Ohio prosecutor to consider criminal charges after Cincy-Xavier basketball brawl

(CBS/AP) CINCINNATI, Ohio - An Ohio prosecutor said Monday he will consider criminal charges for the fight at the end of Saturday's Cincinnati-Xavier men's basketball game.

Cincinnati's Yancy Gates punched Xavier's Kenny Frease, causing a gash to open and bleed below his left eye. Frease was also kicked as the two teams converged on each other. Gates reportedly hit at least one other Xavier player during the fracas.

Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters didn't specify what charges would be considered, but possible counts could include assault and battery or disorderly conduct.

Criminal prosecutions from player confrontations during sporting events are rare.

UC coach Mick Cronin said Monday, "Anything we're asked to do, we will comply with. Whatever they feel they need to do, we understand."

Officials and coaches from both universities have offered apologizies and expressed embarrassment for the incident. They have each suspended four players. Gates received a six game suspension, the longest of any of the combatants.

Xavier guard Tu Holloway acknowledged making comments directed at Cincinati's team right before the brawl. He caused a stir later by describing his team's toughness as "a whole bunch of gangsters." Holloway was suspended for one game and said Sunday he regretted using the term "gangsters."

Xavier, ranked No. 8, won the game 76-53, but the focus after the "Crosstown Shootout" was on the brawl, which was televised live on ESPN, and has been replayed over and over on television and online.

"It's literally and figuratively a black eye," said Raymond Buse, a veteran publicist here. "I was in disbelief that this was happening in Cincinnati. Typically, this is great spirited, one of the greatest rivalries in college basketball. Now the national public just sees our 15 seconds of infamy."