Colorado will play its first Big 12 Conference game against Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The Buffaloes currently hold a 12-4 overall record and are 2-1 in conference play after a narrow loss to No. 14 Texas Tech, 73-71, on January 10. Earlier this season, Colorado started league play with two consecutive wins for the second time in three years, matching previous starts in the program’s history.
Cincinnati enters the matchup with an even record of 8-8 overall and has yet to win in Big 12 competition this season (0-3). The Bearcats recently lost two road games, including a close contest against then-No. 25 UCF by one point. Cincinnati averages nearly 74 points per game while allowing opponents just under 66 points and holding them to about 41 percent shooting from the field. The Bearcats attempt more than 28 three-point shots per game but convert only about 31 percent of those attempts.
Senior forward Baba Miller leads Cincinnati in scoring with an average of 12.7 points per game and is a standout rebounder nationally, ranking second in the country for defensive rebounds at over eight per game. He also averages more than ten total rebounds per contest, placing him among the top players both nationally and within the conference. Graduate guard Day Day Thomas adds an average of 12.4 points and is one of the top three-point shooters in the Big 12, hitting over 45 percent from beyond the arc.
This upcoming matchup marks only the tenth meeting between Colorado and Cincinnati all-time and just their second meeting in more than four decades. Cincinnati holds an advantage in the series with eight wins out of nine matchups; Colorado’s sole victory came at home in December of 1982.
The teams share some historical significance from their encounters during the early sixties when they met twice in NCAA Midwest Regional Finals—games won by Cincinnati as part of its national prominence during that era.
The game will be broadcast on Peacock with Eric Rothman and Dalen Cuff providing commentary. Radio coverage will be available on KOA (850 AM & 94.1 FM), as well as online through Sirius XM channels.
