Bob Huggins has a bit of a dilemma. The University of Cincinnati coach has a veteran power forward (senior Jamaal Davis) whom he says has the “best basketball IQ” on the team but has trouble rebounding.

        And he has a talented freshman (Jason Maxiell) who knows far less about UC's system but seems to have a knack for getting his hands on the ball.

        “It would be easier to solve if J.D. would just rebound the ball,” Huggins said.

        Davis had one point — and zero field-goal attempts — one rebound and one steal in 20 minutes in Friday night's 69-62 loss at Oklahoma State.

        Maxiell came off the bench for eight points on 4-of-8 shooting, seven rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes.

        “He just doesn't know what he's doing,” Huggins said. “We're going to be a lot more simple offensively when Max is in the game, (do) less things that you have to think about. He's just starting to understand. He's trying. He's a great kid.

        “I can do more things with Jamaal Davis from an offensive standpoint, because he can pass the ball and because he understands what I want.”

        SILVER LINING:

        Here is one piece of good news regarding UC's inside game: Junior center Donald Little has not been in foul trouble in either exhibition game or Friday night's opener at Oklahoma State.

        Little didn't pick up his first foul against the Cowboys until 11:26 left in the game. He finished with four points, five rebounds and three personal fouls in 32 minutes. Little didn't pick up more than three fouls in either exhibition game.

        “I'm happy with Donald,” Huggins said. “Donald's trying. He's staying on the floor. We're going to have to help Donald more.”

        GETTING READY:

        Scouting opponents this early in the season can be difficult because new players are not on game tapes from last season. For example, Wright State, UC's next opponent (8:05 p.m. Tuesday), has senior Cain Doliboa, who transferred from Dayton and sat out last year, and his brother Seth, who also sat out after transferring from Bowling Green.

        What are the Bearcats to do? Well, they arranged for a courier to pick up the game film at 11p.m. Saturday, immediately following Wright State's opener at St. Francis, Pa., in Loretto, Pa. The tape was to be delivered to the Pittsburgh airport Saturday night and be on the first flight to Cincinnati this morning, when UC's video coordinator Chris Goggin would pick it up around 8a.m. Then he will “break down” the tape by 10a.m.

        DONATION:

        UC raised more than $900 during its Nov.10 Cameras with a Cause event. After the Bearcats' exhibition game against Northern Kentucky, Huggins and his players stayed at Shoemaker Center and had their pictures taken with fans, who were asked to make donations toward the U.S. relief effort for the children of Afghanistan.

        TICKETS AVAILABLE:

        Unclaimed student tickets for Tuesday night's game against Wright State and Saturday's game against UNLV (3:30 p.m.) go on sale at 9a.m. Monday. Cost: $20, $12 ages 12 and under.

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