Cincinnati Basketball Big 12 Conference Schedule Released

The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball program released its full Big 12 Conference schedule for the 2025 season, unveiling the 18-game schedule.

Here’s a full breakdown of the Bearcats' conference slate:

Opening at Home vs. Houston (Jan. 3)

The Bearcats open Big 12 play with a heavyweight tilt against Houston at Fifth Third Arena. The Cougars, a former American Athletic Conference rival, remain one one the best teams in the country under head coach Kelvin Sampson.

Early Road Swing – WVU (Jan. 6) & UCF (Jan. 11)

Cincinnati hits the road for back-to-back contests starting at West Virginia. With a retooled roster and a new coaching direction, the Mountaineers are in transition—but never an easy out in Morgantown.

They’ll then travel south to face UCF in Orlando. The Knights, who ended the Bearcats' season during the Crown Tournament, continue to build under Johnny Dawkins and boast a young, athletic core.

Three-Game Home Stand – Colorado (Jan. 14), Iowa State (Jan. 17), Baylor (Jan. 28)

The Bearcats return to the Queen City for a key home stretch that includes Colorado, Iowa State, and Baylor. 

Desert Road Trip – Arizona (Jan. 21), Arizona State (Jan. 24)

Cincinnati travels west to face both Arizona and Arizona State in a Wednesday, Saturday double dip.

Houston Rematch + West Virginia & UCF at Home (Jan. 31 – Feb. 8)

The Bearcats meet Houston again on the road in a tough turnaround game, followed by home games against West Virginia and UCF. 

Mid-February Tests – Kansas State (Feb. 11), Kansas (Feb. 21), Texas Tech (Feb. 24)

Three challenging road environments await:

• Kansas State, under Jerome Tang, was a surprise Final Four contender two years ago and remains dangerous.

• Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse is one of college basketball’s ultimate tests. Facing Bill Self’s Jayhawks in Lawrence will be a major late-season measuring stick.

• Texas Tech, known for its gritty defensive identity, will be a tough out in Lubbock.

Home Stretch – Utah (Feb. 15), Oklahoma State (Feb. 28), BYU (Mar. 3)

• Utah, led by Craig Smith, brings a balanced attack and high-IQ basketball.

• Oklahoma State is undergoing a roster rebuild but is always athletic and dangerous.

• BYU plays with pace and shoots the three at volume, making for a dangerous March matchup at home. The Cougars feature on of the best backcourts in the country, led by Baylor transfer Robert Wright III, Richie Saunders, and phenom freshman AJ Dybantsa.

Regular Season Finale at TCU (Mar. 7)

The Bearcats will close the regular season in Fort Worth against TCU, another physically tough and well-coached squad under Jamie Dixon. This could have significant seeding implications for the Big 12 Tournament.

Full 2025 Big 12 Conference Schedule