Xavier, Cincinnati Renew Rivalry in New Format

(Jet)

Cincinnati (AP) — The city’s basketball rivalry is being renewed in a very different way.

When Xavier and Cincinnati played last season, their crosstown game ended with punches and punishments — four players from each team suspended. The small Catholic school and large public school spent the rest of the season dealing with the black mark on their reputations.

They play again on Wednesday night in a different setting. The game has been moved off campus to a downtown arena.

The mood is different, too. There’s been no trash talking between Xavier (7-2) and No. 11 Cincinnati (10-0). Both teams are avoiding talk of the brawl as well, wishing they could move beyond it.

A good, clean game on Wednesday night at U.S. Bank Arena would go a long way in that regard.

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