For the Crosstown Shootout, it isn't about the journey, it's about the destination

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - It could hardly be considered a road trip, but it's still a trek you have to be prepared for. The distance between the barns on UC and Xavier's campuses takes little time to travel, and is somewhat forgettable. It's what happens when you get there that everyone remembers. As far as the Crosstown Shootout goes, it has nothing to do with the journey, and everything to do with the destination.


Now a long the way in that short trip from Fifth-Third Arena to the Cintas Center, there aren't too many neutral sites to watch a Crosstown Shootout, one of them though is the Indian Mound Cafe in Norwood. You can let the carpet guide you. Either X, or UC. Now you're always in good company with Shelia and Julie, the Indian Mound Cafe one of the most right down the middle spot where you can watch the Shootout. But the game itself isn't always right down the middle.





"Last year it's a big thing, because they beat us pretty good." Xavier guard Quentin Goodin said.





A loss in a Shootout can stay with you, as can a win. Goodin has experience both, whereas a handful of guys on Cincinnati, this is their first go-round.





"It's all new to us," UC center Chris Vogt said. "I wouldn't say there's bad blood because this is my first year at Cincinnati. Us new guys maybe have less pressure, if that makes sense."





If the pressure doesn't feel like it's on now, that could change when the Cats walk in to Cintas. Jaevin Cumberland playing in his first Shootout, but not his first rodeo.





"We're an old group of guys so I think the atmosphere won't get to us" Cumberland said. "We're just going to be happy to be out there."





The players on the two teams differ on their approach to this game. Musketeers think to win you have to rise to the occasion. Bearcats believe the occasion is best met with preparation.





"Coaches draw up plays and you may have a game plan" Xavier forward Naji Marshall said. "But at the end of the day when it comes down to it, it's really a players game and it shows who's tough and who's not."





"Our coach doesn't really believe in players rising to the occasion" Vogt said. "He always has the quote of saying, 'players fall back to their training' so I think that'll be the key for us. When the bullets start flying and adversity hits, we can just fall back on our habits and execute."





The journey isn't far on a map, but the way both teams get there could be miles apart. All roads, regardless of whether they're well worn or first traveled, meet at Cintas on Saturday.

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