Down The Drive - Basketball: Bearcats at the Banks - 2014 Tip-Off EventA Cincinnati Bearcats blog for the moderately intelligenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48741/downthedrive-fave.png2014-10-06T10:01:33-04:00http://www.downthedrive.com/rss/stream/66691082014-10-06T10:01:33-04:002014-10-06T10:01:33-04:00VIDEO: Cronin Address Crowd at 2014 Tip-Off Event
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<p>Downtown Cincinnati had a dreary feel to it by the time the sun set over the Ohio River on Saturday night. So much so, that I heard several fans at the football game jokingly ask when basketball season was supposed to start.</p>
<p>They obviously didn't attend the "Basketball at the Banks" tip-off event held earlier that day where the University of Cincinnati laid down an impressive court literally in the middle of the street. Sandwiched between restaurants, bars, and sidewalks, the men's and women's basketball teams huddled to stay warm as former Bearcat and current analyst, Terry Nelson, introduced each member of both programs.</p>
<p>No real practicing or scrimmaging took place on the chilly outdoor court, but fans gathered to watch former Bearcat players - dubbed the "Legends" - participate in a series of fan-related shootouts and competitions. Oh - and head coach Mick Cronin addressed the crowd:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-6S3_9K7azs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><i>"Who knows where the Final Four's at this year?"</i></p>
<p>Cronin hypes the crowd while simultaneously playing the disrespect card - something he's done with his actual players extremely well in the past. He goes on:</p>
<p><i>"Despite what you read and hear on ESPN, you can believe in this team."</i></p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, he's obviously in full sales mode as he's the head coach and season tickets have to be sold. But there's something about his address that makes me believe. Maybe I'm struggling to cling to something - anything - after Saturday's football performance.</p>
<p>But as I told the guys sitting behind me at the football game - it's almost basketball time in Cincinnati.</p>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/10/6/6918285/cronin-address-crowd-at-tip-off-eventJustin Post2014-10-04T17:33:42-04:002014-10-04T17:33:42-04:00Men's Basketball Team Is Out Here<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pSMvukaI3yw_DIOjVHB2ivMO8NY=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/350446/BzIbmrdIAAApmKV.jpg" />
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>and in snazzy matching attire</p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/10/4/6908529/mens-basketball-team-is-out-hereMatt Opper2014-10-04T17:32:00-04:002014-10-04T17:32:00-04:00Mick Cronin and Mike Bohn<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qVc8DwUqb_MkoV6mP6Pig83mY_s=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/350440/BzIb60uIAAE9Iz1.jpg" />
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Obviously talking about the arena situation</p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/10/4/6908527/mick-cronin-and-mike-bohnMatt Opper2014-10-04T16:58:28-04:002014-10-04T16:58:28-04:00The Court Is Down At The Banks<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MsJt_6_7XIcOwbDaA0ZXwaHwDnM=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/350428/BzITUccCMAA3VFj.jpg" />
<div class="source source-img"><p></p></div>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/10/4/6908391/the-court-is-down-at-the-banksMatt Opper2014-09-30T15:50:03-04:002014-09-30T15:50:03-04:00Pre-Season Basketball Practice is Tipping Off
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<p>As if tailgating wasn't enough, the University of Cincinnati has announced a whole new level of awesomeness to add to your pre-game schedule before this weekend's football game.</p> <p>The University of Cincinnati announced today the men's and women's basketball team will be holding their tip-off event downtown before the football game this Saturday.</p>
<p>From theĀ <a href="http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/093014aac.html" target="_blank">UC press release</a>:</p>
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<p>The free public event at Freedom Way and Joe Nuxhall Way starts at 5 p.m. ET, two hours prior to the UC football game against Memphis at Paul Brown Stadium. It will feature coach and player introductions, team shoot-around sessions, and autographs. Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to meet members of the teams and have a chance to win a pair of season tickets for both UC men's and women's basketball.<br>Last year, the basketball teams held a similar event in mid-October at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati named Midday Madness.</p>
<p>"Being a Cincinnati native, I'm happy to be able to get our basketball team out in the community," men's basketball head coach Mick Cronin said. "Our Midday Madness event last year had a great turnout and we are hoping for more of the same this year."</p>
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<p>All in all, I think this is a smart move for the athletic department. Do I miss the craziness that midnight madness used to provide? Of course. But having these events downtown helps position the Bearcats as the city of Cincinnati's basketball team. You think Xavier would switch spots with them? In a heartbeat...</p>
<p>I do wish they would have announced this a couple of weeks ago to help better spread the word. I'm sure they were waiting on a few last minute details, but still --- this feels kind of rushed.</p>
<p>On the bright side, though, it's backed up against a football game, so there will be plenty of Bearcat fans already downtown to check it out. Am I salty I'll have to leave my tailgate for a bit? Maybe a little, but I guess we'll just get to the parking lot earlier to compensate.</p>
<p>We'll bring you live coverage from this event, so don't go anywhere.</p>
https://www.downthedrive.com/2014/9/30/6874933/basketball-bearcats-at-the-banks-this-saturdayJustin Post