Jimmy Hubbard has gone through plenty of ups and downs since the University of Cincinnati started practicing almost six weeks ago.

        “I've pretty much had every emotion you could think of,” he said.

        The length and intensity of UC practices has posed a greater challenge than Hubbard anticipated, and at times the 6-foot-6 junior forward has struggled to find a comfort level.

        In two intrasquad scrimmages, he averaged 4.5 points. In two preseason exhibition games, he totaled one point. He did not play in UC's opener at Oklahoma State.

        Then, Tuesday night against Wright State, Hubbard scored 10 points and was 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He grabbed three rebounds, had an assist and did not turn over the ball.

        It was an 11-minute performance that gave the junior-college transfer some confidence.

        “I think last night was a good step,” he said Wednesday. “It was a lot more fun than Oklahoma State ... because we won.”

        UC, which plays host to UNLV on Saturday, is in the midst of a six-game homestand.

        This is a key stretch for some of the Bearcats, who are hoping to develop the confidence of their coaches and teammates.

        Coach Bob Huggins has talked repeatedly about the need to find some help off the bench. Hubbard and point guard Taron Barker are first-year players the Bearcats had hoped could contribute right away.

        Hubbard prepared himself mentally to be a role player from the minute he accepted a scholarship offer.

        “I knew the players they had,” Hubbard said. “I wasn't going to step in and be the top scorer.”

        Barker has struggled with a limited role. He has averaged 10.5 minutes over the first two games. He clearly looked better against Wright State, collecting six points on 3-of-4 shooting, three assists, two steals and no turnovers.

        At Oklahoma State, Barker played seven minutes and had one turnover and not much else.

        “I always have confidence going into any kind of game, if it's in front of two people or 20,000 people,” he said. “I'm just trying to find where I can get in and play as much as I can.

        “I'm used to starting and playing the majority of the game. Never in my life have I sat on the bench. I've always started and been on the floor at crucial times because I've always been the one with the ball in my hands making decisions. But here it ain't happening.”

        The 6-foot-1 junior was planning to come in and win the starting point guard spot.

        “It's very hard expecting one thing and ... not playing a lot,” Barker said. “It's just something I've got to deal with.” The Bearcats could use Barker to develop to get Steve Logan more of a break.

        “I didn't think Taron played that bad at Oklahoma State,” assistant coach Keith LeGree said. ... People didn't beat him off the dribble. He just didn't look comfortable.”

For UC's Douglass, basketball eases separation from child Bearcats search for confidence XU-UC volleyball showdown prelude to NCAA tourney

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