Monday, January 07, 2002
UC's defense concerns Huggins
13 wins in row don't calm coach
By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The University of Cincinnati Bearcats may have the nation's longest winning streak at 13 games, but they have work to do.
UC next plays host to Charlotte, which is coming off a 76-68 upset of 25th-ranked Marquette 76-68 on Saturday; Cincinnati won at East Carolina 72-62.
“I thought until last night, really until the last two games, that we were — at least with the first group — ready to guard whatever they threw at us,” Huggins said Sunday. “I was wrong. We didn't guard (at East Carolina). We were awful.”
Despite his misgivings, 13th-ranked Cincinnati may be poised to climb higher in the new Associated Press poll, which is released today. No.4 Virginia, No. 5 Oklahoma State, No.6 Kentucky, No.7 Illinois, No.9 Iowa and No.11 Boston College all lost Saturday.
The Bearcats are 12th in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll.
The Bearcats (13-1, 1-0 C-USA) have not played as well the past two games.
While offense has been an ongoing concern, UC's defense was not as stifling against Akron (Dec. 29) or East Carolina as it had been.
“I think we're equally inept at both,” Huggins said.
The 49ers (7-5, 1-0) have four players averaging in double figures, led by senior Jobey Thomas, the league's all-time leader in 3-point field goals. He is averaging 18.5 points and shooting .425 from 3-point range.
Charlotte won 2 of 3 games against the Bearcats last season, including in the Conference USA tournament final. The teams have split their last eight meetings, but UC is 6-0 all-time vs. the 49ers in Shoemaker Center.
The Bearcats were picked in the preseason to win the American Division with Charlotte second.
“They run good offense, they make a lot of shots, shoot a lot of 3s, rebound the ball and play about 100 different defenses,” Huggins said.
Sunday's story: UC 72, East Carolina 62
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 UC's defense concerns Huggins
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