Lance just trying to stir the pot again --

1. Marginal college bball fans only watch in Feb/March. Guess this town is full of marginal fans?

2. Not sure what he means here? So, I am as confused as he is...

3. The MEDIA's focus in this town is always on the Reds/Bungles. As a fan you can root for your favorite pro-team and college too. Let's also throw in that the Football Bearcats are still playing. The city should embrace the FACT, they have winning pro-teams and winning top tier college sports too. Sick of the we can only be pro or be college.

4. When I lived outside of Cincy it was just another game. Living within Cincy meant, win or loss, you had to listen to Egg's fans spew venom at your team. So, living within I-275, i'd never take the win for granted.

5. On the Banks or get rid of the game. Simple. Only school who has not come to grips with this decision is Eggs.

6. The program and game has always been bigger than just one coach. Huggins, for the media and Egg's fans, was an easy way to make UC the bad guy. Very boorish in IMO.

7. This talking point shows that Egg's a high school in Norwood. (See how I spun it back onto you Lance) If you were the bigger and better institution you wouldn't have to incessently remind everyone of it, let alone yourselves. New BE is a shell of it's former self. The NATIONAL media treats that conf this way. Until, Egg's fields a D1 or equivalent fball team, endowment reaches the ballpark of UC's, has academics on par of a UC, has a top tier research profile ... I'll continue to let the facts and not Lance's opinion answer the question ..

8. I'm pretty sure UC fans, not casual college bball fans, know how UC looks so far.

9. Reason why this game is on Fox Sports 1 - a) Egg's is the home team 2) Fox Sports 1 is the media outlet for that "premier" New BE.

10. Bought mine, as well as all my friends. You get yours for free Lance.

11. Game did not lose anything last year. Did it Lance? - Great crowd! Tournament type atmosphere. UC was more vocal than Egg's fans, they outnumbered them, UC played a good game and won. UC's student section was into the game. Pres Ono was doing his usual rock star performance.

12. (I'll add a talking point) - How many out of town fans are coming for Egg's? I have a group coming in from Cleveland - they are excited to attend, didn't balk at the ticket prices, going to be loud and obviously cheering for UC, and are happy with the location of the game!

(12-13-2013 11:31 AM)Marcus Wrote:  On Point #7. You could also argue IMO that football is now bigger at UC than basketball. I'm surprised Lance didn't mention this. Xavier fans take the game far more seriously than UC fans do. It seems to me a lot of UC fans are more focused on the football program now and the football success of recent years. At least that is the impression I get. Now I'll watch the game and cheer for UC but if they win you aren't going to see me going around bragging about beating XU, like XU fans do when they beat UC. It's just not that important of a game to me.

Lance doesn't know we have a football team (I know.. I know... season tickets... sigh..). You are correct though. We are a football school now... not that there is anything wrong with it. Football drives the bus.

All and all I think Lance pretty much hit the nail on the head.

(12-13-2013 11:50 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(12-13-2013 11:31 AM)Marcus Wrote:  On Point #7. You could also argue IMO that football is now bigger at UC than basketball. I'm surprised Lance didn't mention this. Xavier fans take the game far more seriously than UC fans do. It seems to me a lot of UC fans are more focused on the football program now and the football success of recent years. At least that is the impression I get. Now I'll watch the game and cheer for UC but if they win you aren't going to see me going around bragging about beating XU, like XU fans do when they beat UC. It's just not that important of a game to me.

Lance doesn't know we have a football team (I know.. I know... season tickets... sigh..). You are correct though. We are a football school now... not that there is anything wrong with it. Football drives the bus.

All and all I think Lance pretty much hit the nail on the head.

There is definitely nothing wrong with being a football school now, which I agree UC now is. Personally I've always preferred college football to college basketball. I used to go to basketball games but I haven't been to one in many years now. That money I once spent on hoops now goes to UC football games instead.

It just baffles me a guy as "smart" as Lance didn't bother to mention that as being a factor in why people from UC's side dont seem to care about the rivalry as much anymore. It's had a huge effect IMO. I think his comments were simply aimed at trying to stir up UC fans again, that is why he didn't bother to mention the football factor.

Am I the only one that doesn't think the game has lost all of its luster?

14,000+ showed up to watch it in person last year. In the "dump" that is US Bank Arena. That's more than either XU or UC could hold on their own.

And I'm willing to bet they'll be more than 13,000 this year. Again, more than either school could accommodate on campus. To see 2 unranked teams play? On a night where there's a ridiculous amount of Christmas parties?

The TV and talk radio chatter will pick up once either team is annually ranked. But to act like the game is void of any luster is ludicrous.

(12-13-2013 02:01 PM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  Am I the only one that doesn't think the game has lost all of its luster?

14,000+ showed up to watch it in person last year. In the "dump" that is US Bank Arena. That's more than either XU or UC could hold on their own.

And I'm willing to bet they'll be more than 13,000 this year. Again, more than either school could accommodate on campus. To see 2 unranked teams play? On a night where there's a ridiculous amount of Christmas parties?

The TV and talk radio chatter will pick up once either team is annually ranked. But to act like the game is void of any luster is ludicrous.

Actually we could manage 176 more!

haha. a day before the game and you people still don't care about the shootout.

(12-13-2013 11:11 AM)Bearcat2012 Wrote:  as much as we rag on Lance , he hits the nail on the head with most of these.

I feel its the combination of alot of these things.....




What has happened to this game?


7. This game used to have the built in Big Brother (UC) vs Little Brother (XU) storyline. UC used to be the big, badass Bearcats, dressed in blacked, bringing attitude and a national ranking. The reality is, Little Brother has had more success over the last decade plus, outdraws Big Brother, and plays in a higher profile conference. UC fans have always carried the college hoops conversation. What do UC fans have to say?

This is yet to be determined. The jury is out on that. Let's see how the season shakes out before putting a blanket statement on this. The AAC could have several teams with very good seasons.

10. Ticket prices: Tickets for the Crosstown Classic are $35, $50, $75 and $125. Seriously? Is it any wonder why over 6,000 tickets remain?

I agree with this point.


Read more: http://www.espn1530.com/pages/lancesBlog...z2nN6X6Ifh

+1 XU isn't in the old Big East. This new Big East is an incredibly watered down league compared to what it once was. I definitely wouldn't say it is absolutely better than the AAC. The top AAC schools are every bit as good as the top ones in this watered down Big East.

Didn't have a chance to read it but I think DeCourcey had an article out yesterday where he srgued that this year's A10 is better than the BE.

(12-13-2013 02:01 PM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  Am I the only one that doesn't think the game has lost all of its luster?

14,000+ showed up to watch it in person last year. In the "dump" that is US Bank Arena. That's more than either XU or UC could hold on their own.

And I'm willing to bet they'll be more than 13,000 this year. Again, more than either school could accommodate on campus. To see 2 unranked teams play? On a night where there's a ridiculous amount of Christmas parties?

The TV and talk radio chatter will pick up once either team is annually ranked. But to act like the game is void of any luster is ludicrous.

Agree. They said the game was losing luster before the fight and then afterwards the media criticized how much they let emotions get out of hand (PDOC).

I wrote an email to MO about this. I think everyone else should do the same. The media ultimately can report whatever level of interest they choose, and thus, they have clearly chosen a negative slant. (Surprise)

If you've been paying attention to the scores coming in for the current Big East teams, it has not been impressive at all.

(12-13-2013 02:34 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  

(12-13-2013 02:01 PM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  Am I the only one that doesn't think the game has lost all of its luster?

14,000+ showed up to watch it in person last year. In the "dump" that is US Bank Arena. That's more than either XU or UC could hold on their own.

And I'm willing to bet they'll be more than 13,000 this year. Again, more than either school could accommodate on campus. To see 2 unranked teams play? On a night where there's a ridiculous amount of Christmas parties?

The TV and talk radio chatter will pick up once either team is annually ranked. But to act like the game is void of any luster is ludicrous.

Agree. They said the game was losing luster before the fight and then afterwards the media criticized how much they let emotions get out of hand (PDOC).

I wrote an email to MO about this. I think everyone else should do the same. The media ultimately can report whatever level of interest they choose, and thus, they have clearly chosen a negative slant. (Surprise)

Yesterday WXIX news at 6 pm started their news with a teaser about the game story and was asking the same question " has the game lost it's luster" with a video of the fight accompanying it.

I guess by 'luster' they would rather see UC and X players fighting, coaches angry with each other, and fans causing trouble. It makes for a better story.

As for me, I'm looking forward to the basketball game and I hope that's what the story turns out to be.

(12-13-2013 02:41 PM)bearcatfan Wrote:  

(12-13-2013 02:34 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  

(12-13-2013 02:01 PM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  Am I the only one that doesn't think the game has lost all of its luster?

14,000+ showed up to watch it in person last year. In the "dump" that is US Bank Arena. That's more than either XU or UC could hold on their own.

And I'm willing to bet they'll be more than 13,000 this year. Again, more than either school could accommodate on campus. To see 2 unranked teams play? On a night where there's a ridiculous amount of Christmas parties?

The TV and talk radio chatter will pick up once either team is annually ranked. But to act like the game is void of any luster is ludicrous.

Agree. They said the game was losing luster before the fight and then afterwards the media criticized how much they let emotions get out of hand (PDOC).

I wrote an email to MO about this. I think everyone else should do the same. The media ultimately can report whatever level of interest they choose, and thus, they have clearly chosen a negative slant. (Surprise)

Yesterday WXIX news at 6 pm started their news with a teaser about the game story and was asking the same question " has the game lost it's luster" with a video of the fight accompanying it.

I guess by 'luster' they would rather see UC and X players fighting, coaches angry with each other, and fans causing trouble. It makes for a better story.

As for me, I'm looking forward to the basketball game and I hope that's what the story turns out to be.

You nailed it. Cincy media is more interested in non-bball stories surrounding the game, than they are the game itself.

(12-13-2013 02:26 PM)Marcus Wrote:  +1 XU isn't in the old Big East. This new Big East is an incredibly watered down league compared to what it once was. I definitely wouldn't say it is absolutely better than the AAC. The top AAC schools are every bit as good as the top ones in this watered down Big East.

There are 3 AAC schools in the Top 15, and only one "Big East" school (Villanova). The Big East is not the Big East without UCONN, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, WVU, Notre Dame and Cincinnati. It has gone from being the "Beast" to being a small upgrade from the A-10.

As of today, the AAC has far better basketball at the top than the new BE; Louisville was a preseason pick by some to win it all, UConn has impressive wins, Memphis rounds out three top 25 ranked teams (only one team ranked from the new BE). The top of the old Big East is gone and what remains is arguably weaker than the AAC. Expect the new BE to regress further being on Fox Sports One. If you watch ESPN it's like the BE no longer exists. As a point of fact, it exists in name only.

(12-13-2013 02:52 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(12-13-2013 02:41 PM)bearcatfan Wrote:  Yesterday WXIX news at 6 pm started their news with a teaser about the game story and was asking the same question " has the game lost it's luster" with a video of the fight accompanying it.

I guess by 'luster' they would rather see UC and X players fighting, coaches angry with each other, and fans causing trouble. It makes for a better story.

As for me, I'm looking forward to the basketball game and I hope that's what the story turns out to be.

You nailed it. Cincy media is more interested in non-bball stories surrounding the game, than they are the game itself.

Spot on. This rivalry began in 1928 and has been played annually since 1945 with UC leading all-time 49 games to 31. Seems like there should be a few stories worthwhile in the history of the rivarly that deals with playing the game.

(12-13-2013 03:26 PM)indycat Wrote:  As of today, the AAC has far better basketball at the top than the new BE; Louisville was a preseason pick by some to win it all, UConn has impressive wins, Memphis rounds out three top 25 ranked teams (only one team ranked from the new BE). The top of the old Big East is gone and what remains is arguably weaker than the AAC. Expect the new BE to regress further being on Fox Sports One. If you watch ESPN it's like the BE no longer exists. As a point of fact, it exists in name only.

Shhhh... Lance and Cincy media do not want facts, which disrupt their narrative.

Just scrolled through muskateer madness to read their thoughts on the game... wow are they still every bit as obsessed with UC as they have ever been. Multiple threads just reek of Little Brother syndrome. Lets make it 3 out of 4 since Cronin got the program back from the mess he inherited.

(12-13-2013 02:34 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  

(12-13-2013 02:01 PM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  Am I the only one that doesn't think the game has lost all of its luster?

14,000+ showed up to watch it in person last year. In the "dump" that is US Bank Arena. That's more than either XU or UC could hold on their own.

And I'm willing to bet they'll be more than 13,000 this year. Again, more than either school could accommodate on campus. To see 2 unranked teams play? On a night where there's a ridiculous amount of Christmas parties?

The TV and talk radio chatter will pick up once either team is annually ranked. But to act like the game is void of any luster is ludicrous.

Agree. They said the game was losing luster before the fight and then afterwards the media criticized how much they let emotions get out of hand (PDOC).

I wrote an email to MO about this. I think everyone else should do the same. The media ultimately can report whatever level of interest they choose, and thus, they have clearly chosen a negative slant. (Surprise)

Mo has basically been begging people to call in and talk about the game and not the fight or where to play the game. He hasn't gotten any callers. Damn go check out the pregame thread, it's pathetic.

UC and Xavier have only played a handful meaningful games against legit teams. Its not easy to talk about a game when there isn't a whole lot to dissect about each team. Xavier failed to win a game in their pre-season tournament while UC took a step back on the road. UC has looked good at home, Xavier while struggling hasn't lost in Cincinnati either.

Move the game to the middle of conference play and we can start talking about tournament chances, who needs the win more, the strengths and weaknesses of each team. The casual fan doesn't have enough information to make a judgement about two unranked teams at this point. While Xavier has more losses they have played a few more game against legit competition. That changes in the next month as UC will play Pitt, MTSU, Nebraska, SMU, and Memphis in the coming weeks.

From a UC standpoint, the less hype surrounding the game the better UC usually does. UC victories always tend to double digit wins where Xavier never really has realistic shot to win in the second half. Xavier tends to win the emotional games that are very close.