Monday, February 07, 2000
Bearcats go into hibernation
UC has a week between games
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Even if the Cincinnati Bearcats had not run their winning streak to 14 games, extended their lead in Conference USA to four games, maintained their No.1 national ranking and swept their last extended road trip of the season, coach Bob Huggins still would have given them three days off.
This way, he feels better about it.
The C-USA schedule has afforded UC a period of seven days without a game, so Huggins determined it would be a good time to give the Bearcats three days without practice. They did not work Sunday and will be off today and Tuesday, as well. Wednesday afternoon at 3, their break will end and the preparation for next Sunday's home game against DePaul begins.
In a sense, this is Christmas in February for the Bearcats, who are 22-1 overall and 10-0 in league games. “We had two days at Christmas,” Huggins said, “so what we normally get as a break, to get away and relax, we didn't get. I think it's at a good time for us. And we still have four days to get ready for DePaul.”
Small forward Pete Mickeal has experienced some recent soreness in his knees, which have been bothered by tendinitis since the start of the season. He has been told to stay off his feet as much as possible.
Huggins, though, believes it's most important the Bearcats get a break from the game. “I think they're more mentally tired than they are physically,” he said. “Everywhere we've gone has just been crazy. We don't have easy games, because the league's pretty good and everybody's got a packed house and everybody plays at a higher level against us.”
There is a certain pressure that goes with being No.1, and Huggins always is pushing for improvement. It stands to reason that could wear on a team after nearly four months.
The break from basketball need not leave a team rusty. Michigan State had eight days off. The Spartans stumbled against Ohio State in their first game back, but since have won five in a row by an average of 24 points.
The Bearcats go into their break following their eighth road victory, claimed 93-80 against UAB Saturday afternoon behind center Kenyon Martin's career-high 31 points — plus seven blocks that allowed him to set single-season records for UC and Conference USA.
UC led by 17 in the first half, and that was closed to seven points at one juncture in the second. Bearcats guard Steve Logan scored 13 of UC's next 16 points and buried the Blazers.
UC power forward Jermaine Tate theorizes fatigue is one reason the Bearcats “have been having some close games.” No game in their winning streak has been won by fewer than eight points, but that's close enough for discomfort.
“They're getting closer, and I think it's because we're wearing down,” Tate said. “I think it's about time for a break. I think it's going to be real good. It's just time we got to relax.”
Even those who aren't playing 30 minutes a night figure they can use the rest. Freshman center Donald Little said he's “worn out, tired,” from daily practices.”
So how will he spend his time?
“Video games,” Little said. “And sleep.”
Flowers looking like a find for UC
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