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Arguably, there has been no rivalry in a big city like the one between Xavier and host Cincinnati, and that proved to be once again the case on Wednesday night.
It’s called the “Crosstown Shootout” and Xavier fired the final shots in a 59-57 win between Big East and American Athletic Conference teams. Each program has a lot to brag about with Cincinnati holding the historic advantage with six Final Fours and two national championships, but Xavier has the distinction of being the more dominant NCAA Tournament team of late, making five Sweet 16 appearances in just the past decade. Cincinnati has been past the first weekend of March Madness just three times since 1993. With the win, Xavier has won 11 of the last 16 meetings between the rivals.
Still, with two strong NCAA histories, it’s hard to find another big city rivalry like this one, and that’s why the Fifth Third Arena was packed with 13,176 fans and the game was sold out two weeks ago. While Duke vs. North Carolina, Kansas vs. Kansas State and Kentucky vs. Louisville are great rivalries, the thing that sets this one apart is that it is in the same city.
Even more importantly, Xavier solidified their NCAA resume with the win. The Musketeers are now 17-10 and a Big East team with 20 overall wins is almost a lock for the 68-team field. They have at least five games left, including the first game of the Big East Tournament. Guard Dee Davis is the catalyst and made all four of his three-pointers as the Musketeers led at halftime, 36-24. He was 5-for-5 from distance and finished with 16 points.
Cincinnati (17-9), on the other hand, has some work to do. It probably will not have to win the AAC Tournament, but at least win one game in East Hartford, CT, to solidify their bid because that conference looks more like a three- or four-bid league.
Mike Gibson is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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