UC makes CBSSPORTSLINE top 25 and 1

[#BearcatNation]

Don't take this the wrong way, but you live in Florida. You don't have to face XU fans every day or see X gear when out and about. Just the sight of it makes me cringe. That is why to me the rivalry is an everyday thing, not just game week. The fact that we lost to them this year just sickens me everytime I face an X fan because I know they got bragging rights and they can say they're the better team and there's nothing I can do to argue it.

I've said it in the past and I'll say it today, if our players can't get motivated to play X and give them a fight then we need to stop playing them. I hate having to go a whole year after we lose to them. They have a good program and if they beat us here and there in a good game where both teams put it all out on the line then I can live with it better. This year's loss reminded me of all the Huggins years losses when we didn't respect the rivalry and got embarrassed.

Well that's just not true. Better record, higher RPI, and UC is about to be ranked in the AP while X certainly will not. Yeah, they did beat us, but to me (homer-ism aside), we are still better. It will show at the end of the season, like always.

 

[Kingsley Court]

Well that's just not true. Better record, higher RPI, and UC is about to be ranked in the AP while X certainly will not. Yeah, they did beat us, but to me (homer-ism aside), we are still better. It will show at the end of the season, like always.

Interesting analysis, just wondering, how will you determine who is better at the end of the season? Eye test, how far they advance in tournament? Final ranking?

And it was a blow out, playing without their best player for most of the first half. I'd understand ignoring the outcome if it was a close game, but it really wasn't even close.

 

[Bearcat04]

Interesting analysis, just wondering, how will you determine who is better at the end of the season? Eye test, how far they advance in tournament? Final ranking?

And it was a blow out, playing without their best player for most of the first half. I'd understand ignoring the outcome if it was a close game, but it really wasn't even close.

Both teams are good, although neither side wants to admit it. Right now UC has the better wins and is ranked higher by KenPom, Sagarin, Massey, and BPI. That does not change the fact that X completely dominated the game this year. According to ESPN's Game BPI we did see X's best performance of the year and UC's worst performance in the same game. If they played again you'd think it would be a very close game, but this has turned into a blowout game the past 4 years. Regardless of what happens in the tournament these are two very good programs that are going to continue to win a lot of games in the years to come. Both sides might as well accept it instead of downplaying each other's accomplishments.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I respect X like I respect Duke. I think they ARE a good program and appreciate what they've done but will never like/cheer for them. I take nothing away from X they have built a very good program. Both teams will make the NCAA in my opinion and have bright futures.

 

[Kingsley Court]

To be fair, I wasn't saying UC was bad, I think they are a good team and that is a great win for Xavier. It just seems odd that one would ignore then outcome when it was that lopsided.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Interesting analysis, just wondering, how will you determine who is better at the end of the season? Eye test, how far they advance in tournament? Final ranking?

And it was a blow out, playing without their best player for most of the first half. I'd understand ignoring the outcome if it was a close game, but it really wasn't even close.

There are a lot of ways. Final record, RPI, conference standing, NCAA tourney seed, how far they advance, final ranking post-tourney, etc. All I'm saying is its unfair to act as if Xavier is superior simply because they beat us. Yes, it was handily, but upsets happen. I hate giving Xavier credit but they are a good team as well. Just saying I believe UC is a little better. You can't base it all off one game.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Updated CBS Bracketology, notable local teams:

4. UC
5. UK
6. OSU
7. Xavier
10. Dayton

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology

 

[JasonS]

To be fair, I wasn't saying UC was bad, I think they are a good team and that is a great win for Xavier. It just seems odd that one would ignore then outcome when it was that lopsided.

It's not ignoring the outcome but rather understanding that one game, in December, doesn't make or break an entire season. Sure, X won. Good for them. I still think if you look at the entire body of work currently, UC has been a better team overall. XU's best win is UC. UC's best win is blowing out Memphis at Memphis. Beating Pitt at MSG is looking mighty nice as well.

 

[ervins84]

To be fair, I wasn't saying UC was bad, I think they are a good team and that is a great win for Xavier. It just seems odd that one would ignore then outcome when it was that lopsided.

If they played on a neutral floor tomorrow UC would be favored.

That says enough for me.

 

[Kingsley Court]

If they played on a neutral floor tomorrow UC would be favored.

That says enough for me.

I may be wrong, but weren't they favored the first time they met?

 

[#BearcatNation]

I may be wrong, but weren't they favored the first time they met?

Yes. Pretty sure #1 UC was favored over unranked XU in 1999 as well.

Bit of a drastic comparison, but you get my point.

 

[ervins84]

I may be wrong, but weren't they favored the first time they met?

So do you want to come out and say that Vegas is wrong and you know more than their super teams of guys who do this for a living? If these teams played again on a neutral court UC would be favored. Conclude what you will with that info

 

[Not Guilty]

I may be wrong, but weren't they favored the first time they met?

Correct. The better team doesn't always win. And its not always close when an upset happens.

Xavier lost handily to a bad USC team on a neutral court. Does that mean they aren't as good as USC? Or are you going to look at both teams entire body of work and actually make a decision?

The fact is that there is a lot of rankings out there, whether they be bracketology or polls. Few if any rank X above UC.

 

[bearcat jeff]

You can't measure either team by a rivalry game. Let's move on. March is what will matter to these teams not the single game. I guarantee UC would trade a big run in March for a lose to X and I'm sure X would feel the same.