CINCINNATI — A new coach, an almost entirely new roster, and another challenging Big 12 schedule await the Cincinnati Bearcats as they prepare for the 2026–27 men's basketball season. After another disappointing year, Cincinnati is hoping a complete overhaul can finally get the program back to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bearcats finished 18-15 last season, including a 9-9 record in Big 12 play. The university responded by replacing Wes Miller with Jerrod Calhoun, who arrives after successful coaching stops at Youngstown State and Utah State.
Calhoun takes over a program that hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since 2019. Getting Cincinnati back into March Madness won't be easy, particularly in the Big 12, but the new coach has assembled an experienced roster with several proven scorers.
An Almost Complete Rebuild
Cincinnati welcomes 14 newcomers this season, with Grant Darbyshire the only returning player. The Bearcats return no scoring production from last year's team, meaning Calhoun will have to build chemistry almost entirely from scratch.
The new roster, however, brings plenty of college basketball experience.
Senior guard Tylen Riley is among the players expected to lead the offense. Riley has already shown what he can do, scoring 23 points in Cincinnati's 79-68 exhibition victory over Ohio State on October 7 before producing 31 points and 13 assists in a 105-96 exhibition loss to Illinois on October 17.
Forward Tyler Tejada is another solid addition. The 6-foot-9 senior averaged 17.7 points and 5.5 rebounds at Towson last season and gives Cincinnati a versatile scoring option in the frontcourt.
The Bearcats also added guard Myles Colvin, who averaged 11.6 points at Wake Forest last season, and MJ Collins Jr., who led Utah State with 17.5 points per game. Collins' eligibility situation remains unresolved as the season approaches.
Up front, Jayden Hastings, Adlan Elamin, and Riley Allenspach give Cincinnati size and options in the paint. The combination of veteran guards and a deep frontcourt could allow Calhoun to use several different lineups throughout the season.
Early Results Offer Encouragement
Although exhibition results don't count toward the standings, Cincinnati has already provided a glimpse of what its new team might look like.
The Bearcats overcame a nine-point deficit to defeat Ohio State, 79-68, in the CareSource Invitational in Mason. Cincinnati controlled the paint, outrebounding the Buckeyes 45-35 and holding a 48-32 advantage in points inside.
Against Illinois, Cincinnati's offense looked far more potent. The Bearcats scored 96 points and made 12 three-pointers against a team coming off a Final Four appearance. However, Illinois scored 105 points and shot 52.9% from the field, exposing defensive concerns that Calhoun will need to address.
The two exhibitions showed Cincinnati can score in different ways, but consistency on both ends of the floor will be important once the regular season begins.
A Difficult Schedule Awaits
Cincinnati opens the regular season November 2 against American at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats also host Green Bay and Minnesota before traveling to Dayton on November 14.
The nonconference schedule includes the annual Crosstown Shootout against Xavier on December 5, games against Georgia and Boston College in Orlando, and a December 19 matchup with Clemson at Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati.
Big 12 play begins January 2 when Cincinnati hosts Texas Tech. The Bearcats will also welcome Kansas, Arizona, and Houston to Fifth Third Arena while facing difficult road trips to BYU, Baylor, Iowa State, and other conference opponents.
In total, Cincinnati's schedule features 11 games against 10 teams that reached last season's NCAA Tournament.
What Would Make This Season a Success?
For Cincinnati, the primary goal is straightforward: return to the NCAA Tournament.
Calhoun has a strong track record, with nine 20-win seasons and conference championships in three different leagues. His challenge now is turning a group of talented transfers into a team capable of competing consistently in one of the nation's toughest conferences.
The Bearcats appear to have enough offensive talent to compete, particularly if Riley, Tejada, and the other newcomers continue building chemistry. Defense, rebounding, and avoiding prolonged scoring droughts will be just as important.
Cincinnati doesn't necessarily need to contend for the Big 12 championship to make this season successful. A winning conference record and an NCAA Tournament appearance would be meaningful progress for a program that hasn't reached the tournament since 2019.
With a new coach and almost an entirely new team, the Bearcats have an opportunity to change that.
What's Next
Cincinnati closes its exhibition schedule Tuesday, October 27, against Oakland at Fifth Third Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The regular season begins Monday, November 2, when the Bearcats host American at 7 p.m. ET.
