By Mike DeCourcy Sporting News
CINCINNATI—What we learned as No. 11 Cincinnati recovered from its early offensive struggles to post a commanding 60-45 victory in the newly renamed Crosstown Classic rivalry:
1. Xavier and Cincinnati can play nice. Players and coaches from both sides shook hands following the national anthem. The dance teams did a routine together. The cheerleaders shared the court during the first media timeout of the second half. The bands staged a free throw competition at halftime. (Hard to believe neither band had a shooter better than the two who competed). The only ugly things about the evening were the venue—the dank and outdated USBank Arena—and the first 20 minutes of basketball the Bearcats (11-0) and Musketeers (7-3) put on display: a total of 16 turnovers by the two teams, 27 errant shots from the Bearcats, six missed free throws by the Musketeers.