If you’re looking for a blue-blood rivalry with seventy years of hatred, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to understand the new, chaotic reality of the Big 12, the Cincinnati vs Kansas State basketball series is exactly where you should be looking.
It's weird. These two teams didn't spend decades scouting each other's local recruits or fighting over state lines. Yet, every time they step on the hardwood lately, things get physical, scores stay low, and the "experts" end up looking silly.
Honestly, the transition of Cincinnati into the Big 12 has been a bit of a wake-up call for both programs. You've got the Bearcats, trying to reclaim that 90s swagger under Wes Miller, and the Wildcats, who seem to oscillate between "Final Four threat" and "rebuilding project" every other Tuesday.
What Most People Get Wrong About the History
People look at the record books and see a few games from the 1950s and think that’s the story. It isn't. Back on March 14, 1958, Cincinnati beat Kansas State 83-80. That was the Oscar Robertson era. It was a different sport back then—no three-point line, shorter players, and shorts that would make a modern point guard blush.
Fast forward to the modern era. The series was basically dormant for decades until the Big 12 expansion brought them into the same house.
The most telling stat? In the last few years, the home court has been everything. When Kansas State hosted Cincinnati on December 30, 2024, they clawed out a 70-67 win. It was ugly. It was gritty. It was exactly what Big 12 basketball is supposed to be.
"You don't win in this league by being the most talented," a scout once told me while watching a Bearcats practice. "You win by being the biggest jerk on the floor for forty minutes."
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That philosophy defines this matchup.
The 2025-2026 Reality Check
Let's talk about right now. As of January 2026, both these teams are fighting for oxygen in the middle of a crowded conference. Cincinnati currently sits at 8-8 overall (0-3 in conference play), while Kansas State is hovering at 9-7 (also 0-3 in the Big 12).
It’s a brutal start.
Cincinnati has been relying heavily on Baba Miller, who is nearly averaging a double-double with 12.7 points and 10.6 rebounds. He’s a unicorn—a 6'11" forward who can handle the ball—but he can't do it alone. The Bearcats have been losing close ones because their offense goes stagnant in the final four minutes.
On the other side, Jerome Tang’s squad in Manhattan is dealing with its own identity crisis. P.J. Haggerty is an absolute bucket, putting up nearly 23 points a game, but the defense is leaking oil. They recently dropped a game to Arizona State where their perimeter rotations looked more like a suggestion than a strategy.
The Style Clash: Grind vs. Flow
When you watch Cincinnati vs Kansas State basketball, you’re seeing two different philosophies on how to build a program in the NIL era.
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- Cincinnati's Approach: Wes Miller wants length. He wants guys like Moustapha Thiam (7'2") and Baba Miller to create a wall. It’s a "defense-first" mentality that feels very Big East, which makes sense given the school's history.
- Kansas State's Approach: Jerome Tang is all about the "culture." He wants high-usage guards who can create their own shots and a crowd at Bramlage Coliseum that makes the floor shake.
The problem? Neither team has found the consistency to bridge that gap between "scary on paper" and "scary on the scoreboard."
Women's Basketball: The Silent Dominance
We can't ignore the women's side, which has arguably been more competitive lately. On December 31, 2025, Kansas State absolutely dismantled Cincinnati 79-52.
The Wildcats’ freshman Jordan Speiser is the real deal. She put up 15 points and 8 rebounds in that game, showing a poise that most seniors lack. Cincinnati's women's team, led by Katrina Merriweather, is in a massive transition period. They’re 5-9 and struggling to shoot the ball—hitting only 30% from the field in that New Year's Eve blowout.
The disparity there is a reminder that while the men’s programs are neck-and-neck in the standings, the women’s programs are currently on two different trajectories.
Why the Upcoming February Matchup is the Season
Mark your calendars for February 12, 2026.
That’s when the men’s teams meet again. By then, the "0-3 start" talk will be long gone. One of these teams will likely be fighting for a bubble spot in the NCAA Tournament, and the other will be playing spoiler.
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The Bearcats have the size advantage. If they can force Kansas State into a half-court game, they win. But if Haggerty gets out in transition and the Manhattan crowd gets into it? Forget about it.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following this rivalry, stop looking at the 20th-century history. It's irrelevant. Instead, focus on these three things moving forward:
- Watch the Turnover Margin: Cincinnati has been sloppy. In their recent losses, they’ve given up 15+ points off turnovers. If they don't fix the backcourt chemistry between Jizzle James and Day Day Thomas, Kansas State will eat them alive.
- Monitor the Health of the Bigs: In the Big 12, depth is a myth. One twisted ankle to a guy like Thiam changes Cincinnati’s entire defensive shell.
- Bet on the Home Dog: Historically, these two teams play tight games when they aren't supposed to. If the spread is more than 5 points, the underdog has been a surprisingly safe pick.
The Big 12 isn't getting any easier. Cincinnati and Kansas State are two programs trying to prove they belong in the top half of the toughest conference in America. Every elbow thrown and every missed free throw in this series matters because, in March, a single win over the other might be the difference between a flight to Dayton and a seat on the couch.
Keep an eye on the injury reports as February approaches. The physical toll of the January schedule usually dictates who has the legs to win these mid-week conference grinds. If Cincinnati can find a reliable second scoring option behind Baba Miller, they might finally break their road curse. Kansas State, meanwhile, just needs to find a way to stop someone—anyone—on the perimeter.
Don't expect a masterpiece. Expect a fight. That’s what this matchup has become.
Key Matchup Stats at a Glance
- Current Conference Record (Men): Both 0-3 (As of mid-Jan 2026).
- Leading Scorer (KSU): P.J. Haggerty (22.9 PPG).
- Leading Rebounder (UC): Baba Miller (10.6 RPG).
- Next Meeting: February 12, 2026.