The date of Thad Matta's first Crosstown Shootout is set: Dec.15, 2001. That's when the new Xavier men's basketball coach gets his first crack at city rival Cincinnati. It will be the Bearcats' first visit to XU's Cintas Center.

        “Everybody I've talked to has told me what a great rivalry it is,” Matta said. “Right now I'm concerned with trying to win that first game of the year.”

        An ESPN spokesman Tuesday confirmed the date of the annual game but did not verify the time. Bob Steitz, associate commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference, said: “Right now, it's on the books at 9p.m. It could change. We're only at the end of May.”

        ESPN will televise the game for the fourth consecutive season. This is the third straight year the Shootout will be played in mid-December.

        Matta grew up near the Indiana-Illinois border near Lafayette, Ind. He was a Purdue and Indiana fan, which means he's familiar with heated rivalries.

        “I know that (Cincinnati) is a great program with great tradition,” Matta said. “I understand that the rivalry is extremely intense. I've had the opportunity to meet coach (Bob) Huggins a few times. I really believe he's one of the hardest-working coaches in the country. I really respect the job that he does there.”

        Huggins said he doesn't know Matta well, adding: “He seems to be a really good guy. That's all I know. I watched (Butler) in the NCAA Tournament. I thought his team played really well. They were very well-coached.”