The Xavier Bluietts nearly stole one at Fifth Third Arena Thursday night. They got outhustled/muscled/played. The best thing the Bluietts did was get Trevon Bluiett the ball, and as great as he was, he wasn’t great enough. UC was the better team. The Bearcats affirmed some things about themselves, traits that should last well beyond Thursday.
Our annual civic Super Bowl was up to the hype. Great game, nearly transcendent individual show, no negative chaos. It left Xavier continuing its season-long search for a winning formula. It left the Bearcats believing they belong in the very big leagues.