College Basketball Power 10: Welcome To The Top 10, Cincinnati Bearcats

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Jan 26, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jacob Evans (1) talks with head coach Mick Cronin (R) during a stoppage in play against the Xavier Musketeers in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats won 86-78. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Cincinnati (21-2)

Cincinnati is quietly 21-2 and undefeated in the American Athletic Conference at 10-0. They’re just 1-2 against ranked teams this season, but have won 14 straight games, including beating rival Xavier 86-68 for their only win over a ranked team.

Plus, five of their past six wins have come by double-digits.

Cincinnati is also a top-100 scoring offense and 11th in points allowed per game at 61.7. Kyle Washington has a chance to have a breakout NCAA Tournament with the way he’s been playing.

The NC State transfer is averaging 13.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Over the past four games, Washington is averaging 15.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s starting to show why he’s one of the most underrated forwards in the nation.

The American might start to get a little more respect since SMU jumped into the Top 25 this week, but Cincinnati is battling the same logic as Gonzaga. They’re not in a power conference, so people dismiss them as overrated and a beneficiary of weak schedule.

Cincinnati has a chance to disprove that logic with a home game against UCF and a big road test against No. 25 SMU.