TicketsNov. 12, 2005
CINCINNATI, OH - Head coach Andy Kennedy is really looking forward to beginning his first season as head coach at the University of Cincinnati now that the 2005 preseason action is over. He did see good things from his team on Saturday night during UC's convincing 96-60 win over Northern Kentucky at Fifth Third Arena as the Bearcats rolled to their second straight exhibition victory of the year.
UC shot a blistering 67 percent from the field, including 50 percent from three-point range, while holding NKU to just 32 percent shooting as the Bearcats led from start to finish.
Four Bearcats scored in double figures led by senior swingman James White, who tallied a game-high 19 points, including three spectacular dunks. Senior power forward Eric Hicks added 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, while fellow senior forward Armein Kirkland chipped in 16 points and four assists.
However, the brightest star of the night for UC came in the form of its smallest player - point guard Devan Downey. The 5-10 true freshman, who was Mr. Basketball in the state of South Carolina last year, started the game and tallied 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting from the field, and also handed out a game-high five assists.
"I, for one, am glad the exhibition season is over. It is hard to get your upperclassmen excited on a day-in, day-out basis when they know the challenges that lie ahead," said Kennedy. "We start it for real in seven days and we are putting guys in different spots to see how they handle it."
UC raced out to a 13-point lead at 19-6 eight minutes into the game and was never threatened. The Bearcats shot 59 percent in the opening half and a blazing 76 in the second half, hitting 19 of 25 shots. The offensive effort by UC greatly impressed NKU coach Dave Bezold.
"That is the best shooting I have seen out of those guys (UC) since (former Bearcat All-American Steve) Logan's last year. That is a great shooting team, Bezold stated. "We are tired of getting beat up. Its draining for our kids and it's a huge step up from Division II." NKU lost at Xavier on November 5, 78-44.
Downey's performance also grabbed the attention of Hicks, the team's emotional leader. "I told you he (Downey) was good. For being as small as he is, he gets into the lane and finishes," said Hicks. "Right now, he is showing you what he can do and he is only going to get better."
UC led 43-27 at halftime and the game was played pretty evenly until the final eight minutes of the game as the Bearcats closed the game outscoring the Norse by 20 points, including a dominating 17-2 run over a 3:40 span late.
"My first game, I was jittery, but today, I settled down and just played ball," said Downey. "Every time I step on the court, I am going to bring it. Eric (Hicks) and the rest of the team have gained trust in me. I think I am starting to bond with my team and showing them what I can do."
Despite averaging 97.5 points in the two exhibition games, Kennedy knows his team has a lot of room for improvement. "I have a pretty strong idea of what needs to be addressed. We are small and we are not going to grow from now until next Saturday," he said. "I also know we are not going to shoot 50 percent from three-point range, but this team moves the ball well and shoots it well, and we hope that continues starting next week."
And next week starts the 2005-06 season as the Bearcats host Murray State on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Fifth Third Arena. The season-opener begins at 7:00 p.m. Murray State, a team who many believe is the favorite to win the Ohio Valley Conference this season, is coached by former UC assistant coach Mick Cronin.
"Murray State is a good team with a lot of quality players," said Kennedy. "We know they will be well-prepared and we are looking forward to the start of the season."