CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

The Bengals dominated the news early in the week. They tried and tried to get a new defensive lineman and finally succeeded. They signed Antwan Odom from the Tennessee Titans to a five year, $29.5 million contract.


The Reds are moving happily along. Its hard to tell much this early in the Spring.


On Thursday night, the UC Bearcats hosted the Blue Demons of DePaul who were trying to win in Cincinnati for the first time in 17 years. the Cats managed to miss enough lay-ups, make enough turn-overs and fumble enough rebounds for the Chicago five to get the job done. It was a sad effort by UC as they lost 60-54.


Later that night in Philadelphia, Xavier was trying to extend its 11 game winning streak against a team that they beat in Cincinnati by 4 a few weeks ago. The Hawks again played the Muskies really tough and in the end hung on for a 71-66 win. Derrick Brown had 18 for X in the loss.


Friday, Johnny Cueto started for the Reds and opened some eyes and left mouths agape. It seems he really could make the big jump into the Majors as the Reds #4 starter (or better). Cueto jumped through Class A, double-A and into triple-A in his one year in the minors. One thing to hold him back --- he speaks not a word of English.


Amber Gray of Lakota West, committed to the University of Tennessee next year, won the Ohio Ms. Basketball award in the State of Ohio. The legendary Pat Summit will work with her next year.


On Saturday, UC's game was postponed because they couldn't get a flight out of Cincinnati due to the snow. Xavier hosted the Richmond Spiders and whipped them handily 86-61. Richmond hung in there for the first ten minutes but were totally outclassed from there on. B.J. Raymond had a career-high 22 points to lead the Muskies who are now 26-5.

On Sunday evening, the Bearcats were in Hartford to play the Connecticut Huskies and go soundly whipped, 96-51. At one point the Cats trailed 6-5 and gave up an unbelievable 30 in a row and put themselves down 36-5. The game was virtually over at that point. Cincinnati has lost all confidence. The Big East tournament which starts on Wednesday should be a one and out affair for them. Too bad.