Yes, I’m referring to the men’s basketball program at the University of Cincinnati. The program recently ranked by CBS Sports as the tenth greatest college basketball program in the history of college hoops. The program that actually has two national championships to its claim, and has produced countless campus legends some of which went onto to star in the NBA also. The program which led the way for UC’s entry into the former version of the Big East as a Power 5 Conference.
UC does extremely well to compete with the larger state universities both athletically and academically while being a city school. A refocus into the basketball program while keeping the football program competing at a high level, against its current opposition is the key for a possible conference realignment. The ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) already home to similar city universities such as former Big East foes Syracuse, Pitt, and rival Louisville is the best fit for UC currently. I’m quite sure at this point on the football field they could hold their own against most of the ACC, even fellow city universities Miami and Georgia Tech. The basketball program will need to step its game up though, if they were to become members of the ACC matching up against the likes of Virginia, Duke, and North Carolina.
A few years ago when renovating its sports venues in part to look more attractive to potential Power 5 Conferences such as the Big 12 and ACC, UC somewhat realized what I’m stating in how they divvied out funds to do so. The renovation to Nippert Stadium from 2013-2014 totaled $86 million, while the 2017 renovation to Fifth Third arena totaled $87 million. One can make an argument which program has been the most successful in recent years, but there is no doubt to the majority of the country UC has and always will be a basketball school. Build a competitive athletic program across the board yes, but do not lose your school’s historical identity as it relates to the flagship program.
The current College Football Playoff structure even if it were to expand to six or eight teams, will not change its selection process just because a non Power 5 school overachieves on the gridiron every so often. UC’s best options for getting the rightful respect/consideration it deserves athletically, remains either banning together with other non Power 5 Schools to form their own postseason model. Or doing whatever necessary to gain entry into the Atlantic Coast Conference, therefor reaping the benefits of being a Power 5 school and the recognition which accompanies such a designation. Also beating a school like Peach Bowl opponent Georgia, from the Power 5’s SEC would go a long way in proving the Cats’ belong amongst the nation’s elite.
