Crosstown shootout

[JasonS]

The UC-XU game is one of the best rivalries in college basketball and captures the attention of the entire city every year. The best thing that can happen for the rivalry is for both teams to continue to have successful programs. I love the game. I can't believe there are so many UC fans that don't want the game played. It hasn't been lose-lose for UC in a long while. Even so, who cares, since when is UC about backing out? Who are we, O$U? It seems like a lot of UC fans don't want to play XU almost out of fear for losing.

If the game can't be played anymore because of the brawl then shame on everyone involved. Learn from the mistake and move on.

It has nothing to do with fear of losing. What do you gain by beating XU? If you are lucky it is a top 50 RPI win. Nice for the resume but nothing that can't be replaced. Outside of Cincinnati, no one cares about that game. Sorry but it is true. I lived in Massachusetts and many people there didn't even realize Xavier was in Cincinnati (obviously I didn't live near UMASS). I lived in St. Louis and even though SLU is in the same conference as XU and formerly UC, nobody there cared about the game either. Point is, outside of Cincinnati, it is just another nice game. Nothing special. ESPN has to explain the rivalry every year just so people understand. They don't have to do that with Duke-UNC or OSU-Michigan or even UC-UL. People around the country get those rivalries.

What game is going to generate more buzz nationally, a game against XU or a game against IU or UK? The answer is simple and since UC recruits nationally and not strictly in the mid west, a game with national appeal will do more for UC than a game with local appeal.

 

[JasonS]

One more thing. I am also an alum and care more about the Louisville game or Marquette game than I do the XU game. If you told me we could beat UL and MU every year but would have to lose to XU every year, I would take it. The UL and MU games mean more IMO.

 

[TheLongHaul]

It has nothing to do with fear of losing. What do you gain by beating XU? If you are lucky it is a top 50 RPI win. Nice for the resume but nothing that can't be replaced. Outside of Cincinnati, no one cares about that game. Sorry but it is true. I lived in Massachusetts and many people there didn't even realize Xavier was in Cincinnati (obviously I didn't live near UMASS). I lived in St. Louis and even though SLU is in the same conference as XU and formerly UC, nobody there cared about the game either. Point is, outside of Cincinnati, it is just another nice game. Nothing special. ESPN has to explain the rivalry every year just so people understand. They don't have to do that with Duke-UNC or OSU-Michigan or even UC-UL. People around the country get those rivalries.

What game is going to generate more buzz nationally, a game against XU or a game against IU or UK? The answer is simple and since UC recruits nationally and not strictly in the mid west, a game with national appeal will do more for UC than a game with local appeal.

Lucky to get a top 50 rpi win? I hate Xavier like the rest of you but I'm guessing XU has finished with a top 50 quite often in the last decade. UC's OOC schedule has been horrendous for a while and XU is the one saving grace to it.

As far as nobody caring about it outside of Cincinnati, what does that have to do with it? Nobody outside of Illinois-Missouri cares about that game. UNC-Duke is so big because both have been such great programs. That doesn't mean the UC Xavier rivalry isn't great....And ESPN has put the game on primetime often in the past because it's such a great rivalry. It constantly gets ranked in the top 5-10 in all college basketball rivalries.

But you aren't really arguing why they should stop the XU game anyway. Of course we would all like to schedule IU, UK, UNC, etc, but even if that happens it doesn't mean UC should stop playing XU. It's two very good programs located within 5 miles of each other. It'd be stupid not to play each other.

 

[JasonS]

As far as nobody caring about it outside of Cincinnati, what does that have to do with it? Nobody outside of Illinois-Missouri cares about that game. UNC-Duke is so big because both have been such great programs. That doesn't mean the UC Xavier rivalry isn't great....And ESPN has put the game on primetime often in the past because it's such a great rivalry. It constantly gets ranked in the top 5-10 in all college basketball rivalries.

But you aren't really arguing why they should stop the XU game anyway. Of course we would all like to schedule IU, UK, UNC, etc, but even if that happens it doesn't mean UC should stop playing XU. It's two very good programs located within 5 miles of each other. It'd be stupid not to play each other.

The reason why it matters what people outside of Cincinnati think of the game is because of recruiting. Do recruits around the country watch UC vs. XU. Maybe. Would recruits around the country watch IU or UK or OSU vs. UC? Absolutely. That is the reason you need to get a marquee game and no, Xavier is not a marquee game nationally. Look, if you can get IU or UK or OSU and still have XU on the schedule, fine. I just don't think it is necessary to keep the game just because we have always played it.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

The reason why it matters what people outside of Cincinnati think of the game is because of recruiting. Do recruits around the country watch UC vs. XU. Maybe. Would recruits around the country watch IU or UK or OSU vs. UC? Absolutely. That is the reason you need to get a marquee game and no, Xavier is not a marquee game nationally. Look, if you can get IU or UK or OSU and still have XU on the schedule, fine. I just don't think it is necessary to keep the game just because we have always played it.

I rarely disagree with you, but I do on this one. We play 12 or 13 non-conference games a year and this is only one of them. And currently it is guaranteed to be on ESPN every year. Sure IU or OSU or UK would be great, but we know OSU isn't going to happen and UK more than likely won't happen. It looks like a short-term series with IU is being rumored at least and I would be all for it. Recruits are as likely to watch UC-XU if both teams are trending where they are now as they are to watch UC-IU (and that's assuming both teams stay where they are now). X has made 4 of the last 5 sweet sixteens and were ranked 8th when we played them this year. This is one game of a dozen and shouldn't hinder our ability to schedule a marquee name if we so choose. The only reason to get rid of X is if you find 12 or 13 better opponents, which isn't going to happen. And even if X did fall really far, we'll still schedule some cupcakes every year. Fans love this game and there is no reason it should discontinue. With ticket sales being an issue, especially in the non-conference, that's another glaring reason to keep the series going. This is a guaranteed sell-out every other year. Replace a Chicago State or Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a marquee name, not Xavier.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I would like to see Cincinnati play 3-4 games against BCS schools and the rest against good mid-majors. Xavier, IU, the BEast/SEC challenge and one more with a mid level Big 12 or ACC school.

 

[Butterfly]

What I find very interesting is we are getting to the point where UC fans are 50/50 if they want to play the game.

I dont think I have seen 1 Xavier fan suggest cancelling it.

I really dont care what they think. I think the previous 3-4 seasons of putting up with really bad behavior (both sides) is getting really old. I think you suspend the game for a couple of years and perhaps try to pick it back up in 3 or 4 years.

Pretty sure VT and WVU stopped playing once VT went to ACC because the rivalry had gotten too out of hand.

That's one idea.
I think whether temporary or permanent, a break is necessary. This sort of thing needs to stop. It's bad publicity, it puts both teams seasons in jeopardy and the game itself puts pressure on the kids.

 

[TheLongHaul]

The reason why it matters what people outside of Cincinnati think of the game is because of recruiting. Do recruits around the country watch UC vs. XU. Maybe. Would recruits around the country watch IU or UK or OSU vs. UC? Absolutely. That is the reason you need to get a marquee game and no, Xavier is not a marquee game nationally. Look, if you can get IU or UK or OSU and still have XU on the schedule, fine. I just don't think it is necessary to keep the game just because we have always played it.

There hasn't been anything said that would indicate that getting an IU, UK, OSU, etc on the schedule would replace XU. So I don't know what that has to do with it. No one is saying keep XU rather than IU. UC's OOC schedule is typically terrible so they could certainly keep XU on it even if they schedule another marquee program.

If the UC-XU game garners prime time television on ESPN (which it often has) then it is watched nationally and helps recruiting.

 

[Cin City]

I think, barring the actual aggression, the crosstown shootout is great. It is a heated rivalry and aside from this past year has been an ugly, physical, no holds barred rivalry. why ditch it? ok, this past year got out of hand, but do not derail this great rivalry. it is good for the city and the fans. both schools depsise each other and that is what makes a rivalry. does it need to be cleaned up? of course, but i would truly hate to see it cancelled.

 

[ucswais]

One more thing. I am also an alum and care more about the Louisville game or Marquette game than I do the XU game. If you told me we could beat UL and MU every year but would have to lose to XU every year, I would take it. The UL and MU games mean more IMO.

Alum or not, this post is pretty much guaranteed to come from someone who doesn't live in Cincinnati. You can't ignore the fact that most of us live and work in places where it is split between UC/Xavier fans. Living in Cincy, I can count the number of Marquette fans on one hand. There are some UL people around, but not even close to the number of X people. The bragging rights for local fans is a key part of all of this.

When we lose to Marquette, how many of you have to hear about it? Are you talking trash to a lot of Marquette people? I don't think so. Those of us who live/work here, can go about 2 days on average without some X fan bringing up the score of this year's shootout.

 

[JasonS]

Alum or not, this post is pretty much guaranteed to come from someone who doesn't live in Cincinnati. You can't ignore the fact that most of us live and work in places where it is split between UC/Xavier fans. Living in Cincy, I can count the number of Marquette fans on one hand. There are some UL people around, but not even close to the number of X people. The bragging rights for local fans is a key part of all of this.

When we lose to Marquette, how many of you have to hear about it? Are you talking trash to a lot of Marquette people? I don't think so. Those of us who live/work here, can go about 2 days on average without some X fan bringing up the score of this year's shootout.

Sorry but, in my opinion, sports isn't about talking trash. If that is the only reason to play this game, then cancel it already. No wonder the brawl happened if this is the attitude of everyone in the city.

By your reasoning, OSU and Michigan must not be a rivalry because there aren't an equal (or close to equal) number of Michigan fans in Columbus or OSU fans in Ann Arbor.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Sorry but, in my opinion, sports isn't about talking trash. If that is the only reason to play this game, then cancel it already. No wonder the brawl happened if this is the attitude of everyone in the city.

By your reasoning, OSU and Michigan must not be a rivalry because there aren't an equal (or close to equal) number of Michigan fans in Columbus or OSU fans in Ann Arbor.

You completely overlooked his point, which is that in this city the game is huge. It also gets prime time television. There really hasn't been any valid reasons given for canceling the game.

It's always interesting to read how so many other care more about the UL game, Marquette game, etc when the amount of chatter on these boards relating to UL, MU, etc don't even come close to comparing to the chatter regarding XU. So few people here care about Xavier that they spend so much time discussing them. The UL and MU discussions start and begin about 10 minutes before/after the game.

 

[Eternal E]

You completely overlooked his point, which is that in this city the game is huge. It also gets prime time television. There really hasn't been any valid reasons given for canceling the game.

It's always interesting to read how so many other care more about the UL game, Marquette game, etc when the amount of chatter on these boards relating to UL, MU, etc don't even come close to comparing to the chatter regarding XU. So few people here care about Xavier that they spend so much time discussing them. The UL and MU discussions start and begin about 10 minutes before/after the game.

Really? Noon on a Saturday this season after having been on ESPNU the past few years. Face it, the game is only on true prime time when Cincinnati is at a top 20 level. I have no problem continuing to play them, as Cincinnati is getting back to that level to where it will be a big time game nationally.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Really? Noon on a Saturday this season after having been on ESPNU the past few years. Face it, the game is only on true prime time when Cincinnati is at a top 20 level. I have no problem continuing to play them, as Cincinnati is getting back to that level to where it will be a big time game nationally.

And Cincinnati is getting back to that level. Xavier has been a very good program over several years as well. Obviously it wasn't going to be a prime time game when UC was going through complete rebuild. When you see both teams in the top 25 which will probably occur frequently in the future, the games will garner national attention.

 

[Kingsley Court]

Sorry but, in my opinion, sports isn't about talking trash. If that is the only reason to play this game, then cancel it already. No wonder the brawl happened if this is the attitude of everyone in the city.

By your reasoning, OSU and Michigan must not be a rivalry because there aren't an equal (or close to equal) number of Michigan fans in Columbus or OSU fans in Ann Arbor.

No, but there are probably a lot more Michigan fans that live close to, or actually live in Columbus than Marquette fans and Cincinnati, creating more interaction between Michigan fans and OSU fans.

 

[JasonS]

No, but there are probably a lot more Michigan fans that live close to, or actually live in Columbus than Marquette fans and Cincinnati, creating more interaction between Michigan fans and OSU fans.

I know more Marquette fans in Cincy than I do UM fans in Columbus. Regardless, it is something that can't be proven either way so it really doesn't matter.

 

[ucswais]

Sorry but, in my opinion, sports isn't about talking trash. If that is the only reason to play this game, then cancel it already. No wonder the brawl happened if this is the attitude of everyone in the city.

By your reasoning, OSU and Michigan must not be a rivalry because there aren't an equal (or close to equal) number of Michigan fans in Columbus or OSU fans in Ann Arbor.

I didn't say it's the only reason for ever having a rivalry. I said it's the main thing that makes this particular rivalry so huge. It has very little to do with the strength of the teams or national importance of the matchup.

Picture if 100,000 Michigan fans moved to Columbus. Do you think OSU people would care more, less, or the same about that game?

 

[Kingsley Court]

Picture if 100,000 Michigan fans moved to Columbus. Do you think OSU people would care more, less, or the same about that game?

I honestly don't know if it's possible for OSU fans to care more about that game than they do now. Then again, OSU fans are the worst fans in all of sports.

 

[Thegreatone]

I honestly don't know if it's possible for OSU fans to care more about that game than they do now. Then again, OSU fans are the worst fans in all of sports.

Agreed

 

[ralph1950]

Koch as an article about UC vs UK in the SEC/Big East challenge today, game to be played in Cincinnati. It is nothing more than a what might happen piece, ESPN decides who plays who, ESPN has the only vote in the matter.

With these rumors circulating about UK and IU games for UC it means X is off the schedule.