 Batts was heavily recruited out of high school and considered attending the University of Cincinnati, Purdue University and Long Beach State.He chose Cincinnati, in large part because former Thornton Township star Jim Ard had just finished a great career there and because it was the alma mater of all-time basketball great Oscar Robertson.As a sophomore in 1971–72, Batts led the Bearcats in scoring with 18.7 points per game as the team, coached by Tay Baker, posted a 17-9 record.