No. 5 Cincinnati at No. 16 Wake Forest

GAME TIME:	Saturday, Noon ET (ABC)
LAST MEETING:	Cincinnati 78, Wake Forest 72 OT (Jan. 27, 2001)
SERIES:	Cincinnati leads, 4-0

	Leonard Stokes came up big for Cincinnati against Charlotte, scoring 30 in the Bearcats' victory.

After having its 20-game win streak snapped at Marquette a week ago, Cincinnati bounced back hard Wednesday night at Charlotte by smothering the 49ers in the second game of a brutal road swing. The Bearcats now step out of Conference USA play to take on a familiar coach, if not familiar foe, in Skip Prosser and Wake Forest.

The Bearcats are the nation's best and most determined defensive teams, and have pitched near shutouts all season long. The win over Charlotte was a good example of just how good Cincinnati can be on the defensive end of the floor, holding the 49ers to just 37-percent shooting and nine points under their average in a 85-66 victory. Cincinnati leads the nation in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 36-percent shooting on the season. Bob Huggins has done a remarkable job with this team, who few thought would spend much time in the top 5 this season.

Why were the Bearcats overlooked when they have won Conference USA in every season of its existence? Primarily because scoring consistently was seen to be a potential problem for Cincinnati. The Bearcats can defend better than anyone, but have a problem scoring.

Cincinnati does not get consistent production out of its frontcourt, but have solid performers on the defensive end and on the glass in Donald Little, Jamal Davis and Jason Maxiell. Immanuel McElroy and Leonard Stokes are quality wings who can score in transition, attack the basket and really guard people. Stokes put up 30 on Charlotte, but didn't have more than 11 in five previous games after a 36-point effort on Jan. 16 against DePaul.

But, what really makes this team dangerous is Steve Logan. Last year, Logan played off the ball, but this year he runs the point. Cincinnati has been running more motion in the last month, but called a number of sets against Charlotte, many of them for Logan. Logan is one of the most skilled players in the country, and averages over 21 points and 6 assists per game in Conference USA play.

To beat Cincinnati, Wake Forest must limit Logan. To do that, Wake must find him early, and stay with him without helping off on the strong side. Wake Forest may take some cues from Marquette and Charlotte, who stayed with Logan all game long without leaving him. Wake must also keep Cincinnati from scoring in transition and off of the offensive glass.

Prosser came to Wake Forest from Xavier, where he played Cincinnati annually in the Crosstown Shootout. Prosser knows what the Bearcats are all about, and you can bet he will be eating some Skyline Chili while watching film in preparation for this game.

Wake Forest is playing its best basketball of the season. The Deacons' two best players are Josh Howard and Darius Songaila, and they are two of the best players in the ACC. Both are capable of scoring 25 points and grabbing double-digit rebounds every time they step onto the floor. Songaila leads the team in scoring at over 16 points per game, and he is second in rebounding with 8 rebounds per game. Howard averages over 16 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists in ACC games, and has emerged as one of the most versatile players in the nation at both ends.

How the Deacons fare against Cincinnati will largely be determined by the play of Wake's point guards, Taron Downey and Broderick Hicks. Prosser likes to quote DeMatha coach Morgan Wooten on point guard play, who said "It begins at the beginning" with the play of your floor general.

Wake Forest plays at a breakneck pace, and loves to press. Prosser wants a chaotic pace, and wants to force teams to play at a fever pitch for 40 minutes. The Deacons employ a 1-2-2¾ court press that features Howard at the top, and Howard can force a lot of turnovers pointing the press. Wake will also run a 1-3-1 halfcourt trap.

On the offensive end, the Deacons run multiple entries into motion, and when they are patient, Wake Forest can score the ball efficiently.

Key matchup: Stokes vs. Howard

There are few athletes in the nation more gifted than Howard, and he is starting to emerge as a true star. Stokes is averaging 10 points, but his 30-point efforts against Charlotte and DePaul give a hint at his explosiveness. When Stokes provides scoring help for Logan, Cincinnati is very difficult to beat.

Key Stats: Offensive Rebounding and Transition Points

Cincinnati is not the most proficient scoring team in the country, and Wake Forest cannot allow Huggins' team to find ways to get easy scores. If Wake limits Cincinnati in transition and on the offensive glass, the Deacons will have a much better chance to pull the upset at home.

What to watch For: Watch how active Howard is on both ends. He is one of the best anticipatory defenders in the ACC, and is a perimeter shotblocker. He gets deflections and steals, and is an outstanding offensive rebounder.