BEARSTATLINK READERS
  A lot going on this week, Army game wrap-up, basketball team preview, pregame for the football game Friday night, and a pregame for the basketball game Saturday night. I will probably send these out separately to avoid information overload. Who is working for you? Please patronize the sponsors and consider helping out.

2003-2004 UC BASKETBALL PREVIEW
    The Bearcats finished (17-12, 9-7 C-USA, 4th place) last year and were 12-3 in the Shoe. Many schools would kill for a 17-12 record but at UC with the tradition Coach Huggins has brought to this program that record is unacceptable. Before last season they had 7-straight years of 25 or more wins per season. The 2002-03 team truly struggled in the post after losing both of their big men; Donald Little to Roommate Gate and BJ Grove to the International House of Pancakes. If in shape either player would have made a huge difference.
     The 2002-03 season saw UC win their first 6 C-USA games but followed that up with five-straight C-USA losses. Against the neighborhood rivals the Cats beat Miami of Ohio(66-54) but lost to Xavier(65-62) and Dayton(75-69). They had marquee wins against #5 Oregon, #4 Louisville, and #11 Oklahoma St. but lost in the 1st round of the C-USA tournament to Southern Miss(63-61) and lost in the 1st round of the NCAA's as the #8 seed to #9 seed Gonzaga(74-69) with Coach Huggins listening from the locker room after being ejected. When Huggs had his heart attack before the season and returned so quickly, many people were worried about him not being able to finish the season. He almost made it.
     Leonard Stokes was the team MVP and led the Cats in scoring averaging (15.7 PPG), free throw% (70.8%), and steals (1.3 SPG). Lenny did his best but he needed some consistent help that never seemed to come. Jason Maxiell was the leading rebounder (6.7 RPG), field goal % shooter (44.5%), and shot blocker (1.5 BPG) but was frustrated with all the defensive attention he got because there was no other low post threat. Taron Barker led the team in assist (5.0 APG), 3-point shooting% (43.7%), and his assist/turnover ratio was good but he rarely displayed the ability to create on offense or separate himself from his defender.
   This year the program is full of optimism with their newcomers being judged among the nation¹s best by the recruiting experts. ESPN.com has rated UC¹s recruiting class third best in the nation, trailing only Arizona and Louisville. FutureStars rates Cincinnati No. 8 with Sporting-News.com and Bob Gibbons both listing UC at No. 10. Hoop Scoop rates the incoming Bearcats #16, but notes that if transfer James White, who is transferring from Florida, were to count in the ratings, Cincinnati would be the publication¹s choice for #2. PrepStars ranked UC's class as #8
   The Bearcats are being put in many preseason Top-25 polls because of the talent mix of Maxiell, Whaley, White, the Williams brothers (just kidding), and Bobbitt. The best thing about this team is that there will be competition at all positions for playing time. In my opinion most preseason polls are about as reliable as promises from the ownership of the Cincinnati Reds. I do believe this is a much better team with physical improvements in the returnees and the insurgence of ball handling that can penetrate, a true center with offensive abilities, and a high flying forward with no conscious. Huggs promised these Cats will be stronger, defensively dominating, and will rebound with a vengeance.  I will cover the players starting with the seniors first.
     Senior Field "Goal" Williams is in his senior season and it should prove to be his best. Field has improved in each season for the Bearcats but still has work to do. Field is a long-range bomber that loves to set up and shoot the ball on the perimeter. He has worked on his ball handling and passing but his primary objective is to find open spots on offense and wait for the ball. Field is a hard worker, doesn't get in trouble, doesn't have an attitude, and always seems to keep an even keel. His defense has improved, it used to be a liability. My only concern is his confidence, some games he would really struggle last year and his body language told you something was off. That is bad news for a guy that shoots 80% of his shots from the perimeter. I don't really know what bothered him last year but with the addition of Nick Williams who can drive and dish and Robert Whaley who can pass out of the post well, Field will get lots of shots. He will probably fluctuate this season between starting and coming off the bench. Field is 5th in 3-point field goals and is 3rd in 3-point field goal% at UC. Of the shots he's made, 82% are 3-point shots. He was 3rd on team last year averaging 11.6 PPG. He had 17 double-figure scoring games last year and will be needed to open up the post.
    Senior Tony Bobbitt likes to lob-it. Tony is a senior with the green light to shoot and he will. He has a streaky side but boy when he's on, watch out. Just ask Oregon, he scorched them for 29 points after having scored no more than 8 points in any of the 6 previous games. The Ducks thought he was Ray Allen. I think there were times last year when he just didn't know the plays, this year should be different. He is clearly the vocal leader of this team. If you sit in the lower level of the Shoe you will hear ever word he says. I like his enthusiasm and desire to win. Areas of improvement are shot selection, offensive continuity (run the plays), and consistency. He can drive to the basket better than Field but will force a bad shot once in awhile. He will alternate at the shooting guard position and may play some point. Tony scored in double figures 9 times last year.
   Senior Kareem Johnson will get to play the role he was brought to UC to play this year. He will be a quality backup to Robert Whaley in the post. The things I like about Kareem is that he worked hard all summer to drop some weight and add some muscle. In the scrimmage I saw he was consistently making his short and mid-range jumper, halleluiah! I think he will win the Most Improved Player award this season. He won't be forced to start and guard the opposing teams best big man, he will come off the bench and really push the oppositions backup center. He rebounds well and I love his follow-up dunks. I think Kareem will usually come off the bench but will battle Robert Whaley for total minutes. He averaged 4.3 RPG last season while starting 14 games.
    Junior Jason "The Real Deal" Maxiell will have a very good season this year. If Jason continues to improve and stays at UC for 4 years, I anticipate a lengthy NBA career. His game reminds me of Horace Grant when he played for the Bulls; defense, mental toughness, short and medium range jumper, and rebounds like he gets $1000 for each one (oops, that's Michigan). He is not real flashy but always works extremely hard. His dunks and shot blocks aren't exciting because of creativity but because they are so HARD. I love when he is in a crowd near the basket and a rebound comes off the rim. The other players' elevators all stop around the 7th floor but Jason's keeps going up as he snatches the ball. Jason always seems to have a couple awe-inspiring follow-up dunks after missed shots. This season should be interesting because the Cats have multiple players with size and big hops. Max struggled last year a little because teams could double-team him and not worry about anyone else in the post, this year will be different. Jason was once again selected as a John Wooden Award preseason nominee and was a 1st team C-USA selection. The Sporting News listed him as the #9 power forward in the nation. Jason was the teams leading rebounder at 6.7 RPG and shot blocker last year while scoring 11.9 PPG with 19 double-figure games.
   Junior Robert Whaley will make this season much more enjoyable to watch. I spoke to him briefly after MM and I have one comment, the guy is huge. I'm 6-3 and there's not to many guys I have to look up and see their chin when I'm talking to them. He is a legit 6-10 with the upper body of Danny Fortson. He's a player, not a space filler. He has offensive moves near the basket, a good jump shot, and knows how to use his body for position rebounding. An added plus is that he passes like a guard. In one summer game he pulled down a rebound and spun around to start the break, a defender was right there so he crossed the ball over behind his back, grabbed it with his opposite hand and threw a full court bounce pass to a guard for a lay-up. It was a thing of beauty. If teams try to guard him one on one he will score. If they try to double-team him he will find the open man. Sorry if I'm gushing, the guy can play. A couple magazines have already tabbed him as the best pro prospect in C-USA. Lindy's named him C-USA Newcomer of the Year. He was a two-year All-American at Barton County (Kan.) Community College. PrepStars Brick Oettinger rated Whaley a #1 JC recruit. Robert averaged 17 PPG, 7 RPG, and 3 BPG. Ranked #1 big man in junior college by the Midwest Scouting Service. My only concern is his stamina, which will improve.
  Junior Jamaal Lucas has paid his dues and will see regular minutes this year. He doesn't do anything great but does everything well. He has always worked hard and asked for nothing in return playing for 2 seasons as a walk-on. This year he has been rewarded with a scholarship. He is quick enough to defend most players at this level. He knows the offense and seems to facilitate it well. Good floor leader who rarely looks to shoot, he is 6-for-13 for his career at UC. That will work out good this year because the Cats have plenty of shooters. Jamaal will probably come off the bench to back up Nick Williams with Chadd Moore having back problems.
   Junior John "The Grim" Meeker is a fan favorite that is also now on scholarship. Why the Grim Meeker, because when John enters the game, the end is near for the opposition. He is in his third year and Huggs says he is one of the hardest workers on the team. He is quick and handles the ball well. The Bearcat have a lot of talent a guard, minutes will be hard to find.
     Junior Nick Williams is just what the doctor ordered. Nick will remind you of Kenny Satterfield with some of the things he does but Huggs was quick to point out that Nick already does some of those things better than Kenny could when he was here. "Nick pushes the ball like Satt did, but he has better ball skills and he's more athletic than Satt," Huggins said. Nick started 25 of 29 games for Kansas St. his freshman year and was on the Big-12 All-Freshman team before he decided to leave that school. He averaged 9 PPG and 2.5 APG but didn't like where the program was going. His coach would not release him from his scholly so he was forced to lose a year and play JUCO ball last year. He had a foot injury but it is supposed to be recovered now. He has good court vision and uses his quickness to create separation for his shot or to find an open teammate, something the Cats needed terribly last year. Nick will probably play mostly point guard here, at K-State he was a shooting guard. At Chipola College last year he averaged 12 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 2.1 APG. PrepStars Brick Oettinger rated Nick as a Top-25 JC recruit as a skilled ball handler with speed, good defender, can shoot.
      Sophomore James "Take Flight" White will bring a whole new level of excitement to the Bearcats this season. James transferred to UC from the University of Florida. The former McDonald's All-American was picked as one of the Top-3 small forwards in the nation by The Sporting News. Similar height and same long arms as Jason Maxiell but better perimeter jumper with ball handling skills. From Gators.com: Saw action at both the off guard and small forward…Also saw some spot duty at the point…The first sub off the bench a team-high 14 times…Played in 30 games (all but Arkansas) with two starts (LSU and Georgia)…Scored in double figures four times…Led UF in assists three times…Had 11 dunks…Made his first collegiate start against LSU. Had a career-high 18 points at Tennessee on 6-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range…Also had career-high eight rebounds vs. Tennessee…Shot 12-of-19 (.632) from the field and 6-of-8 (.750) from beyond the arc in the first three SEC games…Shot 3-of-5 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range against Creighton in the NCAA Tournament…Blocked three shots vs. Arizona…Averaged 8.2 ppg in seven January games…Also participated in the high jump during the 2002 outdoor track and field season. I saw James play a couple times and he is a gamer, in the And-One game he played in (but should not have) he carried the team to victory while making the game winning shot. A spectacular dunker who loves to get the crowd fired up. At MM he performed the between the legs dunk everyone watched LeBron do repeatedly last year, Sportscenter here we come. James becomes eligible to play December 20th and will serve his one game suspension for playing in the And-One game. The only thing I see that he needs to work on is the exact reason he came to UC, motivation. James can play at half speed and still be better than most players, he needs to concentrate on giving 100% all the time, no jogging back on defense. I'm sure Huggs will remind him.
    Sophomore Eric "Shaft" Hicks (he's a bad …..) has big hops and loves to use them. The former North Carolina high school Player of the Year will continue to improve his offensive skills while helping the Bearcats to earn back that defensive reputation as strong and tenacious  warriors. Eric rebounds well and was second behind only Jason Maxiell in blocks with 33. His has offensive skills that were little utilized last season. He average 30 PPG in high school and scored 40+ six times, geez. All his numbers should go up this year. As long as he doesn't take another midseason vacation he should be a major contributor.
    Sophomore Armein Kirkland will be a big part of the Cats scheme this season. The guy showed glimpses of greatness last season while being forced to play near the basket at times, not his strength. When I say Armein is a freak, I mean it in a good way. He is a match-up nightmare for the opposition because he can post up smaller players of blow by the bigger ones. As a freshman he had moments of inconsistency as expected but could be one of the biggest surprises this year. He can play almost any position on the court except center because he's to slim. His highlight last year was swatting a David West shot then taking it down the court and scoring on him, sweet. As he gains experience Armein could be a star in the making if he becomes more consistent.
   Sophomore Chadd Moore is expected to challenge Nick Williams at point guard this season but is struggling with back problems right now. They considered surgery (don't do it) but now want to give him a chance to work threw it now. The Bearcats will need him healthy, he cannot be a hanging Chadd, sorry. He has a great burst to the basket and is very athletic for his slight build. I remember a game last year where he trailed the oppositions guard to the basket and as the guy shot the ball Chadd came flying in to pin the shot on the board from behind, I couldn't believe it. As he gains experience Chadd could also become a star in C-USA with 3 seasons to go. He needs to get stronger and concentrate on keeping defenders away from the ball. 
    Freshman Mike Pilgrim is from Cincinnati but played his senior year at the Brewster Academy after earning all-state honors in 2001-02 at Cincinnati Purcell Marian High. PrepStars Brick Oettinger rated Mike as #169 high school recruit. Mike is an athletic high flyer who can finish on the break and hit mid range jumper. His 2001-2002 statistics were 18 PPG, 10 RPG, and 5 BPG. Unfortunately the papers reported the Mike has a stress fracture in his foot and is out indefinitely, to bad. Mike will develop into a major contributor for the Cats in the future but probably won't get much time this season. He was a 2001-02 Cincinnati Enquirer's 1st Team All City Selection, 2001-2002 Ohio 3rd Team All State Selection- Hoop Scoop, and 2001-2002 Associated Press Division II All Ohio 2nd Team Selection. Last year he was ranked by Hoop Scoop's as the #6 Prep School Player in the Nation. He was a McDonald's All American Nominee and was in the CBS Sportsline Top 100.    
      Freshman Asrangue "Soulman" Souleymane is a native of Central Africa who averaged 10.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG and 4.2 blocked shots this past season at Laurinburg Prep in Laurinburg, N.C. This was his only season of basketball competition in the U.S. Souleymane helped Laurinburg to a 40-2 record and the prep school mythical national championship. He is a shot blocker with a decent build  who will have to get stronger and develop an offensive game. Lots of potential.
      I feel that Cats will have a good season and compete for the conference championship. If this team develops a chemistry, the ride in March Madness will go at least 3 games.

DID YOU KNOW
*Bearcat basketball players in the basketball Hall of Fame: Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman, and Walter Van Winkle.
*Jason Maxiell has had the best shooting percentage on the team each of the past two seasons, 2001-02 was 55.2%, 2002-03 was 44.5%.
*The Bearcats have the best overall record in C-USA since 1995-96 at 99-25 (79.8%) and the best overall record at 209-55 (79.2%).
*Final four appearances for C-USA teams: Louisville-7, Cincinnati-6, Houston-5, Marquette-3, Memphis-2, DePaul-2, and Charlotte-1.
*NCAA Championships; Cincinnati-2, Louisville-2, and Marquette-1.
*C-USA Champions: (League---Tournament), 1996 (Cin/Mem---Cincinnati), 1997 (Cincinnati----Marquette), 1998 (Cincinnati---Cincinnati), 1999  (Cincinnati---Charlotte), 2000  (Cincinnati---St. Louis), 2001 (Cin/S.Miss---Charlotte), 2002 (Cincinnati---Cincinnati), 2003 (Marquette---Louisville).
*UC is the 10th winningest program in the NCAA tournament history (37-19).
*29 Bearcats have been selected as All-Americans, there have been 2 Olympic Gold medallists, and two players are in the NBA Hall of Fame (Robertson & Twyman).

No.Name                Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Yr. Hometown/Previous School
2 Field Williams G 6-3 185 Sr. Houston, TX/Waltrip
15 Tony Bobbitt       G 6-4 185 Sr. Daytona Beach, FL./Mainland/S. Idaho
42 Kareem JohnsonC 6-7 250 Sr. Eufaula, AL./Eufaula/Chipola
54 Jason Maxiell F 6-7 240 Jr. Carrollton, TX./Newman Smith
45 Robert Whaley C 6-10  260 Jr. Benton Harbor, MI./Barton Cty. CC
10 Jamaal Lucas G 6-2 190 Jr. Corpus Christi, TX/Roy Miller
3 John Meeker       G 6-1 155 Jr. Troy, OH/Troy
5 Nick Williams       G 6-3 185 Jr. Arlington, TX/Mansfield/Chipola
21 James White       F 6-7 190 So.  Kensington, MD./Hargrave
14 Eric Hicks             F 6-6 230 So.  Greensboro, NC/Dudley
33 Armein Kirkland G 6-8 195 So.  Tyler, TX/Lee
1 Chadd Moore G 6-2 175 So.  Huntsville, AL/Oak Hill Acad.
34 Mike Pilgrim       F 6-7 210 Fr.   Cincinnati, OH/Brewster Academy
30 Asrangue Souleymane C 6-9 225 Fr. Central Africa/Laurinburg Prep.

Head Coach: Bob Huggins (West Virginia '77) - Coach Huggins is 332-100 (77%) at UC. He has been to 13 post-season tourney appearances; Final Four in 1992, Elite Eight in 1992, 1993, 1996, and Sweet Sixteen in 1992, 1993, 1996, 2001. He has won 9 C-USA regular season championships and 7 tournament championships. His teams have finished in the Top-10 seven times. He has coached one consensus National Player of the Year, eleven All-Americans, three freshman All-Americans, fifteen all C-USA selections, and five C-USA Player of the Years. He has coached eleven NBA draft picks and 23 student-athletes that graduated from UC. Coach Huggins awards include; 2001-02 ESPN.com National Coach of the Year, 1999-00 The Sporting News National Coach of the Year, 1999-00 C-USA Coach of the Year, 1998-99 C-USA Coach of the Year, 1997-98 C-USA Coach of the Year, 1992-93 Great Midwest Coach of the Year, 1991-92 Great Midwest Coach of the Year, and the 1989-90 Metro Coach of the Year.

Associate Head Coach:
Dan Peters (Kent State '76)

Assistant Coach:
Andy Kennedy (UAB '91)

Assistant Coach:
Keith LeGree (Cincinnati '99)