Steve Logan drives through the Purdue defense. | ZOOM |

        Purdue coach Gene Keady said the University of Cincinnati is a top-10 caliber team. Few observers at the Las Vegas Classic were inclined to disagree.

        “If they feel that way, you know how we feel,” senior guard Steve Logan said after UC captured the tournament championship with a 79-62 victory over the Boilermakers late Saturday night in their closest contest in almost two weeks.

        It was UC's 11th victory in a row and fifth in nine days.

        The Bearcats (11-1) climbed five spots to 20th in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll Sunday. The Associated Press poll comes out today.

        The Bearcats won their four games in the Las Vegas event by an average of 30.5 points.

        Defense has defined this UC team all season, and that continued as Cincinnati gave up an average of just 57.5 points over four games. But what made the Bearcats look more like an elite team was the way they shot the ball.

        UC shot 50.7 percent from the field and 51.8 percent from 3-point range. Seven players scored in double figures during the tourney.

        “This is one of the best teams I've been on since I've been here; I'm talking about defensively and offensively,” said Logan, who played on two teams with Kenyon Martin that went a combined 56-10. “It's not as talented as the years before, but we do some great things out there.”

        Here's why this team is playing so well, aside from X's, O's and effort:

        • Chemistry: On the court and off, this group seems to get along better as a whole than last year's. There is no individual isolating himself from the rest of the team as did Antwan Jones. The Older players interact more with the younger players. “We didn't really have older guys last year,” senior Jamaal Davis said. “We've pretty much taken guys under our wings and showed them the ropes.”

        Said Logan: “We stick together in everything we do ... If you're going to beat us, you've got to beat all five of us.”

        • Accepted roles: In some cases, it's taken time, but players appear comfortable with their roles. Jason Maxiell, a highly touted freshman, has shown no frustration coming off the bench. The starters appear to play well together with little regard for who's scoring.

        “For them to accept roles is nothing, because they're just good people who want to do right,” coach Bob Huggins said. “I had five or six people, people I've never seen in my life, walking through the hotel (in Las Vegas) come up to me and say the persona of Cincinnati basketball is unjust, whatever that means, (talking) about how cordial our guys are, how nice they are, how engaging they are.”

        • Who's da man?: Unlike last year's team, which featured Logan and Kenny Satterfield in the backcourt, this season there is one undisputed team leader — Logan, who has embraced the role.

        When Satterfield decided to turn pro after his sophomore sea son, UC fans were concerned that the team wouldn't be as good without him. “Where are those people who are saying that now?” Logan said.

        • Senioritis: There is nothing like the sense of urgency for guys in their final season. Three start for UC: Logan, Davis and McElroy. They play each game as if it were their last. Last year, there were no seniors.

        Logan was named Las Vegas Classic MVP after averaging 29.3 points over four games, during which he shot .625 from the field, .600 from 3-point range and .906 from the foul line.

        “I'm just at my game right now,” Logan said. “I'm doing everything I can possibly do, and I'm going to keep working hard ... We've got a lot of work to do. We're a good team right now; we want to be a great team.”

        Saturday game report

UC shoots for greater heights

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