Outside of some Reds baseball and Skyline Chili, you probably haven't read much about Cincinnati in this blog. Much like the Reds barnstorming tour each offseason, I'm extending an arm to our neighbor's to the East. Instead of sending our Triple A blog writer to Champps, however, I'm going to promote one of the greatest rivalries in college basketball: The Crosstown Shootout. That's right, Xavier vs Cincinnati.
It's Catholic vs Public. 6,700 vs 41,357. It's also a series that's caused a whole lot of confusion in my life. As a basketball fan, I've been on every side of the rivalry: Dis-interest, root for Cincinnati, root for Xavier, more dis-interest, a strong dislike for both, and now dis-interest with a Xavier lean.
In 1993, the only Xavier I recognized was Xavier McDaniel. That is until my buddy Betten and I went to watch the number 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers take on Xavier University in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. I couldn't fathom Calbert Cheaney and the Hoosiers losing to a school with such an awful blue color. Little did I know that Brian Grant and Aaron Williams would end up being decent NBA players. The Musketeers were on the radar as I went back to Mrs. Berry's class that next day.
Cincinnati entered the equation the year before with a man named Nick Van Exel. I kept a distant eye on the Bearcats and the emergence of Danny Fortson in 1996 had me sold. I rocked a Bearcat shooting shirt and shorts the first day of the tournament in 1997...the same year I discovered the Crosstown Shootout. The 0% graduation rate Bearcats had stolen my 9th grade heart as they strolled into their rivalry game. Xavier got 'em by a bucket and I couldn't stand them.
Same result the next season, and then I came to my senses about liking the Bearcats. Although Cincinnati gear remains some of the sickest in the nation.
Fast forward to 2004 when I buddy Thurm and I travel to Cincinnati to watch the Shootout for the first time in person. I hated Cincinnati at that point and loved Xavier. Brandon Miller joined Thad Matta's staff there, so we had to support the Muskies (as we chanted endlessly that night). The Let's Go X, and Let's go Muskie's chants had us hoarse by the time X beat the Cats 71-69. Xavier wouldn't lose again until the Elite 8 versus Duke, so we felt pretty good about showing up for that one.
Bob Huggins had been let go as head coach during that season and actually showed up to the game to watch as a fan. Now that's a rivalry! I can't describe in words how physical and intense the rivalry was. Okay, I guess I can: It was REALLY intense (that wasn't so good, was it?)
After Brandon and Matta moved on to Ohio State, more disinterest crept in to the rivalry. Last season, after Butler beat Xavier in the infamous "Stopped Clock" game, the negative feelings I had towards the Muskies were similar to how I feel about Purdue. At that same time, Mick Cronin is about as unlikable a coach there is in the nation. Hatred for two programs in a rivalry is hard to match.
My girlfriend's brother AND sister both attended Xavier, so all this confusion in the rivalry is really taking a hit.
I'm sure it's nothing in comparison to the confusion you're experiencing after reading this blog.
Just watch the game at 7:00pm tonight.
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