The Cincinnati Enquirer

There were about 2,500 tickets remaining on Friday for today's 4 p.m. game between Kentucky and Ohio U at U.S. Bank Arena.

Tickets are $30, available through Ticketmaster outlets or at the gate.

Ohio has a pair of Cincinnati natives, and they're arguably the best reasons the Bobcats earned the role of Mid-American Conference favorite this season.

Senior starters Brandon Hunter of Withrow (18.4 ppg) and Steve Esterkamp of LaSalle (10.9) are Ohio's Nos.1 and 3 scorers. Hunter, a 6-foot-7, 265-pound forward, averages 12.6 rebounds.

The Bobcats (3-5) struggled early, with six of their first seven games on the road, with their losses coming by an average of 16.6 points. They returned home Tuesday to beat St. Bonaventure 104-101.

This is the fifth regular-season meeting between Kentucky and Ohio in 14 seasons. UK won 95-58 in Athens five seasons ago, Tubby Smith's first campaign as coach. But the three prior meetings were close: 76-73 in November 1989, 73-63 in December 1991, and 79-74 in November 1994.

UK's Daniels discovers comfort zone

Tipoff: 4 p.m. today, U.S. Bank Arena (16,000).

Records: UK 8-3, Ohio 3-5.

Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).

TV: Ch. 64.

Series: UK leads 12-1.

Line: UK by 13.

KENTUCKY

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Chuck Hayes	So.	6-6	9.0
Erik Daniels	Jr.	6-8	9.3
Marquis Estill	Sr.	6-9	11.4
Keith Bogans	Sr.	6-5	17.9
Gerald Fitch	Jr.	6-3	11.5

Coach: Tubby Smith (140-46, sixth season; 264-108 overall).

OHIO

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Steve Esterkamp	Sr.	6-6	10.9
Brandon Hunter	Sr.	6-7	18.4
Delvar Barrett	Jr.	6-8	6.0
Jaivon Harris	Jr.	6-5	7.1
Thomas Stephens	Sr.	6-0	3.8

Coach: Tim O'Shea (20-16, second season; same overall).