In this week’s review, March sadness descends upon the greater Cincinnati area. Though there is some good news in the local College Basketball beat. Plus, several headlines not related to College Basketball.

Championship Week and Selection Sunday aftermath

The 2020-21 seasons are over for Cincinnati, Xavier and Northern Kentucky Men’s Basketball. All will miss out on the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Excluding last year’s tournament cancellation, this is the first time Cincinnati and Xavier collectively missed out on the NCAA Tournament since 1985. Cincinnati Basketball’s NCAA Tournament hopes hinged on winning the American Athletic Conference Tournament. Cincinnati advanced to last Sunday’s AAC Tournament championship game; only to lose to Houston Basketball 91-54. Cincinnati advanced to the title game with back-to-back one possession wins. Beating SMU Basketball in the quarterfinals and Wichita State Basketball in the semifinals.

It was deja-vu all over again for Xavier Basketball last week. The Xavier Musketeers crashed out of the Big East Tournament’s first round for the second-consecutive time. Losing in overtime to Butler Basketball 70-69 last Wednesday. Xavier let a 14 point halftime lead slip away. Scoring just 19 points in the second half; after scoring 40 in the first.

The Musketeers went into last week needing at least a first round win. To keep their at large bid hopes alive in bracketologists eyes. That’s practically the same spot Xavier was in going into last year’s Big East Tournament. Xavier announced ahead of the National Invitational Tournament’s selection show; that they would not accept an invite to that tournament. Meanwhile, Northern Kentucky Basketball’s season in the Horizon League semifinals. Losing 69-58 to Oakland Basketball last Monday in Indianapolis.

Despite Cincinnati, Xavier and Northern Kentucky not qualifying for the big dance. There will be a few teams of regional interest that will play in the NCAA Tournament. Ohio will have three teams vying for the national championship. Big Ten Tournament runners up Ohio State, Horizon League champions Cleveland State and MAC champions Ohio Basketball. Ohio Valley Conference champions Morehead State Basketball will face Bob Huggins’ coached West Virginia.

Purdue Basketball will be March Madness host state Indiana’s lone representative. They will face North Texas Basketball, which denied Western Kentucky Basketball of Confrence USA’s automatic bid. Louisville Basketball is in one of the most unusual situations in college basketball. The Louisville Cardinals are effectively on stand by. Through being the first team out of the tournament field in the selection committees eyes. Louisville could still qualify for the NCAA Tournament. If a team withdraws due to COVID-19 by Tuesday.

This NCAA.com article features the full schedule for First Four, first and second round games. Click here to view this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket.

Meanwhile, Western Kentucky, Toledo and Dayton Basketball are teams of local interest in this year’s NIT. Dayton will play Memphis Basketball; this Saturday at Noon Eastern in Denton, TX on ESPN. Also in Denton, Toledo Basketball will face Richmond Basketball this Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN2. Western Kentucky will play Saint Mary’s Basketball this Wednesday; tip-off is set for 9 PM Eastern in Frisco, TX on ESPN2. The full 2021 National Invitational Tournament bracket can be found here.

Selection Monday preview

Local representation in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament might also be sparse. Cincinnati, Xavier and Northern Kentucky’s Women’s Basketball teams had sub .500 seasons. Cincinnati Basketball was Cincinnati’s only D-I program in action last week. The Bearcats beat Memphis Basketball in the AAC Tournament’s first round last Monday. Then lost in the quarterfinals to UCF Basketball the next day.

There could be a few tournament participants of local note. Dayton, Louisville, Indiana Basketball and Kentucky Basketball are regional at large bid contenders. Wright State Basketball is the only team of regional interest with an automatic bid. They won the Horizon League Tournament; after previously knocking Northern Kentucky out of the tournament. The NCAA Women’s Tournament Selection Show is tonight at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN.

Thomas More Basketball hosts NAIA Tournament action

Thomas More’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams began their NAIA Tournament’s at home. Thomas More’s women’s season is still going strong. The top seed Saints are advancing to the round of 16. Taking on Mount Vernon Nazarene in Sioux City, Iowa this Thursday at 2 PM Eastern. After beating RV Olivet Nazarene 98-82 in the opening round last Saturday in Crestview Hills, KY. Thomas More’s Men’s Basketball season came to an end last Saturday. After beating Union 68-55 last Friday, The Saints lost 64-55 to No.12 ranked overall Morningside.

Beyond College Basketball

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto tested positive for COVID-19 last Wednesday. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, Votto won’t be able to return to the Reds spring training facility until March 20th. No other Reds players are known to have tested positive for COVID-19 during Spring Training. Meanwhile, Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray is expected to miss the first week of the season; due to a mid-back injury. Gray’s injury leaves Luis Castillo in prime position to be Cincinnati’s Opening Day starter.

In soccer news, FC Cincinnati’s season and home opener dates and opponents were announced last Wednesday. FC Cincinnati will open the 2021 regular season at Nashville SC. That game will be played on April 17th at 8:30 PM Eastern on ESPN+. FCC will visit NYCFC for that team’s home opener on April 24th at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN+. FC Cincinnati’s home opener will be May 16th against Inter Miami CF. In the inaugural match at FC Cincinnati’s West End Stadium. That match is set to start at 4 PM Eastern and can be seen on FOX.

Schedule announcements were part of a busy week for FC Cincinnati. FCC lost a preseason exhibition to former United Soccer League foe Louisville City 3-0 last Saturday. Along with that, FC Cincinnati is adding a new player to their roster; through a deal set to be finalized in the coming days. 26 year old Argentine native Luciano Acosta is transferring to FCC. Acosta most recently played for Mexico’s top-tier Liga MX’s Atlas FC.