Wrecking Reckling

Women's Hoops

UH/C-USA Men's Notebook

Keenan Singleton

You'll see it here first (and probably last): UH will upset Cincinnati at Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 17 -- for no other reason than because it's time for UC to lose and a UH win is way past due.

Sure, the Bearcats have four-time Conference USA player of the week Kenyon Martin, unheralded forward Pete Mickeal and superstar-in-training DeMarr Johnson, but the Cougars are growling for a win in sure-to-be jam-packed Hofheinz Pavilion.

For this major upset to happen, UH needs the premium output from everyone from Gee Gervin to Derrick Fernandez.

One positive result of this season has been UH's ability to play to the level of its opponents, whether they are ranked or not.

The Cougars have only been defeated by more than 15 points in two games this season: First, 95-70 by the California Golden Bears on Nov. 20, and most recently 92-74 by C-USA rival UNC Charlotte on Jan. 12.

Too much complacency in the first half has hampered the Cougars throughout the season. UH has scored 100 more points in the second half than the first (905-800).

Fourth time's a charm?

It's usually third time's the charm, but UC's Martin received his fourth C-USA player of the week award for his continued domination of the league.

This is the first time in C-USA history that a player has accomplished that feat four times in one season.

A look back

After suffering one of the most heartbreaking defeats in recent history at the hands of Alabama-Birmingham, the Cougars need someone -- or something -- to light a fire under them.

It appeared that sixth-man Chad Hendrick was that match until he was extinguished during the waning minutes of the UAB game.

Hendrick gave the Cougars a rare fourth player in double-digit scoring with 16 points, four assists and two boards in 25 minutes of play.

Game of the week

It's the clash of the C-USA titans as the Cincinnati Bearcats face-off against the DePaul Blue Demons.

The veteran-laden Bearcats will look to force it inside to Martin, while DePaul hopes former C-USA player of the year Quentin Richardson can regain the form he had last season.