Bearcats Big East 2011-12 Conference Schedule Released

The Bearcats finished last season with a 26-9 mark, tied for sixth in the Big East gauntlet with an impressive 11-7 record and won a second round game over Missouri in the NCAA Tournament.  As the only Division I team in the country to increase its win total in each of the last five season, its no wonder that the Bearcats have been ranked as high as #8 in some preseason polls.

"Playing in the Big East Conference is the ultimate challenge every season,” said Head Coach Mick Cronin. “This year will be our biggest challenge yet as we have drawn an extremely tough schedule for our three repeat opponents in St. John’s, Villanova, and Marquette.”"

The Bearcats will welcome six NCAA Tournament qualifiers to Fifth Third Arena during conference play and will play home-and-home series with Marquette, St. John’s, and Villanova, all NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago. UC will also host DePaul, Louisville, Notre Dame, Providence, Seton Hall, and Syracuse.

The road schedule is very difficult, as the Bearcats travel to defending National Champion Connecticut, Georgetown, defending Big East champion Pittsburgh, Rutgers, USF, and West Virginia.  UC was 1 of only 6 teams, to have winning road records last season.  The most difficult game being at Pittsburgh were the Bearcats have yet to record a victory.

As challenging as the season looks, fans everywhere have high hopes for the Bearcats as they return 4 starters and add an impressive freshmen class to their roster.  The Bearcats look to build off a strong 2010 season and strive for their first Big East Basketball Title.

Jeremy Pflug, Lead Editor for CincyOnTheProwl, Follow me on Twitter @Cincyontheprowl