INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 24-10; 16-6 in Pac-10 (Tied/2nd) Postseason: Lost to Oklahoma 88-67 in NCAA West Region semifinal. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Gardner 20.5 Rebs: Anderson 7.3 Assists: Walton 6.3 FG: Frye 59.5% 3pt: Stoudamire 45.3% FT: Stoudamire 90.4% 01-02 Stats: Arizona | Pac-10 KEY LOSSES None PROJECTED STARTERS G | Jason Gardner | Senior G | S. Stoudamire | Soph F | Rick Anderson | Senior F | Luke Walton | Senior C | Chaning Frye | Soph Player to Watch Luke Walton Senior Forward Walton became the first non-guard to lead the Pac-10 in assists last season. DATE TO REMEMBER Jan. 2 Arizona opens conference on the road against the team most feel is its biggest threat in league -- Oregon. Might as well see who is tougher first.

 

ARIZONA WILDCATS

How high are expectations for Lute Olson's team in some circles? Think of the Sears Tower. O.K., think higher. The Wildcats have their deepest and most athletic team ever under Olson, which says something considering the coach owns a national championship ring. Three seniors -- point guard Jason Gardner and forwards Luke Walton and Rick Anderson -- anchor a team that includes five sophomores and four freshmen. The experience gained from a Sweet 16 trip last season will greatly benefit second-year players like guard Salim Stoudamire and center Channing Frye, each of whom will be expected to contribute in a big way. It's hard to imagine the Wildcats not matching up with whatever opponent they face, given the versatility of players like Walton. You either get an athlete (Frye) or a bruiser (sophomore Isaiah Fox) at center. The key might be an even better backcourt now that freshmen Hassan Adams and Chris Rodgers have joined the Gardner-Stoudamire combination. The schedule -- Texas, at Kansas, at LSU -- isn't as brutal as last season, but is still daunting in spots.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Obviously, the depth is as good as it gets at this level. More than the physical toll Arizona will deal opposing teams, it will play countless mental games by running in player after player. When others are tugging on their shorts and begging for a media timeout, the Wildcats might not yet be breaking a sweat. Arizona is one team where foul trouble might not turn a potential win into a defeat. Oh, yeah. It also helps to have a point guard like Gardner (20.4 ppg, 4.6 apg last season) making decisions.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Can the Wildcats handle the lofty expectations? Such hype eventually got the better of them in 1998, a season after the national championship. Cinderella is a role Olson's team won't enjoy this year, much as it did in 2000-01 when it began with wins against ranked teams in Maryland, Florida and Texas. But playing the part of hunted demands a different mindset, one we won't know Arizona possesses until the season begins.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
It's easy to say Arizona should book its flight to New Orleans and the Final Four now, but there may be more parity in college basketball this season than ever before. Talent, depth, athleticism, versatility, a Hall of Fame coach. Arizona has it all, which should be enough to win the Pac-10. But it also has the knowledge that several teams are capable of partying on Canal Street come April. None more, however, than these Wildcats.