Cincinnati’s 2007 ‘Sports Grade’

I was listening to ESPN radio yesterday and they were giving various cities a sports grade for 2007. How did the various sports teams in a given city – pro or college – do in 2007 and what grade then would you give that city for its sport franchises?

Shall we look at Cincinnati in 2007?

For professional sports we have only the Bengals and the Reds to consider. (No NBA. No NHL.)

The Bengals began 2007 out of the NFL playoffs (which they should have been in had they won one of two games in December 2006) and they ended 2007 with the worst season in the Marvin Lewis era. A win versus Miami on Sunday would give us a 7-9 record . . . and we still have to win that game. It is the Bengals worst record since Dick LeBeau’s 2-14 season in 2002.

Bengals: D

The Reds finished 72-90 on the season which put them in 5th place in the NL Central, 13 games behind the Chicago Cubs (and 17.5 games out of the wildcard). Jerry Narron was fired mid-season and replaced by Pete Mackanin who was ultimately replaced at the end of the season with Dusty Baker. Many have high hopes for next season . . . I won’t hold my breath. To top it off, Joe Nuxhall, the old left-hander, lost his battle with cancer in November.

Reds: C -

For big-time Division I college sports we have University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier University Musketeers to consider.

The University of Cincinnati Men’s football team began 2007 with the hiring of Brian Kelly and a win at the International Bowl to finish with an 8-5 season. More fans attended games at Nippert Stadium in the fall of 2007 and the Bearcats finished with a 10-3 record, including a win in the PapaJohn’s.com Bowl. They will most likely finish in the Top 25 for the first time ever and won ten games for the first time since 1951. The UC Men’s basketball team did not fare as well. They finished last season 11-19 overall and 2-14 in the Big East. And this season has not begun very well under second year coach Mick Cronin.

UC Men’s Football: B+
UC Men’s Basketball: D+

Obviously, Xavier does not have a Men’s football team but the basketball teamed fared well in 2007. They went 25-9 including an appearance in the NCAA Tournament where they lost in the second round. They were Atlantic 10 regular season champs. Currently they sit right outside the Top 25 rankings. (I will note the Xavier women won the A-10 Tournament but lost in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament.)

Xavier Men’s Basketball: B-

Total ‘Sports Grade’: C

Agree? Disagree?

If you want to factor in some Ohio high school sports, consider the following local 2007 State Champions:
Division I Football: St. Xavier
Division II Football: Anderson
Division I Boys Basketball: Moeller (over St. Xavier)
Division III Boys Basketball: North College Hill
Division I Girls Basketball: Mt Notre Dame