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There are signs, omens, portents. Billboards that offer exterminating solutions for roaches and fire ants. Green exit markers that read "Accident Investigation Site Next Right." Massive thunderheads that blanket the skyline in a cobalt upholstery. It's a humid 80-degree end-of-the-world kind of day in Houston. And No.1 Cincinnati is in town.

Inside the University of Houston's Hofheinz Pavilion, there are more signs, mostly homemade ones that read: "I Eat Bearcat For Breakfast," "Coogs Layeth the Smack Down" and, most prominent, "Kenyon Who?" The Kenyon in question is, of course, Kenyon Martin, UC's 6-foot-9, 230-pound senior center -- the best player in college basketball on college basketball's best team. If you're looking for apocalyptic scenemakers, Martin is your man. Tattooed on his left biceps is the Grim Reaper, gripping a scythe in one hand and a basketball in the other. Brandishing his guns in Jumpman black, No.4 emerges from the team huddle with a handful of resin, then claps a cloud you can smell five rows back. It's go time.

Tonight, Martin starts slowly, which means he has only 10 points and 10 rebounds by halftime. The second half, though, is pure Kenyonian. After an early throwdown, he points to sister Tamara and mom Lydia, who have driven down from Dallas for the game. Later, he grabs a teammate's missed shot and puts in a difficult left-handed reverse layup on his way to 26 points and 17 boards. Again, he looks up and winks at his family.

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