2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team

2020–21 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record12–11 (8–6 American)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Jayson Gee (2nd season)
  • Sean Dwyer (2nd season)
  • Tim Morris (2nd season)
Home arenaFifth Third Arena
2020–21 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Wichita State 11 2   .846 16 6   .727
No. 6 Houston 14 3   .824 28 4   .875
Memphis 11 4   .733 20 8   .714
SMU 7 4   .636 11 6   .647
Cincinnati 8 6   .571 12 11   .522
UCF 8 10   .444 11 12   .478
Tulsa 7 9   .438 11 12   .478
South Florida 4 10   .286 9 13   .409
Temple 4 10   .286 5 11   .313
Tulane 4 12   .250 10 13   .435
East Carolina 2 10   .167 8 11   .421
2021 AAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

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.