CINCINNATI – An Ohio prosecutor said yesterday he will consider criminal charges in the aftermath of a players brawl at the end of the Cincinnati-Xavier basketball game, as stunned fans and school officials pondered the tarnishing blow delivered to one of the city’s most eagerly anticipated annual events.
Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters said in a statement that his office would determine whether any criminal charges were appropriate. He declined further comment.
Deters, a University of Cincinnati alumnus, didn’t specify what charges would be considered, but possible charges could include assault and battery or disorderly conduct. A spokeswoman said he hadn’t set a timetable for a decision.
“Anything we’re asked to do, we will comply with,’’ Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said yesterday. “Whatever they feel they need to do, we understand.’’
A Xavier spokeswoman said it would be premature to comment on Deters’s investigation.
Cincinnati’s Yancy Gates received the longest suspension, six games. Gates punched Xavier’s Kenny Frease, causing a gash that left him bleeding below his left eye, and hit at least one other Xavier player during the fracas.
“I’m just not that type of person,’’ Gates said, his eyes tearing. “A lot of people have been calling me a thug, a gangster . . .’’
Xavier guard Tu Holloway, who acknowledged making comments directed at UC’s team right before the brawl, caused a stir by later describing his team’s toughness as “a whole bunch of gangsters.’’ Holloway said Sunday he regretted using the term “gangsters.’’
The Bearcats made their four suspended players attend a news conference yesterday and apologize for their part in a brawl that ended eighth-ranked Xavier’s 76-53 victory Saturday.
The public apologies were the latest step in both schools’ attempt to repair their images and their rivalry.
Four players from each team have been suspended. Cincinnati gave six-game penalties to Yates, starting center Cheikh Mbodj, and freshman forward Octavius Ellis for joining in the brawl. Freshman guard Ge’Lawn Guyn was suspended one game.
Xavier suspended Holloway one game, starting guard Mark Lyons two, and starting forward Dez Wells and reserve Landen Amos four games each.
Gates, who grew up in Cincinnati, thought he might get kicked off the team for his flurry of punches that hit at least two Xavier players in the face.
“It looks bad, it was bad,’’ Gates said. “The whole situation was bad. That’s the only thing that kept going through my mind, that it might be over, a lot of people won’t want me playing.’’
The future of the annual rivalry game is in question. It’s developed a nasty edge, with a lot of buildup to the game in the media and the community.
On Sunday, Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski said the series should continue, with the schools turning it into “a celebration of the Division 1 basketball that’s played in the city of Cincinnati and not the Hatfield and McCoy event that it’s turned into over the years.’’
Cincinnati AD Whit Babcock said that the series should continue only if they can “change the culture of the game.’’
