5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. Cincinnati in Big 12 Tournament

WVU Basketball will face Cincinnati in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament on Tuesday afternoon. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Mountaineers-Bearcats Facing Off in Second-Straight Game

Just over the weekend, WVU and UC wrapped up the regular season with the Bearcats running away with it 92-56. Cincinnati scored 48 points in the paint, compared to WVU’s 14. UC also shot 58% from the field and out-rebounded WVU by 14.

Right after the conclusion of the game, both teams found out they would face each other again just three days later before they even left the arena. With Kansas State defeating Iowa State, the Wildcats received a bye in the first round of the tournament with Cincinnati getting the 11-seed.

West Virginia did defeat UC 69-65 in Morgantown on Jan. 31.

Does WVU Show Any Fight?

With West Virginia recording one win since Feb. 1, it appears that this group has given up on the season. WVU has suffered three 30-point-plus losses during conference play: Houston (34), Texas (36) and Cincinnati (36).

Has West Virginia’s players quit?

“I don’t know. This team has been very inconsistent with their mindset,” WVU interim HC Josh Eilert said. “I’ve been fighting for consistency each and every night. We got new life, we’re going to Kansas City.”

WVU Could Record Its Worst Winning % in Modern Era

If West Virginia loses on Tuesday, they’ll record its worst winning % in the last century. The 1917-18 team recorded a 23.5 winning percentage going 4-13. Before the game, the Mountaineers just trail the 2001-02 team with the lowest winning % in the modern era.

WVU recorded the most losses in a single season (22) in program history on Saturday.

Betting Lines

The spread for the WVU-Cincinnati game is currently -10.5 UC. The over/under is set at 144.5.

How to Watch

West Virginia and UC will tip off at 3 p.m. inside the T-Mobile Center on Tuesday. The Mountaineers and Bearcats will be on ESPN+.