Three Points

I. Cincinnati's Conference USA dominance is near an end. The Bearcats have earned at least a share of every regular season championship since the league was formed in 1995-96, but they've appeared vulnerable during a 7-3 start. Meanwhile the league is tougher than ever at the top, with No. 19 Louisville , No. 24 Marquette and Memphis all capable of winning the conference crown.

2. Now the SEC is a football and a basketball league. At week's end the conference's hoopsters had five ranked teams, with Alabama and Mississippi State in the Top 10.

3. Wayne Simien 's injury couldn't have come at a worse time for Kansas . The Jayhawks' sophomore starting forward (15.9 points, 8.7 rebounds per game) is out indefinitely after dislocating his right shoulder in Saturday's 100-44 win over Missouri- Kansas City . Coach Roy Williams needs junior Jeff Graves (2.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg) to step up as Kansas enters the cauldron of the Big 12 schedule.