As Fifth Third Arena preps to become the battleground for the 92nd Crosstown Shootout, all eyes are set to squarely focus on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats facing off against the Xavier Musketeers this Saturday. In a game with the town buzzing and a sea of black jerseys ready to flood the stands, the Bearcats look to capture a home win that has eluded them since 2018. Doors are swinging open early at noon, with the promise of concession deals and giveaways, tipping fans off to arrive well ahead of the standard schedule. This hot-ticket event is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start, and fans can still snag tickets through WLWT.
Dan Skillings, not to be sidelined by a recent knee injury, is poised to continue being a crucial contributor for the Bearcats after his procedural touch-up on November 11. Despite the setback, the team's leading scorer made a notable comeback, playing 14 minutes last Sunday. With the university's College-Conservatory of Music hosting an event at exactly 2 p.m., those planning to park in the vicinity should brace themselves to navigate even denser traffic than the regular game day shuffle, according to details from GoBearcats.
On the betting front, the Las Vegas odds makers have tabbed the Bearcats as an 8.5-point favorite to snag the W in this local showdown, with the total points predicted to hover around 143.5. Cincinnati's record against the spread sees them at 4-4 when pitted against Xavier's 4-5 mark, pointing to a game that could go either way. As noted by Sports Illustrated, close contests have historically been the norm rather than the exception for these two teams.
But let's talk jerseys. Cincinnati's decision to return to its roots with the Jordan brand has certainly caught some eyes. The "Black Cat" jerseys are more than mere fabric—they're a statement of school pride, sporting the Cincy moniker and elephant print detailing as a nod to the iconic Air Jordan 3 design. According to Wes Miller, these threads are set to "focus on the black, an adopted school color for 130 years." The updated look, which Jordan himself had a hand in unveiling back on the Rosie O'Donnell Show in '97, is expected to give a psychological edge perhaps and evoke some of that classic MJ tenacity on the court. GoBearcats spotlighted the aesthetics.
As the countdown to the game ticks on, coverage continues to ramp up, with ESPN+ slated to broadcast the face-off for those watching from the comforts of home. With key players on the mend and strategic plays in the making, Cincinnati aims to finally break that home court jinx—setting up what's billed to be a December duel to remember.
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