By Bill Koch and Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Q, from Marc: Why does Bob Huggins insist on playing only those who "try hard" in practice? He is the worst manager of personnel ever. Eric Hicks should be starting and playing 20-25 minutes. Chadd Moore should back up Taron Barker when he's in foul trouble. Each year we get (shortchanged) because of Huggins' dogged insistence on using good practice players.

A: Huggins isn't the only coach who believes practice serves as a good indicator for how a player will perform in a game. Every player arrives at college believing his high school or junior-college credentials entitle him to playing time. Huggins believes players have to earn that playing time on the practice floor. Whether or not you agree with that philosophy, his track record at UC is pretty good.

For Tim, who last week inquired about a player from the Dayton-Springfield area who committed to UC.

A: The player in question was Jamar Butler of Lima Shawnee High School. Butler, a 6-foot-2 junior guard who has orally committed to UC, averaged 30.9 points last season as a sophomore. He's averaging 26.4 points through seven games this season.

Q, from Joe in Arkansas: Was David West just talking about Dave Young in his outburst last week, or were there other players as well?

A: Yes and no. West is not naming names, but he was most upset with Young for arguing with coach Thad Matta during and after the game, and that prompted the outburst. But West was also upset that Xavier coasted through the second half of the Eastern Kentucky game.

Q, from Ian: How will Lionel Chalmers' absence affect XU's rotation?

A: Without Chalmers, Xavier's only true point guard is freshman Dedrick Finn, who will have to be much more cautious on defense to avoid foul trouble. Walk-on freshman Keenan Christiansen will back up Finn, and you might see sophomore Keith Jackson assume some ball-handling responsibilities against a press.

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

UC/XU Q&A