By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEW ORLEANS - The road isn't getting any smoother for University of Cincinnati center Robert Whaley.

Whaley, a 6-foot-10 junior who transferred to UC this year after two years as a junior-college All-American at Barton County (Kan.) Community College, was back in Cincinnati on Wednesday night as the Bearcats opened their Conference USA season with a 71-44 win over Tulane.

UC coach Bob Huggins informed Whaley Monday that he would not make the trip.

"He didn't fulfill his obligations to the team," Huggins said. "You know how I feel about that."

Huggins wouldn't specify which obligations Whaley failed to fulfill.

"I've been very patient," Huggins said. "He's got to buy in. He's got to become one of us."

Whaley, who averaged 16.9 points and 9.5 rebounds during UC's two exhibition games, is averaging only 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds during the regular season.

Expected to be one of the league's top newcomers, he has started only three games for UC and hasn't started since Nov. 29 against Coppin State. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Dec. 3.

Huggins said he has had other players who were slow to respond to the demands being placed on them at UC, but most of them figure it out.

"Look at Tony (Bobbitt)," Huggins said. "He's a perfect example."

Bobbitt struggled last season in his first year at UC and at one point actually left the team. This season he has become a team leader and ranks as the Bearcats' third-leading scorer.

"They've all talked to him," Huggins said of the UC players and Whaley. "I just want him to do what he has to do."

Whaley, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, averaged 8.5 points and three rebounds in his last two games against Miami and Elon.