During the 2017-18 season, the Cincinnati Bearcats got very comfortable in college basketball Top 25s. They were ranked in the AP Poll every week of the season, reaching a high of No. 5 and never falling below No. 21.
Despite that long run of success, the Bearcats, by virtue of some intense roster turnover, were not given as much respect entering the current campaign. They were stuck in the purgatory of unranked but receiving votes, getting 21 votes in the AP Poll and 30 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Those equated to No. 34 and and No.