By Dave Niinemets
Enquirer contributor

Cordelia Schaber bleeds Kentucky blue. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

CRESCENT SPRINGS - Cordelia Schaber bleeds Kentucky blue. It's nice for her when she can do her bleeding close to home.

The Villa Hills resident and owner of the Uniquely Kentucky memorabilia store has floor seats for Saturday's Kentucky Wildcats annual holiday basketball game at U.S. Bank Arena. She will join thousands of fellow UK fans as they enjoy the team's visit to Cincinnati, this time to play Ohio University.

"I'm amazed at how many of my customers have never been to a UK game," she said. "So it's nice when they can see them here."

Mrs. Schaber tries to make the 150-mile roundtrip to Lexington with her husband, Dale, to see games, but it's difficult to do while running a business.

She has attended every UK game in Cincinnati. The holiday series began in 1996.

"When it first started out, I complained about it because I wanted them to play a bigger-name team here or a conference game," she said. "But then we lost to Dayton, and I don't complain any more."

University of Kentucky basketball spokesman Brooks Downing said the game has been a success for the program since its inception.

"There are 30,000 alumni in the Cincinnati area that we can cater to with this ballgame," said Mr. Downing. "We've done this for many years at Freedom Hall in Louisville and the last few years in Cincinnati, and it's worked out pretty well."

Mr. Downing said the neutral-court game is also a nice test for the team. With post-season tournaments played on neutral courts, the team can use this game as a barometer. So far, the Wildcats are 3-1 on neutral courts this year.

"We're a team that has always taken full advantage of neutral-court games," he said. "It's another step in trying to get you ready for the conference schedule."

Saturday's game will be an interesting match-up for Stephen Stiles of Hyde Park. He was born and raised in Kentucky and has been a UK fan his whole life. But he holds a degree from Ohio University. He admits the Bobcats have never had a great team, and his basketball loyalty will stay with the Wildcats.

"They played each other in Athens a couple years ago," he said. "I wasn't able to go. But had I gotten tickets to that game, I would have painted myself blue."

Joe Christofield of Florence has attended all of the UK games in Cincinnati with his father. He doesn't think Ohio University will offer much of a challenge but is happy to see his favorite team play nonetheless.

"Kentucky fans are Kentucky fans, so they don't care who they play. But it would be nice to see better teams," he said. "That would give more incentive for people to come."

One year, a conflict caused a change in schedule, and Jacksonville State University became the Cincinnati game opponent for the Wildcats. Mr. Downing said ticket sales were way down for that game. But when a regional or more popular opponent plays, tickets sell fast.

"It helps when we can get another regional interest," he said.

But the Big Blue question is whether UK would be willing to play the University of Cincinnati or Xavier University in such a game.

Mr. Downing said Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins has inquired about the possibility several times, but it would be a tough game to schedule.

"We just haven't found a place to fit them in," said Mr. Downing.

Mr. Stiles would love to see such a rivalry. An adjunct teacher at Xavier, he talks to players sometimes about the possibilities of a UK match-up.

"I think it would be really great," he said.

"The great thing about living in this area is that we have so many terrific basketball programs. It only helps give them exposure when they play each other."

Reeling from a recent 20-point loss to in-state rival the University Louisville just last week, adding another highly ranked regional rivalry could be tough on UK. Mrs. Schaber doesn't think UK would benefit from such a game.

"I don't like UC at all," she said. "We never want this game to be against UC."

For now, the Kentucky fans will focus on the task at hand. They maintain their love for the Wildcats and are confident this game and season will be a success.

"(Ohio's) not a cupcake," said Mr. Christofield. "But it seems like these games start out slow and the second half UK pulls away."

"I always think they'll win it all," said Mrs. Schaber. "If they all stay healthy and get good grades, who knows what will happen?"

If you go

What: University of Kentucky Wildcats vs. Ohio University Bobcats men's basketball

Where: U.S. Bank Arena, downtown Cincinnati

When: Saturday at 4 p.m. (Doors open at 3 p.m.)

Tickets: $30 each. Some still available at U.S. Bank Arena box office, select Kroger locations and www.Ticketmaster.com. Call (513) 562-4949 for information.