In this week’s review, the Cincinnati Reds continue their offseason of historic deals. Bowl season and college football’s 150th season wraps up. Along with a look back at a streak-filled week in college basketball.

The Cincinnati Reds give it a go with Shogo

Adding to an offseason that already featured Mike Moustakas’ historic free-agency deal. The Cincinnati Reds made more franchise history last week. Through signing five-time Japanese All-Star outfielder Shogo Akiyama. Making the 31 year old the first Japanese-born player in franchise history. Akiyama’s three-year deal is reportedly worth $21 million.

Shogo played for nine season’s in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. Japan’s highest level league and one of the best leagues in baseball. He set a league season record in 2015 with 216 hits. Having a .301 batting average in his Nippon Professional Baseball career. Along with a career 1,405 hits and 513 RBI’s; ironically matching Cincinnati’s 513 area code.

Akiyama led the Saitama Seibu Lions last season with 112 runs. He also led the team with 179 hits in 143 games. To put that in perspective, he would’ve led the Reds in both hits and runs last season. Surpassing last season’s Reds-leading slugger Eugenio Suarez. Along with that, no Reds player had 90 or more hits last season.

Ultimately, Akiyama’s signing gives the Reds a potentially reliable hitter. He also provides a boost to an outfield that needs it. In other Reds news, the team made several moves to avoid arbitration. Making deals with pitchers Trevor Bauer, Matt Bowman, Michael Lorenzen and Anthony DeSclafani. Along with a nearly $1.5 millon deal with catcher Curt Casali.

College Football season wraps up

Turning to college sports, the local college football season is over. Though Cincinnati Bengals fans will be watching how Joe Burrow and LSU Football fare tonight. In the College Football Playoff’s National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana. Locally, Miami-Ohio Football lost to Louisiana-Lafayette Football last Monday. Losing 27-17 in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

The College Basketball weekly roundup

In college basketball news, there are winning streaks and one losing streak to note. Cincinnati Basketball is potentially turning a corner after a good week. Beating Tulsa Basketball last Wednesday and UCF Basketball last Saturday. Led in part by strong performances from Jarron Cumberland. Recently improving after a struggling with an offseason injury.

Northern Kentucky Basketball also had back-to-back wins last week. Wrapping up the week with a successful weekend road-trip. Beating UIC Basketball last Friday night and IUPUI Basketball yesterday. Meanwhile, Xavier Basketball endured back-to-back home losses last week. Losing to Seton Hall Basketball last Wednesday and Creighton Basketball last Saturday.

What to watch for in College Basketball this week (snazzier title pending)

Introducing a new college basketball season feature for the Weekly Review. A preview of local college basketball games going into a new week. One awesome part about college basketball locally is having multiple teams to keep track of. Sometimes those teams are playing at the exact same time. Leaving it difficult for college basketball fans to keep track of the regional scene. Hopefully this helps fans keep track of when their favorite teams are playing. Along with providing some context behind this week’s games.

NKU goes into this week looking to extend their three-game winning streak. Starting with Youngstown State Basketball on Thursday at 7 PM Eastern. In the first of back-to-back home games for the Norse. On Saturday, the Norse will face Cleveland State also at 7 PM. The Youngstown State will be on ESPN 3; while the Cleveland State game will be on ESPN+.

Cincinnati will face their most challenging conference game yet on Thursday. Facing No.22 Memphis Basketball in Memphis at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN. Joining Wichita State Basketball as the only ranked team in the AAC. Cincinnati will wrap up the week at home against East Carolina. That game will be Sunday night at 6 Eastern time on ESPNU.

Xavier will face Marquette Basketball this Wednesday in Milwaukee. Both start this week with 1-3 records in Big East Conference play. Stopping or at least slowing Marquette’s leading scorer Markus Howard will be key for Xavier. Howard is scoring on average 26.8 points per game. Ten points more than Xavier’s leading scorer Naji Marshall. Wednesday’s game will tip-off at 8 PM Eastern on FSN.