In this edition of the review, the Cincinnati Bengals will play in the Super Bowl. While several local college basketball streaks endure or end.

Cincinnati Bengals win AFC Championship Game

After trailing by 18 at one point in the AFC Championship Game. The Cincinnati Bengals snatched defeat from the jaws of victory Sunday. Beating the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime in Kansas City. Punching their ticket to Super Bowl LVI on February 13th in Los Angeles. Where they will face the Los Angeles Rams in their home stadium.

There’s the old saying of how history sometimes rhymes. Sunday’s AFC title game rhymed like a poem or song with other Bengals games this month. Including Cincinnati’s home game against the Chiefs on January 2nd. Sunday’s game ended similar to that game four weeks earlier. With Evan McPherson kicking game-winning field goals in both games. Though the first game didn’t go to overtime. Much like January 2nd, Cincinnati surged back after trailing. This time pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in AFC Championship Game history.

Cincinnati managed to slow down one of the NFL’s best offensive units in the clutch. After letting the Chiefs walk all over them in the first half; Kansas City scored just three points after halftime. Three defensive plays were pivotal to the Bengals’ win. The first was in overtime, with Vonn Bell snagging an interception. Thwarting KC’s hopes of ending the game with a touchdown. After the Chiefs won the overtime coin toss. Giving them the chance to win in the same manner they beat the Buffalo Bills last week.

Instead, the Bengals were able to get into field goal range quickly. Setting the stage for McPherson’s second-consecutive game-winning field goal. B.J. Hill’s third quarter interception was another key defensive play. That set the stage for a Bengals game-tying drive. With Ja’Marr Chase catching a touchdown late in the third quarter. Trent Taylor scored the subsequent game-tying two-point conversion.

The third play happened towards the end of the first half. Eli Apple stopped Tyreek Hill from getting a touchdown before halftime. Giving the Chiefs a 21-10 lead instead of a three-possession lead. In a drive starting after Semaje Perine scored Cincinnati’s first touchdown. The first sign of life after Kansas City scored touchdowns in their first three drives.

Now the Bengals begin preparing for their first Super Bowl since January 1989. While wrapping up one of the most exciting months in franchise history.

The local College Basketball roundup (AKA, there was other local news last week)

Men’s Basketball

No.21 Xavier Basketball got back to winning ways last Saturday. Beating Creighton Basketball 74-64 in Omaha, NE. In what turned out to be the first big comeback of the weekend locally. Xavier trailed 36-19 at halftime and went on a 19-0 run to start the second half. Part of a second half where Xavier scored 55 points. Earlier in the week, Xavier lost at home 62-65 to No.17 Providence Basketball. Providence won through a three-pointer in the final seconds, after Xavier surged from behind.

There is one constant for Cincinnati Basketball in their AAC era. Temple and East Carolina manage to give them a hard time. Cincinnati lost 58-61 at Temple last Tuesday. Then beat East Carolina on the road Sunday 60-59 in head coach Wes Miller’s 200th career victory. In the first of a day of big victories locally.

Northern Kentucky Basketball is emerging from their best week of conference play. Wrapping up January with a five-game winning streak. Winning all three of their home games last week. Beating Wright State last Tuesday 73-63 and Purdue Fort Wayne 59-49 Friday. Along with then Horizon League leader Cleveland State 78-72 on Sunday. The last game’s tip-off time was moved to Noon Eastern. To avoid conflicting with the Bengals game.

Women’s Basketball

While NKU’s men’s team is on a roll with their winning streak. The NKU Women’s Basketball team’s ten-game winning streak is over. After starting their week with a 61-53 home win against Milwaukee. The streak ended Saturday with a 67-58 home loss to Green Bay. Marking the NKU Norse’s first loss since December 3rd.

Xavier beat Georgetown in overtime 70-67 last Friday in the nation’s capital. Snapping a five-game losing streak and getting their first win of 2022. Xavier’s winning streak only lasted less than 48 hours. Snapped through their 57-82 loss Sunday at Villanova. Cincinnati is still at .500 overall (10-10) after splitting their games last week. Losing 64-68 at Temple last Wednesday evening. Then beating Tulsa 66-60 at home last Saturday.

What to watch this week

Men’s College Basketball

No.21 Xavier vs. Butler, Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern on CBS Sports Network and WLW-AM (700).

Northern Kentucky vs. Horizon League leader Oakland, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on Bally Sports Ohio and WSAI-AM (1360).

Cincinnati vs. Memphis, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN2 and WLW-AM (700).

Xavier vs. DePaul, Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on FS1 and WLW-AM (700).

Northern Kentucky vs. Detroit Mercy, Saturday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WSAI-AM (1360).

Cincinnati vs. Houston, Sunday at 6 PM Eastern on ESPN2 and WLW-AM (700).

Women’s Basketball

Northern Kentucky at UIC, Tuesday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier at St. John’s, Wednesday at 6 PM Eastern on FloSports.

Cincinnati at Memphis, Wednesday at 8 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky at Purdue Fort Wayne, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier vs. Seton Hall in the Lauren Hill Classic, Friday at 7 PM Eastern on FloSports.

Northern Kentucky at Cleveland State, Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier vs. St.John’s, Sunday at 2 PM Eastern on FloSports.

2022 Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics start up in Beijing, China this week. Competitions will start up on Wednesday and the Opening Ceremony is Friday. The Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live on NBC Friday at 6:30 AM. Then re-aired at 8 PM Eastern on NBC later that night. There will be more Cincy Sports Journal coverage of the Olympics later this week. With an overview of participating athletes with local ties and more.