The Crosstown Shootout
The crosstown shootout week is here Cincinnati vs. Xavier, one of the most historic rivalries in all of college basketball. This rivalry is one of the best because these colleges have great programs every year and they are only located 4.7 miles away from each other. There are huge bragging rights on the line for both sides and some fans will say if we win this game, it’s a good season. The crosstown shootout has featured 91 games, and Cincinnati holds the record 51-40 with the rivalry dating all the way back to 1928, but in the last decade Xavier has had the edge winning the last 5 contests against the two teams and 8 of the last 10. Look for this to be another heated crosstown shootout as Cincinnati will come in as the favorite at fifth third arena.
Both teams are coming into this year hot. The Bearcats are sitting at 7-1 ranked at number 22 in the country while Xavier sits at 8-2 and just recently fell out of the top 25 after a loss to Michigan. For this Cincinnati team they will host Xavier being led by Junior Dan Skillings who just came back from injury has averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds a game this year while for Xavier there led by Zack Freemantle who’s averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds. Cincinnati will need to control Freemantle down low, and this game should be a win for Cincinnati at home. Although in the history of the Crosstown Shootout there are upsets all the time when these two rivals play and it’s anyone’s game. It’s a highly anticipated match up as is every year when these two teams meet.
The big question is if Cincinnati can get back in the win column. It’s rare for a 5-game win streak to happen in this rivalry because both teams can upset each other any given year and for Cincinnati the fans are starting to get really upset with what’s happened in the last 5 years and in the last decade. Wes Miller Cincinnati head coach will need to win this game, or people aren’t going to be happy. Cincinnati will come into this one as the favorite and you got to think it’s a must win game for them at home. Look for this year’s Crosstown Shootout to be a dog fight.
