So, right before the American Athletic Conference Tournament was about to start, that tournament and the NCAA Tournament was cancelled due to CoVid-19. In my life was watching and covering sports I’ve never seen a season in like this, but it’s the right thing to do even though it sucks for the masses. With time to reflect on the plots and twists of the Cincinnati season, come to you with this article.
The season started with a ton of question marks, would John Brannen be able to implement his new system in adequate time? How many players would transfer? Would Jarron Cumberland come back? Who would replace the players that transfer? Would the players that stayed be able to adapt to the faster pace?
After the preseason exodus of transfers the season had two players leave the program junior Trevor Moore and graduate transfer Jay Sorolla left to play ball overseas. Early in the season a lot of things were going on Cumberland was struggling and not fully healthy. It was a going conversation the mix between Cumberland and Brannen. Graduate transfer Chris McNeal started the season strong, but after a rough performance Paradise Jam against Bowling Green where he went 10-of-21 from the free throw line he went into a slump for a long time. Already losing to Ohio State which was a respectable loss, but following it a loss in overtime to Bowling Green things looked shaky. Sitting at 3-2 early in the season with tough non-conference games still on the docket would they be able to round into form?
After winning three straight, they went up the street to face Xavier in the Crosstown Shootout and it didn’t go well for Cincinnati, but at the time Xavier was playing better ball so it wasn’t a total let down. What happened next would make #BearcatNation very nervous, they ended up dropping a game at home to Colgate 67-66 in a game that had one of the craziest plays I’ve ever seen in my life, with less than five seconds left in the game Jarron Cumberland heaved a half court shot during a tied game. It was one of the most head scratching plays I’ve ever seen and it looked bleak for the season outlook. The great play of transfer Chris Vogt and emergence of Keith Williams was overshadowed by the uncertainty of the program and its best player. Standing at 6-4 with games against No. 21 Tennessee, Iowa and UConn staring them in the face this season could get ugly in a hurry.
