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College basketball’s spiciest rivalry — Cincinnati vs. Xavier — heats up again

December 2, 2017 at 3:49 p.m. EST
Mick Cronin is not a fan of Xavier’s JP Macura. (John Minchillo/Associated Press)

Separated by just three miles, Cincinnati and Xavier have perhaps the most underrated college basketball rivalry going. Six technical fouls were issued in the 2008 version of the Crosstown Rivalry, and the 2011 contest was marred by a brawl that resulted in the game being called with about 10 seconds left:

The sides stuck to the script Saturday in No. 21 Xavier’s 89-76 win over No. 12 Cincinnati at the Musketeers’ home arena. The officials issued three technical fouls, and an agitated Bearcats Coach Mick Cronin had to be led away from the handshake line by an assistant coach and a referee while yelling at Xavier guard JP Macura.

(Thank you to this fan for providing an appropriate soundtrack to this clip.)

Cronin didn’t hide his distaste for Macura in his postgame comments:

Xavier Coach Chris Mack stuck up for his player:

Also, party at Mack’s house tonight, I guess:

Macura, who was one of the players to receive a technical, has had his off- and on-court issues. In 2016, he pleaded guilty in Hamilton County Municipal Court to charges of obstructing official business and disorderly conduct. The former charge was the result of the then-underage Macura having a fake ID at a Cincinnati bar. He earned the latter for pulling down his pants in said bar.

After getting razzed by Wisconsin fans throughout Xavier’s win in Madison earlier this month, Macura did a full-on Gator Chomp as he was subbed out of the game, reminding everyone that Florida ousted the Badgers from last year’s NCAA tournament on an overtime buzzer-beater.

Macura subtly made note of Xavier’s victory on Twitter after Saturday’s game.

To which someone, presumably a Cincinnati fan, affixed the following:

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