The Xavier-Cincinnati Crosstown Shootout Was Uglier Than Ever: Fan’s Take

Most so-called rivalry games aren't like the Crosstown shootout between Xavier and Cincinnati. Most turn out to be nothing more than overhyped disappointments. Usually, the better team wins but not in this case. Those of us who live in Cincinnati know that this rivalry is different. Rankings and statistics go out the window for this one.

Forget about UC leading the series. Xavier is smaller and highly ranked but that doesn't matter either. That UC has a couple bad losses to marginal opponents is irrelevant. This game is not about skill or game plan. This game comes down to which team is fired-up, ready to win, and won't give up. From the opening whistle it is usually all-out hardwood warfare. It's that way every year.

The 2011 Crosstown Shootout, a blowout victory by Xavier, was even worse than normal with an ugly brawl at the end of the game. Both teams are obviously at fault. It all started before the game even started when Cincinnati guard Sean Kilpatrick said that Xavier's Tu Holloway wasn't good enough to start for the Bearcats and that he was better than Holloway. If Kilpatrick would have said that Holloway was worthy of Cincinnati's starting lineup, that wouldn't have gone over too well with his teammates. On the other hand, he could have chosen not to take the bait and said nothing. He didn't really back his talk up in the game going 3 - 12 from the floor with 11 points.

Holloway must have wanted everyone to know that Xavier was beating their rivals badly because he was taunting the Bearcat's bench throughout the second half. He didn't regret anything after the game, either. "You don't let people disrespect you. That's what I'm about. I don't regret anything that happened," said Holloway to the Enquirer's Paul Daugherty. He made references to gangsters and body bags as well. After embarrassing his school and his city, maybe he could have thought of one thing to regret but, then again, maybe not.

This game could have been remembered as Dezmine Wells' coming out party. Instead, he is known as the guy who had a hand in starting the melee. In the end, he threw some punches and delivered the shove that started it all when he pushed Ge'Lawn Guyn to the floor.

The worst part of the brawl was clearly when Yancy Gates sucker punched Xaiver's Kenny Frease. He was also caught punching a couple other Musketeers and may not play in a game for a long time. Cheikh Mbodj then thought it would be a good idea to imitate Ndamukong Suh by kicking Frease when he was on the floor. He might not be playing for a while either.

What an embarrassment to our fine city of Cincinnati.

I am a resident of Cincinnati and follow Cincinnati, Xavier, and Kentucky. You can follow me on Twitter here. Still want more? Go to my blog.

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