Cincinnati Basketball: Big 12 play could be difficult for the Bearcats to navigate

After going 11-2 during non-conference play, the Cincinnati Bearcats are on the verge of facing a difficult schedule in the Big 12 moving forward!

Cincinnati is the 39th highest rated team in the country and 9th ranked in the Big 12 according to the most recently updated KenPom rankings.

The Bearcats get a week off before returning to action in the long-awaited Big 12 opener at the BYU Cougars on Saturday, January 6 on ESPN2.

With a chance to close non-conference play with a win, Cincinnati outlasted Evansville and is set to enter Big 12 play with a 3-game win streak.

Cincinnati Basketball: Big 12 play could be difficult for the Bearcats to navigate

BYU enters the matchup with a 12-1 record that includes a win over San Diego State, and is led by star senior shooting guard Jaxson Robinson.

Cincinnati will face BYU for just the fourth time ever and the first meeting since blowing out the Cougars 84-59 in the 2001 NCAA Tournament.

Following losses to in-state rivals Dayton and Xavier last month, the Bearcats continued to struggle when playing high level competition.

The Cougars are undefeated at home this year so it will certainly be a challenge for Cincinnati to pull off an upset in the hostile environment.