Who Is Xavier's Biggest Rival?

After my first two years at Xavier University, I have discovered three undeniable truths: if people are wearing lanyards around their necks they are freshmen; the gravy cheese friy platter from PRC is the finest cuisine Cincinnati has to offer; and the University of Cincinnati is Xavier's biggest rival. I am not denying the fact that there is an intense amount of disdain for Dayton or Butler on this campus. In fact, the three highest non-philosophical related bouts of frustration I have experienced at Xavier were  related to each of those three teams. H o w e v e r , it is impossible for me to distinguish if the Butler fiasco from my freshman  year, the blowout at Dayton that same year or last year's Crosstown Shootout that caused me the most distress. Although emotions are a key factor in what makes rivalries great, it

is the history and the impact they have on an athletic program that define them, and in this way, UC is the most important matchup on Xavier's schedule. Yes, Dayton is a conference competitor in every sport in which the Musketeers compete. However, Cincinnati also comes up on every teams schedule as well. While a matchup with the Flyers could have important conference title implications, any date with the Bearcats gives any team the potential to bolster their tournament resume by outperforming

a school from the Big East. Most importantly, the rivalry the two schools have in men's basketball has given Xavier national exposure that is unparalleled by any other opponent the Musketeers face. In the 1990s, the basketball program was a shadow of what it is today. Making the N C A A t o u r n a - ment on an annual basis was far from a guarantee, and during this time Cincinnati was a powerhouse in

college basketball. This presented Xavier with one chance to showcase themselves nationally. When

the lights shined brightest, the Musketeers were clutch. In 1996 and 1999, Xavier shocked the college basketball world by defeating the top-ranked Bearcats. Besides plenty of national attention, there have  recent- l y been many moments that have taken the rivalry to another level. In 2008, Xavier star Derrick Brown was ejected in a game that featured six technicals and a stretcher (seriously, it was on an ESPN graphic, so it has to be true) and in 2009, near bedlam ensued when the benches cleared at Cintas Center but cooler heads prevailed. There is no denying that Dayton and Butler are great rivalries that have had special moments  throughout the year, but the opportunity and fierceness that is present with the Cincinnati Bearcats makes it the best rivalry at Xavier.