In this week’s review, a former Cincinnati Football head coach resigns. Leading to questions about the future for Cincinnati’s current head coach. While the march towards March Madness takes a new turn.

Former Cincinnati Football coach Mark Dantonio resigns from Michigan State

Michigan State Football head coach Mark Dantonio abruptly resigned last Tuesday. Leading to speculation around current Cincinnati Football head coach Luke Fickell. According to the Detroit Free Press, Fickell is being considered for the Michigan State job. Ironically, Dantonio left Cincinnati to become Michigan State’s head coach. All leaving Cincinnati Bearcats fans with a sense of deja-vu.

Many head coaches have left Cincinnati for higher profile programs throughout the years. Many Bearcats fans accept that Fickell could leave Cincinnati someday. For a school like Michigan State or another Power Five conference school. Bearcat fans have been through these situations a few times before. That being said, it would be unsurprising if Fickell stays with Cincinnati for a few more years. He might stay to add more accolades onto his resume. Such as winning the AAC Championship Game or a New Year’s Six bowl game.

The College Basketball Weekly Roundup

The march towards March Madness is revving up; with five weeks left until Selection Sunday. Saturday marked a particular turning point in the March Madness countdown. Through the NCAA Tournament bracket preview; a chance to see where tournament hopes stand for many. In this special, the NCAA Tournament’s Selection Committee revealed their top 16 seeds at this point. Only a few local teams were featured in this hypothetical top 16.

Dayton Basketball and Louisville Basketball were both considered No.2 seeds. Dayton is in the midst of their best regular season in several years. Louisville was placed in the same region as Baylor Basketball. The No.1 team in the AP Top 25 and the committee’s top overall seed. Other regional teams in this top 16 were Butler Basketball and West Virginia Basketball. No.15 Kentucky Basketball was considered a bubble team for a top four seed. Likely due their losses throughout this season and their blue blood status.

While not in the top 16, Xavier Basketball’s NCAA Tournament hopes look strong. Likely the best of the three main Division I programs in the Greater Cincinnati area. Xavier is currently playing at their best level yet in the Travis Steele era. With wins against DePaul Basketball and Providence Basketball last week. Coming on the heels of their February 1st road win over now No.12 Seton Hall Basketball.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati Basketball’s hopes improved in the first week of February. Thanks to wins against previously ranked Houston Basketball and Wichita State Basketball. However, Cincinnati’s tournament hopes hit a rut on Sunday. Through their 72-71 overtime road loss to Connecticut Basketball. Meanwhile, Northern Kentucky Basketball is still a Horizon League contender this season. Northern Kentucky is in the midst of a conference best four-game winning streak. Trailing one game behind conference leader Wright State Basketball.

College Basketball games to watch this week

Xavier’s lone game of this week will be a road trip to Indianapolis. To face (as of publication) No.19 Butler Basketball on Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for at 6:30 PM Eastern time on CBS Sports Network. Northern Kentucky will have two home games this upcoming weekend. Facing IUPUI Basketball Friday at 7 PM Eastern; then UIC Basketball Sunday at 2 PM Eastern. Cincinnati will host Memphis Basketball this Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN. Sunday at Noon Eastern, Cincinnati will face East Carolina Basketball on the road on CBS Sports Network.