The Bearcats finished the 2018 – 19 season 28 – 7 , 14 – 4 in AAC play , finishing in second place . They defeated SMU , Wichita State , and No. 1 seed Houston to win the AAC Tournament for the second consecutive year , and received the conference 's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament . As the No. 7 seed in the South region , they were upset by No. 10 seed Iowa in the first round . After the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament , head coach Mick Cronin accepted the head-coaching position at UCLA . John Brannen , the head coach at nearby Northern Kentucky , would be hired to replace Cronin . . In the transition , UC lost G/F Rashawn Fredericks and C Nysier Brooks - both of whom would 've both been seniors . They also lost sophomore guard Logan Johnson and backup PF Eliel Nsoseme . Incoming freshman and Ohio 's Mr. Basketball in 2019 , Samari Curtis , also de-committed
AAC Tournament
2019 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
2019–20 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team