Inside the Crosstown Shootout: Cincinnati vs. Xavier: The Rivalry That Captivates a City

by Bill Koch

The campuses of the Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers are only 3½ miles apart, and since 1928, it has been a neighborhood rivalry, a city rivalry, and one of the most intense rivalries in college sports. In Bill Koch’s “Inside the Crosstown Cincinnati vs. Xavier—The Rivalry That Captivates a City,” this annual winter rite is told through the eyes of the players and coaches who have competed against each other since 1980. You will read about the animosity between some of the coaches and the closeness of fiercely opposing players. You’ll get the inside story on the 2011 fight that almost caused a hiatus in the rivalry and relive the upsets, game-winning shots, memorable performances, and much more.

300 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2016

Reviews

[Adrienne Gordon]

Enjoyed the interviews, and that the interviews included coaches, players and media from both teams. Too much about the 2011 game. I’d rather it have been a book about both basketball programs, with some Crosstown shootout chapters/sections scattered throughout. Overall enjoyable an read, especially as a lifelong Cincinnatian and Bearcat fan. RIP Machock

[Eric Feller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I thought it was a great book for all UC and Xavier fans. I think it's very balanced and doesn't favor 1 side or the other as it's supposed to do. My only complaint is that I was tired about reading about the 2011 brawl. It just became repetitive and I started skimming over some of those parts.

However, I still loved the book and would give it a 4.5/5.