Let us start by stating that Los TeBros are not a fan of neither team, our opinion of this disgusting brawl is not biased at all.
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We understand that there is a heated rivalry between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier Musketeers, but this incident is both disturbing and unacceptable for this college basketball rivalry game and/or any type of sporting event.
The Musketeers were in control of this rivalry match early and comfortably on their way to a perfect 8-0 record. That is until, there was 9.4 seconds left in the second half. Which abruptly ended the game with Xavier winning 76-53.
Earlier in the week, Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick was asked, while appearing on WQRT-AM Cincinnati, if he was a better player than Xavier's All-American guard Tu Holloway. The intention of Andy Furman, the person asking the question, definitely got the answer he was looking for. Kilpatrick said "I'll let the fans decide." Furman then asked for Kilpatrick's own opinion and then responded with, "Yes I am." Kilpatrick should have sniffed out the trap set by Furman, but continued to participate in these obvious trap questions. Furman asked if Holloway would start for the Bearcats, Kilpatrick responded,
" Would he, with the players we have now? "
" I would say no. "
Did Kilpatrick really give Tu Holloway and the rest of the Xavier Musketeers bulletin board material?
From all of us TeBros, we just have to say, "Really, Bro?"
You'd think Xavier remaining undefeated by defeating their historic cross town rivals by a large margin would be the big story here, but that's not the whole story. There was an event earlier in the game that foreshadowed that a brawl would occur in this game.
At the end of the first half, as Holloway & Cincinnati's #14 Ge'Lawn Guyn stood face to face like boxers at a weigh in and exchanged heated words. Which would would ultimately lead to the brawl at the end of the game.
Watch this disturbing incident unfold:
Tu Holloway scored 17 points on 5-10 shooting from the field including 6-6 from the free throw line. Sean Kilpatrick finished the game with 11 points on 3-12 shooting from the field as Xavier fans chanted "Who's Kilpatrick?" every time he touched the ball. Really bro? I'm pretty sure Holloway could easily start for Cincy, but I'm not sure he'd ever want to after this.
There were numerous pushes, punches, maybe some scratches (BROcat reference), but the most disturbing act of this physical altercation was a stomp to the face of Xavier's 7'0 Center #32 Kenny Frease.
As Frease attempted to break up the fight, he was sucker punched by Cincinnati's #34 Yancy Gates. That uncalled-for punch knocked Frease to the floor and then had his face stomped on by another Cincinatti player #13 Cheik Mbodj. After the brawl was ceased, Frease walked off the court with his arms up in the air as Xavier cheered on.
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| Frank Victores/US Presswire |
The brawl actually started when Guyn put his right hand near Holloway's face and Holloway reacted by pushing Guyn onto the ground with the assistance of teammate #5 Dezmine Wells. As I watched some of the post game press conference, I heard what Lyons had to say. I will paraphrase this for you. He said something like; from where he is from, this is how you react if somebody puts their hand in your face. Really, Bro? Your team is currently ranked #8 in the nation, your team is up big. Why would a player decide to push somebody with less than 10 seconds left in the game? Really, Bro? Holloway may receive a suspension, which will hurt his team. Again Really, Bro?
If the NCAA doesn't handle this situation with appropriate punishments, they will get a HUGE
Really, Bro?!?!
University of Cincinnati's basketball Head Coach Mike Cronin was upset that a time out wasn't called when he asked for one before the brawl broke out.
" I was trying to call time out. I saw players talking to our bench. I had repeatedly asked the officials to stop it. "
" I saw it coming and tried to call a timeout. With all due respect to the three, that's where I'm most upset. "
Some of the players he had to take the jerseys off himself. He then later, hinted that none of the players would be able to play for the University until they showed better sportsmanship.
" I will meet with my AD and my president, and I will decide
who's on the team going forward. I've never been this
embarrassed. We represent an institution of higher
learning. It's way more important than basketball games.
And whoever puts their jersey back on — I made take
their jersey off, and they will not put it on again until
they have a full understanding of where they go to school,
and what the university stands for, and how lucky they are
to even be there, let alone have a scholarship, 'cause
there's a whole lot of kids that can't pay for college. "
Clearly, Cronin was mad and ashamed of his team and hopes that this incident doesn't make him lose his job. Cronin handled this situation like a real BROfessional.
Los TeBros, Applaud Cronin's
Act of BROthority.
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