Xavier, Cincinnati to decide home for annual basketball rivalry; off-campus site since brawl

Xavier and Cincinnati want to keep their annual basketball rivalry, but haven't decided on a format beyond this season.

Cincinnati athletic director Whit Babcock said in an interview Tuesday that the schools want to keep playing the annual game, which is one of the city's sports highlights. The campuses are separated by only 2½ miles, and they've played each other 80 times.

However, two years ago a brawl erupted with 9.4 seconds left on Xavier's court, punches were thrown and the video replays received national attention. Four players from each team were suspended.

The game was moved off-campus for two seasons to alleviate some of the hostility. The ADs have to decide what to do after their game downtown next month.

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