By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Q, from Greg: The Bearcats have a lot of games on national television this season. Assume they have an off season and don't make the NCAA Tournament. Would they get bumped from some games on ESPN next year? That could hurt recruiting efforts.

A: There's no question national TV is a must these days for recruiting good players, but it's not likely that one down season, if indeed UC has one, will be enough to make the program unattractive to the television networks, which like the Bearcats' style of play. Bob Huggins' sideline stalking and ref baiting aren't bad for the show, either.

Q, from Joe: ESPN reported that Florida transfer James White will have two-plus years of eligibility with UC starting in December 2003. Does this mean he can play the remaining part of next season, plus the following two years?

A: That's exactly what it means. Assuming he enrolls at UC for the winter quarter, which he's expected to do, he can begin practicing with the Bearcats right away and will become eligible to play at the end of the 2003 fall quarter, usually around the second week of December.

E-mail basketball@enquirer.com with your UC and Xavier questions.