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Cincinnati Bearcats Links Jump Off | January 16th

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The Bearcats Basketball team is coming off a nice home win against the Villanova Wildcats on Saturday. What lies ahead is the most daunting stretch of the season. Three games in six days against three of the top 15 teams in the RPI, two of them on the road. The only home game coming against a Syracuse team that just seems to exist on a higher plane of being at the moment. Should be fun, lets hit the news.

Basketball

Hit me with your best shot // Paul Dehner

"Their guards were outstanding; they really were," Villanova coach Jay Wright said, admitting he's never seen a team only commit three turnovers against him. "And the balance of their guards, they spread it out and it keeps them fresh. They isolate different guys. They share the ball with each other. They are very impressive."

Brendel's Bytes: Villanova // Bearcat Lair

"We have a stretch of our next three games (where) we play the three best rebounding teams," said Cronin. "I know Connecticut’s the biggest team outside of Syracuse. The game in the middle (against West Virginia), we play against the best rebounding coach in the country."

Kind of a big issue for a team that hasn't finished with a (+) in rebounding margin since the Arkansas-Pine Bluff game

Brutal stretch ahead for Bearcats // cincinnati.com

"I told you guys when the schedule came out I might take a vacation in January," Cronin said. "We’re going to have fun preparing for them. First of all, all we worry about is who we play Wednesday. That’s all that matters. You can’t get too far ahead."

There is no doubt that this is the toughest three game stretch of the season. Just grabbing one win out of those three is going to be tough. I'd be over the moon about getting two.

UConn Guard Ryan Boatright To Be Held Out Of Play Pending NCAA Review // Big East Coast Bias

"This development arises from additional information provided by the NCAA that pertains to conditions and events that pre-date the University's relationship with Boatright"

No one really knows if Boatright will be cleared to play on Wednsday. Could be a big loss for the Huskies. But they still have the charitable Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb and SHABAZZ so they are still kind of good.

UC Bearcats top Villanova in nailbiter // cincinnati.com

Ryan Boatright being held out pending NCAA review AGAIN - The UConn Blog
A homers take on the Boatright issue

Three Letters: R.P.I.

Marshall becoming the favorites in C-USA? // CBSSports.com
You never want to lose, doubly so at home, but I could tell in December that Marshall had the ability to make noise in C-USA and break that nearly three decade old tournament less streak. A win would be more help, but that loss isn't as bad at it seemed at the time. Now about the Blue Hose....

Oklahoma Downs Favored #18 Kansas St. 82-73 With Defense // Crimson And Cream Machine
A potentially positive development for the Bearcats tournament resume. The Sooners have Texas A&M and Texas Tech next before Baylor comes to Norman on the 24th. The Sooners RPI is 70 at the moment. With the right breaks it could be a non conference top 50 win.

Around The Big East

Big East Basketball Wrap-Up: No. 11 Georgetown Defeats St. John's, 69-49 - Big East Coast Bias
I find this to be utterly confusing

Football News

Co-Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks Heading to Illinois? UPDATE: Tim Banks to Illinois Official
Another take on Tim Banks heading to Illinois. The official Down The Drive take if you need it

Other Bearcat News

Track & Field Takes Top Spot At Akron Opener - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site
The University of Cincinnati women's indoor track and field team returned to action by winning the Akron Opener on Friday at the Stile Field House.

UC Swimmers Drop Dual Meets vs. UofL, Eastern Michigan - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site

Hollins Leads Bearcats In 76-50 Loss To No. 2 Notre Dame - University of Cincinnati Official Athletics Site