In the Bolshoi Cincinnati In this area, a single basketball game can provoke a passionate and knee-jerk reaction when discussed by fans of two power conference universities separated by just over four miles.
Shootout at Skyline Chili Crosstown over the years it has featured top-notch players, many of whom came from nearby communities or high schools.
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Fast forward to 2025, and locals have seen the game go global.
Friday, December 5, at Ribbon Centera dozen international players will be queuing. You can actually score 13 if you count a UC freshman. Sean Abaevborn in Israel but from Broward County, Florida.
UC composition includes players from Brazil, Canada, Estonia, France, Senegal and Spain. Xavier new musketeers appeared from Canada, Italy, Ivory Coast, Mexico and Serbia.
Regarding the portal, UC has players from Baylor, Florida AtlanticGeorge Mason, Kentucky, UCF and West Virginia, which did not participate in the Crosstown Shootout. The same goes for Xavier players from Belmont, Evansville, FAU, New Mexico, North Dakota, UNLV, Valparaiso and Virginia.
Cincinnati Bearcats center Mustapha Thiam (52) plays in his first Skyline Chili Crosstown Shoot on Dec. 5 at the Cintas Xavier Center. The 19-year-old from Senegal is one of several international players in both squads.
International reaction to rivalry, Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout
Kerr Kriisa, Estonia “Each school has its own rival partner. Louisville/Kentucky was a big player. On the other hand, West Virginia, Pitt, Arizona, Arizona State. I've heard a lot about it (Crosstown Shootout). I actually watched it. In a lot of places, he's one of the top four opponents in college basketball.”
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Mustafa Thiam, Senegal “In the Big 12, I would say Kansas (UCF vs. Kansas) was the biggest rival. I'm so excited about this (Crosstown Shootout). The crowd will be crazy. I'm fine. It really motivates me to play harder.”
Baba Miller, Spain “The biggest rivalry I've been in is Florida/Florida State. I played there twice and lost twice. I heard this (Crosstown Shootout) is one of the biggest in college basketball. I feel like everyone knows about it. Being here in Cincinnati, ever since I got here, I keep getting the question, “When are you all going to play Xavier? Whoever wins will rule the city.” Such things. I really enjoy playing in it and I know it will be a hostile environment. I think we are ready for this. We're a hard-nosed team and we're going to have fun.”
Jovan Milicevic, Ontario − “We had matches between New Mexico and New Mexico. It was a serious rivalry. This is probably the biggest game I've ever played. I got goosebumps going into the stadium. It was electric there. I hope I have the same feeling on Friday.”
Filip Borovicanin, Serbia “I've heard from some of my teammates that this is a big rivalry, and I know it means a lot to these people.”
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Pape NDIAYE, Ivory Coast − “I asked people if this was a good rivalry or a fighting rivalry. They all told me that this is a fighting rivalry, so we have to win this game no matter what happens. I just want to see it with my own eyes and feel the experience. We have to win, that's all that matters now.”
More: How did Xavier's first-year UC coaches fare in the Crosstown Shootout?
Day Day Thomas, Shootout's Lone Veteran
“Xavier and Cincinnati!” Thomas was quick to answer when asked about his biggest rivalry. “This is a big event for the city. The city, the team, the coaches, and all the fans will participate in it.”
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sencire Harris will compete in his first Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on December 5th. At Illinois, he played against Missouri in a rivalry game, and he also has experience playing against West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl.
Sensire Harris, transfer from Illinois, West Virginia “I played at Illinois and Missouri, they called it the Bragging Rights Game, then I played West Virginia against Pitt, the Backyard Brawl.” Illinois vs. Missouri is probably my biggest fight right now. I really don't know anything (about the Crosstown Shootout). I’m here to have fun, here to ride, here to fight.”
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Grant Darbyshire, Kentucky transfer, from Sycamore “Either Kentucky/Louisville or Kentucky/Tennessee was the biggest rivalry game. I grew up here, but I’ve never actually been to one of them (Crosstown Shootout), so I don’t really know too much about it.”
Tyler McKinley of Walnut Hills/Winton Woods “The biggest rivalry I was involved in was probably in high school, probably like Walnut Hills vs. Turpin. My favorite memory (of the Crosstown shooting) was being at my grandma's house watching the news and that was the year they got into a fight. I didn't know if it was gang violence or a basketball game.”
Keyshuan Tillery from Albany, New York. – “Something in New Hampton, my prep school (when asked about his biggest rival). This (shooting) is pretty significant for the city.”
Isaiah Walker (7), son of former Xavier forward Tyrese Walker, said playing in the Crosstown Shootout was “a dream come true.” Walker scored the winning goal for Belmont in last year's Battle on the Boulevard against Lipscomb.
Isaiah Walker from Cincinnati/Wyoming High School. − “To be honest, it (Battle of the Boulevard between Belmont and Lipscomb) is honestly very similar because both schools are so close (in Nashville) as is this one. It means a lot to a lot of people there. I think the understanding of the game will be a little different from most games. play it.”
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More: Xavier defensive end Isaiah Walker has family ties to the Crosstown Shootout
Roddy Anderson III is from Orange County, California. − “I didn’t believe the hype until I saw it last year. This is one of the craziest games I've ever been in, and I wasn't even playing.”
Tre Carroll is from Port Charlotte, Florida. “Once I got to Xavier (from FAU), the first thing they showed me was the Crosstown Shootout rivalry. Before I even got into the game I was like, “I don’t like UC.” When we play UC at the Sintas Center, I'm ready for it. I want to see what it's all about.”
Malik Messina-Moore is from Ventura, California. “I didn't realize how big the rivalry was until I came here. It's kind of part of their recruiting campaign. We had Montana-Montana State last year, but it couldn't compare to Cal-Xavier. I'm happy for this team.”
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Former player/announcer reaction
Brian Thornton, former Xavier player and current Big 12 director of basketball operations – “Buckle up! The Crosstown Shootout is one of the most intense competitions in the entire country. I liked playing in it. I had the opportunity to play against Jason Maxiell, Eric Hicks and some of the guys from UCLA. It was just a great battle. This is something that means so much to the city of Cincinnati. Buckle up and get ready to play hard.”
Dan Hoard, UC Bearcats, play “The very first game I ever did on Fox 19 was Lenny Brown. I was a color analyst for Tom Brennaman. Obviously, this is a game Bearcat fans would like to forget. Andy Mack (McWilliams) then received the legendary call: “No. 1 in the country, No. 2 in his city!” It was unforgettable, definitely not my favorite.”
“As for the favorite, this one might surprise you: Mick Cronin's first. Cincinnati won when they had nothing to win. It was a lineup he put together at the last second. Xavier wasn't great that year, but Xavier was good that year. For Cincinnati to win that year, that's my favorite that I had the opportunity to name.”
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Tyrese Walker, former Xavier player − “Watching it on TV or hearing about it definitely doesn't do it justice. When you see that crowd, then you see how intense the players are playing, it's different. You will be delighted with this game.”
This article originally appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer: UC and XU rivalry in Crosstown Shootout from different perspectives
