RIP Crosstown Shootout

At the time I am writing this we are only 2 days from our annual match-up with UC and the lack of chatter on the board is alarming.

All of the media outlets have written their stories about the Shootout and its tenuous status and I saw it as a non-story, until now. We might as well be playing Fordham this weekend.

This is why I am now of the opinion that college basketball's best rivalry has dwindled and died. There have been many factors that have lead to the death of this once nationally spotlighted game and the end is here.

I won't be surprised to see this game left off our schedule next year and I'm not sure how much the fans on either side will care, or if they'll notice.

They won't stop playing it, but it's not the same. UC is not consistently highly ranked anymore, and Xavier is no longer an emerging program. The story lines that made the game intriguing on a national level aren't there anymore. I still think it's a good rivalry, but the atmosphere around it has changed.

It's actually an important game this year. Xavier needs a notable win away from home if they want to stimulate their season, and although UC has won all their games, their next notable win will be their first. I know they beat NC State, but I'm not that big on them. I don't think it will end up meaning all that much.

XUBREW -

FYI...UC lost on the road at New Mexico a week or so ago. They are no longer undefeated this season.

fUCk

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Originally Posted by xubrew

They won't stop playing it, but it's not the same. UC is not consistently highly ranked anymore, and Xavier is no longer an emerging program. The story lines that made the game intriguing on a national level aren't there anymore. I still think it's a good rivalry, but the atmosphere around it has changed.

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That is a very good point.

I posted it another thread but I believe this game should be moved back to the middle of the conference season. Right now college basketball as a whole is getting swallowed up by pro and college football talk. In February, it would be the talk of the town for the week with no other pro sports going on. You could possibly move it to ESPN's "rivalry" week when Duke plays UNC, Florida plays Kentucky, and UC used to play Louisville.

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Originally Posted by Burrcats

You could possibly move it to ESPN's "rivalry" week when Duke plays UNC, Florida plays Kentucky, and UC used to play Louisville.

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Those are all conference games. With 18 games on our conference schedule, we may have lost the flexibility to insert an OOC game in the middle.

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Originally Posted by Lamont Sanford

XUBREW -

FYI...UC lost on the road at New Mexico a week or so ago. They are no longer undefeated this season.

fUCk

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I knew that. I actually watched the game. Brain fart.

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Originally Posted by Burrcats

That is a very good point.

I posted it another thread but I believe this game should be moved back to the middle of the conference season. Right now college basketball as a whole is getting swallowed up by pro and college football talk. In February, it would be the talk of the town for the week with no other pro sports going on. You could possibly move it to ESPN's "rivalry" week when Duke plays UNC, Florida plays Kentucky, and UC used to play Louisville.

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If you were at any level up to speed about the game and scheduling, you would know it was UC and Huggs who begged to schedule the game in December and NOT during conference play b/c the intensity of the game resulted in lack of focus for both teams when conference play resumed. Both UC and XU often would lose games after the Shootout to inferior opponents.

I was having the same problem honestly. Do yourself a watch a few youtube clips of the shootout. I feel much better and ready to roll.

My opinion on the Shootout?

Zip it up!!

Who cares......I don't care about playing sUCks anymore. I don't care if its good for the city....blah blah blah.
I want tourney wins. Playing sUCks is equivalent to playing Alabama and Wake Forest...the next 2 games on the schedule.
Get rid of it. The few sUCks fans that remain are obnoxious about their non-existence on the national stage.

I don't much care either. It used to be kinda fun when UC fans would get riled up but basically they couldn't care less now. I always wear my Xavier jacket and during this week and I would get many comments for fans (both X and UC) about the upcoming game. Last year and now this year I've heard nothing, nada, absolute squat. I really think the average person around the city could not care less. Its just another game on the schedule. If we win on Saturday I will be thrilled and move on and forget about it. If we lose, I will be disappointed and move on and forget about it.

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Originally Posted by paulxu

Those are all conference games. With 18 games on our conference schedule, we may have lost the flexibility to insert an OOC game in the middle.

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Read an article today that said one of the things being discussed is the time of the game. Looks like it could be moving back to late January.

I also just realized this game is on Fox Sports 1. I honestly have no clue what that channel is and where is it located.

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Originally Posted by Burrcats

I also just realized this game is on Fox Sports 1. I honestly have no clue what that channel is and where is it located.

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Someone's not a very big UFC fan...

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Originally Posted by Burrcats

I also just realized this game is on Fox Sports 1. I honestly have no clue what that channel is and where is it located.

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Did you manage to find CBSSN for the uc games?

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Originally Posted by Burrcats

I also just realized this game is on Fox Sports 1. I honestly have no clue what that channel is and where is it located.

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I can see that. As X fans we know exactly where it is because it carries all the Big East games so I could understand that you don't have a lot of reason to watch it (that's not a dig, I promise). Plus it just launched a few months ago. Overall the programming is OK. Their Fox Sports Live show (Think Sportscenter) is a nice alternative to ESPN.

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Originally Posted by Burrcats

I also just realized this game is on Fox Sports 1. I honestly have no clue what that channel is and where is it located.

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I think it is a standard channel added to most cable/satellite systems this past fall. I imagine you have this on your system somewhere, but it is understandable why you haven't needed to find it before now.

FS1 is 1317 on Time Warner.

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Originally Posted by nuts4xu

but it is understandable why you haven't needed to find it before now.

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What?!? I thought the entire nation was on the edge of their collective seats watching Xavier/Abilene Christian!

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Originally Posted by XUOHTX

I can see that. As X fans we know exactly where it is because it carries all the Big East games so I could understand that you don't have a lot of reason to watch it (that's not a dig, I promise). Plus it just launched a few months ago. Overall the programming is OK. Their Fox Sports Live show (Think Sportscenter) is a nice alternative to ESPN.

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As much as I'd love to say that Fox Sports Live is a nice alternative to Sportscenter, I just can't. I don't know about you, but outside of the highlights, the panel discussions (which they do WAAY too much of) anchored by Andy Roddick and McNabb put me to sleep.

Fox Sports Live is an alternative to Sportscenter, sure. Just not a very good one in my opinion. But hey, as long as every X game is on T.V. then I'm a happy camper!

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Originally Posted by XULucho27

As much as I'd love to say that Fox Sports Live is a nice alternative to Sportscenter, I just can't. I don't know about you, but outside of the highlights, the panel discussions (which they do WAAY too much of) anchored by Andy Roddick and McNabb put me to sleep.

Fox Sports Live is an alternative to Sportscenter, sure. Just not a very good one in my opinion. But hey, as long as every X game is on T.V. then I'm a happy camper!

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I thought this at first as well (mcnaab and roddick). But after a few weeks I became ok with them too. If I can grow numb to Chris Berman. I can grow numb to Donovan.

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Originally Posted by Muskie

I thought this at first as well (mcnaab and roddick). But after a few weeks I became ok with them too. If I can grow numb to Chris Berman. I can grow numb to Donovan.

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Charissa and her 5 inch pumps ain't bad to look at and Jay and Dan are actually pretty funny. Like almost any new venture it is too early to tell if it will end up being successful.

Even discussing the death of the Shootout is boring.

It's sad how quickly this game has fallen for no reason at all.

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Originally Posted by nuts4xu

I think it is a standard channel added to most cable/satellite systems this past fall. I imagine you have this on your system somewhere, but it is understandable why you haven't needed to find it before now.

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Thanks. I realized I do not have the channel. Guess it is part of some upgraded sports package. Since UC plays 8 games on CBS Sports Network, I might just give in an upgrade to get both...

Fox Sports 1 used to be Speed Channel.


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The demise of the Crosstown Shootout is very greatly exaggerated.

Do you know why people aren't as into it as they used to be? First, the Bengals are good. In the heyday of the Shootout, the Bengals are horrible, and we needed something to root for besides them. X and UC are both always good in basketball, so they were the diversion.

Second, UC fans aren't as into the team as they used to be, and they are most of the fanbase in this city. They drive the college basketball talk in this city, period. As much as we as Xavier fans hate to admit, UC drives the college basketball talk in Cincinnati.

I hate UC as much as I always did, and I want X to win this game as much as I always did. I would venture a guess that most Xavier fans feel the same way. When the game is going on, the fire will burn as much as it always did.

People are paying a bunch of lipservice to something that's much ado about nothing.

UC fans are perhaps the only group of people that can only be excited about one thing at a time. The Bengals are good, and the football team is now a fringe top 25 team, so that uses up all their energy.

Could you imagine if they lived in Michigan?? Michigan State is on their way to the Rose Bowl, the Lions are sort of in the playoff hunt (I think), and Michigan State's basketball team has tremendous support. I don't know how the Pistons are doing, but they've got them as well. Not to mention, the Wolverines, who's football and basketball teams are also getting a ton of support. Aren't the Redwings also good in hockey??

Maybe it's a Cincinnati thing. Only one team can be good at a time. The fans can't focus on any more than that.

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Originally Posted by Burrcats

That is a very good point.
I posted it another thread but I believe this game should be moved back to the middle of the conference season. Right now college basketball as a whole is getting swallowed up by pro and college football talk. In February, it would be the talk of the town for the week with no other pro sports going on. You could possibly move it to ESPN's "rivalry" week when Duke plays UNC, Florida plays Kentucky, and UC used to play Louisville.

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Two things wrong Burrcat, The game was in rivalry week but XU won too many to leave it there the Sports Leader claimed. It doesn't make a difference to Cronin who has decided he will never take team into Cintas again. Look, the little YTG phony thinks he has more power than Santa Ono (UC president) . BTW, the Florida -Kentucky rivalry is non-existent compared to the Kentucky-Tennessee battles or the wars that used to exist between Kentucky and Indiana, a game that has been discontinued. Neither school suffered from dropping that one. Xavier no longer needs the game as was once truly alleged . XU has a national reputation and recognition in the sport and UC is headed in another direction which will be completed by one of two events, Mick's firing or the fans continued disgust with the miserable schedule which leads to even greater loss of attendance and revenue. Play the damn game on campuses or not at all. And never forget, 76-53.

:rant::stickmove::cursingmad::bleh:

Attendance was announced at 10,250 - the exact seating capacity of the Cintas Center. I find it hard to believe that is a coincidence. Was this actually a way of saying they felt the game should be there?

I think US bank could be fun if it was sold out. It's nice watching both fans interacting with each other. However, since nobody showed up its time to bring it back on campus. I have enjoyed watching both shoot outs down at the arena. It also allows me to go to the game each year.

Maybe X is so used to the max attendnace being 10,250 that they wrote that down out of habit.