The University of Cincinnati basketball team opens practice today with five seniors, one more than Andy Kennedy expected when he took over for Bob Huggins in August.
"He got away from (basketball) and gave his body the time it needed to see if he had the ability to come back," UC head coach Andy Kennedy said. "I was certainly open for it. It gives us another body that has been through (a season). He's worked in the offseason with the team, including weight training, conditioning, everything. He's playing as well as he's been since he's been here. He's as strong as he's been since he's been here."
Moore played in 24 games last season before leaving the team on Feb. 28. At the time, the pain of his back injury was just too much to bear. Moore has struggled with back problems since coming to UC. He has a degenerative back condition and also had a herniated disk and a bone fragment in his back. In March, Moore said he was told he could either rest or have surgery, and he decided against surgery.
Last season Moore's status was determined day-to-day, and this season will be the same, Kennedy said. Moore missed one game last year because of his back and two more because of the flu.
"I'm going to be judicious in the way I use him," Kennedy said. "With us (practicing) for two-and-half to three hours a day, we have to be smart. He knows what he can and can't do."
"If he can remain healthy, he can be a huge help for us as especially on defense, when healthy, he was on of our best on-the-ball defenders," Kennedy said. "We may move him off the ball, with Jihad (Muhammad), Devan (Downey) and Domonic (Tilford) we have a lot of flexibility at the point. If we move Chadd off the ball, he can develop more of a scorer's mentality."
Last season Moore started five games, averaging 3.3 points per game. More importantly, he had 59 assists to just 29 turnovers. In 70 career games, he's averaging 3.1 points and two assists per game.
"Chadd's more of a pass-first guy," Kennedy said. "But he's a creator. I still think that's his role for us offensively. He has the ability to slither and snake through traffic to the basket."
- The Bearcats will conduct a full, closed-door session tonight. Fans are invited to a three-hour open session Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Fifth Third Arena. The UC women's team, led by head coach Laurie Pirtle, will follow with an open practice from noon to 2 p.m.
Both teams will sign autographs at Cattitude on the Commons, beginning at 2:30 p.m., leading into the 4 p.m. Homecoming football game vs. Connecticut in Nippert Stadium.
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