Cincinnati move past December brawl

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

Punches flew. Blood dripped on the court. Two proud basketball programs saw their reputations stained in mere seconds last December, when Cincinnati and Xavier players lost their cool at the end of their game.

The moment would follow them everywhere for the next three months. The video was played countless times. The questions kept coming.

Finally, that’s changing. By reaching the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament together, the crosstown rivals have finally gotten beyond the brawl.

“It’s a good thing both teams are doing well now,” Xavier point guard Tu Holloway said.

Far better than anyone expected three months ago, when four players from each team were suspended for the melee at the end of Xavier’s 23-point win on its home court on Dec. 10.

Xavier was 8-0 and ranked No. 8 when Holloway, guard Mark Lyons and forward Dez Wells were among those suspended, costing the Musketeers their top three scorers and knocking everything out of sorts. They lost five of their next six games and had a tough time regaining their confidence and chemistry.

But Xavier reached the A-10 final in Atlantic City, then knocked off Notre Dame and Lehigh in the NCAA tournament to reach the round of 16 for the fourth time in five years.

“We played so free in Atlantic City because we knew we had so much against us,” Holloway said. “We knew if we lost our opening game, we’d be in the NIT. We play free with our backs against the wall. We just started clicking.”

By contrast, Cincinnati felt backed against a wall after the Dec. 10 loss, which left the Bearcats 8-3 and depleted on the front line. Gates and center Cheikh Mbodj received six-game suspensions, forcing coach Mick Cronin to turn to a four-guard offense.

Also, he stressed that the Bearcats had to become much tougher on defense. And, they had no margin for error.”