their third game in as many days, with each opponent getting increasingly difficult.
The Bearcats will be tired...the Bearcats will be bruised...but it is clear that the Bearcats will be ready.
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