What's the biggest game on the non-conference calendar for Xavier? Don't lie to me; you know the answer. Sure, Xavier will play good teams from actual major conferences, and sure, Xavier has dominated this matchup for the entire lives of your average freshman this year, but there's no denying that there's something special about the Crosstown Shootout. It may not move the needle on the KenPom, the RPI, or the polls as much as most of Xavier's games will, but there's something extra cathartic about owning the city that can't be achieved in any other game.
UC had a solid season last year by following the twin pillars of mid-major resume building: do enough work in the non-conference to make up for the lack of big win opportunities in conference play, and don't spit the bit against any of your crappy conference foes.