As Arizona dives into Big 12, Cincinnati Bearcats in year 2 of own new conference adventure

Editor’s note: This is part of the Star’s ongoing “Big 12 Blitz” series, where we introduce U of A fans to the on- and off-field need-to-know details surrounding each member of the new 16-team Big 12. Today: the University of Cincinnati.

The Star's Big 12 Blitz is presented by Tucson Appliance Company.

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While Arizona, ASU, Utah and Colorado were the newcomers to the Big 12 in 2024-25, Cincinnati was involved in last year's realignment that saw four schools join the Big 12: BYU, UC, UCF and Houston.

That first year not go well for any of them in football as they combined for an 8-28 record in league play. Cincinnati finished dead last at 1-8, with its only win coming at Houston, which fired its coach, Dana Holgorsen, 15 days later.

Prior to the 2024 season — which has seen quite a rebound from some of last year's Big 12 newcomers, notably Big 12-leading BYU, in addition to the 5-3 Bearcats, the Star discussed the state of UC football and men’s basketball with Keegan Nickoson, a staff writer for Bearcat Journal. Nickoson also told us about a non-revenue UC program to watch, sized up where the Bearcats rank among all Cincinnati sports teams and gave us his take on the city’s famed Skyline Chili.

It seemed like a shock to the system for all of the newcomers last year who joined the Big 12. How would you describe what that experience was like for UC football?

A: “A lot of people were looking forward to being in the Big 12 and just the rise in status in comparison to the American. I talked to the cornerbacks coach, Kerry Coombs, who coached at Ohio State, coached in the NFL, and he told me: ‘I think everyone undervalued what that jump would be.’ A lot of the coaches I've talked to going into this season, they've said, ‘We walked on the field against Iowa State and Oklahoma and we're like, “This probably isn't going to be very good.”’

“It's just the difference in size of the players. And then there's a difference in speed. And then you add, on top of that, the new coaching staff not really gelling well with the players who were left over from the (Luke) Fickell era. There were some locker-room issues.

“It was a shock to the system, and it became very apparent that they had to do a lot of work in the transfer portal. They brought in around 26 players. So it's a completely new-look team. They have some returners in some really important areas, but last season was definitely a struggle, and it's leading to a lot of people doubting Cincinnati coming into this year despite the overhauled roster. But you can't really blame them.”

Switching over to basketball, the men's team has been pretty good over the last few years but hasn’t made the tournament since Mick Cronin left. How would you assess the current state of Cincinnati men's basketball?

A: “It's on the up and up, I'll put it that way. When Wes Miller took over for John Brannen ... I think there was one scholarship player on the roster in that transition. That (usually) doesn't happen when coaches get fired and leave; you're at least left with something to build around.

“Wes Miller struggled the first two years. Had good teams ... but they just weren't really able to get close to tournament contention. Houston was a really tough team in the AAC to try to beat and compete with. That's really one of your few opportunities for Quad 1 wins. He's still yet to beat crosstown rival Xavier since he's been head coach at Cincinnati.

“But right now, they have the most momentum since Cronin was head coach. ... I think this fan base, if they don't reach the tournament this year, is going to be very upset. They're going to want some answers. ... It's too good of a lineup.

“Wes Miller's on the right track, definitely has more job security at this moment than Scott Satterfield. But like I said, it's a big year because of how talented the roster is.”

What was the transition like for Cincinnati in basketball, going from the American to the Big 12?

A: “It was a massive transition. They didn't have a ball-dominant guard that could go get the ball and score. Every other team had one, and then you had to figure out how to defend them.

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“The caliber of defense from teams like Iowa State and Houston was (impressive). They knew Houston, coming from the AAC, but that Iowa State game ... I'm sitting there watching, it's like every time you drive into the lane, they're just clamping down on the ball and you can't move. It was crazy.

“And then teams like Kansas ... (you) go to Allen Fieldhouse, that place just gives you 15 points because of that home atmosphere. It was amazing being able to cover a game there.

“A lot of these atmospheres are really tough to play in. That's probably another big difference from the AAC. You go to Tulane on a Tuesday, there might be 800 people in the crowd. You're at Kansas and there's 11,000 stuffed in close, tight on the benches.”

If you were to pick out one non-revenue or under-the-radar sport at Cincinnati that people might not know about, or one that has the potential to be good, which one would you choose?

A: “What Jordan Bischel did with the baseball team last year was extremely special. First-year head coach, picked (last) in the Big 12, and they finished fifth. He came in from Central Michigan, and in his first year was able to win some huge series. They were dominant at home. They picked up some big wins on the road, and then they were able to have some success in the Big 12 Tournament and just miss an NCAA Tournament berth, which would have been the first time since (2019).

“He's just a super infectious guy. He, like Wes Miller, loves his players, and it's obvious that his players love playing for him. He has a fast and tough brand of baseball. They'll bunt, they'll steal bases, they'll make you uncomfortable.

“Cincinnati is a good town for high school baseball, and he's got a lot of footholds in the Midwest area in recruiting. So I think they're going to be able to have a lot of momentum going into next season.”

Where does the University of Cincinnati fit into the hierarchy of Cincinnati sports overall?

A: “Really good question. Joe Burrow and the Bengals have taken the No. 1 spot. Before that it probably would have been the Reds. You think Big Red Machine, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench. The Reds would be two (now). I think the Bearcats would be three. And then you would have FC Cincinnati at four and Xavier at five. That's just because it's a super small school, and they really only have basketball.

“Luke Fickell helped (the Bearcats) a lot. The football program was down in the dumps after Tommy Tuberville was fired. What (Fickell) was able to do in such a short time ... had the tough 4-8 season in 2017 and then it's competing for AAC championships every year after that, nine draft picks after the 2021 season. The momentum he was able to build was massive.

“A lot of people came out of the woodwork and started rooting for Cincinnati. This area is a lot of Ohio State fans, and then they'll also root for Cincinnati if Cincinnati is good. So for that time, it was a lot of fun to follow the Bearcats.

“But you can't compete with the pros — the Reds and the Bengals and Joe Burrow. They follow him like Kansas City media follows Patrick Mahomes. If he gets a haircut, you know about it. If he's wearing different cleats, you know about it. If he went on vacation somewhere, you know about it.”

Skyline Chili gets mixed reviews. Some people swear by it. Some people say that it's just OK. What is your take? And do you have any restaurant suggestions for anyone who might be visiting Cincinnati for a football or basketball game?

A: “So here's my stance on Skyline, and it's kind of evolved over the past few years. Skyline Chili is fine. I am proud that that is the Cincinnati staple food. You're gonna like it or hate it. I do think it's probably an acquired taste. It's hard to replicate.

“I'll eat it if it's in front of me, and I'll enjoy eating it. The chili dog ... it's better at Gold Star. There's two big chains. Skyline Chili is the biggest one. And then Gold Star is the second, like the little brother. They have better chili dogs than Skyline does; Skyline has a better three-way."

(Editor's note: "Three-way" is hot spaghetti noodles covered with chili and shredded cheese. A lot of shredded cheese.)

"So there's your Skyline Chili 101 class.

“The hill that I'll die on in terms of Cincinnati cuisine: Graeter’s ice cream, if you get the black raspberry chip, will be a top 2-3 ice cream you've ever had in your life.

“People will tell you to go to Montgomery Inn and get the ribs. They're OK. Those aren't going to change your life. Graeter’s blows Skyline and Montgomery Inn out of the water. It's just superb.”