Monday, November 22, 1999
Bearcats' offense runs best through Martin
Attention to center leaves things open on perimeter
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
On the first night of his senior season, a season in which he promised to become a more menacing offensive player, Kenyon Martin attempted six shots and scored seven points for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
“Our offense has to go through Kenyon Martin,” said UC coach Bob Huggins. “When we threw the ball to Kenyon, we had really good offense. Ken makes great decisions.”
In the 94-67 victory over Youngstown State in the season opener Saturday, Martin scored seven points largely because Penguins coach John Robic saw Martin averaged 21 points and .739 shooting in two exhibitions, and the rest of the Bearcats were 6-of-28 from three-3-point range.
With Youngstown lacking players big enough to handle Martin one-on-one, Robic decided to double- and triple-teamed the UC big man whenever he touched the ball in the post.
Martin's response was to search for teammates on the opposite wing. The defensive rotations involved in doubling the post usually leave the players in that position in the clear. If a pass arrives quickly enough, that means an open 3-point shot. Martin finished with four assists, a figure he's matched or beaten only six times in his career.
“Our guys need to understand there are going to be times when we throw it to Ken and he gets 30,” Huggins said, “and there'll be other nights whey they pack it in and he throws it out. When we decide the flip the ball around the perimeter and guys aren't where they're supposed to be, we're not very good.”
Robic was impressed by how well Bearcats freshmen Kenny Satterfield and DerMarr Johnson shot. They were a combined 8-of-18, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
“I'd seen them play in high school, but I didn't expect either to shoot that well,” Robic said.
In the first half of Saturday's win, Martin seldom touched the ball as the Bearcats were hesitant about getting the ball to the post.
At halftime, though, Huggins implored the Bearcats to run their offense more determinedly. Three of Martins' assists followed that lecture.
Although he did say Martin needed to do a better job of establishing post position and making himself a target, Huggins suggested the players charged with getting him the ball responded out of fear.
Of what?
“Sitting down,” Huggins said.
“We got the ball to Kenyon and stayed out wide, and then I made some cuts and some other guys made cuts,” said forward Pete Mickeal, who scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half. “We got the ball to Kenyon, he drew double-teams, and we made the extra pass.”
Mickeal thinks the Bearcats left a lot of room for improvement offensively. They leave today for Hawaii and the Big Island Invitational, where they play at 5 p.m. Friday against Cleveland State.
“We need to make things happen,” Mickeal said.
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 Bearcats' offense runs best through Martin
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