http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...280360/1062/SPT <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Freshman key to UC future Together they form the cornerstone for the future of the University of Cincinnati basketball program. UC's six freshmen were ranked among the nation's top 25 recruiting classes and are being counted on to help return the Bearcats to their former position among the nation's elite teams. So far the results from this group have been mixed. There have been moments when they flash their potential, but consistency has been elusive. "You can see with each guy that he's going to be a solid player," said UC coach Mick Cronin, whose 4-7 Bearcats play Miami on Saturday at U.S. Bank Arena. "This group, by their junior year, are going to be guys that have played and been coached and trained to play hard. When I speak to them, I'll be speaking English. Right now I'm still speaking a little Swahili to them. It takes time." The two most impressive freshmen have been 6-foot-6 forward Rashad Bishop and 6-3 guard Larry Davis. Bishop has started six of UC's 11 games and has received the most playing time of all the freshmen, averaging 22.7 minutes. He averages 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds and has made 35.7 percent from 3-point range. "I would say he's made the adjustment to college basketball quicker (than the other freshmen)," Cronin said. "You see the potential of a guy who's going to be a very good player. He's a good passer and he can score in a lot of different ways. He's shown a lot of poise for a freshman in high-pressure situations." Davis has started two games and is averaging 5.8 points in 13.8 minutes per game. He's shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from 3-point range, but still needs to improve his defense. "Because he plays so hard, he's been able to make the adjustment better than some thought he would," Cronin said. "He's got tremendous quickness, which helps him a lot. He's a solid shooter and he's got a lot of confidence. "From day one, he's been a guy that plays hard every day in practice. That allows him to cover up for mistakes because he's constantly hustling." If Belton and Davis have been the most impressive, 6-5 swingman Alvin Mitchell and 7-foot center Anthony McClain have been the most disappointing in the early stages of their college careers. Mitchell, who averaged 33 points in high school last season in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is averaging just 2.1 at UC. He has started one of the nine games in which he has played and averages 11.7 minutes. He has made only six of 33 field-goal attempts and has yet to connect on a 3-pointer in 13 attempts. "Playing hard and getting in the right spot have been challenges for him as they are with all freshmen," Cronin said. "He's struggled more than we had hoped he would. "His confidence got shaken early and he's learning that you've got to work your way out of it in practice. The adjustment has been much tougher than he thought, but he's trying to battle out of it over the holiday break." Because of Mitchell's physical strength, Cronin believed that he would adapt more quickly to the college game. "What happens is when you can't breathe you can't think," Cronin said. "That happens to Alvin. His conditioning has been a bigger problem than we thought it would be." McClain, considered a player with raw offensive skills when UC signed him, was expected to contribute this season as a rebounder and shot-blocker but is averaging only 7.1 minutes per game. He does lead the team with 11 blocked shots, but is averaging only 2.7 rebounds. "He has struggled with the intensity and the physicality of the game," Cronin said. "And his lack of strength has been an issue. He's going to be a work in progress. "He's got to get mentally tougher, physically tougher and physically stronger so he can sustain his energy out there and be a presence on both ends of the floor in the paint." Kenny Belton, a 6-8 forward, and Darnell Wilks, a 6-7 forward, both were candidates to be redshirted this season, but Cronin and his staff decided not to take that route. "We thought about it hard," Cronin said. "We figured we may need these guys to play major minutes next year so it was in their best interest to get game action this year. The other thing is if you redshirt a guy, sometimes he shuts down." Belton has played in only six games and has scored just two points with three rebounds. Wilks has played in 10 games and is averaging 1.6 points. "Kenny has slowly learned how to sustain his energy," Cronin said. "He's still got a way to go, but defensively he has gotten better. His conditioning has gotten way better and his understanding of the game has gotten better as well. He's come a long way. You can see where he's going to be a good player." Wilks appears to be the most athletic of the group, but he needs to get stronger. "When he gets his strength to match his athleticism," Cronin said, "it will allow him to get a lot more done out there."</div> The Bearcats' freshman class Player Ht. Pos. PPG <div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'>Rashad Bishop6-6F5.9 Larry Davis6-3G5.8 Anthony McClain7-0C2.6 Alvin Mitchell6-5G2.1 Darnell Wilks6-7F1.6 Kenny Belton6-8F0.3</div>
