Cincinnati Bearcats Ranked 19th In Latest AP Poll

Jan 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Jermaine Sanders (15) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This was probably a foregone conclusion after Cincinnati’s placement in last week’s rankings and the fact that UC won both of their games over the past week. I mean, considering teams ahead of them like Kansas State and Illinois lost and since the Bearcats have won eight-straight, they were bound to jump somebody. Heck, it wasn’t like they were going to move down in the polls.

And it’s those very reasons why we witnessed Cincinnati jump an impressed seven spots in the AP Poll to land at 19th with 405 votes. This is a well-deserved slot for a team that is 15-2 and pacing the American Conference behind an anchor in the post in Justin Jackson, a burgeoning young guard in Troy Caupain, and an always suffocating defense. The last time UC found itself in the top-25 was in week 10 of last season. Cincinnati was 13-2 after a couple of tough losses to New Mexico and St. John’s before moving out of the rankings all together with a loss to Notre Dame. Hopefully a similar fate doesn’t befall the Bearcats time around and they can remain in the top-25 for the remainder of the season.