The Cincinnati Bearcats and their dreams of playing in the 2026 March Madness Tournament may have been crushed for good.
Not only have the Bearcats been eliminated in the second round of the Big 12 conference tournament in a brutal manner, likely ending their chances for an at-large bid in March Madness, but the chances of head coach Wes Miller returning for a sixth season are now as low as ever.
Wes Miller on the Hot Seat as Cincinnati Crashes Out of Big 12 Tournament
The Bearcats looked strong to end the regular season, winning six of their last eight, and they needed it to even be in the conversation of potentially earning a spot in March Madness following a slow start to the season.
However, their second-round exit to UCF may have been the final nail in the coffin for their season and Miller’s tenure as head coach.
Cincinnati with an absolute meltdown.
UCF wins 66-65 and that should secure a spot in NCAA tourney for Johnny Dawkins.
And now we’ll see what Bearcats AD does with Wes Miller.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 11, 2026
“Cincinnati with an absolute meltdown. UCF wins 66-65 and that should secure a spot in NCAA tourney for Johnny Dawkins. And now we’ll see what Bearcats AD does with Wes Miller.” Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman said on X.
The loss was brutal in every way imaginable for Miller’s team, who certainly needed a run in the Big 12 Tournament to have a shot at being involved in the Madness. To make matters worse, the Bearcats were well on their way to advancing before a late collapse forced overtime, where UCF undoubtedly had more left in the tank.
Cincinnati led for 75% of the game and was up by 8 with 2:17 left.
In the next 7 minutes, UCF tied it, forced OT and won it.
The Bearcats season – and possibly Wes Miller’s tenure – ends in the Big 12 Tournament second round.@WLWT
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) March 11, 2026
“Cincinnati led for 75% of the game and was up by 8 with 2:17 left. In the next 7 minutes, UCF tied it, forced OT and won it. The Bearcats season – and possibly Wes Miller’s tenure – ends in the Big 12 Tournament second round.” Jaron May reported.
May’s post highlighted the monumental collapse that caused the Bearcats to crash out of the tournament. Allowing the lead to slip away may have cost Miller’s team a tournament bid and his job. His seat has never been hotter.
A loss in the most brutal of fashions exemplifies Miller’s five seasons as Cincinnati’s head coach; underwhelming and dissapointing.
Cincinnati choked an eight-point lead in the final two minutes and ended up losing to UCF in overtime.
Would be a poetic end to the Wes Miller era if he gets fired. pic.twitter.com/gzQ4ZU4bDC
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 11, 2026
“Cincinnati choked an eight-point lead in the final two minutes and ended up losing to UCF in overtime. Would be a poetic end to the Wes Miller era if he gets fired.” College Basketball Report posted to X.
The college basketball world was in awe of the collapse that came at the worst of times. Many were quick to point out how often Miller’s teams have failed to close out games, as members of the media now expect Cincinnati’s athletic director, John Cunningham, to move on from Miller as head coach.
Cincinnati’s bubble bursts and we likely get #SearchSZN there as well
— Sam Federman (@Sam_Federman) March 11, 2026
“Cincinnati’s bubble bursts and we likely get #SearchSZN there as well,” Sam Federman said.
Over five seasons as head coach, Miller never qualified the Bearcats for March Madness, making it hard to justify keeping him around for a sixth season. Miller has posted a 100-73 record during his tenure.
BUBBLE WATCH: Cincinnati falls to UCF.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 11, 2026
“BUBBLE WATCH: Cincinnati falls to UCF.” Jon Rothstein reported.
The loss is devastating for the Bearcats, who are unlikely to make the March Madness field after this defeat to UCF.
UCF will most likely secure one of the last tournament spots after this must-win game against a comparable opponent.
What comes next for Miller if he is, in fact, let go is yet to be seen, but for the Bearcats, a strong ending to the regular season is all for not after a disappointing early exit in the Big 12 Tournament. They will more than likely be watching March Madness from home. Cincinnati’s athletic director now has some big decisions to make as the offseason nears.
