3.) Bearcats Advance to 1992 Men’s NCAA Final Four
This moment in Bearcats history would almost certainly be number one during my lifetime, had it not occurred when I was 5 years old. I was about two years away from really being able to recall/comprehend Bearcats basketball games at that point. However the Cats’ appearance in the 1992 Final Four is the defining moment in which former UC head basketball coach Bob Huggins, officially resurrected a once proud program turning it into a perennial top 25 team and Final Four contender. It was Huggins’ third season as the head man in charge for UC, first trip to the NCAA tournament and the Cats’ would qualify for the tournament every year following until his forced resignation prior to the 2005-06 season.
During the 1991-92 season the Cats’ were led by a fierce duo comprised of future NBA players point guard Nick Van Exel and power forward Corie Blount, who also teamed with UC’s leading scorer that season forward Herb Jones. They along with elite role players such as Anthony Buford, Terry Nelson, Erik Martin and others all helped lead the Cats’ to a 29-5 record. During the NCAA tournament the Cats’ avenged their 89-90 regular season loss to Michigan State, by defeating the Spartans 77-65 in the round of 32 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. After edging out UTEP 69-67, UC faced off against Penny Hardaway and his Memphis Tigers for the third time that season in the Elite Eight. For the third straight time the Cats’ defeated Memphis by a score of 88-57, advancing to the Final Four versus the Michigan Wolverines.
Unfortunately Michigan and its famed “Fab 5” group of freshmen, which included future No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Chris Webber outlasted the Cats’ 76-72 in the national semi-final game. That game however was the beginning aside from the two national championships in the early 1960s, a catapult into what I believe was the most exciting era of Bearcats basketball ever in program history during Bob Huggins’ tenure as head coach.
Alex, Dave would be so proud just as I am. Great writing keep up the good work.
Good list, only thing I’d have to add to this is Pike to Bings in ’09… I don’t know what I’d remove, but that would be No. 1 or 2 for me.