Last week I was in a store looking at the latest magazines.  As I am getting ready to read an article someone says, "Aren't you Alex Meacham?"

A lot of things run threw my mind whenever I hear this question.  The first is, how does this person know who I am?  When I looked up at him it was obvious, the black hat with the red and white C-paw gave it away.  I immediately responded, "Are you a big Bearcat fan?"  Of course his
answer was YES!

Usually the first question I'm asked is, "How did you like playing for Coach Huggins? I give the standard answer: "Loved it, wouldn't trade the experience for anything!" I usually get asked the same questions over and over, but this time was different.

The next question was "Do you miss playing?"  It is ironic he asked that question.  I often do miss the game of basketball, but not enough to where I am practicing my jump shot at midnight and running suicides like I use to. Or do I miss it that much?  The night before I was in the gym shooting jumpshots and I looked at the clock and it was almost midnight.  I told myself I need to hurry up so I can run some sprints and get home.

Why was I doing this?  For three reasons.  One, I coach basketball at Walnut Hills High School and after one open gym one of the kids told me I had lost a step and that he could guard me one on one.  Two, a month ago I was in Chicago watching Michael Jordan playing pick up ball and now he is wearing a Wizards uniform.  My basketball idol is back on the court.  He has put the love for the game back into my heart!  Finally, I had just watched some UC players in a pick up game and I wanted to get out there and play so bad!  I am not in good enough shape to get out there and play with them, but I plan to get back in that type of shape again.

I love this time of year.  The weather is changing it is time to get out your sweater turtle necks.  Time to get out your leather coats and gloves.  Time to go to your local magazine racks and get the latest college basketball preview.  Time for UC basketball !

The University of Cincinnati 2001-02 Men's basketball roster is filled with a lot of questions marks.  Who is going to run point?  Who is going to rebound the basketball?  Who is going to come off the bench and be the spark?  I think I have the answer to these questions and a little more.

When I played under Huggs, we coined a phrase "Find a way"  We seem to always find a way to win regardless of what obstacles we had to face. This phrase has stuck with program since 1997!  This years team, like those of the past, will have to find a way.

UC has one of the top offensive threats in all the country in Steve Logan.  This small wonder posses the heart and passion for the game that every college coach looks for in a player.  Lo is the leader of this team.  He scores when the team needs a bucket and he yells at them when they are slacking.

But who is going to get the ball to Logan when we need a bucket.  The answer right now is Taron "The Bus" Barker.  The six foot 190 pound point guard has showed that he can run the point.  He has been cool, calm and collected when running the point in pick up games.  Logan is more effective at shooting guard and we saw that last year!

Some people have asked me if Leonard Stokes could run point?  This is a possibility.  I would rather see him at the small forward position. This would allow him to capitalize on his cutting and slashing abilities.  Playing Leonard at point takes him out of rebounding position.  He is a good offensive rebounder and Lord knows we need some rebounding this year.

Who is gong to rebound?  The answer is "The MAX".  Jason Maxiell is going to be a star at UC.  He is 6-7 with a 7-3 wingspan.  He not only rebounds the basketball, but he dunks it as he is rebounding it in the air.  I haven't seen anyone rebound the ball at UC like him since Erik Martin.  If Derek "DH" Hollman stays healthy and gets into better shape he will come off the bench and get us some rebounds on the defensive end. Don't look for DH to try to score off a post feed.  He would rather rebound it and take it back up.

Donald Little will have to average more than 6 rebounds a game.  He needs to average at least 6 rebounds a game on the defensive end.  What made Kenyon so important was his ability to block and alter shoots on the defensive end and if they did get a shot off he would get the rebound.  If Donald can do that on a consistent basis, UC will be in good shape!  Jamaal Davis is the last piece to the rebounding puzzle.  Last year in big games JD rebounded the ball pretty well.  JD needs to be a consistent rebounder no matter the level of competition.  If the big men do their job and rebound, it will take the pressure off the small forwards to rebound (McElroy and Stokes).

So who is going to be the spark off the bench?  UC doesn't have a lot of depth this year.  But the key off the bench will be Field "Lil Weezy" Williams.  At times he reminds me of Darnell Burton.  If he can come in and knock down some three's he will be a big spark.  If he doesn't sit down and guard somebody Huggs wont give him too much court time.  Defense has been his biggest knock since he came to Clifton from Texas. But hey, if he comes to the game sporting that big afro again Huggs has got to play him!

When you need that blue collar worker off the bench, you have to look at Rodney Crawford.  He dives for loose balls, he takes charges and he gives up his body to get a rebound.  Wait a minute, isn't that Terry Nelson?  Rodney does a lot of the things that Terry Nelson did except all that trash talking.

 If the season was to kick off today, this would be my starting lineup: Taron Barker, Steve Logan, Leonard Stokes, Jason Maxiell and Donald Little.  The subs will be Immanuel McElroy, Jamaal Davis, Field Williams, Rodney Crawford and Derek Hollman.  If McElroy hadn't fractured his foot he would have been starting in place of Stokes.  Mac told me that he will be back in time for the first exhibition game.  Word around practice last week was that McElroy was the best player on the floor!

As far as the other players, I don't see them getting much playing time.  Rod Flowers still seems to be adjusting to the college game.  Yes he has made some strides this summer, but not enough to warrant any playing time this year.  Jimmy Hubbard is one of the biggest question marks this year.  From what I have seen, he hasn't adjusted to this level of play yet.  He will have a hard time getting in the games with McElroy and Stokes ahead of him.

So when there is a blowout, who does Huggs put in?  You know that Alex Meacham type of player?  This year it is John Meeker.  John should quickly become a favorite in The Shoe.  I had to give him a few pointers on being the last guy on the bench.  He told me at Midnight Madness that he had read my book.  In that case he should do just fine.

Huggs usually does his best coaching job with a team like this.  He told me if they could rebound the ball and have good guard play the would be fine.  I think that he is 100% correct.

Do I miss the game?  I looked at the guy in the store and said, "Yes, right now I do.  Even though I got back aches and knee troubles, I will get myself in the best shape of my life!"

He then asked, "How are you going to do that?" I said, "Like the Bearcats, I just have to FIND A WAY!"

Next Article: How UC will match up against the other Conference USA teams and can Logan lead the Cats to the promise land ?

Feel free to email me any questions. alex@BearcatNews.com