CINCINNATI (AP) John Brannen played pick-up games at Cincinnati's on-campus arena when he was growing up and vividly recalls watching Kenyon Martin dunk over another player. He's coached - and lost - with visiting teams at the same arena.

The local guy is now in charge of the home team.

The Bearcats decided to stay in their backyard for Mick Cronin's replacement, choosing Brannen - the head coach at nearby Northern Kentucky - to try to extend their American Athletic Conference success and get deeper into the NCAA Tournament.