Saturday, December 18, 1999UC Notebook
Tate took Shootout lesson
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati EnquirerAlthough UC forward Jermaine Tate has played in only one Crosstown Shootout — he scored 10 points and got six rebounds — he was at the Cincinnati Gardens when the Musketeers blew out the Bearcats by 20 points two seasons ago.
Tate, who was transferring from Ohio State, committed to join the UC program that day.
“I remember like it was yesterday,” said Tate, who sat in the stands. “I think me going to that game helped me get prepared for last year, and I'll just try to carry it on this year.
“I think they're going to be the most aggressive team we've played against. I think they're going to be on us because of the rivalry, and we have to go out and match that intensity.”
SPEECHLESS: UC coach Bob Huggins was loading up for one of his melt-the-paint harangues against freshman guard DerMarr Johnson as a timeout was called in Thursday's victory over Saint Louis.
Johnson reacted too late to a cut by SLU's Troy Robertson and then was screened before he could stop Robertson from hitting a 3-pointer. Huggins started to tear into Johnson as he arrived at the huddle, but stopped himself about halfway through his first sentence as he saw the look on Johnson's face.
“He understands,” Huggins said. “He wants to get better. I think that's a greatest thing about him. I think he came to Cincinnati because he did want to get better.”
ON POINT: Huggins has been reluctant to praise the defensive work done by point guards Steve Logan and Kenny Satterfield, but opponents can't seem to get past them and into the lane with the basketball.
Opposing point guards are averaging 34.7 percent shooting, 3.5 assists, 2.8 turnovers and nine points. Two opponents had no assists. Four turned it over at least four times.
Sports Stories
Auburn will pay for Brooks' literacy
Tate took Shootout lesson