Vintage Cincinnati Basketball National Champs Tee

After making it to the Final Four in 1959 and 1960, the 1961 Cincinnati Bearcats broke through under first-year head coach Ed Jucker with a balanced attack of Tom Thacker, Bob Wiesenhahn, and Paul Hogue to defeat Ohio State 70-65 in overtime and win their first national title. The fanbase didn’t have to wait long for another one as the Bearcats, led by Hogue, Thacker, and Ron Bonham beat the Buckeyes for the second straight year in the national title game, 71-59. Brought to you in partnership with College Vault.