Different Feeling.

Happy New Year everyone! If you're looking for a resolution from me, sorry to disappoint but you're not getting one. I am going to TRY to blog more but I'm not making that a resolution.

Anyway..

As much of a down year the Big East had in football, it's representing pretty well in the bowl games. With a 3-2 record, the Big East has the best winning percentage out of any of the 'BCS conferences.' Better than the Big 10, ACC, PAC 10, SEC, and the BIG 12. Yesterday the Big 10 went 0-5, ouch.

UC basketball moved its record to 14-0 with friday night's victory over Seton Hall. Let me recap it for you since you were probably participating in festivities that caused you to not go to the game or at least watch it. It got off to an interesting somewhere after the national anthem but before the tip off. As the teams shook hands, Seton Hall's best player Herb Pope and Cincinnati's Yancy Gates exchanged words and had to be separated. That set the tone for the entire game; constantly the officials were talking to the two, informing them to "cool it." UC got off to a slow start but to Seton Hall's credit they had a great game plan for us, actually it was a pretty simple game plan, play a 2-3 matchup zone. Simple and great at the time made it a close game for the first half, UC went into halftime with a 6 point lead, 35-29. In the second half, neither team really took control right away. Seton Hall cut the deficit to four points with 11 minutes left. Yikes. For the first time all season, I felt nervous. To my delight, UC decided to turn it up a couple notches and won 70-53. Freshmen Sean Kilpatrick was clutch off the bench, adding 14 much needed points and 6 strong rebounds all in just 18 minutes of play.

This team is different from any recent UC team. I would tell you just to trust me on this one but here's why I think this team is for real. Defense defense defense. UC ranks number 5 in the nation in defense, only allowing 54 points a game. Having a defense is so vital in college basketball because when you're offense slumps your defense has to be able to step up and win ball games for you and that's exactly what UC has...a good defense. Tey don't give away the ball. UC is ranked top 20 in the country in turnovers, they commit only 11 turnovers a game which is a plus. UC has started out 2-0 in Big East. UC has won back to back Big East games by double digits for the first time in its program's history. The crowd gets into it at times where last year and years previous they wouldn't. There is a different feeling to this team and I think the rest of the city is starting to realize that the Bearcats aren't going away without a fight this year.

Come to a game, they're fun. I promise you. With that being said..XU next thursday. X week. Gosh I hate them. More to come on this rivalry later in the week.

Quote of the Blog: "God said let there be light more recently than Xavier's been in the final four" (they've never made it to one.)

UC freshmen Sean Kilpatrick..

That is the Truth.