Crosstown Blowout; Cincinnati Dominates Xavier
I was truly, and genuinely worried about the outcome of this game for all of 3 minutes. X grabbed a 10-4 lead then Larry Davis, Darnell Wilks and Sean Kilpatrick subbed in. After that substitution UC went on 16-4 run sparked by the hot play of Yancy Gates and that was it. Xavier simply isn't deep enough or talented enough to go toe for toe with this UC team, not by a long shot. The scouting report was simple, limit Tu Holloway's impact on the game and you will likely win.
Holloway was a complete non factor, a lot of credit has to go to Larry Davis and Cashmere Wright, Cash in particular. Davis is a very good defender, Cash less so but both of them combined to blunt the only offensive weapon the Musketeers carry into battle. Tu wound up with twice as many turnovers as made baskets. The only thing of note he did in the entire game was throw a punch at Ibrahima Thomas while simultaneously trying to shoot a lay-up.
The first half was Yancy Gates but Dion Dixon absolutely controlled the game in the second half, 13 of his 16 game in the second half. His put back dunk with around 8 minutes to go in the second half was the play of the day and put a rather emphatic dagger in the hearts of Xavier. But this night will always be Yancy Gates. The only Cincinnati boy on the Bearcats roster. He was recruited hard by both schools and has heard a lot of yapping from Xavier people after two losses. Gates wasn't having any of that and the game was ultimately his. That's all for now, more tomorrow. Go crazy folks.
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My observations
XU’s shortened bench really hurt them during the game
Gates played like we all hope he does every game the rest of the way
UC’s bench was terrific
Points off turnovers was the key stat of the game. Bearcats outscored Muskrats 25-5 off of turnovers.
This game will add to the merit of our ranking, but still a long way to go.
XU is not that good afterall, due in large part to depth issues
It was great to see a Cincy crowd like that one. Hasn’t been there in a long time. Hopeing it continues.
I keep thinking this team is much better than anyone realizes, and lack of quality opponents hides just good they are.
Ucats Rick
Forgot to metion...
that while our defense is very good all year, the post defense last night, I thought, was particularly good. Gates and Thomas were challenging every shot, and despite a stupid foul by Thomas after getting beat to the rim, the help defense in the paint was as good as I’ve seen this year. From my vantage point looking across the baseline at the UC bench end of the floor, the openings XU attempted to take advantage of were closed off quickly and effectively by post defenders sliding down.
Ucats Rick

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