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| Saturday, November 3 Team preview: Cincinnati Bearcats ESPN.com |
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A subpar regular season by recent Cincinnati standards (five league losses, 10 losses overall) gave way to a pleasant NCAA experience for once (the Bearcats' first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1996). This year, Cincy faces a serious challenge from Memphis for regular-season supremacy in C-USA. The Dobermann in what has historically been a league full of Chihuahuas should again rule its division, but this team is not loaded like some of Bob Huggins' best squads. And the Tigers loom as the major threat in the other division. Cincinnati lost three players who would have had eligibility remaining (Kenny Satterfield, Antwan Jones and B.J. Grove), plus key assistant coach Mick Cronin, who defected to rival Louisville. Nevertheless, the Bearcats return five of their top six scorers, led by returning C-USA player of the year Steve Logan. He's not the most spectacular player you've ever laid eyes upon, but he plays smart, shoots wonderfully and performs consistently. (He carries a streak of 21 straight double-figure scoring games into this season.) The question will be how he does as the primary ballhandler, after Satterfield handled much of that duty last year. The hedge bet is juco transfer Taron Barker, who can move in at point if Logan is better off at the shooting guard spot. He'll be joined on the perimeter by the athletic duo of Leonard Stokes and Immanuel McElroy -- once McElroy recovers from a stress fracture in his foot. Huggins says it won't be a problem and that McElroy will simply have to play through it -- always easier for the coach to say than the guy with the injury. Stokes averaged 10 points per game last year and provides a second 3-point threat, while the 6-foot-4 McElroy came on late as a defensive specialist who can guard anyone from point guards to power forwards. The guys with something to prove are on the inside, where last year Cincy was uncharacteristically soft. Center Donald Little and power forward Jamaal Davis look like the starters at those spots, but they need to improve on last year's combined numbers (12.7 points, 9.8 rebounds). Freshman Jason Maxiell (6-7, 230) might push for significant minutes, but so far he and the other newcomers have had difficulty making an early impact. What we like: The Bearcats should have their characteristic athleticism all across the starting lineup, and thus should be able to play the oppressive defense that Huggins holds near and dear to his flinty heart. What we don't like: There are some major contingencies that might fall through with this team. What if Logan can't play point? What if the big guys don't step up their production? What if the league-wide fear factor of the Bearcats begins to wear off? Rarely has Cincy entered a C-USA season with this many questions around it. The bottom line: Twenty-win seasons are celebrations in most locales. Cincinnati has raised the bar on itself with six straight 25-win years. It might be a strain getting there this year, but a less-strenuous non-conference schedule than usual might make up for any talent shortfall.
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