The 2018 iteration of the Crosstown Shootout was a weird one in the sense that a lot of the major players involved were uninitiated on this famous rivalry stage.
Both teams experienced turnover this past offseason, eliminating fan favorites and Crosstown Shootout legends like J.P. Macura, Jacob Evans, Trevon Bluiett, and Gary Clark.
Xavier's roster has several notable graduate transfers and Cincinnati's group is considered young and inexperienced, with underclassmen now being asked to fill big roles.
The pieces available to both Cincinnati and Xavier this year opened the door for fresh faces to make an indelible stamp on this year's Shootout, and UC's Keith Williams seized the chance in the Bearcats' 62-47 victory Saturday at Fifth-Third Arena.