For new coach Jerrod Calhoun, who guided Utah State to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, the ultimate goal is to return his alma mater to "The Dance." Since their last invitation in 2019 under Mick Cronin, the Bearcats have been bystanders.
Now with a flipped roster outside of walk-on Grant Darbyshire, Calhoun hopes his "We over Me" message, depth and ball movement will return UC to March Madness.
Game-by-game predictions for Cincinnati Bearcats basketball in 2026-27
In full disclosure, The Enquirer has overestimated UC the past two seasons. They were ranked preseason No. 20 in 2024-25 but tanked in the Big 12 in January. Our 24-7 regular-season guess finished at 19-16 with an appearance in The Crown tournament in Las Vegas.
National prognosticators backed off in 2025-26, though UC had personnel changes and a deceiving preseason win over eventual national champion Michigan in Ann Arbor. We predicted 23-8, which turned into 18-15 and the end of the road for Wes Miller.
Ten days later, Calhoun was hired. He has flipped a roster.
From Utah State, Elijah Perryman, Adlan Elamin, David Iweze and MJ Collins have NCAA experience from last year. Ditto Eric Mahaffey and Amani Lyles from Akron. Darbyshire went dancing at Kentucky, Myles Colvin played in a national title game at Purdue before leaving for Wake Forest, and Riley Allenspach played in the NCAA Tournament for Samford before going to George Mason. Trevian Carson played in the first round last March while at North Dakota State.
That's 10 on the roster who've been there and seek to return.
Nov. 2 UC vs. American (No. 203 KenPom) – win
It would be un-American to pick against the Bearcats.
Nov. 5 UC vs. Green Bay (No. 236 KenPom) – win
'Cats over Cheeseheads.
Nov. 9 UC vs. Minnesota (No. 42 KenPom)- win
The first team to officially play UC in the building (1989) returns. It beat No. 22 Indiana, No. 10 Michigan and UCLA last season and should be improved. The Bearcats may need a Steve Sanders-like 3-ball to win, but will find a way.
Nov. 14 UC at Dayton (No. 63 KenPom) – win
Any game at UD Arena is a challenge. Another big test they should pass.
Nov. 18 UC vs. Youngstown State (No. 233 KenPom) – win
Jerrod Calhoun used to coach the Penguins. UC should be unflappable.
Nov. 22 UC vs. UMass-Lowell (No. 308 KenPom) – win
Should be a payday pounding.
Nov. 26 vs. Georgia at ESPN Events Invitational (No. 46 KenPom) – loss
Georgia has returning starters from the team that beat UC 84-65 last season in Atlanta. They also beat Kentucky in Rupp Arena. This might be the first setback.
Nov. 27 vs. Boston College at ESPN Events Invitational (No. 114 KenPom) – win
Bearcats respond on the rebound against former Xavier assistant Luke Murray's new team.
Dec. 2 vs. Monmouth (No. 196 KenPom) – win
Wes Miller lost to Monmouth. Jerrod Calhoun will not.
Dec. 5 vs. Xavier in Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout (No. 58 KenPom) – win
UC is No. 31 in the preseason KenPom rankings. Calhoun understands the meaning of the game. If not now, when?
Dec. 14 vs. Stetson (No. 272 KenPom) – win
UC will have nine days to prepare for the Hatters and tip them.
Dec. 19 vs. Clemson at Heritage Bank Center (No. 50 KenPom)- lose
UC spotted Clemson a 27-point lead in Greenville last year before losing by three. Brad Brownell is a decent coach. This might be another non-conference blemish between teams of similar style.
Dec. 22 vs. Marist (No. 282 KenPom) – win
Bearcats will get right before Christmas.
Dec. 29 vs. Bethune-Cookman (No. 209 KenPom) – win
This should get the Bearcats through their non-conference schedule with just two losses. It could be more; it could be less. Reality comes next.
Jan. 2 vs. Texas Tech (No. 12 KenPom) – lose
It will help the Bearcats that this is at Fifth Third Arena, but the Red Raiders return players with experience under Grant McCasland and have a higher-income roster. Possibly a tough Big 12 opener.
Jan. 6 at BYU (No. 33 KenPom) – lose
Provo is no picnic for basketball at the Marriott Center. The customer service may be nice, but the Cougars prefer to send you packing with a loss. You would prefer to play this one at home, and it might not be a welcome return for Calhoun to the Beehive State.
Jan. 9 at Utah (No. 84 KenPom) – win
Heading north to Salt Lake City might be more doable, though the Bearcats also lost in their last visit to the Huntsman Center. The Utes should be better, but this should be a road trip split.
Jan. 12 vs. TCU (No. 49 KenPom) – win
Jamie Dixon beat No. 10 Florida, No. 5 Iowa State and then-No. 10 Texas Tech last season and always has a competitive team. The Horned Frogs have four returners, including Xavier Edmonds. Bearcats get the home W.
Jan. 16 at West Virginia (No. 41 KenPom) – lose
Winning in Morgantown has been a mystery in football and basketball and the Mountaineers swept the Bearcats last season. Ross Hodge also has a revamped roster. There's always hope, but WVU is tough at Hope Coliseum.
Jan. 19 UC vs. Kansas (No. 8 KenPom) – lose
UC gave the Jayhawks a rare Phog Allen Fieldhouse loss last year. Despite UC's personnel being totally different, Bill Self will surely have his troops ready to return the favor. This would be a signature upset, but it's tough to call for such nearly three months in advance.
Jan. 23 UC at Colorado (No. 86 KenPom) – win
The Buffaloes are tougher at home, but UC has had decent games in Boulder and will need another one.
Jan. 30 UC vs. Arizona State (No. 71 KenPom) – win
Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils should go down, and he may or may not speak to the Cincinnati media.
Feb. 2 UC vs. Arizona (No. 5 KenPom) – lose
Tommy Lloyd faced off with Calhoun's Utah State team in the NCAA Tournament, so he'll have some form of scouting report. He's also a master of international recruiting. It helps to have this at home, but it's a tall order if you're being honest.
Feb. 6 UC at Oklahoma State (No. 45 KenPom) – win
UC is overdue for a win at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.
Feb. 9 UC at Baylor (No. 35 KenPom) – lose
Scott Drew won a national title for a reason, and he's changed his roster that went 17-17 last season. UC has struggled to beat the Bears in Waco.
Feb. 13 UC at UCF (No. 52 KenPom) – win
UC has just one meeting with the Knights of Johnny Dawkins. UCF has often been Jekyll-and-Hyde results-wise. The Bearcats will be in need of a road win and will prevail in Orlando, home of UC big man Jayden Hastings.
Feb. 16 UC at Iowa State (No. 6 KenPom) – lose
If the Cyclones have a healthy Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure, it could be a long day in Ames. Coach TJ Otzelberger probably doesn't have pleasant memories of losing last year at Fifth Third Arena.
Feb. 20 UC vs. Kansas State (No. 96 KenPom) – win
Coach Casey Alexander is new and has a new roster. That's not necessarily a good thing to take on the road in the Big 12. Bearcats beat Wildcats.
Feb. 24 UC vs. West Virginia (No. 41 KenPom) – win
UC won't get swept by the Mountaineers this season.
Feb. 27 UC at Texas Tech (No. 5 KenPom) – lose
UC should not expect a pre-game cookout at Cody Campbell's house. Tough game in Lubbock.
March 2 UC vs. Houston (No. 3 KenPom) – lose
UC hasn't beaten the Cougars in seven years. It's long overdue, but the Kelvin Sampson streak probably continues.
March 6 UC at Kansas State (No. 96 KenPom) – win
Having played them just two weeks before, UC gets a needed Big 12 road win going into the Big 12 Conference Championships in Kansas City.
Cincinnati Enquirer projection of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball
That puts the Bearcats at 21-11 (9-9 Big 12). Winning over 20 while flipping a roster and finishing .500 in the treacherous Big 12 should be enough to get an NCAA Tournament sniff. From there, anything can happen.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Game-by-game predictions for Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball