CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins dismissed Donald Little from the team Wednesday after his starting center pleaded innocent to charges accusing him of kidnapping, beating and burning his roommate.

		I can't believe Cincinnati's Donald Little is in trouble again. When will he learn from his off-court mistakes? Upon returning from the Final Four, Bearcats coach Bob Huggins had to deal with more of Little's problems. Hearing that his starting center was arrested must have blown Huggins' mind. According to reports, Huggins had a meeting with Little before going to the Final Four to discuss several areas for Little to work on -- academics, physical conditioning, potential graduation and potential courses towards a master's degree. Huggins sent a message to his center, according to insiders -- do the right thing! So what was the kid thinking? I know that lots of people blame coaches, but when are the players going to be held accountable? More...

Huggins took the action after determining Little violated one of the major terms of a reinstatement contract he signed last September.

Little was dismissed from the basketball program last May after his arrest on traffic violations. He was allowed to return in September, but his latest arrest violated the probation conditions of the reinstatement agreement, university officials said.

Police arrested Little on Monday night and charged him with felonious assault and kidnapping.

Little's roommate, Justin Hodge, said the player on Monday accused him of stealing money, then hit him on the head with a whiskey bottle.

Hodge also said he was tied with tape to a plastic lawn chair, burned with incense and beaten, the police report said. Hodge told police he was stabbed when he tried to escape.

Athletic department officials said Little will be barred from basketball-related activities until courts deal with the charges against him.

The 23-year-old player cannot appeal the dismissal but will be allowed to remain on an athletic scholarship for the rest of the academic term, university officials said. He is scheduled to graduate this spring.

Little pleaded innocent Tuesday to felonious assault and kidnapping. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released from the Hamilton County jail Tuesday night after posting a $50,000 bond.

There was no answer to calls Wednesday to a telephone listing for Little.

According to court records, the 20-year-old Hodge said Little told several others who were in the apartment to "stab (Hodge) again . . . make him bleed."

Police said they were searching for several others suspected of being involved.

Hodge went to University Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Little, a 6-foot-11 center from Augusta, Ga., averaged 7.1 points and 6.9 rebounds last season for the Bearcats, who went 31-4.