By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MILWAUKEE - Marquette coach Tom Crean has read the comments from the University of Cincinnati players about how badly they want to beat the Golden Eagles.

"The Cincinnati players are never at a loss for words," Crean said.

Crean says he doesn't post quotes in the locker room, and in this case he probably doesn't have to anyway. He and his players already know they're in for a battle.

Marquette's Travis Diener reacts as he is swarmed by teammates after making the game-winning basket in the final seconds of their game against Saint Louis Saturday in Milwaukee. (AP photo)

No. 10 UC (11-0, 2-0 Conference USA) takes on No. 21 Marquette (11-2, 2-0) at 7 p.m. today at the Bradley Center in a nationally televised game that is being viewed as the most difficult test to date for the Bearcats.

Crean said he's impressed with this UC team. He praised the improvement of forward Jason Maxiell, guards Field Williams and Tony Bobbitt, and the Bearcats' overall depth.

"Their offense is much more fast-paced," Crean said. "The way they're shooting the ball and stretching the defense is different than last year. Their depth is the No. 1 key to their team. They're playing with a lot of freedom. If some guys commit some fouls, so what? It really allows them to push the envelope with the referees."

Crean conceded that the Golden Eagles, who unseated UC as league champions last year after a seven-year Bearcat reign, have missed guard Dwyane Wade.

How do you not miss the Conference USA Player of the Year and a first-team All-American? How do you not miss a player who averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists and led your team to the Final Four?

"It hits you in different ways that he's not here," Crean said. "We miss him as a person and as a player. We miss his presence. But the greatest thing he did was bring confidence to his teammates, and there's been a carryover of that."

With Wade playing for the NBA's Miami Heat, the mantel of leadership has been passed to junior point guard Travis Diener. Now it's Diener who's called upon to make the big shots - as he did with a game-winner against Saint Louis on Saturday - and to have the ball in his hands when things get tough.

So far, Diener, who's averaging 17.5 points and 6.1 assists, has been everything Crean could ask for. Marquette's only losses were at No. 7 Arizona and at No. 19 Wisconsin.

"He means so much because the ball in his hands so much," Crean said of Diener. "He sets the tone for his team with his toughness and his ability to make plays for other people. That's one of the great qualities your best player should have."

UC has made no secret this week of its intention to trap and pressure Diener.

"We'll see," Crean said. "We have not seen pressure like what it appears theirs is. Their pressure looks as relentless and as good as anybody's in America."

Marquette has won the last three games against UC in the Bradley Center and five of the last seven overall.The Golden Eagles, with eight wins over the Bearcats since the inception of Conference USA in 1995, have had more success against UC than any other school in the league, and Crean owns a 5-4 advantage over UC coach Bob Huggins.

No. 10 UC vs. No. 21 Marquette

Tipoff: 7 p.m. today, Bradley Center (19,150).

Records: UC 11-0 (2-0 Conference USA), MU 11-2 (2-0).

Radio: WLW-AM (700).

TV: ESPN.

Line: UC by 6.

Series: UC leads, 21-15.

CINCINNATI

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
James White	So.	6-7	8.7
Jason Maxiell	Jr.	6-7	15.5
Kareem Johnson	Sr.	6-7	4.4
Field Williams	Sr.	6-3	13.5
Nick Williams	Jr.	6-4	8.1

Coach: Bob Huggins (360-112, 15th season; 528-184 overall).

MARQUETTE

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Steve Novak	So.	6-10	12.0
Terry Sanders	Sr.	6-8	6.5
Scott Merritt	Sr.	6-10	11.5
Joe Chapman	So.	6-4	6.2
Travis Diener	Jr.	6-1	17.5

Coach: Tom Crean (94-43, fifth season; same overall).

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com