Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin told anyone who would listen the Bearcats would go undefeated while senior forward and unquestioned team leader Yancy Gates served his six-game suspension for his role in an ugly brawl with crosstown rival Xavier three weeks ago. The statement was designed to inspire confidence in his decidedly undersized team. Cronin didn't actually expect it to happen. Until, of course, it did. JaQuon Parker scored a career-high 21 points and Sean Kilpatrick added 19 as streaking Cincinnati beat No. 22 Pittsburgh 66-63 on Sunday night, the Bearcats' sixth win in as many games since switching to a four-guard offense while Gates, center Chikh Mbodj and forward Octavius Ellis sat while serving their respective suspensions.
