BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Point guard Alvin Mitchell wasn't expected to play because of an ankle sprain. But he did play and hit four three-pointers that lifted UC from a sluggish start.
"I didn't think we came out with a lot of intensity," said Mitchell, a junior point guard. "We looked at like it was Oakland, we just got done beating Duke, and the game was going to come to us."
Huggins said he sent in Mitchell because he "just got tired of watching guys miss shots. I looked down the bench, and he kind of jumped up like he was ready to go."
Mitchell played only seven minutes and scored 12 points. He did not return because of concern the ankle had stiffened.
Patterson out of work
Former Bearcats forward Ruben Patterson has been released by AEK, the Greek basketball club he joined with the intention of playing the entire 1998-99 season.
Patterson's agent, Dan Fagan, said Patterson missed a month with an arm injury that developed when he struck his elbow on the court. Fluid that collected in the arm became infected, and he had surgery in Cincinnati.
Fagan said the team cut him and claimed the surgery was
unauthorized. Fagan is disputing the team's right to terminate the contract.
Point break
Senior point guard Michael Horton returned after missing three games with a foot injury and had 10 assists in 16 minutes, but Huggins was not entirely pleased. "He's in terrible shape," Huggins said.
"If Michael's going to be a contributor to this team, it's going to be guarding people," Huggins said.
Season in stories
