In this week’s review, the Cincinnati Reds’ offseason of deals continues. Achievements and setbacks a-plenty in college basketball. Plus, reflections on a somber weekend in sports and regionally.

Developing News: Cincinnati Reds sign Nick Castellanos

This week is beginning with the Cincinnati Reds adding an outfielder to their roster. Signing Nick Castellanos to a four-year deal worth $64 Million. Castellanos most recently played for the Chicago Cubs; joining through a mid-season trade with the Detroit Tigers. The 27 year old knocked 178 hits and 73 RBI’s last season. While hitting a career-high 58 doubles and 27 home runs.

The College Basketball Weekly Roundup

Xavier Basketball and Northern Kentucky Basketball wrapped up the week with setbacks. Northern Kentucky lost out on an opportunity to take the lead in the Horizon League. Losing 95-63 to Wright State Basketball in Dayton last Friday. Wright State maintains their first place standing in the league as a result. NKU trailed consistently by a fairly large margin throughout Friday’s game. Never leading and trailing by as much as 32 at one point. Partly thanks to Wright State’s eye-popping 54.5 three-point percentage.

The Xavier Musketeers never led against Creighton Basketball either. Losing 77-66 on Sunday in Omaha; completing a regular season sweep. Sunday’s result nearly matched Creighton and Xavier’s first 2020 meeting. Creighton won that game in Cincinnati 77-65 on January 11th. In fact, Xavier shot 40 percent from field-goal range in both games.

Last Wednesday, the Musketeers beat Georgetown Basketball. Winning 66-57 at home in a breakout game for KyKy Tandy. The Xavier freshman guard scored 18 points; one shy of matching Georgetown’s Mac McClung. While matching Naji Marshall as Xavier’s team-leader in this game. Those efforts helped Xavier snap a three-game losing streak.

The Cumberland Cousins came through for Cincinnati Basketball last week. Helping Cincinnati beat Temple Basketball 89-82 last Wednesday in Philadelphia. Jarron Cumberland scored 21 of his 22 points in the second half. Jaevin Cumberland led non-starters for either team with 15 points. The Cumberland’s were two of five Cincinnati Bearcats with ten points or more.

What to watch for in College Basketball this week

Cincinnati will face back-to-back Texas challengers at home this week. Facing SMU Basketball on Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPNews. They’ll face No.25 Houston Basketball on Saturday at 6 PM Eastern on ESPN2. In the first of three games in 13 days against teams ranked at one point in January. Facing Wichita State Basketball and Memphis Basketball before Valentine’s Day.

In a way, it’s Wisconsin week for several local teams. Northern Kentucky will take a road trip to Wisconsin this upcoming weekend. Taking on Green Bay Basketball on Friday at 9 PM Eastern on ESPNU. Then facing Milwaukee Basketball on Super Bowl Sunday at 2 PM Eastern. Meanwhile, Xavier will face Marquette Basketball Wednesday night at home. Two weeks after Marquette beat Xavier by 20 in Milwaukee. Wednesday’s game will tip-off at 8:30 PM Eastern on FS1.

After Marquette comes what is expected to be an even tougher test. With Xavier travelling to face No.10 Seton Hall Basketball this coming Saturday. Seton Hall goes into this week as the only Big East team without a conference loss. Xavier lost 83-71 at home to Seton Hall back on January 8th. Saturday’s game will tip-off at 11 AM Eastern on FOX.

Last but not least, the world remains stunned by the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. He, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash Sunday in California. The crash happened hours after the passing of two notable Cincinnati-area figures. Retired Judge and civil rights champion Nathaniel Jones and longtime Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune. Their deaths also happened days after the passing of Journalist Jim Lehrer.

They all leave behind historic legacies in their respective fields. With several achievements that set an example that lives on.