It has been more than two months since the University of Cincinnati men's basketball season ended, and the offseason has already been eventful.

        Assistant coach Mick Cronin, UC's recruiting coordinator, left for rival Louisville. Sophomore point guard Kenny Satterfield declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. Sophomore center Donald Little was dismissed from the team after he was charged with speeding in a work zone, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under a suspended license and possession of marijuana.

        Also, Bob Huggins' name has surfaced in media reports involving job openings for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers. He just finished his 12th season as the Bearcats' coach.

        He addressed those issues and more late last week with Michael Perry, who covers UC basketball for The Enquirer.

        How has the offseason hit you?

        I think we're all intelligent enough to know that it's the times. Assistant coaches leave all the time, everywhere. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I was surprised that Satt left because that wasn't the indication that I was getting. But I wish him the best; I hope it works. And Donald's deal was very unfortunate.

        Was dismissing Donald hard on you personally?

        Sure. Absolutely. I, as much as probably anybody in this profession, get very close to those guys. We spend a lot of time together. They're not any different than my own kids, really.

        I live with them every day. (Fans) haven't been through players' cousins dying, brothers dying, mothers dying. I have. They haven't been through all the things that guys are going to go through over a four-year period. From girlfriends to family. The whole gamut. I have.

        Donald was in here today for an hour, and we're talking about his academics and making sure he's doing what he's got to do here — and if he's going somewhere else to make sure that all the hours are transferable and

        he's going to be able to graduate. Donald and I have a good relationship. I talked to his mother three or four nights (last week) for a good length of time.

        What are his options?

        I'm going to work on it. He'll end up going to another school.

        Have you talked to Antwan Jones (who is expected to transfer)?

        I haven't really sat down and spoken to him at length. I'm not near as close to Antwan as I am to Donald.

        Have other schools called to ask about him?

        Division II schools.

        Are you still recruiting for this coming season?

        Not unless something falls in our lap. Primarily because of the new rule. (The NCAA allows schools to sign up to five players in one year and a total of eight during a two-year period; UC has signed four.)

        How do you feel about next year's team?

        We'll be fine. We'll find a way to keep our head above water. We always have. I don't know how it happens. I can't explain to you how Steve Logan goes from being our third guard to being the Player of the Year in the league. But somebody always steps up.

        Have you tried to replace Mick yet?

        No. I am not ready to talk to anybody. I have talked to some guys because different guys would catch me at home or catch me on my cell phone.

        How does his leaving affect the program?

        Not any more than (former assistant Steve) Moeller going to administration. ... We'll survive.

        Did Mick's departure bother you personally?

        I have no comment on the record.

        How key a hire is this?

        We have very competent people here. (Assistant coach) Keith LeGree's been terrific. (Assistant Dan Peters) has been terrific.

        Maybe years ago I would've been (rushed). In the 12 years I've been here, I've kind of gone through losing pretty much the whole team, and I've been through pretty much losing the whole staff. We still somehow end up all right. I don't know how it happens most of the time. Our kids have great resolve.

        Within a few weeks time, there were the incidents at In The Woods Tavern with Donald and B.J. Grove, then Donald's other charges. ...

        I don't like that. I don't want them to act like that. Do I condone it? No. But what are you going to do? Donald's 23 years old.

        We all have problems. It's not like the other people don't. You just name a school, and I'll pretty much tell you something that's happened in the last year or two. It happens. We unfortunately got branded with this bad-boy thing.

        In March, you said you had asked athletic director Bob Goin for a contract extension. Has anything happened?

        We talked about it one night for quite a while. We haven't formally put anything together. It'll probably happen.

        Have you heard from any NBA teams with coaching openings?

        No.

        Does that still interest you?

        I'm not going to say never, but I'm fine here.

        Are you excited about Rick Pitino (Louisville) and John Calipari (Memphis) being in Conference USA?

        I think we've had great coaches in the league. That's not to detract from those two. I thought John did a great job this year. Those are our two rivals, really. I looked forward to those games when Denny (Crum) was there (at Louisville). Charlotte's probably beaten us more than anybody has; I think Bobby (Lutz) is a really good coach.

        Of Cronin, Satterfield and Little, who's the biggest loss?

        They're all losses. Satt's hard because there's a guy who you've kind of taught what you want to have done for two years. At the end, he got to where he was actually starting to understand and do some things. I think it's harder most of the time to train, to teach, point guards than it is anything else.

        Does that make Taron Barker the key incoming player?

        He's really important. But I think our saving grace is, we have Lo (senior-to-be Logan). We could play him at the point and play Leonard (Stokes) at (shooting guard) or Mac (Immanuel McElroy) at (shooting guard) or Field (Williams) at (shooting guard) and still be OK. It would detract a little bit from Lo scoring, but. ...

        Would you prefer not to have Logan at point guard?

        I can't say that. Lo's assist-to-turnover ratio the two years he played point for me is the highest of probably any point guard I've had since Curtis Craft at Walsh (College). He didn't make mistakes.

        Who knows? Who knows where Field Williams might be? Field works. Field will put the time in and get a lot better.

        Have you sensed anything about the players' offseason commitment?

        They've all gotten stronger. I think Leonard's put a lot of time in. Field's put time in. Rod (Flowers) has put time in. They're all putting time in, but those guys have put extra time in.

        Do you get excited about the upcoming season yet?

        I used to. It's too early.

        Do you still have career goals in mind?

        I don't like to lose, so I'm going to be whatever I've always been.

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