Placards on lamp posts around the Xavier campus read “A Better Education For A Better World.”  The weekend’s events provide the Jesuit university with the opportunity to fulfill that motto.

Saturday’s 79th meeting between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers unraveled into a disappointing display of testosterone-driven “one-upsmanship.” Subsequent press conferences and suspensions have fueled public commentary and opinion.

Fans were left to wonder about the culture of the Xavier locker room.  Players chosen to represent the university in Saturday’s post-game press conference used the opportunity to portray the Musketeer team as “gangstas” who don’t back down.

Twenty-four hours later, Chris Mack referred to the press conference as a mistake. That the players should not have been given the opportunity to speak.

A mistake?

The truth cannot be a mistake, and for those young men the words chosen represent their perception of reality, their truth. The conviction in their voices left no doubt. Like it or not, it is also Xavier’s reality.

Hiding from such assertions ignores an opportunity that the Jesuits have encountered for centuries: the chance to teach, to nurture.

Those words brought out into the open a harsh reality facing society. There is a growing number of young people who approach daily challenges with this survival of the fittest mindset.

It doesn’t have to be that way. There are alternatives, and the simplest lesson that can be taught is one at the very core of the Jesuit mission: “Turn the other cheek.”

Many will scoff at such a notion – a further indication of the problem.

From Sunday’s briefing it appears the process has started. Apologies were expressed. Words recanted. Sure, these admissions were scripted, rehearsed and lacked the temerity of the previous day’s contention.  Timing was of the essence.  Learning will require a process.

Those outside the locker rooms can haggle whether or not the suspensions equal the infraction.  The true test of these judgments will come the next time a similar situation arises.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times challenge and controversy.”

Xavier didn’t need to go far to find its challenge and controversy. The Jesuit university found these residing in its own locker room.  The lesson that can be taught will make the world a better place.

Holloway

By Paul Gotham

Sunday sweep for the A-10

Rumors of the Atlantic 10′s demise appear greatly exaggerated, at least for now. After a sluggish November characterized more as opportunities lost rather than seizing chances, the A-10 seems to have landed on its feet. In a pair of intra-city rivalries, Xavier downed Cincinnati, 83-79 in a double overtime classic, and Temple took down Villanova, 75-65.

Sophomore, Terrell Holloway led the Musketeers to their third consecutive victory in the Crosstown Shootout.  The 6’0″ (that is generous) point guard did everything possible to seal the victory. Holloway finished with 26 points, four assists,  a steal, a rebound, and a defensive assignment not found in the box score.  The point guard from Hempstead, New York went a perfect 11 for 11 from the line including six in the first overtime period.  Holloway also assisted on the eventual game-winner when he drove the lane and dished to teammate, Jason Love, for the lay up.

All those numbers might take a back seat to Holloway’s late defensive stand. During a time out in the second OT, Holloway informed Xavier head coach, Chris Mack he could  stop Lance Stephenson. The Bearcat freshman had 22 points BEFORE Holloway manned up. After that, Stephenson got nothing…and had no choice whether he liked it or not. Holloway, giving up five inches, drew a pivotal charge late in the game.

Key numbers in the game: Xavier went 28-36 from the line. Cincy finished 10-22. Ouch! Both teams grabbed 43 rebounds. This is an important stat for the Musketeers who have been out-rebounded of late. Kansas State held a 39-30 edge on the boards in a victory of XU. Likewise, Baylor got the best of the boards 40-29 in a 69-64 victory over XU. Xavier’s rebounding woes can be traced to Jamel McLean whose father recently passed away. McLean is Xavier resident ball-getter. He is active on the glass and tough to box out. Here’s hoping McLean and the Muskies can continue moving forward.

Jason Love grabbed 19 rebounds against Cincy. The senior is averaging 9.9ppg and 11rpg.

The game was the 77th meeting between the schools divided by 3.3 miles. Cincinnati holds a 47-30 advantage.

ESPN’s Pat Forde enjoyed the spice of the Crosstown Shootout.

Xavier’s wasn’t the only victory by an A-10 team over a Big East squad.  Juan Fernandez dropped 33 points, Ryan Brooks added 20, and Lavoy Allen led the Owls on the boards as Temple took a Big 5 match-up from #3 Villanova.

Down six at half, the Owls opened the second stanza on a 11-0 run. Fernandez led Temple with seven 3s for the game. The Owls shot 11-22 from long range. Lavoy Allen pulled down 17 rebounds, and Temple bested their Philly ruval on the glass, 32-24. Allen pulled down three offensive rebounds.

Earlier this year, the Owls lost to Georgetown by one. Temple is currently 8-2. Temple plays Seton Hall later this week and has a date with the Kansas Jayhawks on January 2nd.

The loss was Villanova’s first of the season and first in Big 5 play since February of 2008. Scottie Reynolds led three Wildcats in double figures with 23. Antonio Pena scored 16, and Corey Fisher added 14.

What is the best non-conference rivalry in the country?

These wins come on the heels of a pair of other big victories for the A10. Charlotte tripped up Louisville, 87-65.  Rhode Island trimmed Boston College, 80-69.

Capel making adjustments

Oklahoma coach, Jeff Capel, knew he would have to adjust. After losing 22ppg, 14 rpg, and 2apg when Player-of-the-Year, Blake Griffin, moved on to the NBA, Capel prepared for changes.  Oklahoma dropped to 2-3 when they lost to Houston, 100-93. Since then, Capel shifted to a four-guard lineup. Capel has surrounded freshman center, Tiny Gallon, with Tommy Mason-Griffin, Tony Crocker, Cade Davis, and Willie Warren. The result is a four-game winning streak with triumphs over Arkansas, Arizona, Centenary, and Utah.

All the rage

Not sure the last time a freshman received as much attention as Kentucky’s John Wall. The 6’4″ freshman is averaging 18ppg, 7.1apg, and 4.1rpg.  Everyone from Dickie Vitale and Jason Williams have heaped praises in Wall’s direction calling him the greatest freshman ever.

Okay, so it is as if in Wall they took Magic Johnson’s touch, put it in Adrian Dantley’s frame, and gave it Calvin Murphy’s speed. Wow! Did I just date myself? Right now, there are a half dozen hipsters googling Calvin Murphy. Save your energy. Trust me. As far as basketball court speed goes, no one is faster than the former Niagara Purple Eagle.

Murphy

Here’s the thing with Wall. Yeah, the Wildcats have beaten Stanford, Carolina, UConn, and Indiana. Those aren’t exactly Little Debbie cupcake all-stars. But it is a matter of time before the Wildcats meet their own personal speed bump. Saturday, the Hoosiers used a 2-3 zone in the first half to keep the Wildcats in check. It was 42-41 at half. In the second stanza, the Wildcats converted two turnovers into a 19-2 faster than Kelvin Sampson can punch out a 150 character text message. The Hoosiers were forced to go man and Kentucky went on to a 90-73 victory.

Once a team takes care of the ball and can play a soft man, Kentucky will meet their match. That sounds like Florida on January 12th.

Is the medicine getting to Roy?

With his UNC Tar Heels en route to a 103-64 trouncing over big, bad Presbyterian, head coach Roy Williams had a rare moment of losing his cool. Ol’ Roy is recovering from shoulder surgery and it is well-known that the head coach suffers from occasional dizzy spell. Is it possible Roy is experiencing some side effects from the meds? Speaking of side effects to medicine – does it bother anyone else when seeing a TV ad for a medicine when the precautions and list of side effects outnumber the benefits?

Who says the Ivy League doesn’t care about wins?

Glen Miller found hot seats can exist in the Ivy League. After Pennsylvania started 0-7, Miller found himself on the outside looking in. The Quakers made the move to dismiss the third-year coach. Assistant coach and former Quaker great, Jerome Allen, takes over on an interim basis. Allen is the last Ivy Leaguer drafted into the NBA.

Staying in the Ivy League – Harvard recently topped Boston College 74-67. The Crimson also dropped a close one to UConn, 79-73. Harvard plays Georgetown on December 23rd.

Syracuse jumps to #5

Spurned by the pre-season voters, Jim Boeheim’s Syracuse Orange have run off 10 in a row to open the season. The Orange show how the total can be greater than the sum of the parts. With glue-like players, Andy Rautins and Wes Johnson the Orange are exceeding expectations. Many thought the Orange would stall with the exits of Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, and Eric Devendorf. Instead, the Orange run the floor and play selfless basketball.  Coming soon to a high school team near you – zone defense.

Got any college basketball splinters? Share them here.

AP Photo/Al Behrman

Another week of great sports action, and so many great performances with which to choose. Step right up readers and give us the one (1), uno, une performance that stands out for you this past week.

“There are no small roles only small actors.” Some attribute  this wisdom to William Shakespeare. Of course, others will argue Christopher Marlowe must be responsible, but we will leave that for another discussion. Either way, this cliche works well when describing the efforts of Cincinnati Bearcat quarterback, Zach Collaros.

When Bearcat starter, Tony Pike, went down with an arm injury against South Florida, Collaros took his place. . All the second stringer has done is lead the Bearcats to three wins and his effort in this past weekend’s victory over UConn earns Collaros my POTW.

Collaros completed 29 of 37 passes for for 480 yards and one touchdown as the Bearcats downed UConn 47-45.  The sophomore form Steubenville, Ohio also rushed the ball 13 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

Since taking over the duties as signal caller, Collaros has completed 76 of 100 passes for 1,229 yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 210.

The Bearcats now find themselves un-welcomed guests in the BCS party mix. Coach Brian Kelly will need to make a decision. Pike is ready to return. Collaros has the hot hand.

Who gets your POTW?