The Cincinnati Bearcats had a prime chance to grab a big win at home, but they let it slip away, falling to Kansas State 54-49 on Wednesday night. It was their last home game in front of fans this season, and man, it was a tough one to watch. Head coach Wes Miller and forward Dillon Mitchell spoke after the game, and you could feel the frustration. Especially from Miller.

He didn’t hold back—at all. “Tonight’s performance was unacceptable. The effort tonight was unacceptable. It is on the head coach. I am the leader of this operation. I have to do a better damn job. It is on my a–, that’s the truth of it. That is unacceptable, I’d boo our butts too. I would boo myself too, God damn, that  was unacceptable. I have never seen that team. I don’t even know who that team was. I apologize for everyone that bought a ticket and watched that, I apologize. You guys should be on my butt, I deserve it. Tonight was unacceptable and it starts with the head coach.”

Miller wasn’t wrong to be upset—Cincinnati had this game within reach and let it slip. They went into halftime up 25-22, but Kansas State found some rhythm in the second half. David N’Guessan led the Wildcats with 18 points, and while neither team could hit a three to save their lives (they combined for just five), Kansas State did just enough to pull out the win when it mattered.

Cincinnati’s shooting woes were brutal—11 percent from three and 36 percent overall. Still, they had a shot in the final minute, down by three, but they couldn’t get the shots to fall. Kansas State iced it at the free-throw line, and now Cincinnati’s March Madness hopes are hanging by a thread.

“It’s March in college basketball! You live for this as a competitor. You work the whole year to be in March! I don’t think I have to motivate competitors to play in March. Are you kidding me? You live for these moments! We control our own destiny. You live for the right to come in and compete tonight to show the NCAA tournament you belong in the field. We’ve been a competitive, hard-playing team for four weeks. I don’t know what happened tonight.” Miller made it clear what this time of year is all about.

With just one regular-season game left—on the road against Oklahoma State—the Bearcats are running out of chances. The only way they’re dancing in March now? A deep run in the Big 12 Tournament next week. But the struggle doesn’t end here, as there is a lot more to play for in the regular season.

Cincinnati’s Senior Night: A Celebration That Slipped Away

Senior Night at Fifth Third Arena started with all the right vibes—cheers, framed jerseys, and a moment to honor Simas Lukosius, Aziz Bandaogo, C.J. Fredrick, and C.J. Anthony. The energy was high, the emotions were real. But once the game tipped off, the good feelings didn’t last.

UC held the lead for most of the first half, but it always felt shaky. They were up 35-28 with 14:30 left in the second half, then Kansas State flipped the script with an 8-0 run. Just like that, the Bearcats were playing catch-up.

The seniors had their moments. Lukosius dished out five assists but couldn’t find his shot from deep. Bandaogo fought hard inside, finishing with seven rebounds and nine points. James led the seniors with 10 points but had a tough shooting night. Day Day Thomas knocked down a couple of threes and finished with 12. But in the end, it wasn’t enough.

“We’ve got to compete!” UC coach Wes Miller said. “You’ve got to look in the mirror and be a competitor.”

For Kansas State, this was a much-needed win, their second straight as they head into a big matchup with No. 10 Iowa State. Cincinnati, meanwhile, will try to shake off the disappointment when they travel to Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Senior Night is supposed to be a night to remember. This one was—for all the wrong reasons.