In this preview, Xavier Basketball survives a wild opening weekend in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Cincinnati Cyclones strive to extend a franchise record. While the Cincinnati Reds wrap up Spring Training.

NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament: Midwest regional semifinals in Kansas City, MO.

Xavier is the lone team of regional interest still contending in the NCAA Tournament. After avoiding an upset against No.14 Kennesaw State last Friday. Then beating Pittsburgh (a.k.a Xavier head coach Sean Miller’s alma mater) 84-73 last Sunday. Xavier will compete in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017. Taking on Texas this Friday in Kansas City.

No.3 Xavier vs. No.2 Texas, Friday at 9:45 PM (all times Eastern) on CBS. The winner will play either No.1 Houston or No.5 Miami (FL). For the Midwest regional title this Sunday at either 2 PM or 4:55 PM on CBS.

National Invitational Tournament quarterfinals

No.4 Cincinnati at Utah Valley, Wednesday at 9 PM on ESPN2.

NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament: second round games of regional interest.

No.3 Ohio State vs. No.6 North Carolina, Monday at 4 PM on ESPN.

No.4 Tennessee vs. No.12 Toledo, Monday at 6 PM on ESPN2.

No.5 Louisville vs. No.4 Texas, Monday at 7 PM on ESPN.

No.1 Indiana vs. No.9 Miami (FL), Monday at 8 PM on ESPN2.

The Sweet 16 schedule will be released later this week.

Meanwhile at the NAIA level, Thomas More’s women’s basketball team wrapped up their season as national runners-up. Falling to Clarke (IA) 63-52 in last Saturday’s title game in Sioux City, IA. This was Thomas More’s third-consecutive NAIA championship game appearance. Last Saturday’s game marked Thomas More’s second loss ever in the NAIA Tournament. The previous loss was in the 2021 NAIA Championship Game.

Thomas More junior guard/forward Alex Smith earned NAIA All-Tournament first team honors. While senior guard Zoie Barth earned All-Tournament second team honors. Last Saturday’s game was TMU Women’s Basketball’s last as an NAIA program. Next season will be Thomas More’s first as an NCAA Division II program.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati at Nashville SC, Saturday at 8:30 PM on Apple TV-Free and WCKY-AM (1530).

Cincinnati Cyclones

Cyclones at Utah Grizzlies, Wednesday and Friday at 9:10 PM.

Cyclones at Utah Grizzlies, Sunday at 5:10 PM.

All Cyclones games can be seen on FloHockey and heard on cycloneshockey.com.

The Cyclones set a franchise record last week. Getting game points in their 18th consecutive game on Sunday. Through their 2-1 home win against the Fort Wayne Komets. Cincinnati’s previous record of 17 consecutive games with points was set back in 2008. The Cyclones go into this week with 89 points this season. Cincinnati is in first place in the ECHL Central division. They clinched a Kelly Cup Playoff berth earlier this month; with roughly a month remaining in the regular season.

Cincinnati Reds Spring Training

Reds vs. Los Angeles Angels, Monday at 4:05 PM on Bally Sports Ohio and WSAI-AM (1360).

Reds vs. San Diego Padres, Wednesday at 9:05 PM on Bally Sports Ohio and WLW-AM (700).

Reds vs. Seattle Mariners, Thursday at 9:05 PM on WLW-AM (700).

Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday at 4:10 PM on WSAI-AM (1360).

Reds vs. Chicago White Sox, Saturday at 9:05 PM on WLW-AM (700).

Reds at Cleveland Guardians, Sunday at 4:05 PM on WLW-AM (700).

Reds at Colorado Rockies, Sunday at 4:10 PM.

World Baseball Classic

The United States will compete in the World Baseball Classic’s championship game. After beating Cuba 14-2 in the semifinals last Sunday. The U.S. will face either Mexico or Japan in Miami in Tuesday’s title game. Mexico and Japan will play in Miami Monday at 7 PM on FS1. Reds pitcher Luis Cessa will not play in the game for Mexico.

Cessa rejoined the Reds during the weekend for the rest of spring training. After pitching two innings in the World Baseball Classic. Cessa started last Sunday’s Reds spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Meanwhile, the U.S. will be striving to win their second-consecutive WBC title. Tuesday’s WBC championship game is set to start at 7 PM on FS1.