The University of Cincinnati Bearcats have long had one of
the most prominent basketball programs in the nation. Throughout much of the
1950s and early 1960s, The Bearcats were one of the dominant programs
nationally, advancing to five consecutive Final Fours between 1959 and 1963. The
Bearcats of these years were led by such notables as future NBA Hall of Famers
Jack Twyman and Oscar Robertson.
Nevertheless, the ultimate goal of winning a national
championship still eluded the Bearcats. Finally, in 1961 the Bearcats won their
first national championship 70-65 over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The following
season, Cincinnati repeated as national champions with a 71-59 victory over Ohio
State. The Bearcats made a third straight trip to the national championship
game, where they fell 60-58 to Loyola. Amazingly, the national championships
came after Oscar Robertson had departed for the NBA.
Successful season ensued during the 1970s, but the 1980s
witnessed a period of stagnancy for the basketball program. By 1989, a long term
solution had been found that would return Cincinnati to prominence: Bob Huggins
was hired as coach. Before he had arrived, Cincinnati had not been to the NCAA
Tournament since 1976. By the time he departed, they had returned to the Final
Four and had become the dominant team in Conference USA. In his 16 years as
coach of Cincinnati, they compiled a 399-127 record, to go along with ten
regular season conference titles and eight conference tournament titles.
The design of the Cincinnati Bearcats Fabric: Squares is
composed of the University's logos over a red and black squared background.
The Cincinnati Bearcats Fabric: Squares is not suitable for
children's sleepwear. This cotton pattern has been licensed by the
University of Cincinnati and is for individual consumption only. Any other use of
the Cincinnati Bearcats Fabric: Squares is prohibited and illegal.