CINCINNATI — In a stunning turn of events, the Cincinnati Bearcats dominated the Colorado Buffaloes with a decisive score of 77-68 on January 3, 2024, at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats’ frontcourt, led by Baba Miller and Moustapha Thiam, exploited Colorado’s struggling interior defense, a weakness that has plagued the Buffaloes throughout the season.
Miller, a standout transfer from Florida Atlantic, delivered an impressive performance with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, marking his eighth double-double of the season. His shooting was on fire, going 10-for-17 from the floor. Meanwhile, the towering 7-foot-2 center Thiam contributed significantly with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting, making the duo’s combined effort a staggering 52% of Cincinnati’s total scoring.
In a post-game statement, CU head coach Tad Boyle articulated his disappointment, stating,
“We didn’t do a good job defensively… Our post guys got abused down low, and our perimeter guys didn’t help them.”
This lack of defensive coordination allowed the Bearcats to shoot an impressive .640 (16-for-25) from the field.
The Buffaloes were also missing key players, including reserve Jalin Holland, who missed his second consecutive game due to injury. Boyle, however, expressed optimism that Holland would return for their upcoming game against West Virginia. Freshman Ian Inman returned to action for the first time since December 13, contributing his first points in weeks and logging valuable minutes.
In other noteworthy news, CU men’s basketball media relations director Troy Andre received the 2026 Achievement Award from the College Sports Communicators, recognizing his outstanding contributions to athletics communications.
Cincinnati, now riding high on this victory, will look to maintain their momentum in the coming games, while Colorado faces critical adjustments as they prepare to rebound from this defeat. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Buffaloes address their defensive issues ahead of their next matchup.
