By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The results from the MRI on University of Cincinnati forward Armein Kirkland's injured left knee showed Friday there was no cartilage tear.

"It was a big relief," Kirkland said. "I was afraid it might be something serious."

The injury has been deemed a sprain, and Kirkland's availability will be determined on a daily basis.

He did not practice Friday and will not play tonight against DePaul.

Kirkland injured the knee Wednesday against Tulane. He said it has improved significantly and he hopes he'll be able to play Wednesday at Marquette, although he said he won't play unless it's 100 percent.

"I can at least walk on it straight without a limp," he said.

BLOWOUT KINGS: UC, one of nine unbeaten teams in the country, leads the nation with a 26.3-point average of margin of victory.

The UC players take pride in that distinction, but some of them also wonder what will happen when the Bearcats get into a close game.

"It concerns me a little bit, because we haven't had a game like that," guard Field Williams said. "I don't know how everybody will react when we're in a close game. I don't know who will tighten up and who will step up."

REUNION: UC forward James White is looking forward to playing against DePaul's Delonte Holland, the leading scorer in Conference USA with an average of 19.6 points.

White said he played against Holland in high school in Maryland but never in college.

"He's real methodical, real crafty," Williams said. "He can do a lot of things."

DOMINATION: After losing eight of its first 10 games against DePaul, UC has won 23 of its last 25 games against the Blue Demons. The Bearcats have won 12 straight against DePaul at Fifth Third Arena since the 1991-92 season when the Blue Demons last recorded a victory there.

---

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com