The Bearcats Get First Conference Win - But The Road Ahead Is Brutal

The Cincinnati Bearcats have had a rough season. Things have gotten so bad that fans organized a "paper bag protest" for the most recent game given all of the team's struggles.

The "Paper Bag Protest" via Reddit

Head coach Wes Miller has been on the hottest of seats, at least according to many in the national media. His intense comments and postgame rants have raised plenty of eyebrows.

"I don’t care what people think... Everybody can quit on us. Everybody. I hear it. It’s us against the world." - Wes Miller

While Miller has remained confident in his abilities and his team, fans haven't been so optimistic. But then again, maybe that negativity motivated the Cats at just the right time, and maybe the paper bags worked.

In their 77-68 victory over Colorado, their first Big 12 conference win, the Bearcats (whose offense has struggled so often this season) were on fire early with an 18-4 run and led by as many as 21 points. But it didn't last and Cincinnati had to fight the Buffalos down to the very last minutes of the game.

The Bearcats' success on offense was largely due to Baba Miller, who had perhaps the best effort of his season with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting, to go with 11 rebounds. Moustapha Thiam contributed 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 FT) while chipping in 2 steals and 2 blocks.

As a team, Cincinnati shot 45% from the floor, and got to the free throw line 35 times (making 24). These were comfortably above their season averages, and are good signs for a team that remains in the low 200s in KenPom's offensive efficiency rating.

The Bearcats defense clamped down late as well, continuing a trend that has consistently seen them remain a top-10 unit to make up for their offensive woes. They forced 16 turnovers while registering nine steals and five blocks, although Colorado did manage to score 43 second-half points off some open looks amid a few defensive lapses in order to get back into the game.

While it was refreshing to finally get a conference win, due to the strength of the Big 12, the Bearcats will get almost no time to soak in the victory. They will face two top-five nationally ranked teams in Iowa State and then on the road against top-ranked and undefeated Arizona. The Cyclones will be coming off the first loss of their season (a bad blowout 84-63 loss to Kansas) and should be looking to take out those frustrations against the Cats, who had better be ready for some haymakers early on.

But for now Cincinnati moves to 1-3 in Big 12 play, and 9-8 overall. And who knows, maybe next time the fans will set aside the paper bags. But after the next few games they may be making another featured appearance.