Storyline: Oh, the humanity! How does a lifelong Cincinnati Bearcats fan suddenly find himself rooting for the hated Xavier Musketeers? Here’s how.
I’ve cheered against Xavier my entire life. That’s because I’m a die hard Cincinnati Bearcats fan–even though my parents and siblings root for Xavier. For those not familiar with Cincinnati-area sports, UC and Xavier are bitter rivals.
Cheering against Xavier has always brought me joy.
Courtesy: College Pride Press
This year’s tournament was yet another platform to express my lifelong stance. When Cincinnati lost to UCLA I no longer cared who won. My bracket was shot. It was just about enjoying the rest of the tournament.
But now it’s different. I find myself wanting Xavier to keep winning! I’m making this admission in the wee hours of the morning following X’s huge Sweet 16 win against the highly favored Arizona Wildcats.
Xavier is going to its first Elite Eight since 2008! The Musketeers are trying to make their first-ever Final Four! What an historic run for an 11-seed!
And I’m all-aboard the Xavier bandwagon! How can that be?
This is coming from a guy who has lived to see X lose. The Crosstown Shootout—UC v. XU-–is circled on my calendar every year.
“The Punch.” (photo, NY Daily News)
–I nearly cried when Cashmere Wright missed a go-ahead layup in the 2009 game that ended with a double overtime loss for Cincinnati.
–The greatest sports moment of my life came the next year–sitting alongside Pete Rose, Nick Lachey, and Bob Knight with my feet on the court–as the Bearcats ran laps around the Musketeers.
–I’ve watched the video of Yancy Gates nearly knocking out Kenny Freeze with one punch in the infamous brawl of 2012.
I live for these games! More specifically, I live to watch UC win and Xavier lose.
But rooting against X extends beyond one game a year (when the Musketeers play my Bearcats). I go into every game hoping for the joy that comes with a Xavier loss.
Thursday night was different. I found myself jumping up and down.
Courtesy: Cincinnati Enquirer
I was yelling in my living room–with my X-rated family–as we watched the end of the game together.
I was legitimately excited for Xavier, hoping that Arizona would miss that final shot.
So now I have a decision to make. Do I cheer for Xavier this weekend–that underdog/hometown team/my family’s team/my team’s most hated rival?
Well, I think I do. I must. How can I not?
What XU is doing is huge for the city. It’s big for Cincinnati sports in general. X’s run also says something good about my Bearcats, too. Maybe it will help me sleep a little better knowing that UC beat a Final Four team earlier this year. That’s something, right?
If you’d have told me at the beginning of the season that I’d be huddled around a TV cheering for Xavier in March, I would have called you crazy. If you had told me that last week, I would have called you crazy. I probably would have told you that two days ago.
But here I am. Still in shock. Still awake at 3 a.m. Xavier just pulled off another crazy win. Now they’ll go head-to-head with the Gonzaga Bulldogs in an Elite Eight game for the ages.
Yes, I really do look forward to it.
(And, yeah: Go Bearcats!)
