By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Robert Whaley thought he understood how to play defense, but he was disabused of that notion rather quickly when he arrived at the University of Cincinnati and started to practice under coach Bob Huggins.

"I think what Huggs thinks is defense is different than what other people think is defense," Whaley said. "You've got to move your feet. He wants everything going right through your chest. It's way more physical. He wants contact."

That was the first lesson in the Division I college basketball education of Whaley, UC's 6-foot-10 junior center, who transferred from Barton County (Kan.) Community College.

Whaley, a two-time All-American at Barton County, showed up at UC determined to soak up every bit of basketball knowledge that he could. So far, there's been more to learn than he ever imagined, which is why he takes film back to his room every night and studies for about an hour just to keep up.

UC's new center isn't used to so much structure in his game, so much attention to detail. He has dominated other players all his life because of his size and his offensive skills. Now he's being asked to refine his game and take it to another level.

"I want to get better every day," Whaley said, "but some days it's just so frustrating because it's hard to remember all the plays. There's just so many drills. I'm not used to it. It's just been hard for me. I think I've been struggling, but I also think I'm getting better every day. Every day I learn something new, something that I didn't even know existed."

Whaley is one of five newcomers who are expected to help UC bounce back from last year's disappointing 17-12 season. But he's the only one who seems poised to make an immediate impact. Nick Williams is struggling to learn the point guard position. Mike Pilgrim has been sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot. Asrangue Souleymane will likely be redshirted this year and Florida transfer James White won't become eligible until Dec. 20.

Whaley, 21, has already demonstrated during the preseason that he has the potential to become a dominating force for the 18th-ranked Bearcats. He posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in UC's first exhibition game against Northern Kentucky and averaged 17 points and 9.5 rebounds over the two exhibitions, displaying a wide array of offensive skills not seen in the post at UC since Kenyon Martin left in 2000.

Not only does he have an effective jump-hook in front of the basket, he can also step outside and shoot accurately from 10 to 15 feet and has the agility to free himself for shots in close.

"He's got a really good feel for the game," Huggins said. "His biggest problem now is he doesn't play through plays. He doesn't finish. He'll play for awhile and then he'll stop instead of completing the deal. His work ethic and his attention to detail are going to have to get better.

"He's a talented guy. If that happens, he could be really good."

That much Whaley knew before he got to UC.

"I don't think I've got a cap on my game," he said. "I think I can do it all out there."

Like all UC players, Whaley has been subjected to his share of yelling from Huggins, although "not as much as I thought."

He was prepared for the Huggins verbal barrage by junior Jason Maxiell, who has taken Whaley under his wing to help him learn not only with the plays and deal , but in learning to deal with the day-to-day rigors of Division I college basketball.