In this week’s review, Cincinnati Basketball is having a hot start to February. The layouts for the Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati’s upcoming seasons continue to take shape. Plus, Thomas More Football’s season is underway.

The local College Basketball weekly roundup

When Cincinnati Basketball’s season was paused by COVID-19 last month. They were a team struggling in several ways. They had just one conference win and a 3-7 overall record. They also slumped down to last place in the American Athletic Conference. Cincinnati hasn’t lost since returning from their pandemic pause on February 4th. Pulling themselves to a .500 overall record, above .500 conference record and fifth in the AAC standings. Cincinnati’s two most recent wins were at home last week. Beating Temple Basketball 71-69 last Friday and UCF Basketball 69-68 last Sunday.

Last Friday’s Temple game was part of a late change to Cincinnati’s schedule. The Cincinnati Bearcats were due to play Memphis Basketball last Thursday. That game was ultimately postponed due to COVID-19. Temple was added to make up a game that was previously postponed. The Bearcats are scheduled to play No.6 Houston Basketball this coming Sunday. The game in Houston is set to tip off at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN.

Xavier Basketball played their first home game since January 10th last Saturday. Falling to Connecticut Basketball 80-72, in Xavier’s first game since January 30th. After having two games against DePaul Basketball and one against Villanova Basketball postponed due to COVID-19. In last Saturday’s game, Xavier went cold after building up an early lead in the first half. The Xavier Musketeers would find their way back into it. Thanks largely to a game-leading 30 points from forward Zach Freemantle. Only to quickly fall behind again after tying the game.

This week, Xavier will play St.John’s Basketball on the road and Butler Basketball at home. Xavier beat both teams in games last month. The St.John’s game is set for Tuesday at 8:30 PM Eastern. The Butler game is scheduled for this Sunday at 7 PM Eastern. Barring a postponement, both games will be televised on FS1.

Northern Kentucky Basketball went into last week on a roll. Winning six consecutive games going into last week. Their winning streak was snapped by Green Bay Basketball last Friday. Losing in overtime 86-82, in the opening game of their weekend series in Green Bay. Northern Kentucky got right back to their winning ways last Saturday. Beating Green Bay 71-66 to wrap up four consecutive road games in Wisconsin.

The NKU Norse will wrap up their regular season this week. With back-to-back home games against Horizon League leading Wright State Basketball. Wright State goes into this week in the midst of a conference-best nine game winning streak. Their 15-3 conference record matches Cleveland State for the best in the Horizon League this season. While their 17-4 overall record is the best in the conference.

NKU goes into this week in third place in the Horizon League. Through the Norse’s 12-9 overall and 10-6 conference record. NKU and Wright State will play Friday at 6 PM Eastern. Then play again Saturday at 5 PM Eastern. Both games are set to be broadcast on ESPN3.

Thomas More Football’s season kicks off

For those missing football after this month’s Super Bowl. Thomas More Football is an option to fill the void. The NAIA’s Thomas More Saints began their regular season last Friday. With a 19-14 road win against Cumberland Football. Thomas More’s season was postponed from fall to late winter/spring due to the pandemic.

The move was prompted by he NAIA’s decision to move their football championship to this spring. Which caused Thomas More’s Mid-South Conference’s Bluegrass division to move their season. The Saints are playing a seven game schedule this season. Featuring only opponents from within the Bluegrass division. Thomas More’s home opener is this Saturday against Campbellsville Football. Kickoff is set for 1:30 PM Eastern at BB&T Field in Crestview Hills, KY. Admission will be limited all season to some family members of the home team’s student-athletes.

Cincinnati Reds gear up for Spring Training

As the Cincinnati area continues to grapple with heavy snowfall. The Cincinnati Reds provided a sign that spring is just around the corner. Equipment for Spring Training and Reds players are arriving in Goodyear, Arizona. Pitchers and catchers are set to report for spring training this Wednesday. The Reds are set to start their spring training exhibition schedule on February 28th.

Major League Baseball is planning to play a full 162 game schedule this year. Cincinnati is set to host the St.Louis Cardinals for Opening Day on April 1st. For the Reds and other MLB teams, the 2021 season will feature seven inning doubleheaders to make up postponed games. Teams will not be limited to playing just divisional or regionally close inter-league opponents. They will also have 26 man rosters that can expand to 28 in September. Plus, a taxi squad of up to five players for road games.

The universal designated hitter might not return this year. Unless the league and the MLB Players Association agree to keep it. Meanwhile, Minor League Baseball is facing a shake up heading into their 2021 season. The number of MLB affiliated teams is being cut from over 160 to 120. Meaning the Reds and other MLB teams will have four minor league affiliates.

Cincinnati’s minor league affiliations will remain practically in tact. The only changes will effect the Dayton Dragons and Daytona Tortugas. While both teams will remain Cincinnati’s Single-A affiliate. Dayton will be the Reds’ high A affiliate and Daytona will the low A affiliate. A flip from their previous Single-A affiliate statuses.

West End Stadium and MLS opening dates set

We now know what month FC Cincinnati’s new West End Stadium will open. Along with the day the next Major League Soccer season is set to start. FCC announced plans for a formal ribbon cutting for their new stadium on May 1st. Their home debut will happen some time in mid May. MLS’ 2021 season is set to begin on April 17th.

The announcements from MLS and FCC were both made last Wednesday. Two days after the league ratified their new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new agreement will be in effect until 2027. FC Cincinnati and MLS’ schedules will be announced at a later date.