Xavier 12/14 2:00 ESPN+

[GoBearcats31]

Sounds like UC opened as 8.5 point favorites

[leo from jersey]

Former Xavier Coach Travis Steele once said that the toughest and most together team typically wins the UC-X game. I saw 3 UC interviews this week concerning the X game (Coach Miller, Mitchell, and Lukosius). In 29 minutes of talking about the game, not one of the three UC guys ever mentioned toughness as something that was needed to win the game.

Xavier is going to come out and try to embarrass UC early by punching hard and fast FIRST. It is funny. All BIG EAST teams appear to play the same way. They push the ball on every defensive rebound, they are physical under the boards, and the guards put extreme pressure on the ball by "getting into a ball handler's chest". Also, most of the BIG EAST teams are also pretty good shooting teams. Check this out, only one BIG EAST team scores less than 71 points a game (Seton Hall) and NONE gives up over 68.4 points a game (based on latest conference stats). Xavier scores about 81 points a game and gives up 66 points a game. Xavier also has wins over Wake Forest and South Carolina and losses to Michigan and TCU. Cincinnati is Xavier's 5th (fifth) Power 4 game.

Cincinnati must play with TOUGHNESS to win this game. Most importantly, UC MUST score consistently throughout the game. If UC has a bad scoring game on Saturday, it is NOT likely to win. Look at what happened at Villanova. Hey, let's face it, it is time for Coach Miller to win one of these #@#&% games. Cincy is AT HOME, the game is a SELL OUT, and UC will be wearing some new uniforms (not fond of the new uniforms). The stage is set for a UC win. Hopefully, it plays out that way.

so sad and telling when one mentions that UC needs toughness.

[leeraymond]

Former Xavier Coach Travis Steele once said that the toughest and most together team typically wins the UC-X game. I saw 3 UC interviews this week concerning the X game (Coach Miller, Mitchell, and Lukosius). In 29 minutes of talking about the game, not one of the three UC guys ever mentioned toughness as something that was needed to win the game.

Xavier is going to come out and try to embarrass UC early by punching hard and fast FIRST. It is funny. All BIG EAST teams appear to play the same way. They push the ball on every defensive rebound, they are physical under the boards, and the guards put extreme pressure on the ball by "getting into a ball handler's chest". Also, most of the BIG EAST teams are also pretty good shooting teams. Check this out, only one BIG EAST team scores less than 71 points a game (Seton Hall) and NONE gives up over 68.4 points a game (based on latest conference stats). Xavier scores about 81 points a game and gives up 66 points a game. Xavier also has wins over Wake Forest and South Carolina and losses to Michigan and TCU. Cincinnati is Xavier's 5th (fifth) Power 4 game.

Cincinnati must play with TOUGHNESS to win this game. Most importantly, UC MUST score consistently throughout the game. If UC has a bad scoring game on Saturday, it is NOT likely to win. Look at what happened at Villanova. Hey, let's face it, it is time for Coach Miller to win one of these #@#&% games. Cincy is AT HOME, the game is a SELL OUT, and UC will be wearing some new uniforms (not fond of the new uniforms). The stage is set for a UC win. Hopefully, it plays out that way.

[GoBearcats31]

This is not a "young" Shootout.

Xavier's Jerome Hunter (who has had a number of medical hardships) began his career at IU in 2018-19, where he medically redshirted that first year.

Similarly, UC's CJ Fredrick redshirted to start his college career at Iowa in 2018-19. He is 25 years old, whereas Hunter turns 25 later this month.

Zach Freemantle began his X career in 2019-20 (24 years old), while Cam Fletcher, Marcus Foster, John Hugley, Dante Maddox and Davyion McKnight all began in 2020-21. Aziz Bandaogo began his career at Akron that same season.

[bearcatjd]

Like I mentioned before, UC cannot get off to a slow start in this game. Takes out the home crowd advantage in addition to being down on the scoreboard.

I agree 100%. It seems we can't make baskets early & then for the game as a whole we shoot at low %. Why!Why!Why!
X doesn't play that good of defense. If I knew the answer or the solution I would be the coach. I don't want to lose this game!

[Lobot]

I think the running joke that a random X player off the bench always goes off against UC has run its course, though there certainly have been some unlikely players who have strongly contributed to X wins.

What stands out most to me through the years, is the frequency with which UC comes out absolutely cold. Nearly every Shootout, they either dig themselves in a huge hole because they cannot score, or Xavier struggles early and UC cannot take advantage because of their own struggles.

Here are the last 10 games, with timing of UC's first made field goal. Sure, two of the instances in which they scored early they lost, but pretty much across the board otherwise they get off to a super shaky start.

Also, looks can be a bit deceiving -- the 5 point loss last year looks close, but UC was down 12 with 6.5 minutes left. The year before they were down 13-1 early, 17 at the half and had that big come back with the epic DDJ 4-point play late. Similarly, ten years ago they lost in the "Dee Davis" game with the bad Gary Clark foul late after coming back from a 12-point halftime deficit. Basketball is a game of runs (and clearly UC had some great runs even in the losses) but they shoot themselves in the foot nearly every year by getting down from the start and/or allowing X to open things up at the end of the half and right out of the gate in the second.

2023-24 - lost by 5; first field goal 18:34
2022-23 - lost by 3; first field goal 15:47
2021-22 - lost by 20; first field goal 16:38
2020-21 - lost by 8; first field goal 19:43
2019-20 - lost by 7; first field goal 17:20
2018-19 - won by 15; first field goal 17:45
2017-18 - lost by 13; first field goal 16:06
2016-17 - won by 8; first field goal 17:37
2015-16 - lost by 10; first field goal 14:56
2014-15 - lost by 2; first field goal 19:19

Like I mentioned before, UC cannot get off to a slow start in this game. Takes out the home crowd advantage in addition to being down on the scoreboard.

[GoBearcats31]

I think the running joke that a random X player off the bench always goes off against UC has run its course, though there certainly have been some unlikely players who have strongly contributed to X wins.

What stands out most to me through the years, is the frequency with which UC comes out absolutely cold. Nearly every Shootout, they either dig themselves in a huge hole because they cannot score, or Xavier struggles early and UC cannot take advantage because of their own struggles.

Here are the last 10 games, with timing of UC's first made field goal. Sure, two of the instances in which they scored early they lost, but pretty much across the board otherwise they get off to a super shaky start.

Also, looks can be a bit deceiving -- the 5 point loss last year looks close, but UC was down 12 with 6.5 minutes left. The year before they were down 13-1 early, 17 at the half and had that big come back with the epic DDJ 4-point play late. Similarly, ten years ago they lost in the "Dee Davis" game with the bad Gary Clark foul late after coming back from a 12-point halftime deficit. Basketball is a game of runs (and clearly UC had some great runs even in the losses) but they shoot themselves in the foot nearly every year by getting down from the start and/or allowing X to open things up at the end of the half and right out of the gate in the second.

2023-24 - lost by 5; first field goal 18:34
2022-23 - lost by 3; first field goal 15:47
2021-22 - lost by 20; first field goal 16:38
2020-21 - lost by 8; first field goal 19:43
2019-20 - lost by 7; first field goal 17:20
2018-19 - won by 15; first field goal 17:45
2017-18 - lost by 13; first field goal 16:06
2016-17 - won by 8; first field goal 17:37
2015-16 - lost by 10; first field goal 14:56
2014-15 - lost by 2; first field goal 19:19

[GoBearcats31]

Per game notes on XU site, your ESPN+ announcers: John Schriffen and Sean Farnham

[leeraymond]

I checked the rest of the sports TV schedules for Saturday. It's chock full of games/events that a lot of people watch. NBC switches to golf. ESPN is showing SEC basketball all day. The Heisman awards ceremony is Saturday night. ESPN2 is spending the entire evening showing the NCAA women's volleyball tourney. FS1 has drag racing all evening. FOX has TN-IL and Zags-UConn all evening.

The issue isn't whether our annual rivalry game isn't a big event, it's just that it isn't the kind of event that is going to beat out the competition at this stage. The networks don't care whether UC can beat the other teams, it's how many eyeballs are glued to their channels. It's the old line, "out of sight, out of mind." If the Cats want to be on the big stage after wandering in the wilderness since 2019, they must win consistently, including a high finish in the B12 and making a splash in The Dance.

I agree with you. If UC basketball wants to be part of the national conversation, it must start winning its SHARE of games against other HIGH MAJORS. Winning may not be everything, but it sure solves a lot of problems.

[swilsonsp4]

I get it that there are other network obligations and contracts to fulfill. However, could the time of the UC-X game have been changed to accommodate openings in the broadcast schedules? The 2:00 start time is somewhat strange to me. Also, UC is currently nationally ranked at 22 and Xavier was previously nationally ranked this season. So, in terms of national status, both of these schools are still highly visible brands. Given both UC and Xavier's current competitive states, both teams can beat most of the D-1 schools that compete in the NCAA. With that said, in my mind, the UC-X game still has enough high-quality athletes to make this an entertaining game to watch.

I have another theory why this game is not being nationally televised this year. This rivalry has NOT been much of a rivalry in many years. Maybe the TV executives are JUST tired of seeing UC get beat on national TV by Xavier (just a thought). UC fans should NOT get discouraged by the X game not being televised nationally. UC will be on national TV at least 14 times once conference play starts; yeee-haaa!

One more question. Is the UC-Dayton game going to be televised nationally?

I checked the rest of the sports TV schedules for Saturday. It's chock full of games/events that a lot of people watch. NBC switches to golf. ESPN is showing SEC basketball all day. The Heisman awards ceremony is Saturday night. ESPN2 is spending the entire evening showing the NCAA women's volleyball tourney. FS1 has drag racing all evening. FOX has TN-IL and Zags-UConn all evening.

The issue isn't whether our annual rivalry game isn't a big event, it's just that it isn't the kind of event that is going to beat out the competition at this stage. The networks don't care whether UC can beat the other teams, it's how many eyeballs are glued to their channels. It's the old line, "out of sight, out of mind." If the Cats want to be on the big stage after wandering in the wilderness since 2019, they must win consistently, including a high finish in the B12 and making a splash in The Dance.

[GoBearcats31]

Re: ESPN+, I am sure they got hundreds (at least) of new subscribers from X fans ...

And leeraymond , looks like UC-UD is on ESPNU

[leeraymond]

Here are the linear platform sports broadcasts that overlap the Crosstown Shootout. There are contractual ties to most of them, with one headscratcher:

• ABC: Celebration Bowl (Jackson State-SC St)
• CBS: TAMU-Purdue BB; Army-Navy FB
• CBSSN: Fordham-Bryant BB (A10 has priority)
• ESPN: FCS Playoff (Incarnate Word-SD St)
• ESPN2: OH St-Auburn; UCLA-AZ (these teams draw much better, regardless of how we feel about it)
• ESPNU: Tulsa-UCF BB (no idea why)
• FOX: Seton Hall-Rutgers (B1G has priority)
• FS1: Wichita St-DePaul BB (Big East has priority)
• NBC: English Premier League game

Neither UC nor XU have been in the national public eye for years. The two schools have combined for one NCAA Tourney appearance since 2019. Just win, baby!

I get it that there are other network obligations and contracts to fulfill. However, could the time of the UC-X game have been changed to accommodate openings in the broadcast schedules? The 2:00 start time is somewhat strange to me. Also, UC is currently nationally ranked at 22 and Xavier was previously nationally ranked this season. So, in terms of national status, both of these schools are still highly visible brands. Given both UC and Xavier's current competitive states, both teams can beat most of the D-1 schools that compete in the NCAA. With that said, in my mind, the UC-X game still has enough high-quality athletes to make this an entertaining game to watch.

I have another theory why this game is not being nationally televised this year. This rivalry has NOT been much of a rivalry in many years. Maybe the TV executives are JUST tired of seeing UC get beat on national TV by Xavier (just a thought). UC fans should NOT get discouraged by the X game not being televised nationally. UC will be on national TV at least 14 times once conference play starts; yeee-haaa!

One more question. Is the UC-Dayton game going to be televised nationally?

[swilsonsp4]

I don't get it either but I get the feeling that the Big XII brass and maybe ESPN as well just saw a local non conference game and it didn't move the needle for them TV viewership wise. It's the Big XII/ESPN's call where to show it since it's a UC home game.

The X games you mentioned were X home games so Big East TV contract = FS1 or FS2

Here are the linear platform sports broadcasts that overlap the Crosstown Shootout. There are contractual ties to most of them, with one headscratcher:

• ABC: Celebration Bowl (Jackson State-SC St)
• CBS: TAMU-Purdue BB; Army-Navy FB
• CBSSN: Fordham-Bryant BB (A10 has priority)
• ESPN: FCS Playoff (Incarnate Word-SD St)
• ESPN2: OH St-Auburn; UCLA-AZ (these teams draw much better, regardless of how we feel about it)
• ESPNU: Tulsa-UCF BB (no idea why)
• FOX: Seton Hall-Rutgers (B1G has priority)
• FS1: Wichita St-DePaul BB (Big East has priority)
• NBC: English Premier League game

Neither UC nor XU have been in the national public eye for years. The two schools have combined for one NCAA Tourney appearance since 2019. Just win, baby!

[Lobot]

I don't get it either but I get the feeling that the Big XII brass and maybe ESPN as well just saw a local non conference game and it didn't move the needle for them TV viewership wise. It's the Big XII/ESPN's call where to show it since it's a UC home game.

The X games you mentioned were X home games so Big East TV contract = FS1 or FS2

[leeraymond]

The Cincinnati-Xavier game is one of the oldest college basketball rivalry games in the country. This is a national game. Does it seem weird that NO NATIONAL TELEVISION network was interested enough to pick this game up? Also, what is up with the crazy start time (2:00 on a Saturday)? Usually, this game is a prime-time or near prime-time game. Think about it for a second, a game this big could only get broadcasted on ESPN Plus? I am not buying that.

There must be something else that network executives are concerned with NOT to broadcast this game over more traditional networks. I have seen a few of Xavier's games this season. I have seen Xavier play two CUPCAKES on NATIONAL TV already this season (South Carolina State and Morgan State). No disrespect to SCSU and MSU. You would think that a game as big as UC and X would be on national TV.

These TV executives are willing to broadcast Xavier beating up on a poor defenseless cupcake, but are NOT willing to show the UC and X game. Come on, something does not smell right here.