Game Two of the Big 12 Tournament is about to tip off in Kansas City. No. 9 Cincinnati takes on No. 16 Utah on Tuesday, March 10th at 2:00 PM CT. Utah doesn’t have much to play for other than a spoiler, but Cincinnati needs every win it can get if they hope to reach the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Here’s a preview, prediction, key storylines, and updated odds to keep an eye on in this matchup as we get set for today’s game.
Cincinnati vs. Utah Basketball Updated Odds
The Cincinnati Bearcats opened as a 9.5-point favorite in Kansas City, with an over/under of 140.5 total points. The line has moved by dramatically Tuesday afternoon to Cincinnati as a 12.5-point favorite, and an over/under of 137.5 total points.
Key Storyline: Cincinnati’s Postseason Plans
It should go without saying that if you’ve followed this Cincinnati squad the last few weeks, you know just how close they are to reaching the NCAA Tournament. In Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology update, he listed Wes Miller’s squad at No. 73, five teams out of the field. A win over Utah won’t do much to improve their stock as the Utes stink, but win two or more games and it’s going to be tough to leave out Cincinnati.
Match Up to Watch: Utah Offense vs. Cincinnati Defense
Cincinnati’s defense is one of the best units in the league this season and is limiting elite offenses left and right. Fortunately for UC, Utah does not have an elite offense. In fact, they have the league’s 14th-best unit, posting just 74.6 points per game ahead of just Kansas State and West Virginia. Cincinnati is holding opponents to 67.7 points per game, a mark good for fourth in the Big 12.
Prediction: Cincinnati 91, Utah 76
It always feels a little silly predicting a blowout in a conference like the Big 12, but this one has the makings of it. Utah doesn’t have anything to play for, and Cincinnati is a better team that needs to win to keep its hopes of hearing their names called on Selection Sunday alive and well. Also, these two teams played last month and Cincinnati only won by four points, so they won’t be caught off guard or take Utah too lightly. Cinci’s defense, it’s strong suit, will stifle Utah and force turnovers (Utah is last in the Big 12 in turnover margin), and roll to a big afternoon. The recipe tells me it’ll be all Bearcats and they’re a tough draw for anyone right now. The winner of this game faces No. 8 UCF, and I expect that to be Wes Miller and company.
