By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats make only 42.5 percent of their shots. They don't have a center, aren't very proficient in transition and don't shoot free throws particularly well.

They began the season with only one returning starter from a 31-4 team and have no player taller than 6-foot-8.

And yet, midway through the 2002-03 season, they find themselves with a six-game winning streak, an 11-3 record and a share of first place with Louisville in Conference USA's American Division.

In a season that was considered a throwaway by some UC fans after the Bearcats' lackluster 5-3 start, the team has shown signs that it may win its eighth straight C-USA regular-season championship after all, and extend its string of NCAA Tournament appearances to 12.

There are still times when the Bearcats play so shabbily that you wonder how they ever win, but more often than not, they do what it takes.

Here are the factors that have enabled coach Bob Huggins' 14th UC team, which plays at East Carolina on Wednesday, to keep winning:

Leonard Stokes. The Bearcats' only returning starter has scored in double figures in every game and made crucial shots with UC in trouble. Stokes, who was named Conference USA player of the week Monday, has been magnificent lately, averaging 25 points in his last three games to improve his season average to 16.8. His leadership has been invaluable.

Good teams have players they can turn to in times of trouble. Last year, the Bearcats had Steve Logan. This year, they have Stokes.

Defense. While other facets of UC's game have been inconsistent, defense has been the foundation for this team's first-half success. The Bearcats don't full-court press very often, and although they force 15 turnovers per game, their strength is settling back into the halfcourt and stopping their opponents from scoring.

UC's opponents average only 56.5 points per game and 38.3 percent shooting, both of which lead the conference.

Prudence with the ball. Because they're not a very good rebounding team and don't score frequently in transition, the Bearcats have to value every possession. They drive Huggins nuts with their sloppy offensive execution, but they do take care of the ball.

Before they committed 16 turnovers against Tulane on Saturday, they were averaging 10.2 turnovers, best in the country. Point guard Taron Barker has committed only 23 turnovers in 13 games.

The schedule. The Bearcats' only victory of note came against Oregon in the Jimmy V Classic. Their only other game against a Top 25 opponent was a 50-44 loss to crosstown rival Xavier.

They have been fortunate to begin their Conference USA schedule against some of the league's weaker teams. Saint Louis, TCU and Tulane have a combined record of 19-27.

UC's real test will occur in a few weeks, when it plays Marquette at home on Feb. 1, followed by a Feb. 5 game at Louisville and a Feb. 9 home game against Oklahoma State. All three teams are ranked in the Top 25.

Winning tradition. This Bearcats team doesn't want to be remembered as the one to end the streak of conference championships or the run of NCAA Tournament appearances.

Sometimes when you're around winning so much, it rubs off on you. That might be the case with this group, the core of which - Stokes, Barker, Jason Maxiell and Field Williams - all played last year on the winningest team in the school's history.

They also have a coach who fears losing as much as he loves winning. Huggins has been frustrated often by this team, but he won't give in to the temptation to provide his younger players with experience that could prove valuable next year when the talent base is stronger.

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com