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Beginning Monday, June 21st,
2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the
nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the
opening day of the 2004-05 Season.
Bookmark the
144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back
each day to see which team is previewed next.
#36 Cincinnati Bearcats
Conference USA
2003-04: 25-7, 12-4, 1st
2003-04 postseason: NCAA
Second Round
By
Joel Welser
 The off season didn’t go as smooth
as one would hope, but the Bearcats are back and talented enough to compete
for the CUSA title. An incoming true point guard will shake things up in
the back court. Nick Williams and James White will be more effective at
their preferred positions of shooting guard and small forward,
respectively.
Who’s Out: Kareem Johnson
didn’t put up magnificent numbers, but his 28 starts at center will be a big
hole to fill. Johnson scored 5.6 points and 5.4 rebounds his senior year in
Cincinnati. Another big man is gone in Robert Whaley. The 6-10 center just
spent part of one season at Cincy, but would have made a big impact with a
lack of height on this years roster. Tony Bobbit, the CUSA sixth man of the
year, averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals. The
do-it-all guard will be missed and so will fellow backcourter Field
Williams. Williams averaged 11.9 points and 2.2 assists per outing.
Who’s In: Jihad Muhammad
will compete for minutes with returnee Chad Moore at the point. Muhammad, a
transfer from San Jacinto Junior College, averaged 16.8 points and 7.2
assists last year at the junior college. He can score like a two-guard but
should be starting at the point from day one. Vincent Banks and Roy Bright
should see some minutes off the bench in the Cincy backcourt. Banks is a
great shooter and can light it up from behind the arc. Bright is also an
outstanding rebounder for a 6-6 small forward. He’ll get some minutes, but
returning small forwards James White and Armein Kirkland will see much of
the time at the small forward spot. Mike Pilgrim, a 6-7 sophomore power
forward who sat out last year, should provide some depth under the basket.
Redshirt freshman Asrangue Souleymane could compete for the starting role at
center. At 6-8 and 190 pounds, Souleymane might have to bulk up a little to
contend under the basket. The Central Africa Republic native will share
minutes with Eric Hicks.
Who to Watch: Jason Maxiell
will have to be the go-to-guy under the basket, even more so this year with
the lack of other proven scoring options. Maxiell led the team last year
with 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Maxiell is 6-7, but
with long arms and a big body, he plays much taller. He is strong and
athletic and should be the teams leading scorer and rebounder again this
year. Maxiell’s senior leadership should help out the young guys around
him, which is a necessity for the Bearcats to make another trip to the NCAA
Tournament.
Projected Conference Rank:
With UAB, DePaul, Marquette and Charlotte close behind, the Bearcats could
squeeze into 3rd place in the conference. Jihad Muhammad will
have to make an impact immediately and be able to dish to the scoring
threats. If he can, and the young guys in the frontcourt can help out
Maxiell, then this Cincy team could be better then last years.
Projected Post-season
Tournament: NCAA
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Team #37 ,
Team #35
»
Email Joel Welser:
jwelser_chn@ameritech.net
Chat About CHN's Top #144
Ranking:
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