Yes, two of their big guys were in "limbo"
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061021/SPT0101/610210470/1064
"Adam Hrycaniuk and Hernol Hall go to basketball practice every day at the University of Cincinnati not knowing if they'll be able to play when the Bearcats open their season.............
Both Hrycaniuk, a 6-foot-10 center from Mysliborz, Poland, and Hall, a 6-10 center from Limon, Costa Rica, are waiting for an NCAA ruling concerning their participation in leagues in their native countries that could force them to sit out several games this season..."
PS--- The Cincinnati Bearcats held an open intrasquad scrimmage yesterday, Sunday.
the news reports state the best player was John Williamson, another juco PF that Sikes will be battling for playing time.
Williamson had 21 points, 11 rebounds, and the report mentions the performances of several other players, but doesn't say how Sikes did or if he played.
http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102206aaa.html
But I did find a link to the scrimmage's box score:
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/cinn/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/UCScrimmageOct.pdf
and it does show that Marcus Sikes did pretty well.
He apparently played a lot, was 5-7 from the floor, 4 rebounds and 13 points.
Here are a couple of comments from their message board posters who saw the scrimmage:
"Marcus Sikes ???‚¬??? Sikes impressed me the most today. He was rebounding shots, making nice passes, stroking it from inside and outside, going after loose balls, etc. His game today was nothing like his reviews. He was the most versatile, and he can be used at the 3, 4, and 5 positions. His 6???‚¬?„?8 looks legit. If he plays during the season like he did today he will easily be lots of peoples favorite. He is very quick too for a big guy and has soft hands."
"Sikes continues to impress..from some his later games in the Devores play to this game....he has kirkland size, but a much more sound wing player IMO...better outisde shooting, better shot selection and better rebounding effort crashing the boards"
and from the Rivals report of the scrimmage is a bit less complimentary, "
and says he has the chance to be one of the better bench players in the Big East."
"Marcus Sikes
Sikes is a fundamentally sound player that at times seems to take a play off here and there. At one point in the scrimmage Coach Cronin called him and Abdul out for not hustling and took them both out of the scrimmage.
He has really nice touch around the rim and seems to always be in good position for the rebound. He can bang inside or take his man out on the perimeter.
He was 2-4 from behind the arc and 5-7 overall. He knows how to use his body very well. His biggest weakness right now is his inconsistent effort at times.
If he can become consistent from an effort stand point I feel that he will be one of the better bench players in the Big East."
With his talent he would start instantly and be a superstar in the Valley.