In this week’s review, Xavier Basketball gets a boost for the NCAA Tournament resume. More fans will be allowed in the stands for Ohio sporting events. Plus, the games that don’t officially count begin for the Cincinnati Reds.

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Xavier Basketball is heading into March on a good note. After wrapping up February with their most impressive conference win yet this season. Beating No.11 (Coaches poll) Creighton Basketball 77-69 last Saturday; on Senior Day for Xavier. The win could firm up Xavier’s hopes for at least an at large NCAA Tournament bid. Last Saturday’s win is a much needed boost for the Xavier Musketeers. After losing three of their last four games going into the Creighton game. Including their 83-68 road loss to Providence Basketball last Wednesday.

Along with that, the Musketeers lost guard Nate Johnson for the rest of the season. Due to a leg injury that left the graduate transfer unavailable for last Wednesday’s game. Before being sidelined, Johnson amassed a team leading 42 three-pointers. His .452 three point percentage was also the seventh best in the nation. This week, Xavier will wrap up the regular season with back-to-back road games. Taking on Georgetown Basketball Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern on FS1. Xavier’s regular season finale is Saturday at 9 PM Eastern on FS1 against Marquette Basketball.

Cincinnati Basketball began a week featuring three games in five days with a narrow escape. Winning on the road against Tulsa Basketball 70-69 last Wednesday. A day later, junior guard David DeJulius opted-out for the rest of the season. Citing mental issues due to COVID-19; DeJulius survived a bout with the virus last summer. DeJulius transferred to Cincinnati from Michigan Basketball during the last off-season. Being granted a waiver in order to play immediately this season.

DeJulius hit the ground running for the Cincinnati Bearcats this season. Even after missing Cincinnati’s last two games; he leads the team in assists per game with 4.6. DeJulius also leads the team in minutes per game with 31.8. He’s one of only three Bearcats with ten or more points per game this year. While trailing only Tari Eason in rebounds per game with 5.1.

DeJulius’ opting-out is part of a season full of in-season shakeups for the Bearcats. Guards Zach Harvey and Gabe Madsen opted out earlier this season. Junior forward Mamoudou Diarra opted out and later opted back in. Graduate transfer Rapolas Ivanauskas left to join a professional team in his native Lithuania. All in a season that also featured a nearly month long COVID-19 pause.

Back on the court, the Bearcats trampled Tulane Basketball 91-71 at home. Then lost what was not initially set to be but nevertheless was Senior Day for Cincinnati. Losing 80-74 to Memphis Basketball last Sunday afternoon. After an attempted Cincinnati comeback fell apart in the closing minute. Sunday marked Memphis’ first road win against Cincinnati since 2007.

Sunday became Senior Day after the cancellation of Cincinnati’s originally scheduled home finale. Due to SMU Basketball re-entering a COVID-19 pause after briefly emerging from one. Cincinnati will wrap up the regular season at ECU Basketball this coming Sunday. That game is scheduled to tip off at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN+. A win would clinch both winning regular season overall and conference records.

Northern Kentucky’s Men’s Basketball team spent last week preparing for the Horizon League Tournament. Earning a first round bye for the tournament; which began last Thursday. No.4 seed Northern Kentucky will face No.5 seed Detroit Mercy Basketball this Tuesday. The NKU Norse and Detroit Mercy Titans didn’t meet during the regular season.Tip-off at NKU’s BB&T Arena is set for 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky’s Women’s Basketball team began their run in the Horizon League Tournament last Thursday. The No.8 seed Norse beat Robert Morris at home 68-54. Next up is a quarterfinals match at No.1 seed Wright State this Tuesday. Tip-off in that game is set for 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Update and correction: This post mistakenly stated that Northern Kentucky’s Men’s Basketball team would face the winner of the Cleveland State vs. Purdue Fort Wayne Basketball game. Due to the re-seeding process, Northern Kentucky will play No. 3 seed Oakland Basketball this coming Monday. Due to NKU being the third highest ranking seed in the semifinals. While Oakland is the second highest seed to qualify for the semifinals. Northern Kentucky’s women’s team lost their quarterfinal game. No.1 seed Wright State Basketball will play No.6 seed Cleveland State Monday. Not the winner of the Oakland vs. IUPUI women’s game as initially stated. I sincerely apologize for the initial error.

Ohio loosens capacity restrictions for sporting events

With COVID-19 vaccinations underway and slowly but surely chugging onward. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is giving a green light for more spectators at sports venues. Making an announcement on the matter last Thursday. Ohio outdoor stadiums can allow up to 30% capacity. Meaning roughly 12,600 fans will be allowed for Cincinnati Reds games at Great American Ball Park. After fans weren’t allowed into GABP for games last year. While approximately 7,800 fans will be allowed at FC Cincinnati’s new West End Stadium.

Indoor sports venues can allow up to 25% capacity. The Cincinnati Cyclones wont be able to immediately capitalize on this increase. Due to the team opting out of the ongoing ECHL Hockey season. Cincinnati and Xavier Basketball weren’t allowed to increase capacity to 25%. However, both were allowed to increase to nine percent capacity for their final home games.

Both teams saluted their seniors with their largest home crowds of the season this past weekend. Cincinnati was allowed to have up to 1,135 fans at Fifth Third Arena. For their final two home games of the season. While Xavier’s Cintas Center was allowed to host up to 922 fans. Home capacity was limited to roughly 300 fans for both teams throughout most of the season.

Cincinnati Reds begin Spring Training exhibitions

The Cincinnati Reds began their Spring Training exhibitions last Sunday. Losing 5-1 to their cross-state, inter-league rival Cleveland Indians. Sunday’s exhibition in Goodyear, Arizona lasted only eight innings. Exhibitions until March 13th can be shortened from a typical nine to as few as five innings. The goal is to try and have as few postponements as possible. The Reds only have two open days between their first and last exhibition game. Leaving little room for make up dates if a game is called off due to COVID-19 or weather.

Another change for these exhibitions compared to past years includes relaxed substitution rules. This year, pitchers can re-enter a game after being taken out. The most bizarre change perhaps also involves pitchers. During this Spring Training, an inning can end before three outs if defensive managers mutually agree. Unless the pitcher in the game hasn’t thrown at least 20 pitches.