Look, I'm not going to be the first to say this, and I certainly won't be the last, but BYU basketball really needs a win right now. Losers of seven in their last 10, and eight of their last 12, Kevin Young's Cougs have been beaten down after losing five players to season-ending injuries, including three mainstays in the team's rotation.
Forced to scrap together whatever remains alongside AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright, BYU hoops is bleeding, and Cincinnati may provide the best chance to get that stabilizing victory before the postseason begins. Suddenly, both sides standing at 8-8 in conference play, neither side is willing to yield to the other, no matter their current circumstances.
The Bearcats, specifically, have been red hot in recent weeks. Led by Baba Miller, the engine of Cincy's roster, this team has won five of their last six matchups, including wins over Kansas and UCF, two teams that gave BYU fits in their recent meetings.
Sure, they still dropped a double-digit battle against Texas Tech, but so did BYU in Lubbock near the beginning of the Big 12 slate.
There is no sugar-coating it. There is no dodging the biggest issue for BYU. The Cougars are crumbling, even with a recent win over Iowa State, BYU is a shell of the giant that we saw in the young season.
Shallow and losing heart by the minute, BYU's defensive effort completely imploded against West Virginia in Morgantown. There are no excuses for the endless barrage of Mountaineer offensive rebounds. There is no positive spin for a team that was pantsed and humiliated in front of their home crowd by the UCF Knights. AJ Dybantsa cannot carry this team alone (try as he might), and BYU's tournament outlook is suddenly miles separated from its original goal of the Final Four. In fact, you wouldn't be jeered for scratching this team out in the first round, regardless of their opponent.
But this slippery slope of misery can all end with one simple fix: win in Cincinnati.
Knock the Bearcats off their winning track. Spur the red-hot Big 12 foe and get your feet underneath you as you gear up to face Texas Tech in Provo on Saturday.
Tasting their own blood, with their backs against the wall, expect an inspired performance from the boys in blue on Tuesday.
With so much to lose, BYU basketball likely doesn't roll through their adversaries on the road, but you can hope to expect a gutsy, emotional victory as the season stands in the balance.
Final Score: BYU 73, Cincinnati 71
How to watch BYU vs Cincinnati
Date: Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM MT
Location: Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, OH
Channel: ESPN2