Women On A Roll

The UC women's basketball team takes their show on the road Wednesday night to West Virginia in search of their second conference win in as many tries. Last weekend the Cats knocked off Villanova for their 10th win of the year.  This will only be the 4th road game for Coach Halls squad, with a win at Dayton and losses at Kentucky and Michigan.

Game time is 8:00 and you can follow all of the action by visiting Go Bearcats.com where you can listen to the game live or use game tracker.  Just click here.

Bearcat Sports Page.com will have a follow up with the team when they get back to campus later this week.

Gates, Player of the Week

Freshman Yancy Gates was named the Big East Rookie Player of the week today.

The Cincinnati native averaged over 15 points and 8 rebounds in the Bearcats 3 wins against Charleston Southern, Mississippi St, and Eastern Kentucky.  Gates is the first Bearcat to get this honor since Deonta Vaughn received it two years ago.

Back To Practice

Since they hoisted the Big East Trophy after the Syracuse game the team has had a break from the practice field.   That does not mean that they have had a "break" it just means they haven't been practicing.   Studying and passing their finals was the main focus but they have also been working out and lifting.   Today they put the pads on to start getting ready for Virginia Tech.   Practice is scheduled today at Nippert, but an indoor facility is on hold as a back up for bad weather.  Bearcat Sports page.com will hopefully be there and plans on bringing you coverage through out the week.

CROSSTOWN GAME DAY !!!!

The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout is just hours away.  This game is all about the upsets with the underdog always putting up a good fight.  However, part of that magic is the underdog appreciating the magnitude of the game.  Deonta Vaughn is the only guy on this team that has beaten Xavier.    It's a young team but Coach Mick Cronin had his "traditional" pre-game meeting at his house last night to  teach he young guys what it's all about.

So far that Montgomery Inn diner has worked,  Mick is 1 and 1 with last years game being very close despite Xavier being ranked and playing at home.

They Need Each Other

Most of the attention this week has surrounded the football team.  A strange circumstance considering the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shoot Out is Saturday night.    UC is establishing themselves on the national stage with football, and basketball may not be to far away from returning to that stage as well.  Ohio State, Florida, and Texas are a few programs that have achieved the "double power play", UC could be crashing the party soon?

To our knowledge, UC has never had both football and basketball ranked in the top 25 at the same time.

Bearcat Day in Hamilton County

As part of their meeting this morning the Hamilton County Commission recognized the UC football team for their accomplishments this season. Commission President Todd Portune gave Brian Kelly a bowl of oranges and a proclamation declaring it UC Bearcat Football Team day all across the county.

The way these student athletes conduct themselves away from the field is a tremendous accomplishment regardless of what bowl game they play in. The entire tri-state area should be proud of these fine young men that represent them each time they put on a jersey with "Cincinnati" across the front. Most of the players, including Coach Kelly are not from the Cincinnati area. However, they have all become Cincinnatians and play for the pride of the city as well as the University.

In Novermber the team received a similar recognition from Cincinnati Mayor, Mark Mallory, and city council.

Crosstown Today

The womens Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout tips off today at 2:00 inside Fifth Third Arena. Earlier in the week the event was nearing a sellout. That would be the third sellout in a row. Last years UC upset the Muskies in the Cintas Center in Coach J. Kelly Hall's first year. Today Xavier comes in ranked #23, but just like we have found out in the men's version over the years....rankings mean nothing.

Today's game is also a celebration of women's athletics in Cincinnati. The gates open at 12:30 with fan giveaways and autograph sessions with current UC and Xavier female student athletes. Halftime will be an Olympic celebration that will include UC gold medalist Mary Wineberg. Tip off for the game is 2:00 This years crosstown shootout will be televised on the Fox Sports Network.

Big Island, Big Win

It didn't look good late in  the third quarter but Brian Kelly and his boys rallied and are bringing home a 29-24 win from Hawaii.   Bearcat Sports Page.com is about information, not commentary.  However, a bit of advise for those that DVR'd the game and are planning on watching it today, turn the sound down and play Christmas music.  The constant theme in the second half was how important this game was for UC, the Big East and the BCS bowl games.  Apparently a loss would have been a huge embarrassment for all parties concerned while providing vindication to the WAC Conference.  Whatever.  Remember the selection party tonight at Fifth Third Arena.  Doors open at 6:30 with the Fox broadcast starting at 8:00.

Finish is the Word!

Saturday afternoon the Bearcats line up against a Syracuse team that stand between them and a BCS bowl game and a Big East Title. Starting Tuesday head coach Brian Kelly preached the word "finish", and that's what the players plan on doing.

Tickets still remain for the big game. Please visit www.gobearcats.com for ticket info.

Sad Day In Clifton

On a day that is bringing so much joy to Bearcat fans, it also comes with a tremendous amount of sorrow.  Late Friday afternoon lifetime Bearcat Glenn Sample passed away at the age of 77.  Sample was an institution at UC.  He was a linebacker for the Cats (1950-1952) under Sid Gillman, then went on to wear many more hats on campus.  Wrestling coach, assistant athletic director, and working with intramurals were some of the many jobs he took on in Clifton. However, his greatest legacy comes on the baseball diamond where the Western Hills graduate would become the UC's winningest baseball coach with 391 wins.   The list of accomplishments  go on and on but they come nowhere close to his greatest attribute, that of a kind, loving and giving man.  He loved UC and he will be missed dearly.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.  Arrangements are unknown at this time.