Center B.J. Grove said Sunday that he is set to return to the University of Cincinnati basketball team with no expectations of when or how much he will play in games.

        Grove, speaking publicly for the first time since he left the program in October, said he will rejoin the Bearcats as a walk-on on Dec. 10, but he doesn't know whether he will suit up for that night's game against Toledo — or the Dec. 14 Crosstown Shootout at Xavier.

        “My main thing is I'm just ready to come back,” Grove said. “I don't play right away, then I don't play right away. Hopefully I'll get to play on the 14th, but if I don't, I'll be the biggest cheerleader they've got.”

        Tom Hathaway, assistant athletic director for media relations, said Sunday: “If he's registered for classes and in good academic standing, which we understand he is, then he would be eligible to play on the 10th.”

        Coach Bob Huggins has said he will only talk about the players he has now.

        Grove met with Huggins and athletic director Bob Goin Wednesday. He was told that he would not return to UC on scholarship.

        “I just want to be back with the team,” Grove said. “If I've got to walk on, then that's what I've got to do.

        “I've missed everything — the family atmosphere, the guidance of coach Huggins and just being around good people. You never miss something until you don't have it. I've got it back, now I'm going to make best of the opportunity that I can.”

        The 6-foot-11 junior center has been in Grove City, Pa., working out and trying to get in shape. He said he needed to get away “to get my thoughts together.”

        “It was pretty hard,” Grove said. “I didn't want to leave my team, but some things you've got to do for yourself.”

UC women beat Xavier Grove returning to UC Guidugli named UC MVP

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