A Crosstown Shootout Morning After thread:

This notion in the ether that Xavier cares about the Shootout more, and that’s why they keep winning it, is a loser’s excuse.

It’s saying: “We WOULD beat them, but we don’t care as much about the game, so, whatever.”

This idea that the Shootout is “Xavier’s Super Bowl” is played out.

The fact is, Xavier keeps beating UC because they are better at coaching and playing basketball. They have been tougher mentally by a long shot. They shoot it in the basket more. It’s that simple.

The Muskies show up to win the game. They are never ever timid. They are always on the attack.

UC has slow starts, scoring droughts and crunch-time issues.

Name the last close Shootout UC won. I’ll wait, while you rack your brain...

It’s time for the UC program to be fully humbled, and look at this game as a measuring stick. Xavier’s consistent excellence in this matchup over the past 2+ decades has catapulted it to a higher level in the NCAAM landscape...

For UC to become a perennial Top 25 program again, the Bearcats need to become better at basketball than Xavier.

I hate that it’s come to this. But it’s come to this. Otherwise the Shootout losses will continue, as will the close-but-no-cigar losses to real teams.