2026-2027 Schedule

[GoBearcats31]

UC entered the offseason with the following games seemingly on the schedule:
- Xavier (home)
- Dayton (away)
- Louisville (neutral) at Freedom Hall in Louisville
- Clemson (neutral) ... Heritage Bank Center?

Jerrod Calhoun also mentioned to Mo Egger in a Friday interview that they would be playing in the ESPN Invitational in Orlando around Thanksgiving, which would be two games versus power (or power-ish) conference programs. Last year's event included BYU, Miami, Georgetown and Dayton. The 2024 field included Florida, Wake Forest, Minnesota and Wichita State.

UC hasn't played in a legit MTE since the 2021 Hall of Fame Classic (Kansas City) and 2022 Maui Invitational in the first two seasons of Wes Miller's tenure.

[GoBearcats31]

Rothstein — The annual Crosstown Shootout between Cincinnati and Xavier will be played next season on Saturday, December 5th at Fifth Third Arena.

[GoBearcats31]

Rothstein — NEWS: Cincinnati, Georgia, Boston College, and UCF will participate in the 2026 ESPN Events Invitational, according to sources.

The exact number of teams and the exact format for the event --- whether showcase form or tournament form --- is still TBD.

[swilsonsp4]

While neither school has announced anything yet, the second leg of the "neutral site" game versus UofL will be postponed. Freedom Hall is about to undergo a partial renovation. Instead, per Chad Brendel, UC is working on a contract with a program that he said Bearcat fans will like. He gave no hints as to which school this could be, as the details still must be worked out. However, it will be a home-and-away series. One of the details is which school gets to host first.

[GoBearcats31]

UC will face Dayton at UD Arena on Saturday, November 14 per Joey DeBerardino of WDTN

[GoBearcats31]

UC will face Dayton at UD Arena on Saturday, November 14 per Joey DeBerardino of WDTN

UC had made this official - TV, time TBD

[bearcatbret]

Rothstein — NEWS: Cincinnati, Georgia, Boston College, and UCF will participate in the 2026 ESPN Events Invitational, according to sources.

The exact number of teams and the exact format for the event --- whether showcase form or tournament form --- is still TBD.

I saw this and it does not make much sense because UCF and UC are in the same conference. Here is some regurgitated info for all of you:
Bearcats Land In ESPN Invitational Field With New Look | Fanrecap.com

[swilsonsp4]

I saw this and it does not make much sense because UCF and UC are in the same conference. Here is some regurgitated info for all of you:
Bearcats Land In ESPN Invitational Field With New Look | Fanrecap.com

The NCAA relaxed their restrictions on playing conference foes during the OOC portion of the schedule. League consolidations have made it more difficult for MTE's to schedule without allowing intraconference matchups or diluting the fields. However, since the format hasn't been announced (tourney vs 2-day "event"), it's possible that the Bearcats would play the other 2 teams, rather than the Knights.

[GoBearcats31]

While neither school has announced anything yet, the second leg of the "neutral site" game versus UofL will be postponed. Freedom Hall is about to undergo a partial renovation. Instead, per Chad Brendel, UC is working on a contract with a program that he said Bearcat fans will like. He gave no hints as to which school this could be, as the details still must be worked out. However, it will be a home-and-away series. One of the details is which school gets to host first.

Scott Springer confirmed this, first reported by Chad

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2026/06/09/cincinnati-bearcats-return-college-basketball-game-at-lousville-cardinals-freedom-hall-pushed-back/90477845007/?tbref=hp

[swilsonsp4]

Scott Springer confirmed this, first reported by Chad
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...5007/?tbref=hp

Chad Brendel also commented today at BCJ that UC's hopes of replacing UofL with a strong opponent ran into logistical issues. It appears that there might be an exhibition game vs tO$U, but UofL's replacement likely now will be a buy-game opponent.

[GoBearcats31]

Jon Rothstein says Big 12 schedule expected out tomorrow

[swilsonsp4]

Jon Rothstein says Big 12 schedule expected out tomorrow

This will be just the matrix, laying out the crossover, home-only, and away-only opponents. There have been discussions pertaining to returning to a 20-game slate, but the conference brass are still mulling that over for the future. So, there will be 18 games, with three crossover opponents.

The game dates won't be known until probably September, as the B12 have done for the past three seasons.

[bearcatlifer]

How does the Texas Tech/Sorsby debacle factor into the schedule? Some teams claim they will refuse to schedule games against TT.

[GoBearcats31]

How does the Texas Tech/Sorsby debacle factor into the schedule? Some teams claim they will refuse to schedule games against TT.

None. This is a basketball schedule discussion.

[GoBearcats31]

Big 12 opponents

HOME only - Arizona, Arizona State, Kansas, TCU, Houston, UCF
ROAD only - BYU, Utah, Colorado, Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma State
BOTH - Texas Tech, Kansas State, WVU