Bearcats fans had been waiting for last night all season long. It’s been evident since at least early December that there was something special about this team. Even though they didn’t win the AAC regular season or tournament championship, there were enough peeks into what they were capable of along the way that it just felt like this team could do damage in March.
Last night’s 75-61 win over Kansas State validated those feelings. It wasn’t just that the Bearcats beat them, it’s how they beat them. Cincinnati didn’t need a desperate, one-on-one fadeaway from Jacob Evans as the clock expired to pull this game out. They went to work from the opening tip, and simply never let up. When Kansas State cut the lead to six early in the second half, they responded with a 10-2 run that buried them for good.
Let’s take a little time to savor this one and see how Twitter reacted as the game unfolded.
Starters for the #Bearcats tonight as they face Kansas State! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/cqm4d2FOAW
— Cincinnati MBB (@GoBearcatsMBB) March 17, 2026
This is when UC starts their journey to the final four #Bearcats
— Trey Helmlinger (@5_hemi) March 17, 2026
WHY HAVENT WE TIPPED OFF YET #Bearcats #MarchMadness
— Jake Basnett (@bassthesnake) March 17, 2026
Eight minutes from tip and I'm already so nervous. If this is a close game, I may die tonight. #Bearcats
— Ashley Davis (@AshleyDavis32) March 17, 2026
Let do this Bearcats, time to dance! This a great look for a cup of tasty! @GoBEARCATS #Bearcats @GuinnessUS pic.twitter.com/3nNJ73Kqx5
— CC (@CCogburn1979) March 17, 2026
Been waiting all day, let's do this #Bearcats! #Marchmadness
— Jennifer Weiler (@jlweiler) March 17, 2026
Alright #Bearcats , reppin' the throwback with you. Let's do this. #BeatKstate #NCAATournament #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/HB3VOSZxc7
— Bri Coggins (@BriCoggins) March 17, 2026
Let's do this #Bearcats! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/r7flWGSDsb
— BrittBBB12 (@BrittBBB12) March 17, 2026
Stands look empty. Maybe the NCAA should have put these teams a little bit further away from their campuses. #Bearcats #marchmadness
— Andrew Rohne (@HamBrew807) March 17, 2026
Great find by Clark (@Gary11_Clark). Love what I'm seeing from #Bearcats big men so far! pic.twitter.com/RVhkeuTsoO
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 17, 2026
Love. This. Start. #Bearcats
— Ryan Porth (@PorthGame) March 17, 2026
Woooooooh!!! Great start! #Bearcats
— NatiBuck513 (@NatiBuck513) March 17, 2026
#Bearcats are rockin'!!!!
— Rob Banks (@HustlerZ4) March 17, 2026
3 of the prettiest consecutive possessions of the season for the #Bearcats before that TO.
— Mike (@MikeThomas_1970) March 17, 2026
Last 2 UC hoops were dunks by Clark and Washington, off of great passes. #Bearcats have 3 assists in 4-plus minutes.
— Tom Groeschen (@TomGroeschen) March 17, 2026
Dunk City x2 from #Bearcats!! pic.twitter.com/lg8qtXS50e
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 17, 2026
Oh baby! That was one hell of a shot from Troy Caupain! #bearcats #marchmadness
— Break_Man (@Break_Man) March 17, 2026
#Bearcats still have not missed a shot, 7-7. I think if that continues that could help them emerge victorious. #Analysis #Iknowsports
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) March 17, 2026
#bearcats still haven't missed a shot. They're 7-for-7 from the field, 2-for-2 from long range and lead 17-11, 11:43 1st half.
— Bill Koch (@bkoch) March 17, 2026
Cincy playing that lockdown D #bearcats #marchmadness
— Charles (Andy) Chase (@Huskyvoice1996) March 17, 2026
Gary Clark hits a three, the #Bearcats are feeling it.
— Quinn Dumais (@TheMightyQD) March 18, 2026
7-for-7 from the floor to start for the #Bearcats That's not bad.
— Charlie Balcom (@CharlieBalcom) March 18, 2026
Bruce Weber watching the #Bearcats start 7 for 7 like: pic.twitter.com/mzgkx4Mg5g
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 18, 2026
Troy is flat playing. Big bodied. Bold. Shooting. Directing traffic. #Bearcats #UC
— BFox-BearcatsSpRadio (@bearcatsradio) March 18, 2026
Take it to the basket Troy #Bearcats
— Adam Blecher (@BearcatfanAdam) March 18, 2026
@caupain10 and 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #Bearcats
— BearcatE (@esriv) March 18, 2026
Troy has that killer instinct tonight !! #Bearcats
— Robert Klotz (@coachrklotz18) March 18, 2026
26-14 #Bearcats
— Bearcats Blog (@BearcatsBlog) March 18, 2026
9-3 segment with Troy going to the line.
About as great a start as one could wish
Well...Troy and the boys look good thus far...#BEARCATS
— UC CHRIS (@UCCHRIS) March 18, 2026
Ooooooooooo! Troy Caupain is feeling it tonight! #Bearcats
— Break_Man (@Break_Man) March 18, 2026
Troy (@caupain10) expressing what we're all feeling right now. #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/uN0DzL6rko
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 18, 2026
#bearcats Washington just picked up his 2nd foul and goes to the bench with 7:23 left in 1st half.
— Bill Koch (@bkoch) March 18, 2026
#Bearcats. No. Not Moore!!
— Dan Nieman (@niedog1962) March 18, 2026
I will not be saying what the score is. I'm a not superstitious but I'm a little sticious. #Bearcats #UC
— BFox-BearcatsSpRadio (@bearcatsradio) March 18, 2026
Iwundu with 3. That’s big. #BEARCATS
— Cory Curry (@ccurry6) March 18, 2026
Don't let them linger, put the boot down and finish them off early! #Bearcats
— Break_Man (@Break_Man) March 18, 2026
#bearcats saw their 13-point lead cut to seven but now lead again by 12, 33-21, 3:30 left 1st half.
— Bill Koch (@bkoch) March 18, 2026
Come tournament time @caupain10 kicks it into another gear! Keep it up boys! #Bearcats #marchmadness #BeatKState
— Jonathan Machuga (@Chuges) March 18, 2026
#Cincinnati #Bearcats add scoring to their smothering defense.
— Just Phil (@MosherPhil) March 18, 2026
Fun to watch.
Troy Caupain is playing some of his best basketball of the year right now, wow. #Bearcats
— Elise Jesse (@Elise_JesseWLWT) March 18, 2026
That block is a ESPN Top 10 play #Bearcats
— Mark Poole (@md_poole) March 18, 2026
Big time block! #Bearcats
— Alex Meacham (@Alex_Meacham) March 18, 2026
That was a straight LeBron type block! #Bearcats
— Phil (@Phildoc2) March 18, 2026
Jacob Evans (@JacobEvans_1) with the block!!!!!! #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/D77EqPX9su
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 18, 2026
11 point lead at the half #Bearcats
— Cincy vs. Everyone (@CincyvsEveryone) March 18, 2026
@GoBEARCATS my crew LOVES watching our #Bearcats play! ❤ #BearcatsSpirit pic.twitter.com/ZlD8kJlTjv
— Anna ⚔ (@shesingodmode) March 18, 2026
That's one heck of a half for the #Bearcats
— Brad Hawley (@Fox19Brad) March 18, 2026
39-28 # #Bearcats let's gooooo
— J.T. Smith (@_JT_Smith) March 18, 2026
Halftime. No complaints. Zero. I like it. #Bearcats
— Mark Poole (@md_poole) March 18, 2026
65% shooting? Yes, please! #Bearcats #marchmadness
— #NotMypresident (@rawkthecasbah) March 18, 2026
Overall solid half esp with Kyle sitting the last 7 minutes. Troy had 14, 63% shooting will work every time #Bearcats
— Adam Blecher (@BearcatfanAdam) March 18, 2026
Halftime hottake: things are good. Real good. #Bearcats #UC
— BFox-BearcatsSpRadio (@bearcatsradio) March 18, 2026
Here's every point from Troy Caupain (@caupain10) in the first half! #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/qgrrV8Gfok
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 18, 2026
Let's go #Bearcats! Finish this one!!
— TamLovdal (@TamaraLovdal) March 18, 2026
Washington with the #Bearcats first four points of the half.
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) March 18, 2026
I have no idea how Kyle makes that shot. But....it goes in so it doesn't matter! #Bearcats
— Alex Meacham (@Alex_Meacham) March 18, 2026
I get excited when the #Bearcats make free throws. It's not something I'm used to.
— Randy Ready® (@Dearth17) March 18, 2026
#Cincinnati #Bearcats : Don't blow it!
— YMidtownL (@YMidtownL) March 18, 2026
The #Bearcats call a time out as Kansas State goes on a run. UC leads 49-43 with 14:10 remaining. #MarchMadness
— Cincinnati MBB (@GoBearcatsMBB) March 18, 2026
And, there it is... Fuck. #Bearcats @michaelkboston
— #NotMypresident (@rawkthecasbah) March 18, 2026
Do. Not. Let. Them. In. This! #Bearcats
— Brian Henle (@Bri_Hen) March 18, 2026
Gary missing that dunk gave them momentum #Bearcats
— Adam Blecher (@BearcatfanAdam) March 18, 2026
#bearcats K-State has run off five straight points after a missed Gary Clark dunk and now trails by only six with 14:10 left.
— Bill Koch (@bkoch) March 18, 2026
Ugh. I don't like this. #Bearcats
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 18, 2026
The #Bearcats have always done poorly against the zone defense. Infuriating.
— Phil (@Phildoc2) March 18, 2026
Please dont allow a comeback #Bearcats
— Brandon (@BrewsandBengals) March 18, 2026
Cumberland seems to make big plays #Bearcats
— Adam Blecher (@BearcatfanAdam) March 18, 2026
It's 51-43 Cincinnati at the under 16 stop. Big floater from Cumberland to slow the run. #Bearcats
— Chad Brendel (@ChadBrendel) March 18, 2026
I'm not nervous. #Bearcats #marchmadness pic.twitter.com/HFdkpL0X4N
— Jennifer Weiler (@jlweiler) March 18, 2026
NICE rebound, UC!!! #Bearcats
— Katelyn Kinnett (@KKinnett) March 18, 2026
This isn't your Cincinnati team of years past. #Bearcats offense is humming, shooting 62.8% so far, up 57-45 on Kansas State.
— Bill Potter (@billpotter_) March 18, 2026
Get the sense that Kansas state is running out of gas. Put em away Uc #bearcats
— Timothy Hinds (@Timhinds4) March 18, 2026
@jscottsewell is watching the #bearcats game & I feel like I'm watching the full spectrum of human emotion... #sport
— Danielle Poupore (@SoMeDanielleP) March 18, 2026
THAT BLOCK THOUGH #Bearcats
— Katelyn Kinnett (@KKinnett) March 18, 2026
Not in Jacob Evans house! #Bearcats #marchmadness
— Break_Man (@Break_Man) March 18, 2026
That block by @JacobEvans_1 #biggamejake #bearcats
— BearcatE (@esriv) March 18, 2026
Jacob Evans is ridiculous. These blocks have me on the floor #Bearcats
— Deacon Blues (@AMajorDude) March 18, 2026
Evans (@JacobEvans_1) got bored with basketball and decided to try some volleyball. #SPIKE #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/IMTBXNJzpJ
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 18, 2026
59-47 Cincinnati lead at the under 8 stop. Washington to the line for 2 when we return. #Bearcats
— Chad Brendel (@ChadBrendel) March 18, 2026
Kyle has been fantastic so far this half #Bearcats
— Adam Blecher (@BearcatfanAdam) March 18, 2026
#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/6Az9SG4oZr
— Matt Nelson (@MRNelson2) March 18, 2026
Kyle Washington staying out of foul trouble has been key in this game. When he plays, Cincinnati is really good. #Bearcats
— Greg Kuffner (@CallMeGreg4) March 18, 2026
@Gary11_Clark is a problem big time #Bearcats
— BearcatE (@esriv) March 18, 2026
#bearcats now up 67-50, 5:03 left. Get ready for UCLA (or Kent State).
— Bill Koch (@bkoch) March 18, 2026
Dagger!! #Bearcats dominating!
— Bill Brash (@BillBrash31) March 18, 2026
Cumberland with the dagger? #Bearcats @michaelkboston
— #NotMypresident (@rawkthecasbah) March 18, 2026
Clutch bucket by (@Clutchman_34) with a cameo from @ZTobes. #Bearcats #finishthem pic.twitter.com/JfSV82PvQT
— J. Scott Sewell (@jscottsewell) March 18, 2026
The boys came to play tonight...I want UCLA...#BEARCATS
— UC CHRIS (@UCCHRIS) March 18, 2026
I'd like to thank the #Bearcats for keeping my heart rate at a normal level tonight.
— Ashley Davis (@AshleyDavis32) March 18, 2026
Daggerrrrrrrr!!!!! @caupain10 #bearcats
— BearcatE (@esriv) March 18, 2026
Troy Caupain tonight = sensational. #Bearcats
— Jeff Wallner (@JeffWallner) March 18, 2026
Can't wait for Lavar Ball Sunday! #Bearcats
— Chris Roland (@croland23) March 18, 2026
#Bearcats played like the No. 4 seed they should be. #MarchOn
— Jason Williams (@jwilliamscincy) March 18, 2026
Ohhhhhhh ohhhh ohhhhhh *clap* *clap* *clap* *clap* U-C!!!!!!!!! #Bearcats #NextRound
— Tyler Sebree (@TylerWLIO) March 18, 2026
Final...
— UC CHRIS (@UCCHRIS) March 18, 2026
Cincinnati 75
Kansas State 61#BEARCATS
This team tonight. More of this team tonight, PLEASE!!! #Bearcats
— Brian Henle (@Bri_Hen) March 18, 2026
Hey UCLA, you're next. #Bearcats
— Tyler Sebree (@TylerWLIO) March 18, 2026
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