INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 18-12; 7-7 in MWC (Tied 4th) Postseason: Lost to Memphis 80-69 in second round of NIT. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Hansen 15.7 Rebs: Hansen 6.2 Assists: Hansen 1.5 FG: Jensen 50.2% 3pt: Bigelow 42.2% FT: Jensen 84.5% 01-02 Stats: BYU | MWC KEY LOSSES Eric Nielsen | 10.0 ppg Matt Montague | 6.2 ppg Daniel Bobik | 6.7 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Ricky Bower | Junior G | Mark Bigelow | Junior F | Travis Hansen | Senior F | Jared Jensen| Soph C | Rafael Araujo | Junior Player to Watch Travis Hansen Senior Forward Best rebounding guard in the league combines with Bigelow to form nice backcourt. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 4 Playing at Arizona State is a major opportunity for BYU to show playing away from Provo no longer means an automatic loss.

 

BYU COUGARS

You are looking at perhaps the league's most dangerous team, picked fourth in most preseason polls and yet talented enough to finish much higher. The Cougars have won 36 straight at home and could contend for a title if they improve on last year's 1-11 road record. Top scorers Travis Hansen (15.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Mark Bigelow (14.9 ppg) return at wings, but the difference could be newcomer Rafael Araujo. The skilled junior-college center goes 6-11, 260 pounds and gives BYU the kind of athletic post player it has sought. The biggest loss is at point guard, where under-appreciated Matt Montague (7.2 apg) has departed. It's a good thing that Wisconsin transfer Ricky Bower was thought by many the team's best player in practice last season. Montague was more than just a skilled passer, but also a calming influence when things went bad. Bower needs to possess that same leadership. Araujo might need 10 or so games to understand the Division I pace, and he'll be supported by sophomore Jared Jensen (6-9, 240), who shot nearly 60 percent from the field last year.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Hansen arrived with little hype, but has developed into an all-conference caliber player. Bigelow had a wonderful freshman season, went on a two-year Mormon mission and then wore down at the end of last year. Now, the duo should be one of the league's best scoring combinations. Each can shoot and attack off the dribble and each should benefit from better inside play. Versatility at both wing spots should make the transition for Araujo that much easier.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Steve Cleveland did another fine job last season as head coach, leading BYU to 18 wins and into the NIT. But a return to the NCAA field will demand the Cougars start winning away from the Marriott Center. The lone road victory last season came in the season-opener at University of San Diego, a mid-level West Coast Conference team. This year's non-conference schedule includes games at Arizona State and Creighton.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
The fact that BYU is getting more athletic is not good news for conference opponents. If Bigelow returns to the form that saw him earn conference Freshman of the Year honors, BYU will compete for a high seed come league tournament time. Another post-season berth -- be it the NCAAs or NIT -- is in order for such a potentially solid team.