WATCH: The Enquirer previews Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout
UC beat reporter Scott Springer and Xavier beat reporter Shelby Dermer preview the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout from Cintas Center.
The 2025 Crosstown Shootout has finally arrived. The Xavier Musketeers play host to the Cincinnati Bearcats tonight at the Cintas Center for one of college basketball’s most iconic rivalries.
Xavier (6-3) enters the game on a three-game winning streak after a win over St. Francis, while Cincinnati (6-2) got a bounce-back win over Tarleton State in its last outing.
When the game tips off at 7:30 p.m., Cincinnati will be looking for its first win at the Cintas Center since 2001. Musketeers coach Richard Pitino, on the other hand, hopes to pick up a Shootout win in his first season at the helm.
Follow along for live updates and breaking news from the Cintas Center as The Enquirer brings you the 93rd Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. After the game goes final, stick around for recaps and breakdowns of the rivalry matchup.
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Shon Abaev got onto the court early to warm up for the Bearcats. Abaev has averaged 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds through Cincinnati’s first eight games.
Richard Pitino is leading the Musketeers into the Shootout for the first time in 2025, and he’s hoping to overcome historical difficulties for first-year coaches. First-year Xavier head coaches have gone just 6-10 against Cincinnati. Chris Mack is the only first-year coach to win the rivalry for Xavier since 1986, pulling of an 83-79 double-overtime win in 2009.
Since becoming the head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, Wes Miller has gone just 1-3 in the Crosstown Shootout. He picked up his first win last season with a 68-65 win at Fifth Third Arena. That victory snapped a five-game Xavier win streak in the series. At the time, Cincinnati was ranked No. 22 in the nation.
The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout marks the first true road game of the season for the Bearcats. In the lone neutral site game played away from home, Cincinnati came up short against then No. 6 Louisville, 74-64.
Over two hours from tipoff, the Xavier student section is already rocking. Cincinnati’s media team got a chilly reception as the entered the Cintas Center.
Xavier is 5-1 at home early in the 2025-2026 season. The Musketeers picked up two wins against Maris and Le Moyne to start the season before losing to Santa Clara. Since that defeat, Xavier has picked up two blowout wins against Old Dominion and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
The Bearcats have struggled throughout the history of the Cintas Center. Cincinnati last beat Xavier at the Cintas Center in 2001, the first season the Shootout was played in this arena. Since that loss, the Musketeers have won 10 consecutive home games against the Bearcats.
2025 marks the 93rd meeting between the Musketeers and Bearcats. Cincinnati holds a 52-40 lead in the series, but Xavier has won five of the last six meetings. The two foes first met in 1928, played next in 1943, then began the annual rivalry in 1946.
Xavier vs. Cincinnati odds
The Musketeers are favored by 1.5 points and the over/under point total is 148.5, according to BetMGM.
How to watch the 2025 Crosstown Shootout
The Crosstown Shootout is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff and will be broadcast on TNT.
Will Jizzle James play for the Cincinnati Bearcats?
Jizzle James is enrolled at the University of Cincinnati, but is currently not with the basketball team
