BY MICHAEL PERRY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Pat Kelsey's first game at Shoemaker Center was his first game as a college player.

The Xavier junior guard was playing for the University of Wyoming, which opened its 1993-94 season at UC.

The final score: Bearcats 73, Wyoming 49.

''It was nuts,'' said Kelsey, who transfered after playing one year at Wyoming. ''It was as crazy of a crowd as I've seen. It was the epitome of a hostile environment.''

Kelsey, an Elder High School graduate who said he always has sided with Xavier in the Crosstown Shootout, has not played in Shoemaker since. But he's looking forward to tonight's game.

''College basketball is all about the crowds and the hype and the noise,'' he said. ''If you don't love to play in environments like that, you shouldn't be playing.''

Agreed XU senior guard Sherwin Anderson: ''It's the perfect college atmosphere. ''Playing there is a great experience.''

THE OTHER J.C. GUY: While UC's junior-college transfers Ruben Patterson, Charles Williams and D'Juan Baker have been getting all the publicity, Torraye Braggs has been quietly going about his business across town.

The Xavier junior, who is starting at center, was not surprised by his Division I debut last Saturday, when he scored 22 points on 9-of-9 shooting.

''I know what I'm capable of,'' he said.

Tonight's game will give Braggs an opportunity to challenge himself against a preseason All-American in Danny Fortson.

''This is a big test for myself and the team,'' Braggs said. ''This will tell us a lot about where we're at.

''But you've got to approach everybody you play like it's a Danny Fortson or somebody like that ... (And) every game you've got to approach like you're playing No. 1.''

REVVING UP: There is a chance Xavier senior center Kevin Carr could play tonight.

Carr, who had knee surgery in June, has been practicing more every day and this week has spent time working with the top seven or eight players.

He said Monday that it's ''possible'' he could play.

Carr played 35 minutes in last year's Shootout, finishing with just four points and six rebounds. He was 1-of-7 from the field.

Published Nov. 26, 1996.