Before the start of basketball season, coaches in the American Athletic Conference saw high potential in the Cincinnati Bearcats and picked Mick Cronin's team to finish first. UC placed second behind SMU but reached multiple milestones along the way. From a program-best regular-season record under Cronin (27-4) to the extension of the longest home-court win streak in the Cronin era (26 games), UC found ways to explore new ground. While Cronin's former teams made a living on defense and tended to score in the high 60s, this group ramped up its offensive average to 74.7 points. With a defensive foundation in place, can the Bearcats put it all together for a sustained postseason run?
ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams to help you make smart picks in your bracket.