By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

University of Cincinnati point guard Chadd Moore said Tuesday that he'll be ready to play by the time the basketball season starts, despite recurring back spasms that have limited his preseason conditioning.

"It's nothing much," Moore said. "It's just a little pain I've been having. I'm just working through it."

Rumors that Moore will not play this season are not true, said David Fluker, UC's trainer.

Moore, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, played in 21 games last season and averaged 2.6 points and 1.6 assists. He is expected to compete for the starting point guard job this season.

Moore said he has been experiencing spasms in his lower back; the same problem bothered him periodically last season.

"They're just taking me through physical therapy," Moore said. "I've been stretching a whole bunch."

Moore said he would be at Midnight Madness on Friday night, but he didn't know if he would be able to participate.