In this week’s review, March Madness effectively begins. The NFL Combine is part of a busy week for Cincinnati Bengals front office. While FC Cincinnati hit the road to start their second MLS season.

The College Basketball Weekly Roundup

This was a tough weekend in two ways for Cincinnati Basketball. First through the death of head coach John Brannen’s father John. Passing away on Saturday after battling ALS and dementia at 71. Brannen the younger pressed on and coached the team on Sunday. As the Cincinnati Bearcats lost 68-55 to No.25 Houston Basketball. Losing their best chance to get a quality win before the AAC Tournament. Houston ran away with Sunday’s game late in the first half.

Xavier Basketball swept both of their games last week. Beating DePaul Basketball 78-67 at home last Tuesday. Meanwhile, Xavier’s game against Georgetown Basketball was more of a nail-biter. With Xavier winning 66-63 on Sunday in Washington D.C. Through a Naji Marshall three-pointer with four seconds left.

Northern Kentucky Basketball is now gearing up the Horizon League Tournament. After losing their regular season finale and senior night game last Friday. Losing 64-62 to the conference regular season champion Wright State Basketball. Despite the loss, Northern Kentucky fared much better in round two against Wright State. Losing by two compared to losing by 32 in Dayton, Ohio on January 24th.

College Basketball: What to watch this week

Several Conference Tournaments will start up this week. While the Horizon League’s tournament starts this week; the NKU Norse will have a week to prepare for it. Qualifying for the Horizon League semi-finals in Indianapolis as the No.2 seed. That semi-final game will happen March 9th at 9:30 PM Eastern on ESPN2. NKU will take on the highest ranking seed to emerge from the quarterfinals.

Xavier and Cincinnati will wrap up their regular seasons this week. Cincinnati has a quick turnaround from their Houston loss. Facing USF Basketball in Tampa Bay on Tuesday evening. That game will tip-off at 7 PM Eastern on ESPNU. Cincinnati will wrap up their regular season this coming Saturday. With their home regular season finale and Senior Night game. Facing Temple Basketball at 8 PM Eastern on CBS Sports Network.

The Xavier Musketeers will face Providence Basketball on Wednesday. In the Musketeers’ regular season road finale. Wednesday’s game will tip-off at 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1. Senior Night for the Musketeers will be this coming Saturday. Taking on Butler Basketball on FS1 at 8:30 PM Eastern.

Cincinnati Bengals: the Combine and a franchise tag

Scouts, coaches and football reporters travelled to Indianapolis last week. For the National Football League’s annual Scouting Combine. This combine was especially important for the Cincinnati Bengals. Since they have the first overall draft pick this year. One many presume will be used to draft 2019 Heisman winner Joe Burrow.

The combine also provided Burrow with an opportunity. To address whether he would demand a trade if drafted by the Bengals. An NFL media beat topic bandied about in recent weeks. Burrow shot down that speculation in a media session last Tuesday. Stating that he would play for whoever drafted him.

Burrow aside, the Bengals have roster concerns extending beyond the quarterback position. Last week’s combine was an opportunity to also address that. One potential roster concerned bubbled back into the headlines on Sunday. With ESPN reporting that the Bengals plan to franchise tag wide receiver A.J. Green. In an effort to keep Green with the Bengals for at least the 2020 season. Despite missing all of the 2019 season due to an injury; Green is one of the best receivers in the NFL. He and the Bengals have until July 15th to reach a long-term deal.

FC Cincinnati’s 2020 season kicks-off

FC Cincinnati’s 2020 season began on a losing note last Sunday. Losing 3-2 on the road to the New York Red Bulls. FCC fell behind 2-0 in the first 27 minutes of the match. Allan Cruz and Jürgen Locadia scored FCC’s goals in the second half. Yet, New York’s Daniel Royer scored the match-winning goal in the 70th minute. FC Cincinnati’s next game will be this coming Saturday in Atlanta. Facing Atlanta United at 7 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV.