By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats know what they're up against tonight at Valparaiso. They're playing in a tiny gym against a fired-up team that has billed this game as the highlight of its non-conference schedule.

This may not loom as the kind of mammoth non-conference showdown that UC fans have clamored for, but it will be the first road venture of the season against a quality opponent for the 19th-ranked Bearcats, who have cruised to three lopsided v at home.

"Every other game we won by 20 plus points," said sophomore forward Armein Kirkland. "They've been fairly easy games. We look at this as a chance to test ourselves."

UC (3-0) takes on Valpo (1-2) at 8:05 p.m. today in the 5,000-seat Athletics-Recreation Center, where the Crusaders have a 113-14 record in the past 10 years.

"It's the first time that we'll play in an environment like that," UC coach Bob Huggins said. "It'll be good for our new guys."

One thing the Bearcats can be sure of: The Crusaders won't be intimidated by UC. They've already played two other Conference USA teams, losing by five to Marquette and by two to South Florida.

And remember, this is the program that has made a reputation out of knocking off big-name schools in the NCAA Tournament under coach Homer Drew.

Drew, with 506 wins to his credit, came out of his one-year retirement this year to coach the team he had left to his son, Scott, after Scott left to try to clean up the mess left by Dave Bliss at Baylor.

His teams are known for having good shooters who are fundamentally sound and approach the game with intelligence.

"They do a great job because they can really spread you," Huggins said. "They've got a lot of foreign guys who can shoot the ball well and pass it really well. They create problems because of their versatility."

UC is coming off a 20-point win over Coppin State, although the way Huggins complained about his team's lack of rebounding ability and its shortcomings in its half court defense, you'd have thought the Bearcats had lost.

"There's never anything that satisfies him," said point guard Chadd Moore. "But that's good for us because it never lets us settle."

Huggins was still lamenting his team's lack of aggressiveness Monday afternoon before practice.

"We stand and watch too much," he said. "We need some more participants and less spectators."

Huggins hinted at lineup changes for this game on Saturday and although he wouldn't tip his hand Monday, it appears he was serious. Look for either Kirkland or center Robert Whaley to start the game on the bench.

And look for more criticism from Huggins after the game, regardless of the outcome.

"That's just part of the game," Kirkland said. "He wants to critique every part of our game. Even if we win, we've still got to get better."

UC vs. Valparaiso

Tipoff: 8:05 p.m. today, Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000), Valparaiso, Ind.

Records: UC 3-0, Valparaiso 1-2.

Radio: WLW-AM (700).

TV: WXIX-TV (Channel 19).

UC

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Armein Kirkland	So.	6-8	6.0
Jason Maxiell	Jr.	6-7	14.3
Robert Whaley	Jr.	6-10	7.0
Field Williams	Sr.	6-3	14.3
Nick Williams	Jr.	6-4	6.3

Coach: Bob Huggins (352-112, 15th year; 520-184 overall).

VALPARAISO

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Dan Oppland	So.	6-8	14.0
Ron Howard	So.	6-5	5.0
Joaquim Gomes	Sr.	6-8	9.7
Roberto Nieves	Sr.	6-4	10.0
Ali Berdiel	Jr.	6-6	6.0

Coach: Homer Drew (237-186 15th year; 506-308 overall).

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E-mail: bkoch@enquirer.com