By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats have sprinted to a 10-0 record and a No. 11 national ranking by wearing down opponents, constantly throwing fresh bodies at them, knowing that if one player has a bad game another player will be there to pick him up.

Now that depth is being tested due to Armein Kirkland's sprained left knee.

Kirkland, a 6-foot-8 sophomore swingman, will not play tonight when the Bearcats (10-0, 1-0 Conference USA) take on DePaul (7-5, 0-1) at 8:05 at Fifth Third Bank Arena.

Huggins said center Robert Whaley, who did not accompany the Bearcats to New Orleans this week to play Tulane, had a good practice Friday and might play tonight.

If he doesn't, the Bearcats will be without two players from the 10-man rotation that has served them so well.

James White, a 6-7 sophomore forward, probably will start in Kirkland's place. It will be the first start as a UC player for the transfer from Florida.

"We both basically do the same things," White said. "We both try to get other people involved as far as penetrating and dishing. One of the big differences is that he's another experienced guy. We're going to lack the depth that we had before."

Huggins also could choose to start 6-1 Jamaal Lucas in White's spot and go with three guards. Whether or not he starts, Lucas will see more playing time tonight than his average of 8.7 minutes.

Lucas started the season opener against Akron but has not started since.

"He'll get Kirkland's minutes," Huggins said. "I've got a lot of confidence in (Lucas). He doesn't have a problem matching up with taller guys because he's got such good strength."

Kirkland averages only 6.8 points a game but is valuable in UC's press, with his long arms and ability to run the floor.

"I think James will step in and help us out a lot," senior guard Field Williams said. "They've got the same capabilities. I don't think anything's going to change."

While UC tries to overcome Kirkland's absence, DePaul is struggling to find a way to compensate for the loss of 6-9, 245-pound center Andre Brown, who has missed the last four games with a knee injury. DePaul is 2-2 without Brown, who averages 13.1 points and 10.6 rebounds and is not expected to play tonight.

"Playing without him has been a difficult adjustment," said DePaul coach Dave Leitao. "We had already lost (6-9 freshman) Wesley Green before the season, so our two biggest and productive inside people have been taken away from us. It has forced us to play a smaller lineup more consistently and to change some mindsets."

But the Blue Demons still have 6-7 forward Delonte Holland, the league's leading scorer at 19.6 ppg. Holland scored 22 points in the Blue Demons' 56-52 victory over UC last year in Chicago.

That win broke a seven-game UC winning streak over the Blue Demons and was just DePaul's second win in 25 games against the Bearcats.

UC vs. DePaul

Tipoff: 8:05 p.m. today, Fifth Third Arena (13,176).

Records: UC (10-0, 1-0 Conference USA), DePaul (7-5, 0-1).

Radio: WLW-AM (700).

TV: Ch. 19

Line: UC by 21.

Series: UC leads 25-10.

UC

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
James White	So.	6-7	9.6
Jason Maxiell	Jr.	6-7	15.3
Kareem Johnson	Sr.	6-7	4.4
Field Williams	Sr.	6-3	13.5
Nick Williams	Jr.	6-4	7.9

Coach: Bob Huggins (359-112, 15th season; 527-184 overall).

DEPAUL

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Quemont Greer	Jr.	6-7	11.8
Delonte Holland	Sr.	6-7	19.6
Marlon Brumfield	So.	6-8	0.6
Sammy Mejia	Fr.	6-6	7.3
Drake Diener	Jr.	6-5	11.0

Coach: Dave Leitao (23-18, second season, 45-53 overall).

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com