The Cincinnati Enquirer

Q, from Darryl: I would have expected that James White would be practicing with the Bearcats by now, but have seen no reports that he is. Is he practicing with UC, and is he allowed to travel with the team?

A: Florida transfer James White is expected to arrive in town today and could be at the Miami game. He's not allowed to travel with the team until he becomes eligible to play next December.

Q, from Scott, North Olmsted, Ohio: Thom Brennaman made mention during the Clemson game that Taron Barker can bench-press more than anyone on the team? Haven't we heard this song and dance before regarding the likes of Michael Horton, Keith LeGree, etc? The last time I looked, when they tip it up there isn't a weight bench with a 325-pound barbell at center court. Maybe if Taron Barker and his teammates were told to spend one-third less time in the weight room and the remaining two-thirds practicing jump shots and free throws, we would not be throwing up 44 and 51 points.

I think Clemson's two guards, who both look 17 years old and all of 160 pounds, prove my point. Also, maybe Taron's back is hurt because of excessive weight lifting. How could a top 40 recruit like Chadd Moore be so far from ready that Jamaal Lucas is an option before him? I'm asking you. You see them practice. Does he look lost to you? And what about Kirkland? There were only 15 articles after the Xavier game referring to the impact he had on the offense. It was nice to see him get in for the last 20 seconds of the first half against Clemson.

A: You're right. Weightlifting alone does not win basketball games. But UC has enjoyed great success with its weightlifting program, which has allowed the Bearcats to physically dominate opponents over the years.

If anything, UC appears to need more, not less time in the weight room, given the way the Clemson players pushed them around under the basket the other night.

Actually I don't see Chadd Moore practice very often because practice is closed to the media, so it's difficult for me to judge if he's lost or not, but those in the program who do see him tell me he throws the ball away too much. As for Kirkland, the biggest rap against him is that he hurts UC in rebounding while he's in the game.

Q, from Tim: I was told last year about a freshman or sophomore out of the Dayton-Springfield area who committed to Cincinnati. He is a guard and averaged 30-plus points. Is that true?

A: UC has received no oral commitment from a freshman or sophomore in the Dayton-Springfield area.

Q, from Jerry: David West is on the perimeter more than on the blocks. Are they more interested in his NBA development or winning games?

A: Without analyzing the video from each game, it's hard to argue that West is on the perimeter more than on the blocks, but he is moving away from the basket more than ever before. It's beneficial to his professional future, but it also makes him more difficult to guard at Xavier. That said, he has more ability to make an impact down low than he does outside.

Q, from Jay: Is Lionel Chalmers trying to do too much from the two guard? It seems he's trying to play both guard positions.

A: The coaches like Chalmers' ability to play any guard position on the floor, but it's hard not to expect him to play with a point guard mentality.

Bill Koch covers UC and Dustin Dow XU for the Enquirer. E-mail basketball@enquirer.com