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Going to see XU basketball? Get ready for a show

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Seth Walsh and Erin Hinson have been asking people, “What’s your favorite thing to do in Cincinnati?” Whatever the answer is, they do. This is one of their adventures.

Every so often, there is talk about the NBA expanding to Cincinnati. But why does Cincinnati need a professional basketball team when we already have two phenomenal college basketball programs just a few miles from one another? As alumni of Xavier University, we won’t pretend to be unbiased, which is why we had to first #UnlockCincinnati at a Xavier basketball game.

Erin: We had, of course, been to a Xavier game during our time there. So when a friend that graduated with Seth told us we should go, we didn’t think it would be anything special. But we underestimated the power of X – sorry, UC fans, we do have to eXtend some cheesiness to you all.

 

Cheering on Xavier in the NKU section... Whoops? Go X! #UnlockCincinnati

A photo posted by Seth T. Walsh (@sethtwalsh) on

 

Seth: Xavier is easy to find when you get off of I-71 at the Dana exit. There are signs to direct you to campus. From there, there is plenty of parking. You may have to walk a bit of a distance, but nothing outrageous.

Ticket prices vary based on where you want to sit, when you buy tickets and the excitement level for a game. Here is a great place to look for tickets. I haven’t sat in every seat, but from the spots I have sat in, I’ve concluded there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

One game you will want to go to, regardless of your fandom, is the Xavier-University of Cincinnati Crosstown Shootout. XU won the 2015 edition 65-55. This rivalry runs deep, and the game is an intense match every year, regardless of the quality of the teams. My personal favorite Crosstown Shootout was when Xavier knocked off the then-No. 1 Bearcats.

Erin: The Xavier basketball team’s first recorded game was in 1920. Over the next 13 years, they would prove to be a winning team, with a 94-52 record. Before March Madness was popular, Xavier reigned supreme as the 1958 NIT (National Invitation Tournament) Champion. The banner still hangs proudly in XU’s gym.

In 1985, Xavier committed to making the basketball team an all-around success, with Pete Gillen leading the team to a 202-75 record. His reign led to Skip Prosser following up with seven seasons consisting of a 148-65 record. Our first Sweet 16 appearance came in 1990, and our first Elite Eight appearance came in a heartbreaking loss to Duke in 2004.

The latter half of the 2000s and early part of 2010s have been good for Xavier basketball. We have notched nine NCAA tournament appearances, making it to five Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight. We’re excited to say that Xavier is continuing the winning spirit.

Seth: When I toured Xavier, I fell in love with the campus. But what really sold me was walking through the Cintas Center and envisioning the games that would be played there. I saw some incredible games during and after my time at XU. From the 2009-2010 double-overtime Crosstown Shootout to the comeback against Purdue, it’s clear: Xavier’s men’s basketball team knows how to put on a show.

Why go: People watch Xavier take down their brackets every March in the NCAA tournament, but we are fortunate enough to be able to watch Xavier on its home court every year. Even if you’re not a fan, the energy of the crowd will ensure you have a good time and leave you wanting to come back for more!

Xavier basketball 
Address: Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Evanston
Price: Ticket prices vary. 
Parking: On site
Time commitment: Two to three hours

 

 

We invite you to follow this journey in real time online at www.unlockcincinnati.org, on Twitter (@UnlockThe513, @SethTWalsh and @erinhinson2), Instagram (@sethtwalsh and @erinhinson2) and Facebook, or by following #UnlockCincinnati. Or you can email us at favorite@unlockcincinnati.org.

Seth Walsh is passionate about Cincinnati. He spends much of his time working in the community as the executive director of the Sedamsville CDC and project director for the CDC Association. In his spare time, he travels Cincinnati to find the hidden gems he has too often overlooked.
 
Erin Hinson is a strong believer in local business. She was the youngest participant ever in Xavier University’s X-LAB Business Accelerator Program and has since started her own social media marketing firm. In her spare time, she is an avid gardener and fitness champion.