Heartbreak: Cincinnati Bearcats Lose To UConn Huskies

Mar 14, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Justin Jackson (5) reacts after scoring during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference college basketball tournament at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

In the rubber match between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the UConn Huskies this season things didn’t work out in Cincinnati’s favor. The first two match ups between these two teams resulted in some of the hardest fought basketball you will see this season. Both games were close, Friday nights game came down to the buzzer though and ended in heartbreak for the Bearcats as they fell 58-56.

Cincinnati managed to keep the game close in the first half despite playing horribly. The Cincinnati defense showed up when the offense didn’t once again. Connecticut’s offense struggled against the stifling defense from the Bearcats but were able to knock down key three pointers when the Bearcats got lost in transition or failed to guard a three. Cincinnati took a 31-27 lead into halftime, somehow managing to pull out a lead thanks in part to Jermaine Sanders and Justin Jackson.

The second half would see Connecticut knock down more crucial three point shots while Cincinnati struggled to get the ball in the basket with droughts of 6 minutes and 5 minutes in-between baskets the Bearcats lack of offense doomed them in the second half. A huge three by Connecticut’s Ryan Boatright with 9 minutes to play in the game gave the Huskies the lead and they would never look back. Cincinnati’s Sean Kilpatrick would attempt a lay up with 1 second left but the ball wouldn’t drop, instead it balanced on the rim and fell off ending Cincinnati’s tournament.

Goaltending was a major part of Friday’s game, each team had a goal tending call go their way. Cincinnati’s Justin Jackson was called for goal tending on a very very close call. One that didn’t not look like the ball was in a downward motion but the American Athletic Officials didn’t review their call. At the end of the game as the ball balanced on the rim a Connecticut player touched the net of the basket. By rule that should have been called as goaltending, the rule states you cannot touch the rim/net while the ball is on the cylinder. If that call was made the game would have gone to overtime.

Cincinnati did not deserve to win that game, point blank it was possibly their worst game of the year. Their last 5 games haven’t been pretty and this game summed it all up for them. Fans knew they would be in for a long night after a three point win over UCF Thursday night. Cincinnati’s offense is non existent, star player Sean Kilpatrick failed to show up, and fundamentally the Bearcats failed themselves. A shot clock violation by Jackson who had no idea the clock was at one second epitomized Cincinnati’s night.

Connecticut moves on to play Louisville who is playing lights out at the moment Saturday night at 6pm. Cincinnati meanwhile returns home and awaits Selection Sunday to see who and where they will be playing in the tournament.