Against Oklahoma State, Cincinnati put on perhaps the best overall defensive performance I have seen all season. The Bearcats were everywhere, got out in passing lanes and disrupted the Cowboys' offense from the opening tip.

The perception of the Bearcat program is that of an undisciplined group of players, and that Bob Huggins has to coach with a whip and a chair. That is nonsense. While Huggins may come off as abrasive in practice, his players respond to him in a positive manner, and there is no way that a team can play defense the way Cincinnati does without being a disciplined team.

The Bearcats get into you, move you further out on the floor than you want to be, and play hard and physical without fouling. That is the definition of discipline.

The Bearcats only problem is on the offensive end. Leonard Stokes and Jason Maxiell can both score, but there is no help from the center spot, which means that Maxiell can count on being doubled. The biggest weakness for Cincinnati is the lack of a Steve Logan type leader. Field Williams is limited beyond his long-range shooting ability.

This is not Bob Huggins' best team, but it may wind up being his best coaching job. Cincinnati is going to the NCAA Tournament, and next year, with Robert Whaley and James White joining the mix, the Bearcats will be one of the nation's best teams.

Speaking of defense, the best defenders in the country are often hard to spot for most, because of our overemphasis on scoring. Here are a few of the best defenders I have seen this season:

Melvin Sanders, Oklahoma State: Sanders is a man. He is strong, athletic, and moves his feet. Sanders has a mindset to stop people and takes pride in his defense. He is one of the most valuable defenders in the country.

Emeka Okafor, UConn: Okafor is a young Bill Russell on the defensive end. He blocks shots, changes shots, and allows his teammates to gamble and defend with confidence. Okafor's defensive rebounding is just as important as his shotblocking, and there is no more valuable defender in the nation.

Royal Ivey, Texas: Ivey is long-armed, long fingered, and is athletic enough to guard multiple positions. Rick Barnes relies upon Ivey to guard all over the floor, and he is now scoring the ball better to be a more complete player.

Kenneth Lowe, Purdue: Lowe is versatile, athletic and really moves well laterally. He is very good off or on the ball, and really understands help defense. Lowe is the best defender in the Big Ten, and if he isn't named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, there should be an investigation.

Reece Gaines, Louisville: Gaines is long, athletic and tough to get past or see over. He has active hands and feet, and gets a lot of deflections. Best of all, Gaines outworks people on the defensive end, and is in great condition.

Julius Page, Pittsburgh: Page is a lefty, not to mention a great athlete. He is the best on-ball defender in the Big East, and can really pressure the ball and stay in front of people. He has the strength to lock down a ball-handler, and he can make it tough to get into the lane. Plus, when he makes a pick, he can throw it down at the other end with the best in the business.

Justin Hamilton, Florida: Hamilton is a great athlete, and the top perimeter defender in the SEC. He is long, strong and very athletic. Hamilton is a one-man press, has a 38-inch vertical leap, and can lock down a perimeter player of any size and skill level.

Chris Daniels, Georgia: Daniels is not a shotblocker like Okafor, just a big guy that knows how to guard the post and moves his feet well enough to break contact and get around in front. He gets steals, deflections and blocks, all while working hard on the blocks. Nobody likes to see Daniels guarding them. It's no fun.

Steve Blake, Maryland: Blake never gets the credit he deserves as being a great college player. He is long-armed and very determined, and he puts great pressure on the ball. At one time or another, Blake has outplayed every guard he has ever gone against, and he is a winner. Blake is one of the most determined defenders in the nation.

Chris Duhon, Duke: Duhon is struggling on the offensive end, and his leadership is being questioned, but his defense is still excellent. Duhon is a big guard who is very athletic on the defensive end. He has been blown by on occasion this year, which has not happened to him in the past, but I believe that is due to some of his shooting issues carrying over to the other end. Overall, Duhon is an outstanding defender.

Hollis Price, Oklahoma: Price is one of the best all-around guards in the country, and can guard on or off the ball. He anticipates very well, and gets steals and deflections. Price is a pro, period. Don't tell me that he is too small or that he can't do certain things. He CAN do so many things, plus he has the biggest heart in the game. Some team in the NBA needs to grab him. He is one of the best kids the college game has to offer, and he is a hell of a player.

Bosh Breakthrough
There is no question in my mind that Georgia Tech's Chris Bosh is the best freshman in the ACC, and I don't think it is that close.

Bosh is 6-10, skilled, and very productive. Bosh is averaging 16 points, 9.4 rebounds and shoots over 60 percent from the field. He leads the league in field goal percentage, offensive rebounds and blocked shots, and has shown great versatility and potential.

He hasn't hit any freshman wall, and is performing well even though he is now a target of opposing defenses and the first name mentioned in opponents' scouting reports.