By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

University of Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins has settled on most of his starting lineup for Saturday's exhibition game against Northern Kentucky University.

The only question mark is at center, where 6-foot-10 junior Rob Whaley, the centerpiece of UC's recruiting class, might give way to 6-7 senior Kareem Johnson.

That might be a surprise to UC fans who have heard so much about Whaley. But it's not a reflection on Whaley's play as much as it is on that of Johnson, who has been outstanding in the preseason, associate head coach Dan Peters said.

"One thing about Huggs," Peters said, "he has always been loyal to the guys who have been with him and done what they're supposed to do. Where (Kareem) is now compared to last year at this time is light years away."

As expected, Huggins will start newcomer Nick Williams at point guard, with senior Field Williams at shooting guard.

Sophomore Armein Kirkland will start at forward opposite junior Jason Maxiell, a preseason all-Conference USA selection.

"Kirkland is probably as versatile as anybody we have," Peters said. "He just has to be consistent."

Johnson, who started 14 games last season, has been impressive during the first two weeks of practice. He scored 15 points in the Bearcats' intrasquad scrimmage last week.

But Whaley has played well, too.

"If he continues to make as much progress as he did from the first week until now, he's going to be a great player," Peters said.

Peters cautioned not to read too much into the starting lineup, especially for the first exhibition game of the season.

"We know we're going to play eight or nine guys," he said.

Sophomore James White, a transfer from Florida, is expected to contend for a starting position at small forward or shooting guard but is ineligible until Dec. 20.

The Bearcats' lineup looks good enough for UC to draw attention from some basketball publications.

The Associated Press poll doesn't come out until Nov. 11, but The Sporting News has UC at No. 13. Basketball Digest (14), Street and Smith's (16), Basketball Weekly (20) and Athlon project the Bearcats as a Sweet 16 team.

The UC women are 23rd in the Women's Basketball News Service preseason poll.

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com