An 86-78 Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout win over rival Xavier on Thursday was the high point of a tremendous basketball season for the University of Cincinnati, which has won its last 11 games.
The game had it all for No. 19-ranked UC, with sophomore wing Jacob Evans leading five Bearcats double-figure scorers with 21 points. UC destroyed No. 24-ranked XU inside and dominated most statistics, and the Bearcats roared back from a 9-point second half deficit.
The immediate road gets much easier against struggling South Florida, which visits UC on Sunday at 4 p.m. Here are five takeaways from the Shootout:
Multiple weapons could lead to deep NCAA Tournament run
UC has long been known for defense, but this is clearly the Bearcats’ most potent offensive team in 11 years under coach Mick Cronin.