Though the Bearcats postseason NIT run ended in a 65-62 loss to South Carolina, UC nearly staved off the Gamecocks without starters James White and Jihad Muhammad. Both seniors were declared ineligible for the remainder of the season prior to the March 23 game. The ‘Cats finished their tumultuous season with 21 wins and 13 losses.
Photos by Andrew Higley
Andy Kennedy exits following the UC loss to a standing ovation from the fans. Kennedy was later announced as head coach at Ole Miss. Former UC assistant Mick Cronin will return to UC as head coach.
Nearly 8,000 fans showed up at Fifth Third Arena’s Shoemaker Center March 23 to watch the final home game for UC’s seniors and pay tribute to interim coach Andy Kennedy. UC drew nearly 20,000 for its three-game NIT run.
Senior Eric Hicks finished his final game as a Bearcat with the same warrior mentality
that carried the Bearcats all year. He closed with 22 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Hicks rejected 113 shots this season,
a new single-season record.
Senior Chadd Moore played the entire game for UC Thursday despite obvious back pain. He finished the game with 11 points.
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Freshman Devan Downey wowed UC fans this year, a season that saw him named to the Big East all-freshmen team.