Johnson close to Pro Bowl selection

Chad Johnson's wish of playing in a Pro Bowl might come true as soon as Thursday when the NFL announces its all-star teams. In fan voting completed last week, Johnson was second in the AFC at wide receiver behind only the Colts' Marvin Harrison. Four receivers from each the AFC and NFC go to Hawaii for the Feb. 8 game. Johnson's 541,489 votes were seventh-most for AFC players and 15th for all NFL players. Johnson leads the AFC with 1,211 receiving yards, is tied for the conference lead with 10 touchdown receptions and is fifth with 79 catches. The vote is split equally in thirds among fans, players and coaches. Bengals players voted Monday. No other Bengal is expected to make the team.

Mark Curnutte

Tickets available

The University of Cincinnati will place unclaimed student tickets on public sale for men's basketball December home games beginning at 9 a.m. today at the UC ticket office at One Edwards Center.

The school announced that the Feb. 21 game against Louisville is sold out and only about 100 tickets remain for the Dec. 23 Dayton game.

Will J. Lo be there, too?

Ben Affleck will be the grand marshal at the Daytona 500. The actor and NASCAR fan will begin the Feb. 15 race with the traditional command to the 43-car field: "Gentlemen, start your engines." Actor John Travolta served as grand marshal this year for the famed race at Daytona International Speedway.

Cool statistic

No one doubts there are way too many bowls, but check this out: Each of the top 25 teams in rush defense is in a bowl.

LadyHawks tryouts

Tryouts for the 2004 Cincinnati LadyHawks

W-League soccer team and U-19 and U-23 summer-league teams are Dec. 22-23 at the Wall2Wall Soccer facility from 3-5 p.m. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. For questions, call Wil Cagle (608-1581) or visit www.ladyhawks.com.

ONLINE

Bengals beat reporter Mark Curnutte answers reader e-mail. Go to Cincinnati.Com, keyword: bengals.