Game Thread: Xavier v Cincinnati (12/9/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://img.freepik.com/premium-vector/cute-little-bearcat-cartoon-laughing_188253-3444.jpg?w=360

CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 4-5, and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, 7-0, will meet for the 91st time on Saturday. Xavier will be looking for its fifth-straight win vs. its crosstown rivals. XU is 9-1 vs. UC at Cintas Center, including nine straight victories.
Xavier is coming off a Tuesday loss to Delaware despite a 34-point effort from graduate student Quincy Olivari. That marked the most points scored by a Musketeer since Trevon Blueitt scored 40 points at Cincinnati in the 2016-17 season.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (4-5, 0-0 BIG EAST)
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI BEARCATS (7-0, 0-0 BIG 12)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2023 AT 6:30 P.M. ET
AT CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Nick Bahe.
Xavier Radio: 55KRC with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast is also on the Varsity Network and on SXM.

Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com).[/SIZE]

[drudy23]

Win!!!!!

[Xville]

X -1 . I guess that’s about right but surprised x is a favorite against anyone right now

[bjf123]

X -1 . I guess that’s about right but surprised x is a favorite against anyone right now

Yeah. That makes no sense based on the last 3 games. Saw an article this morning saying Des played 9 minutes in last year’s game, so that’s the total amount of Shootout playing time on our roster. Most of the guys have no clue what they’re in for, even with the game at Cintas.


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[American X]

Abou Ousmane already fouled out.

[GoMuskies]

Abou Ousmane already fouled out.

Yes, but I hope he headbutts someone.

[American X]

We are already down 10 points.

[xukeith]

scouts of UC team say UC rarely fouls.

Driving to hoop will test UC fouling tonight.

[Xavier]

UC appears to be better than last year but they just haven’t played anyone so it’s hard to gauge what to expect. I think X wins comfortably (8-12 points). It’s a game that could jump start a turn around to the season. That’s the best case scenario. One game at a time, starting with these clowns.

[Xville]

Yes, I truly believe this is the fork in the road for the season. That’s probably overstating things, but I think this game could truly propel this team to becoming a team. Don’t turn the ball over and rebound. The rest will take care of itself. F uc, f reflection sessions and zip these mfers up!

[Three Point Pete]

Yes, I truly believe this is the fork in the road for the season. That’s probably overstating things, but I think this game could truly propel this team to becoming a team!

Or, it's stick a fork in 'em....we're done.


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[bleedXblue]

I don't see enough "dog" in any player on this team. Will it emerge today? Will we see the toughness needed to not only win today, but win more moving forward? We shall see. I am SURE Sean has challenged them

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Agree with thinking this is potential watershed moment for this season. A win could inject this team with a needed boost of confidence after three straight losses, two of which were surprises. A loss could potentially suck more life out of this team. It cannot be all on Claude's shoulders today. We are asking him to do more than he is capable of doing. Quincy has to deliver, Mcknight must finally step up and one of the three Euros needs to demonstrate he is capable of playing well at this level. Looking forward to this game with a mixture of excitement and dread. There is no feeling that compares with the experience for this game, inside the building.

[American X]

Whatever else happens this season, just win this f'in game.

May the spirit of Crosstown Shootout transfer legend Jack Nunge be with our three new transfers and pray Desmond Claude discovers his inner Lionel Chalmers.

[drudy23]

Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tim]

I would settle for Claude finding his inner Claude.

[GoMuskies]

I may be the only one here with such strong feelings, but I really don't like UC.

[flatspat]

Yes, I truly believe this is the fork in the road for the season. That’s probably overstating things, but I think this game could truly propel this team to becoming a team. Don’t turn the ball over and rebound. The rest will take care of itself. F uc, f reflection sessions and zip these mfers up!

Anybody know who the refs are

[D-West & PO-Z]

I feel a huge game coming from Olivari of the Euros, probably Gytis.

Swain with a big game off the bench and Trey with a few 3's.

X will not lose this game to this team at Cintas.

Fuck UC, Fuck Wes Miller, Fuck the fans in red.

Just win, baby!

[xukeith]

With tonight being the 11th Crosstown Shootout in Cintas, I safely bet there was never a game in Cintas history with this number of UC fans.

[bjf123]

UC just moved down to take some shots at the other end of the floor and got a rousing welcome from the student section!


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[bjf123]

Djokovic is starting tonight. Did not expect that.


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[American X]

UC just moved down to take some shots at the other end of the floor and got a rousing welcome from the student section!

https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.5f2eba933d530b64700dcb0ad8aee331?rik=brZT%2fqXND olsOg&pid=ImgRaw&r=0

http://www.theasterisktoday.com/articles/for-bravehearts-20th-anniversary-10-things-it-got-halfway-right/

[Blue Blooded-05]

Like the energy so far

[Xuperman]

I have watched every game by both teams.....some multiple times.

X has serious match up problems across the board. No answer in the post. Possible embarrassment there tonight. Total discrepancy in athleticism at most positions. Notorious sniper CJ Frederick is out of his mind.

This feels like a really bad outcome.

[GoMuskies]

Ousmane shouldn't shoot 3s

[noteggs]

If Lazar continues to add toughness, like the look!

[noteggs]

Ousmane shouldn't shoot 3s

Ummm…definitely!

[xu82]

https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.5f2eba933d530b64700dcb0ad8aee331?rik=brZT%2fqXND olsOg&pid=ImgRaw&r=0

http://www.theasterisktoday.com/articles/for-bravehearts-20th-anniversary-10-things-it-got-halfway-right/

Ya’ gotta love the Classics!

[atljar]

The camera man needs to refocus, or clean his lense. FFS

[GoMuskies]

Claude needs to play smarter.

[GoMuskies]

Don't like this James guy. Don't like him at all.

[noteggs]

As of now, playing better as a unit.

[boozehound]

Wait, so this dude’s name is seriously Jizzle James?

[Blue Blooded-05]

Don't like this James guy. Don't like him at all.

Already feels like he’s been at UC for 10 years and he’s not even 1/8 of the way through his career in the Crosstown

[noteggs]

Time to get Des and save him

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Better FT shooting so far. Keep up the good work.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Certainly things that need cleaned up, but can’t say I’m unhappy with that 1st half.

9/10 from the line. Only 4 turnovers. Rebounds are near dead even. It helps they’re 1/13 from 3. Not sure if that’s due to our defense or just an off night shooting. They have been shooting a respectable 37% as a team for the year.

[xu82]

We MAY have benefitted from our abundance of recent teaching moments, but I can only pray we remember those lessons for the next 20 minutes.

Then move forward with some cohesion and confidence.

[American X]

Who had Ousmane airballing a three attempt on their bingo card?

Xavier had a series of pussy hands play around the 5 minute mark where they could have given it all back, but surprisingly showed toughness into the halftime lead.

[GoMuskies]

Well, the Xavier team we know and...know showed up for the second half.

[noteggs]

We should have kept Edwards if we need soft hands!

[GoMuskies]

Awful

[Blue Blooded-05]

Way too many easy buckets this half. This is not trending in the right direction

[IM4X]

Olivari is forcing terrible shots in the paint.

[Three Point Pete]

Not tough enough in low post. Need guards to help.

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[bjf123]

Turning into a ref show.


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[GoMuskies]

Djokovic shouldn't be playing in this game.

[GoMuskies]

Defense very not good this half

[IM4X]

Too many payers in this lineup out of sync and making poor decisions.

Swain had a step on his man when he was in. Not using his athleticism like they once did.

[IM4X]

Claude… no more threes
olivari… no more layups

It needs to be the reverse.

that might about fix things

[GoMuskies]

Olivari and McKnight carrying us!

[Blue Blooded-05]

Trevon Oliveri!!

[GoMuskies]

Claude has to stop shooting. Only the transfers from here on out. Only slightly exaggerating.

[IM4X]

Olivari and McKnight carrying us!

Ousmane too. He is playing tough.

[Three Point Pete]

Trevon Oliveri!!QuincyHoward!

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[GoMuskies]

Gytis kinda soft.

[GoMuskies]

Ciani steal was enormous.

[noteggs]

Good perimeter play but just need to get stronger inside

[GoMuskies]

Got to make FTs down the stretch.

[IM4X]

Getting away from our game

[GoMuskies]

Well, we're going to make this painful.

[GoMuskies]

Got the ball up 4 with about 3 to play. I'd have taken it at the start.

[paulxu]

Is there any way we can outlaw 1 on 5 hero ball?

[American X]

Who had Gytis jacking a 30-footer with the game on the line on their bingo card?

[GoMuskies]

McKnight rules.

[paulxu]

Nice time for a 3.

Come on X. Close this out.

[Three Point Pete]

It's Ousmane with Abouble double

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[GoMuskies]

FTs!!!!!

[GoMuskies]

Please get the ball to Olivari. Please.

[GoMuskies]

We are going to win.

[GoMuskies]

I have watched every game by both teams.....some multiple times.

X has serious match up problems across the board. No answer in the post. Possible embarrassment there tonight. Total discrepancy in athleticism at most positions. Notorious sniper CJ Frederick is out of his mind.

This feels like a really bad outcome.

Hmm

[noteggs]

Nice

[GreatWhiteNorth]

X wins. The tradition continues. Thank you UC for breaking our losing streak.

[xuphan]

X wins. The tradition continues. Thank you UC for breaking our losing streak.

Great win but we are so athletically challenged. I hope Miller hit the portal next year to get some athletic wings/forwards on this team.

[Three Point Pete]

Good things happen when free throws drop and turnovers shrink. Abou is better when on the floor, not the bench. And the transfer guys show up!

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[Xuperman]

Hmm

My concerns were buried nicely! BIG WIN!!

[Blue Blooded-05]

Great win but we are so athletically challenged. I hope Miller hit the portal next year to get some athletic wings/forwards on this team.

Yeah. Our ceiling is probably a bubble team. But I’ll worry about that tomorrow.

Tonight is about celebrating 5-straight. Xavier was 20-43 vs UC before Lenny Brown’s shot. We’re 20-8 since.

[Xville]

It’s 9:22 and uc still sucks. Fuck them. As I said, fucking sucks and I was never concerned about this game. Fuck them

[Xville]

My concerns were buried nicely! BIG WIN!!

lol uc fucking sucks

[Three Point Pete]

ZZZZZZZipped 'em up.

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[X-band '01]

Wait, so this dude’s name is seriously Jizzle James?

Should have stuck with football like his old man Edgerrin James.


Who had Ousmane airballing a three attempt on their bingo card?

Xavier had a series of pussy hands play around the 5 minute mark where they could have given it all back, but surprisingly showed toughness into the halftime lead.

It was his Jerome Hunter tribute. Fortunately the C-USA 3-on-3 team showed up in a big way.


Ciani steal was enormous.

To me, that was when I knew Xavier was going to pull it off. UC had made their 2nd run and basically neutralized it in one fell swoop.

[bobbiemcgee]

84% from The line won this game

[noteggs]

Weird on the FS1 screen we play North Florida next. First, who the hell is that? According to my Apple wallet, we play Winthrop???

Yes I know this was misprint!

[Three Point Pete]

Ron DeSantis annexed Rock Hill County, hence North Florida [emoji6]

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[Xville]

The transfer backcourt that I expected to be better than last years backcourt is starting to show up. I think this team is going to be scary as hell for the competition come mid January.

[drudy23]

Quincy into the Crosstown legend status.

Dayvion, I'm sorry I called you out, go be great. Baller.

And to the turncoat CJ Frederick, you got what you deserved. Zero points - you picked the wrong team.

Let's fuckin goooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[Xville]

Quincy into the Crosstown legend status.

Dayvion, I'm sorry I called you out, go be great. Baller.

And to the turncoat CJ Frederick, you got what you deserved. Zero points - you picked the wrong team.

Let's fuckin goooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

Cj frederick blows. He sucked at Iowa, he sucked at uk and now he sucks at uc. He belongs in the mac with tin man

[X-band '01]

Simas Lukosius was a Xavier killer in a Butler uniform. He was just another stiff and completely lost once he entered the Crosstown Shootout ring.

[American X]

Both Jack Nunge and Dee Davis think that Quincy Olivari is a bad mother f'er.

[xu82]

Both Jack Nunge and Dee Davis think that Quincy Olivari is a bad mother f'er.


THAT made me laugh.

And true.

[Xavier]

Man. That was awesome. Did anyone else feel like there was a lot of UC fans? And the same tightness feeling come over the crowd and team when UC took the lead that we felt last game? Hell of a job, that was fun. Olivari popping the Xavier to the whole crowd and walking towards UC bench in closing seconds was awesome,

[bjf123]

There were a decent number of UC fans. Always are.

Nice gesture by UC’s Coach Miller after the game.

https://x.com/fox19jeremy/status/1733696793941070246?s=46&t=BFaRhpzSZFkQ7RbyDYbL8g


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[bobbiemcgee]

Swiftty may have to throw out her new BB jersey.

[X-band '01]

Wes Miller did show some decency there. Mick Cronin would have challenged him to a fight after the game.

[xukeith]

Olivari and Mcknight have had very strong three straight game performances vs Houston, Delaware and UC.


By the numbers past 3 games:

Olivari Totals 21/23 91% FTs 6/15 40%2Ptfg 15/25 60% 3Ptfg 6 assists 2 Tos 9 total rebounds 107 /120 89% Minutes played

McKnight Totals 11/12 92% FTs 11/29 38%2Ptfg 2/7 29% 3Ptfg 13 assists 7 Tos 17 total rebounds 104 /120 87% Minutes played

[X-band '01]

Swiftty may have to throw out her new BB jersey.

Unless she's dating Connor Barwin, why would she have a UC basketball jersey?

[bobbiemcgee]

Kelce bought them.