In this MLK Day edition of the review, the Cincinnati Bengals finally end their playoff losing streak. Remembering the life and career of Joe B. Hall. Plus, a week full of news for FC Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Bengals playoff losing streak ends

At long last, the Cincinnati Bengals won a playoff game. Beating the Las Vegas Raiders 26-19 last Saturday. In front of a record crowd of just over 66,000 at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium. Snapping a playoff win-less drought stretching back to January 1991. Back when the Soviet Union was in its dying days and the Raiders were playing in Los Angeles.

One of the many memories sticking out from Saturday’s game happened roughly a half hour before kickoff. On a staircase connecting PBS’ second and third levels. A fan lost one of their gloves on that staircase. Another fan noticed, picked up the glove and tried to throw it back to the fan on the staircase. The thrown glove fell in a gap under the staircase. Prompting the fan on the stairs to come down and climb up a wall with some assistance. Ultimately retrieving the glove with some on the third level cheering the successful recovery.

That pregame moment summed up the last 31 years for the Cincinnati Bengals. Particularly the last 16 years, which included a stretch of gutting playoff losses. The frustration over three decades of playoff futility gave way to a wave of jubilation. Following Germaine Pratt’s game-saving interception in the last seconds of the game. The biggest play of the game, along with Joe Burrow’s touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd.

After the interception, several fans began tossing makeshift confetti. Strands of pom-poms, shredded paper, even food wrappers and beer cans. Kicking off the kind of celebration Bengals fans hadn’t experienced in the PBS era. For some, including yours truly, this is the Bengals first playoff victory of their lifetime. For some, it’s the first they can remember experiencing live.

A change in FC Cincinnati’s front office

While the Bengals dominated the local news cycle last week. FC Cincinnati had various headline-making moments last week. Club president Jeff Berding was promoted to Co-CEO. Serving in that role along with controlling owner Carl Lindner III. Both have been part of the front office’s top brass since FC Cincinnati’s founding in 2015.

Along with this, FC Cincinnati announced their 2022 preseason schedule. Their preseason opener is January 28th against USF Soccer in Clearwater, FL. Players began reporting to Cincinnati for preseason training yesterday. The team will depart for Florida next Monday.

In the midst of all this, FCC selected three players in last Tuesday’s MLS SuperDraft. FC Cincinnati selected Indiana University goalkeeper Roman Celentano with the second overall pick. Celentano is the Big Ten’s first back-to-back Goalkeeper of the Year honoree. FCC also selected Duke University defender Ian Murphy 14th overall. With the second pick in the second round. FCC selected Northern Illinois University forward Nick Markanich. Meanwhile, 2022 single match tickets will go on sale Wednesday at 10 AM Eastern.

The local College Basketball weekly roundup

Men’s Basketball

Renowned Kentucky Basketball player and coach Joe B. Hall passed away last Saturday at age 93. Born in Cynthiana, Hall was Kentucky’s head coach from 1972-1985. Winning the national championship in 1978, in one of three NCAA Final Four appearances during Hall’s coaching tenure. The other appearances were in 1975 and 1984. Along with Kentucky’s 1976 National Invitiational Tournament title.

Hall had the immense task of succeeding legendary Kentucky head coach Adolph Rupp. Whom Hall played for and assisted at Kentucky. Hall’s lone season playing for Kentucky was their national championship 1948-49 season. He continued and accelerated integrating Kentucky’s program as head coach. A process that began when Hall was an assistant coach. Following his retirement from coaching in 1985, Hall was involved in Lexington, KY’s business community. Along with co-hosting a radio show with former Louisville Basketball head coach Denny Crum.

News of Hall’s death broke hours before No.12 Kentucky’s home game against No.24 Tennessee. The game featured various tributes to Hall. From John Calipari carrying a rolled-up program to running a 1-3-1 zone defense. Kentucky went on to wallop Tennessee 107-79. In one of the many inspiring games from a local perspective this weekend.

Meanwhile, Xavier Basketball began one of the biggest days in modern Cincinnati sports history with a win. Beating Creighton Basketball at Xavier’s Cintas Center 80-73 Saturday afternoon. Three days earlier, Xavier lost 64-60 at home to then No.14 Villanova Basketball. As Villanova completed a regular season sweep of the Xavier Musketeers. Wednesday’s game was nearly the flip opposite of Xavier’s road loss to Villanova last month.

Xavier trailed Villanova 38-27 at halftime last Wednesday. Then chipped the deficit down through outpacing Villanova 33-26 in the second half. In contrast to Xavier holding a sizeable lead at halftime on December 21st in Philadelphia. Only to see that lead it collapse in the second. Through Xavier being outpaced and repeatedly missing three-pointers.

Cincinnati Basketball beat East Carolina and Wichita State last week. Beating ECU 79-71 last Wednesday at home. Then beating Wichita State in Wichita, KS 61-57 last Sunday. Northern Kentucky Basketball returned from a nearly two-week pandemic pause last week. Beating Youngstown State Basketball on the road 68-67 last Thursday. Last Saturday, Northern Kentucky lost 74-64 at Robert Morris Basketball.

Women’s Basketball

Northern Kentucky Basketball’s winning streak stands at seven after last week. Returning after three-consecutive COVID-19 related no contests. Beating Detroit Mercy Basketball on the road 74-54 last Thursday. In the NKU Norse’s first game since New Year’s Eve. NKU beat Oakland Basketball on the road last Saturday 79-67. Now the Norse turn their attention towards rival Wright State. Playing Wright State at home Thursday and in Dayton, OH Saturday.

As Xavier’s men’s team was beating Creighton on Saturday. Xavier’s women’s team lost 41-78 to No.10 UConn Basketball in Hartford, Connecticut. Descending into a three-game losing streak, falling to 6-9 overall and 1-5 in Big East Conference play. Last Tuesday, Xavier made up a home game against Providence. Losing 49-54 last Tuesday in a game that was originally scheduled for New Year’s Eve.

Cincinnati Basketball is struggling with a five-game losing streak. Extended to five with a 66-76 home loss last Thursday to Wichita State. Then a 48-71 loss at East Carolina last Sunday.

What to watch this week

The Cincinnati Bengals will face the AFC No.1 seed Tennessee Titans this Saturday. Kicking off the AFC Divisional round in Nashville at 4:30 PM Eastern. The game can be seen on CBS and Paramount+.

Men’s College Basketball

Xavier at DePaul Basketball, Wednesday at 9 PM Eastern on FS1.

Northern Kentucky at UIC Basketball, Thursday at 8 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WCKY-AM (1530).

Cincinnati vs Tulsa Basketball, Thursday at 9 PM Eastern on ESPNU.

Northern Kentucky at IUPUI Basketball, Saturday at Noon Eastern on ESPN+ and WKRC-AM (550).

Xavier at Marquette Basketball, Sunday at 2 PM Eastern on FS1.

Women’s College Basketball

Cincinnati at Houston Basketball, Wednesday at 8 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky vs. Wright State, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier vs. Marquette, Friday at 7 PM Eastern on FloSports.

Cincinnati vs. Central Florida Basketball, Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky at Wright State, Saturday at 4 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier vs. DePaul, Sunday at 2 PM Eastern on CBS Sports Network.