CINCINNATI -- Some nights, Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins is so worn out that he's asleep at 9 p.m.

The early bedtime is one of the most pronounced changes in Huggins' routine since he had a massive heart attack less than a month ago.

Coaching? That hasn't changed.

Huggins said Tuesday that he's back to putting in 12-hour days as he gets a new group of Bearcats ready for their exhibition opener Nov. 9 against Northern Kentucky.

"I'm fine, I really am," Huggins said before practice. "I feel really good. I actually feel better than I felt before. I was pretty rundown before."

Huggins, 49, had a device implanted last week to make sure his heart stays in rhythm, a precaution advised by his doctors. He's also working out, getting more sleep and watching his weight.

Huggins said that most of his medical tests have come back normal, but it will be another four or five weeks before doctors have a better idea how much his heart has recovered.

In the meantime, he's coaching essentially the same way he did before he had the heart attack Sept. 28 while on a recruiting trip in Pittsburgh.

"I don't know if I have a green light, but they're not really restricting me from doing anything," he said. "They just say I have to get more rest and continue to heal that way, with rest.

"They don't want me coming in like I did before, putting in as many hours as I did before. But I was here for 12 hours the last couple of days."

Huggins plans to fly to New York on Oct. 29th for an appearance related to the Jimmy V Classic. He also intends to fly to Chicago for the Conference USA media day on Nov. 3.

No one can tell by Huggins' demeanor that he recently had a heart attack, senior guard Leonard Stokes said Tuesday. Asked if Huggins has been any different during the daily three-hour practices, Stokes said: "No. He's been the same as the previous three years."

The Bearcats were unranked at the start of last season, but climbed to No. 4 by February. They got a No. 1 seed in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament, but lost to UCLA in double-overtime in the second round.

Cincinnati lost four starters, including two-time Conference USA player of the year Steve Logan, leaving Huggins with an inexperienced roster. He has been more patient and less volatile in practice so far, but not because of his heart.

He has to go easy with so many newcomers.

"Some years, it's a day-by-day thing," Huggins said. "With these guys, it's minute-by-minute, who's going to do something right or who's going to do something wrong."

Before the heart attack, Huggins put on a lot of weight and didn't work out. He has lost 20 pounds while on a workout regimen.

"I'm fine during the day," he said. "I just get tired at night. I'm used to going home and watching tape or football games or something until 2 a.m. I've never been one of those guys that go to bed very early, but I have to now. I can't stay awake."