With Michel Horton suspended, John Carson was one of four players used at point guard Saturday.
(Ernest Coleman photo)
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Michael Horton wasn't in uniform for any of the Bearcats' final three regular-season games, but that did not protect him from coach Bob Huggins' harangues. It meant he was a stationary target.
Late in UC's harrowing win over UNC Charlotte, Huggins made a point of informing Horton that his suspension for the final three games of regular season directly correlated to the Bearcats' mounting turnover total. And he could have said the same about their ability to get an offense started during Saturday's 61-58 escape of Saint Louis.
Against the Billikens, UC played Shawn Myrick at the point first, then John Carson, D'Juan Baker and Ruben Patterson, who led the Bearcats with five assists.
''That wasn't a real strong effort by the committee,'' Huggins said.
UC should be back in the hands of its primary point guard in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA tournament Thursday at the Shoemaker Center. Huggins said he would sit down with Horton and make sure he understands his mistake - an undisclosed violation of team policy - but said his return is ''a good possibility.''
Without Horton in their past two games, the Bearcats got the wins they needed to claim the C-USA championship, but they had 10 more turnovers than assists. In defeating Alabama-Birmingham and South Florida just before Horton went out, they had eight more assists than turnovers.
Myrick had trouble dealing with the Billikens' pressure defense. He scored the first two UC baskets, but those were the only baskets UC scored in the first 11 minutes. He was unable to consistently get past the first line of defense and force the Bearcats into their offense.
Carson played seven minutes without a turnover and twice got himself fouled in the first half, but he missed three free throws, and that prevented the Bearcats from setting up the full-court press they needed to create enthusiasm.
''Good shooters are going to miss free throws,'' Huggins said, ''but to stand up there and miss two in a row, that's lack of concentration.''
Patterson gave UC its most effective point play, in part because he often was matched against SLU power forward Ryan Luechtefeld when advancing the ball upcourt.
Patterson assisted on Baker's game-winning basket with seven seconds left.
''I told Mike after the game it's going to make a big difference getting him back,'' Patterson said. ''I can't be playing the point.''
Notebook: Petrus gets first dunk
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