They beat ranked opponents such as Louisville, Oregon and Oklahoma State. They won 17 games. And for the 12th straight season, they were selected to play in the NCAA Tournament.

Still, the 2002-03 season was considered a disappointment by most everyone associated with the Cincinnati program. Perhaps it's a reflection of the impossible standard set by coach Bob Huggins, who has built Cincinnati into one of the nation's top programs. Perhaps it's the Conference USA competition finally catching up. Whatever the case may be, the Bearcats can't wait for this season to begin. Mostly so they can finally forget about last season.

It was indeed a strange sight. At times, the Bearcats were physically dominated. When needing a basket, they often didn't know where to turn. For the first time ever, the Bearcats were forced to play on opening day at the C-USA tournament (they lost). They were summarily dropped from the NCAA Tournament in the first round after failing to shoot 40 percent from the field for the 13th time. Huggins was ejected with two technical fouls. And so was the color analyst on Cincinnati's radio team because of words with an official.

For the first time since 1991, a Cincinnati team failed to win at least 20 games. It lost nine of its last 13 games. But not tough enough? That was downright difficult to stomach.

FRONTCOURT

There was a time when you treaded lightly into a lane against Cincinnati, partly because you expected a clubbing from a Danny Fortson or a Kenyon Martin. That time wasn't last season.

Things could get back to normal if junior college transfer Robert Whaley lives up to his press clippings. Whaley, a two-time junior college All-American, is a rugged rebounder and inside scorer. He appears to be the answer to Cincinnati's greatest need.

The Bearcats return undersized senior pivotman Kareem Johnson, who started most of last season, and sophomore Eric Hicks.

Whaley's presence would ease the load on junior forward Jason Maxiell, who didn't assert himself as expected on offense. Part of that had to do with opponents doubling down and wearing him out. Still, Maxiell was the team's leading rebounder and one of its top offensive options.

Sophomore James White, a transfer from Florida who becomes eligible in December, will add a mercurial dimension to the frontcourt. He's a tremendous leaper with a great ability to penetrate through a defense. His shot selection sometimes is suspect, but he won't be counted on for primary offensive responsibilities.

BACKCOURT

Field Williams can be one of the most devastating offensive weapons in C-USA -- when his shot is falling. He's largely a one-dimensional 3-point shooter (more than 80 percent of his career field-goal attempts are treys) and not someone who can score off the dribble. But let him get his feet set, station him behind a pick, and he can carry the Bearcats.

The larger issue is who gets him (or anyone else) the ball. Junior college transfer Nick Williams, once a starter at Kansas State, is expected to assume the point guard duties, although he might get a fierce battle from Chadd Moore, who had eight assists in the only game he started last season.

If senior Tony Bobbitt shows up (literally and figuratively), Cincinnati's backcourt would be well stocked in quality. Bobbitt, the ultimate streak shooter, left the team in February, but then returned and was reinstated. When the going got tough from Huggins, Bobbitt decided to get going, straight out the door. He came back a changed man, saying he was better equipped to handle the coach's demands. Bobbitt had 29 points in an early-season win against then No. 5 Oregon and later had 25 points in a February upset of Louisville.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Last season began ominously for Huggins, who suffered a heart attack in the Pittsburgh airport while on a recruiting trip. He was greatly touched by an outpouring of affection from coaches and fans, some of whom had regarded him as a villain.

Huggins reportedly has had chances before to leave Cincinnati, either for the NBA or West Virginia, his alma mater. He's still with the Bearcats. The thinking here is that last season was an aberration, not the start of a trend. Huggins has increased the talent and toughness quotient of his team. In a season in which there doesn't appear to be a singularly dominant team in C-USA, the Bearcats can begin clawing back to their rightful place -- the top.

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