2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team
The 2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bearcats were led by second-year head-coach John Brannen. The team played their home games at Fifth Third Arena as members of the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 12–11, 8–6 in AAC play to finish in fifth place. They defeated SMU and Wichita State in the AAC Tournament before losing to Houston in the championship game. On April 3, 2021, the school placed head coach Brannen  on paid leave pending an investigation after six Bearcats players decided to transfer following the season. A week later, the school fired Brannen following an investigation into his conduct. Previous season. The Bearcats finished the 2019–20 season 20–10, 13–5 in AAC play, finishing tied for first place and winning a share of the regular season title. The Cats kept fans on the edge of their seats with a nation-leading seven overtime games. They entered as the No. 1 seed in the AAC Tournament, which was ultimately cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Bearcats were awarded the automatic bid  to the 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament by the conference, before it too was cancelled. Offseason. In the spring, Keith Williams and Chris Vogt both announced that each would enter the 2020 NBA draft, while retaining the option to return for their senior seasons. In late July, both would option to return for their final seasons of eligibility. Preseason. AAC preseason media poll. On October 28, The American released the preseason Poll and other preseason awards Schedule and results. The Bearcats are currently scheduled to travel to Knoxville for the second part of a home-and-home  series with Tennessee and begin a home-and-home series on the road at Georgia. Cincinnati and Xavier announced they would maintain the Crosstown Shootout during the season. COVID-19 impact. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Bearcats schedule is subject to change, including the cancellation or postponement of individual games, the cancellation of the entire season, or games played either with minimal fans or without fans in attendance and just essential personnel. Prior to the start of the season, UC announced there would be no fans in Fifth Third Arena; only permitting fans in the arena later in the  season if it's safe and appropriate to do so. UC was later granted an attendance variance by the State of Ohio which allows for crowds of around 1,135 fans inside the arena for games against Tulane (Feb. 26), Memphis (Feb. 28) and SMU, rescheduled as Vanderbilt, (March 4). ! style=| Regular Season Schedule. ! style="| AAC Tournament