By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The University of Cincinnati coaches and players, upon arriving at their hotel here Friday, found copies of the Hattiesburg American newspaper, which featured a wrap-around reprint of last year's sports page from the day after Southern Miss knocked off UC in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament.

Southern Mississippi forward Jasper Johnson (23) battles Cincinnati center Kareem Johnson for a rebound. (AP photo)

"Golden Eagles shock Cincinnati in opener," the headline read.

It was a reminder the Bearcats didn't need.

"When somebody hits you in the face, you want to hit them back," UC guard Tony Bobbitt said. "They smacked us last year."

UC coach Bob Huggins said he never showed his players tape of that game.

"When you get beat by 100, like we did on Wednesday, you don't need to go and show them tape of taking another butt-whipping," Huggins said.

The Bearcats, who have won 10 of their last 11 games against Southern Miss, more than returned the favor. Their 36-point win was the most lopsided loss the Golden Eagles have absorbed at home since Jan. 6, 1972, when they lost to Louisiana Tech 123-82.

FINAL APPEARANCE: Saturday's game was probably UC's last at Reed Green Coliseum. Cincinnati will leave Conference USA for the Big East Conference in 2005, and when the Bearcats meet Southern Miss next season, the game will be played in Cincinnati.

The Bearcats are 7-5 at Reed Green.

"I've had a great relationship with the people here," said Huggins. "When I came to Cincinnati, I was 35 years old and didn't know anything about the Metro Conference (UC's league at that time). (Former Southern Miss coach) M.K. Turk took me under his wing."

Huggins said a fan before the game presented him with a shirt and sweater vest.

"The people here are really classy," Huggins said. "It's not like going to some other places."

OFFENSE BETTER: One of the things UC worked on the most during the past few days was executing its halfcourt offense. The work seemed to pay off Saturday, especially early in the game.

UC was patient in the halfcourt and attacked the basket, repeatedly passing up 3-point attempts to hammer the ball inside. The Bearcats missed some open looks, but their execution was much better.

"We did a pretty good job at running our halfcourt offense," Huggins said. "It's hard to get good shots against Southern Miss."

MOORE SICK: Backup point guard Chadd Moore did not play Saturday because he had the flu.

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com