Saturday, January 29, 2000UC's Johnson reaching potential
Better defense leads to more offensive options
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The jump shot commanded everyone's attention, because it's hard to miss a shooter who keeps hitting. The baseline drive DerMarr Johnson completed by firing from behind the glass left many of those who watched scrambling for adjectives.
DerMarr Johnson
| ZOOM |SET AS WALLPAPER:
Click here for bigger image, then right click to Set As Wallpaper
But this is what the Cincinnati Bearcats expected from Johnson. “We've been waiting for him to do that,” coach Bob Huggins said.
What they're getting now, in addition to scoring efforts like his 21-point outburst against Louisville in Thursday night's victory, is a dose of defense that made it possible — even desirable — for John son to last a career-high 35 minutes.
“I think I'm getting more adjusted to that every game,” Johnson said. “That was something Coach noticed, that I'd play hard for a minute, and then I'd let my man slip and get open. I can't let that happen anymore.”
With South Florida (12-7, 3-3) bringing Conference USA's most offensive team to the Shoemaker Center for a 6p.m. game today, the Bear cats (19-1, 7-0) may need Johnson's best defensive effort yet. The way the past few weeks have developed, they should be able to count on continued improvement.
SOUTH FLORIDA at UC • When: 6p.m. today
• Where: Shoemaker Center (13,176)
• Records: UC 19-1 (7-0 Conference USA); USF 12-7 (3-3)
• TV: Ch.19
• Radio: WLW-AM (700)
BY THE NUMBERS
• 18.3: Scoring average of USF sixth man Altron Jackson, fourth in C-USA
• 10.5: Increase in the Bulls' point production from a year ago
• 9: Number of consecutive 20-win seasons UC would gain with a win; this would be the earliest the Bearcats reached that mark
• 13: Consecutive free throws made by UC guard Steve LoganIn the past two games, the players who became Johnson's primary assignment — Marquette's John Cliff and Louisville's Marques Maybin — shot a combined 4-of-15 for a total of 10 points.
Maybin played 27 minutes and attempted only two shots, a season low. Cliff's six points were his second-fewest of the season.
Whereas the Bearcats once dreaded the shooting guard matchup, it has become a strength. At 6-foot-9, Johnson is making use of the height advantage he enjoys against most opponents. He has not had a rough night defensively since the Bearcats visited Tulane nearly three weeks ago
and freshman Trello Galloway scored 10 points in the first half.
Johnson has learned through experience how to anticipate screens, which saves the punishment that comes with running into them. When he does get caught, he is better at slipping loose and staying in the play.
How much is he improved as a defender? “Worlds,” Huggins said. “He's so much better. He's just so long.”
With there being less need for Johnson to rest for defensive reasons, UC can get more from his varied offensive game.
He produced four consecutive double-figure scoring games and did not play fewer than 29 minutes in that stretch.
He was 1-of-14 from long range in the first three of those games, but when Louisville opened the game in a 2-3 zone defense, Johnson found the gaps and nailed his first five 3-point attempts.
“He was making the shots, and that's good, because I wasn't getting that many looks,” UC center Kenyon Martin said. “He carried us. If you're hitting like that, I don't think anyone has to tell you to keep shooting.”
In fact, Johnson did not score in the second half, in part because he took only three shots.
“He was trying to protect the lead, rather than just playing,” Huggins said. “We need him to play both halves and not worry. He needs to just shoot it. He doesn't take bad shots. He's a great kid. He's very, very unselfish, maybe too unselfish. Sometimes he passes up some things he shouldn't.”
UC expects to see a 1-3-1 zone from South Florida, which means Johnson probably will be an important part of the game plan once again.
“I think I needed a game like that. I'd been missing a lot of my 3s, which I wasn't used to,” Johnson said. “I was kind of feeling it, so I shot it.”
Bearcats Stories
UC's Johnson reaching potential
Satterfield to start again
Griffey talks back on
Temperature's rising with Reds fever
Redsfest schedule
Reese uses head to keep Reds in 'golden' hands
Reds give Wohlers another chance
Rose finally gets foot in baseball's door
Rose swings, misses with book pitch
Rams must stop 'The Freak'
George's road to stardom runs through OSU
Faulk major reason behind Rams' success
SUPER BOWL NOTEBOOK
Ensminger carries Miami on his (bad) back
Kentucky steps outside SEC
O'Brien's bold move energized Buckeyes
Tristate boys basketball scores
Cincinnati boys basketball roundup
N.Ky. boys basketball roundup
NewCath makes All 'A' semis
Brossart, Walton girls meet in All 'A' semis
Newport falls in All 'A' quarterfinal
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Moeller takes city hockey crown
Ohio boys basketball scores
Baltimore 92, Stuff 89
Hamilton 5, Mighty Ducks 3
Houston 3, Cyclones 0
Local golfers lurk in Phoenix Open
![[johnson]](/bearcats/img/photos/1999/12/120599johnson_600x454.jpg)
