In this week’s review, a few signs that Spring is just around the corner. From the start of spring training for the Cincinnati Reds. To Selection Sunday now being less than four weeks away.

Spring Training begins for the Cincinnati Reds

Fans will get their first substantive glimpse of the 2020 Reds this week. With the Reds first spring training game coming up this Saturday. Pitchers and catchers reported to Goodyear, Arizona on Valentine’s Day. Reds position players will report to Goodyear today. While the first full team workout is set for Tuesday.

This spring training comes in the midst of a winter spending spree. Over the course of this offseason, the Reds made a few major signings. All aimed at boosting confidence in the Reds 2020 contending aspirations. Signing Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama, and Nick Castellanos among others. While not shedding many star players in the process.

The College Basketball Weekly Roundup

Cincinnati Basketball narrowly escaped from a weekend East Carolina catastrophe. Beating East Carolina Basketball Sunday on the road 70-67 in overtime. Avoiding a gut-punch to their NCAA Tournament hopes. The overtime win caps a winning week for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Last Thursday, the Bearcats beat Memphis Basketball 92-86 at home.

Xavier Basketball is looking to rebound from a top 25 loss this week. After losing to No.19 Butler Basketball last Wednesday in Indianapolis. Xavier trailed throughout most of the game. Last holding the lead with 12:38 to go in the first half. Despite being even with Butler through nine turnovers and 29 rebounds.

While Xavier struggled against Butler, Northern Kentucky Basketball beat another Indianapolis team. Beating IUPUI Basketball by 84-70 last Friday night at home. NKU followed that up with one of their worst conference game of the year. Losing 73-43 at home to UIC Basketball on Sunday afternoon. Snapping a five-game winning streak in the process.

What to watch in College Basketball this week

Xavier will take on St. John’s Basketball tonight at Madison Square Garden. That game will tip-off at 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1. On Saturday, the Xavier Musketeers will take on No.15 Villanova Basketball. Xavier began Big East play with a 68-62 loss to Villanova. Saturday’s game will tip-off at 2:30 PM Eastern on FOX.

NKU will be looking to rebound from Sunday’s UIC loss this Thursday. Facing Cleveland State Basketball in Cleveland at 7 PM Eastern. The bigger test for NKU standings-wise will come this Saturday. When NKU takes on Youngstown State Basketball on the road. Youngstown State is currently third in the Horizon League standings. Just trailing NKU and conference leader Wright State Basketball. Saturday’s game will tip-off at 2 PM Eastern.

The Bearcats heads into this week tied at the top of the AAC standings. With Cincinnati and Houston both having a 10-3 conference record. Houston has the better overall record going into this week. While Cincinnati has the head-to-head advantage over Houston. Cincinnati will have back-to-back home games this week. Taking on UCF Basketball Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPNU. Cincinnati will later face Wichita State Basketball Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN.

FC Cincinnati’s preseason rocked by Ron Jans controversy

FC Cincinnati coach Ron Jans has stepped away from his coaching duties. Over allegations that he recently used a racial slur. Major League Soccer is currently investigating the allegations. Made in a complaint from the MLS Players Association. Jans was hired last August after Alan Koch was sacked. This investigation is unfolding towards the end of FC Cincinnati’s preseason. With roughly two weeks to go before FCC’s 2020 MLS opener.