Cincinnati Bearcats Stay In Top 10

Jan 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Troy Caupain (10) passes the ball to guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) during the first half against the Temple Owls at the Liacouras Center. Cincinnati defeated Temple 80-76. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Following a loss to unranked SMU over the weekend the Cincinnati Bearcats weren’t sure where they would fall to in the polls come monday. The voters could punish the Bearcats for being over ranked or they could realize SMU is a much better team than their ranking. The voters sided with the latter as the Bearcats fell from 7th to 10th in the polls while SMU climbed into the Top 25 at #23.

SMU is undefeated at home this season, Cincinnati had won 15 in a row and was undefeated in conference play up to the SMU game, not to mention Cincinnati played two games in three days. Put all of that together and you can see why Cincinnati only fell three spots.

Sitting at #10 the Bearcats are still solidly in the NCAA tournament. Currently projected as a three see Cincinnati needs to rest up and get healthy for this final stretch of the regular season. Games against Louisville, Connecticut and Memphis all ranked teams lies ahead for the Bearcats. After that comes the American Athletic Conference tournament in Memphis, a tournament the Bearcats could definitely win.

Sitting at #10 is a perfect spot for Cincinnati, still viewed as overachievers they now have validation that they belong in a sense, that the voters finally are giving them the respect that they deserve.

Cincinnati returns to the court at home this Saturday against Houston at 3:00pm on ESPNU.