Cincinnati, Xavier trumpet importance of crosstown rivalry

Field Level Media|published: Thu 4th December, 19:21 2025

NCAA Basketball: Tarleton State at Cincinnati

Dec 1, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) drives to the basket against Tarleton State Texans guard Kade Douglas (13) in the first half at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

One of college basketball's most intense rivalries renews Friday night when Xavier hosts Cincinnati in the annual meeting known as the "Crosstown Shootout."

The two schools are meeting for the 93rd time. Cincinnati leads 52-40 but Xavier has won five of the last six, nine of the last 12 meetings and 13 of the last 18.

Cincinnati ended a five-game skid in the rivalry with a 68-65 home win in 2024, but the Bearcats have lost 10 straight at Xavier after winning the first rivalry game ever played at Xavier's home of the Cintas Center on Dec. 14, 2001.

Musketeers first-year coach Richard Pitino is attempting to win his first game in the rivalry.

"I understand the responsibility. I understand how important it is to fans. I will pour my heart and soul to win that game every single year because I know Xavier fans, this community, the alumni, former players, coaches, how important it is to them," Pitino said. "It's just an amazing rivalry that one time of year."

Xavier (6-3) is coming off its third straight win, a 96-74 victory over Saint Francis on Monday. The Musketeers have connected on at least 10 3-point field goals in five straight games, one game shy of the school record to conclude the 1998-99 season.

Xavier is playing the middle game of a season-high five-game homestand. The Musketeers have four players averaging in double figures in scoring: Tre Carroll (15.9 ppg), Roddie Anderson III (13.9), Jovan Milicevic (12.6) and All Wright (11.3).

Cincinnati (6-2) overcame a sluggish first half and defeated Tarleton State 76-58 at home on Monday. Star big man Baba Miller returned from a hip injury and had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Miller leads the Bearcats in scoring at 14.2 points per game while Day Day Thomas is averaging 13.8 points. Miller is tops with 10.2 rebounds per contest.

"So the coach talk is that it's just one other game, but it's not one other game," said Wes Miller, Cincinnati's head coach since 2021. "And I say that because it's what it means to this community. I get that. I've been here long enough to understand how much the Cincinnati-Xavier game means to the community of Cincinnati and to the people here, and that's why it means a little bit more."

--Field Level Media