In this week’s review, the local connections to three big football stories. A look at the week that was in college basketball. While looking forward to a potentially challenging week for local college basketball teams.

A busy week in local football news

While no local teams played last week; last week featured three noteworthy local football news stories. First, potential Cincinnati Bengals first round pick Joe Burrow is a national champion. After LSU Football beat Clemson Football in last Monday’s CFP National Championship Game. Wrapping up a season a spectacular season for the Athens, Ohio native. A season where Burrow also won the Heisman Trophy.

Second, Cincinnati St. Xavier alumnus Luke Kuechly is retiring from the NFL. Kuechly spent his entire NFL career with the Carolina Panthers. Being selected ninth overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. The linebacker won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2012. While also helping the Panthers advance to Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati Football alum Travis Kelce will is Super Bowl bound. Through the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. Advancing to their first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years. The tight end is one of the Chiefs best offensive players. The Chiefs will face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on February 2nd.

The College Basketball weekly roundup

Cincinnati Basketball had a mixed week that largely met expectations. Losing to No.22 Memphis Basketball 60-49 last Thursday in Memphis. Then beating East Carolina handily at home on Sunday night. Winning by their second largest margin in conference play this season. Beating East Carolina by 25 points; compared to their 31 point victory over Tulsa Basketball on January 8th.

Xavier Basketball likely met many expectations as well last week. Losing 85-65 to Marquette Basketball last Wednesday in Milwaukee. Marquette’s Markus Howard had another phenomenal game through scoring 35 points. Four more than Xavier’s Tyrique Jones and Naji Marshall combined. Marquette was also a flawless 13 for 13 at the free-throw line.

Northern Kentucky swept their competition at home last week. Winning by their largest margins in Horizon League play this season. Beating Youngstown State Basketball by 25 last Thursday night. In a game where Tyler Sharpe surpassed 1,000 college career points. Then NKU beat Cleveland State Basketball by 26 last Saturday.

What to watch for this week in College Basketball

Cincinnati will face Temple Basketball in Philadelphia this Wednesday. That game is set to tip-off at 7 PM Eastern time on ESPNews. The Xavier Musketeers will have two games this week. Facing Georgetown at home this Wednesday at 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1. Then wrapping up the week on the road in Omaha. Facing No.25 Creighton Basketball Sunday at 4 PM Eastern on FS1. Xavier lost to Creighton 77-65 at home back on January 11th.

NKU will renew what has become their most fierce rivalry. Facing Wright State Basketball in Dayton this Friday night. Wright State goes into this week with the Horizon League’s best conference and overall record. Northern Kentucky will match Wright State’s conference record with a win. An NKU win will also extend the Horizon League’s longest active winning streak. Currently a five game winning streak heading into Friday night. Friday’s heavyweight conference bout will tip-off at 9 PM Eastern on ESPNU.