Enquirer staff and wire reports

The University of Cincinnati coaching staff should know tonight if Alexander Johnson will play for the Bearcats next season.

Johnson, a 6-9 forward from Albany, Ga., and Bridgton (Maine) Academy, is expected to sign with UC, Connecticut or Florida State, according to Bridgton coach Whit Lesure. An Albany, Ga., native, Johnson originally signed with Georgia out of high school, but when he failed to qualify academically for freshman eligibility, he enrolled at Bridgton. He averaged 25 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots for Bridgton this past season.

KENTUCKY: Polish native Lukasz Obrzut, a 7-foot-2 center, is in the process of returning his letter-of-intent to UK, according to his coaches at Bridgton (Maine) Academy. UK has already signed 7-3 center Shagari Alleyne from New York's Rice High this spring, and in the fall it signed 6-8 swingman Bobby Perry and 6-8 forward Sheray Thomas.

A Southeastern Conference ruling Monday has paved the way for 6-9 forward Mohamed Abukar of San Diego to potentially pick UK or Florida. Abukar signed with Georgia in the fall, but the league has waived its rule requiring transfers within the league to forfeit a scholarship for two years.

When Obrzut signs, UK will have filled its allotment of 13 scholarships. If it signs Abukar or former Western Kentucky guard Patrick Sparks, one of the nine returning players would need either to transfer or move to walk-on status.

IOWA STATE: ISU assistant Wayne Morgan said he will replace Larry Eustachy as the coach of the Cyclones.

Morgan, 52, told a Des Moines TV station he agreed to a deal Tuesday evening and an official announcement will be made today.

SAINT JOSEPH'S: Point guard Jameer Nelson made himself eligible for the NBA draft but left open the possibility of returning to St. Joe's for his senior season.

ALASKA SHOOTOUT: Former champions Duke, Purdue and Seton Hall will play in the eight-team tournament Nov. 26-29.