By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Three victories against three potentially good mid-major teams have demonstrated that the University of Cincinnati Bearcats have a lot more offensive weapons than they had last year, plenty of depth and the ability to create points off their defense.

But there's one missing ingredient that UC coach Bob Huggins prizes above all others: physical toughness.

The Bearcats, who were out rebounded 35-28 in their 76-56 win over Coppin State on Saturday, are suffering from the same malady that befell last year's team - they do not attack the boards with fervor.

They've been able to slide by despite the shortcoming, but the competition is about to improve for No. 19 UC (3-0), beginning with Tuesday's game at Valparaiso (1-2).

"I don't know why you would stay here all summer, lift as hard as we've lifted, get as strong as a lot of our guys have gotten, then stand around and watch everybody else play," Huggins said. "That baffles me. We've got a lot of guys who never get in the fray."

The Crusaders had Marquette on the ropes in Milwaukee before succumbing 75-70, and lost to South Florida at home by two, 64-62.

After a two-week break, UC is at home Dec. 17 against Clemson (3-0), followed by Middle Tennessee State (1-1), Dayton (4-0) and Miami (2-0).

"Clemson was way more physical than we were a year ago down there," Huggins said. "They knocked us around pretty good. I've watched Dayton play on TV and they're way more physical than we are. Valpo is more physical than we are . . . I'm trying to think of somebody I've seen that I thought maybe we could be more physical than, but nothing comes to mind right now."

Huggins was particularly upset Saturday with 6-foot-10 center Robert Whaley, who managed only one rebound in 18 minutes against Coppin State and has just eight rebounds in his first three games.

"You'd think in 18 minutes more than one would bounce in your hands," Huggins said. "You've got to want to go rebound the ball. But it's not just Rob."

The good news for UC is that the Bearcats have done a good job with their pressure traps. But even that has a downside.

"We're trying to make things happen in the full court a little bit, but I don't want to do that and take away from how solid we've been in the half court," Huggins said. "We're less than adequate in the half court, much less good."

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E-mail: bkoch@enquirer.com