The University of Cincinnati is the seventh-ranked team in the country, according to Monday's Associated Press poll. Does it feel that way? Or is there a sense that locally and nationally the Bearcats are still flying below the radar screen despite the nation's longest winning streak (15 games)?

        “I think it's a shock to a lot of people,” senior guard Steve Logan said. “I think some guys in the country are wondering: How are they doing it? How are they winning games?”

        “I think people don't believe in us,” junior center Donald Little said. “They think we're good, but not good enough to be a top-two or three team. I think if we come out and play, we can beat anybody; we can beat Duke right now.”

        Since a season-opening loss at No.6 Oklahoma State, the Bearcats have won every game by at least 10 points. They have beaten 10 opponents by at least 20 points and lead the country in scoring margin (plus-22.0). UC and Oklahoma State are tied for the nation's best record (15-1, .938). But this team has yet to create the kind of buzz that surrounded UC's 1999-2000 or 1996-97 teams.

        In Kenyon Martin's senior year, just two seasons ago, Cincinnati was ranked No.2 in the preseason behind Connecticut and was talked about as a Final Four and national championship contender throughout the season. The roster featured Martin, a player of the year candidate; Pete Mickeal, a returning third-team All-American; and a couple of McDonald's All-Americans in DerMarr Johnson and Kenny Satterfield. Every home game at Shoemaker Center was sold out.

        In Danny Fortson's last season at UC (1996-97), the Bearcats were ranked No.1 in the preseason. That team started two future NBA players (Fortson and Ruben Patterson) and brought the school's all-time-leading 3-point shooter (Darnell Burton) off the bench. Every game except one sold out.

        Saturday's game against Louisville will be the first sellout of this season; UC, which hosts DePaul on Wednesday night, has aver aged 11,186 over its first eight home games. The starting lineup has no sure-fire NBA stars.

        “We're not really worried about who thinks we're good and who doesn't think we're good,” junior Leonard Stokes said. “As long as we, as a unit, stick together and believe in each other, then we'll be fine. Every time we huddle up before a game, we talk (about how) it's business: Let's go out here and be professional and get a win.

        “We're not out here just to play to the Elite Eight or the Sweet 16. We're all trying to win a national championship. So we all just come out here every day and push each other and work as hard as we can to get that goal accomplished.”

        This was only the second UC team in 10 years not to be ranked in the preseason. Now it is the sixth under coach Bob Huggins to be rated as high as No.7.

        The Bearcats advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2001 NCAA Tournament, but lost Satterfield after his sophomore season to the NBA. Had he returned, UC certainly would have been ranked in the preseason. As it was, preseason publications were divided.

        Some of the questions now might center on the schedule, which was ranked 66th in Monday's Ratings Percentage Index. UC's only top-50 RPI games were against Oklahoma State and Mississippi State, and the only ones remaining are against Wake Forest, South Florida and Marquette (twice). The Bearcats are 6-1 against top-100 teams.

        No.14 Wake Forest is the only ranked team left on the schedule. Marquette (33rd) is the only other remaining opponent to get votes in Monday's AP poll.

        “We're top 10, but still it doesn't feel like it,” Little said. “When we were No.1, we knew we were No.1. When you're No.1, everybody wants to see you and talk to you. It's a good thing really (not to have that). It helps us focus more. It stops us from getting a big head.

        “Right now, we're still trying to make believers. I think it's going to be tournament time before people take this team seriously.”

UC's rise in polls seen as 'shock'

Illinois QB catches Bengals' attention
Spurrier in for surprise
Bucs fire Dungy after six seasons
Nuxhall back in action
Frank Robinson could manage Expos
MacRae, Piersoll set for minors
Bonds gets $90 million for 5 years
Former Xavier coaches collide
HIGH SCHOOL PAGE
Cincinnati boys basketball polls
Cincinnati girls basketball polls
Ohio AP boys basketball polls
Cincinnati boys basketball roundup
Cincinnati girls basketball roundup
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
GMC tripleheader at Gardens
N.Ky. boys basketball poll
N.Ky. girls basketball poll
Kentucky AP boys basketball poll
Kentucky AP girls basketball poll
Hallman breaks Holmes scoring record
N.Ky. boys basketball roundup
N.Ky. girls basketball roundup
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
This week's boys basketball schedule
This week's girls basketball schedule
Gymnastics poll & honor roll
Bryant picks up Shaq with 56
Ole Miss new challenge for UK
Australian Open coverage
Sports events this week