NKU preview

[jon breiner]

This Saturday at 6:05 pm, the University of Cincinnati's Mens 
basketball team takes the court against the Northern Kentucky University 
Norsemen in their first exhibition game. Until the game is a few minutes 
old, it will serve as the undercard. Most in attendance will be watching 
and cheering for coach Bob Huggins who will be appearing on the sideline 
for the first time since suffering his heart attack on September 28th.

But then a few minutes into the game, most of the attention should 
refocus on the players. There are too many questions we want answered. 
Is Leonard Stokes the 39 point 10 rebound player against UCLA, or the 2 
points in 18 minutes player in the loss at UL? Is Jason Maxiell ready to 
become an inside force? Who will start at shooting guard and center? How 
will Taron Barker handle the point?

Stokes needs to become consistent and the leader of this years team 
either by voice or example. He knows Huggins and the program better than 
any other player and it is time to show it. Stokes is ranked the number 
22 SG by ESPN. For comparison, Dwyane Wade is ranked #1, Reece Gaines is 
#4, and our cross-town buddy Romain Sato is 5th. We cannot expect a box 
score line that has 39 points and 10 rebounds, but if Stokes puts forth 
that same level of intensity as against UCLA, increasing his production 
from last years 12.7 ppg and 4.7 rpg should be easy. And at 6-6, he will 
be needed to join Maxiell and whoever is playing the 5 spot on the boards.

J-Max is ranked the number 9 PF by ESPN. This is based on potential, 
which he showed big time last year. He has the ability to dominate 
inside when he is hitting his low-arcing turn-around jumper. He is a 
monster rebounder with an incredible knack for the ball and hands as 
soft as Danny Fortsons. If he is hitting from 15 feet in and getting 
around 10 rebounds per game, he will give us the inside-outside threat 
combo that UC needs to succeed this year. I read a comment in the 
newspaper a few weeks ago that J-Max hopes to play more on the outside 
this year. I hope he did not mean it. He is a bigger force inside where 
he can use his long arms and body to gain an advantage both shooting and 
rebounding. If he simply stands around 20 feet from the basket, I find 
it hard to believe it would benefit this years Bearcats.

Starters? Well Taron Barker at point, J-Max at PF, and Stokes on one 
wing are a given. I look for Field Williams to start at the other wing 
over JUCO sensation Tony Bobbitt simply based on experience. Flip a coin 
between Hollman and Flowers at center, but I also expect Flowers based 
on experience. When Taron sits, Field and Bobbitt will both see time. 
Expect that configuration a lot with Stokes essentially making it a 
3-guard lineup where all 3 can shoot from anywhere or take you off the 
dribble. The center spot is where someone really needs to come out of 
nowhere. Flowers scored 26 points in the Red/Black scrimmage. Can he 
play well against CUSA competition? Can he rebound (Huggins once called 
him the best high school rebounder he ever saw)? If Flowers cannot can 
Hollman or JUCO transfer Kareem Johnson? Do not look for BJ Grove to 
make the 270 pound weight limit, or to be the savior at center if he does.

Finally, how Taron handles the point will be fun to watch. Chad Moore is 
not quite ready for prime time, so Huggins will give Taron plenty of 
room to make this his team. Tarons play the second half of last year 
showed he could be a very effective replacement at the point, can he do 
it when hes in sole possession of the position? If he struggles, look 
for Moore to get some playing time in the exhibitions and for Bobbitt or 
Stokes to occasionally move out top, but we need Taron to take charge.

Of course, it will also be interesting to see how Eugene Land returns 
after a multi-year absence. How does Armein Kirkland recover from the 
broken jaw? How does Eric Hicks recover from the leg (gunshot) wound? 
How much playing time will Jamaal Lucas and John Meeker get?

Finally, it is not always about just the Bearcats. As we understand it, 
the Norse from NKU will take the court. Even though I expect this to end 
up a blowout, it should be a better game overall than last years nearly 
30-point blowout. NKU is similar to the Cats in that they return a few 
experienced players, but will rely mostly on inexperienced players to 
step up. 6-5 junior forward Bobby St-Preux, 11.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and senior 
guard Brenden Stowers, 13.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.3 apg are the most 
experienced returning players. Some of you may recognize guard Mike 
Kelsey who scored 7.6 ppg last year as a freshman.

The main thing to expect from NKU is organization. Huggins hit on this 
in his interviews. NKU will crash the boards hard, will box out their 
man, and UC will have to use their superior athleticism to win this 
battle and you know Huggins hates losing it! I look for NKU to switch 
defenses, but end up in a zone when we overpower them.

Since UC has many newcomers and needs to find their way, I do not expect 
it to be a big time blowout right away, but eventually, UCs depth will 
prevail.

UC 79 NKU 58

jon b