INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 15-14; 5-11 in Big 12 (9th) Postseason: None. Last NCAA appearance was in 1997. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Harrison 13.9 Rebs: Pelle 10.8 Assists: Morandais 2.8 FG: Harrison 63.8% 3pt: Wilson 42.9% FT: Wilson 80.9% 01-02 Stats: Colorado | Big 12 KEY LOSSES D.J. Harrison | 10.7 ppg Chevis Brimmer | 7.4 ppg Nick Mohr | 6.1 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Antoine McGee. | Fresh G | M. Morandais | Junior F | Blair Wilson | Junior F | Stephane Pelle | Senior C | David Harrison | Soph Player to Watch David Harrison Soph Forward Less weight means more minutes for 7-footer with plenty of talent. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 3 Colorado will find out quickly if it is a team that can hang with tough national teams. If the Buffaloes can defeat Georgia on this date, they have a chance to possibly move up into the Big 12's upper division.

 

COLORADO BUFFALOES

Colorado has been one of the more confounding teams in the Big 12 in the last two years. The Buffaloes have had talent, but it hasn't always translated to victories. There have been injuries and incidents, departures and suspensions. Colorado coach Ricardo Patton has talked about the need to eliminate distractions this year despite the fact that the Buffs point guard James "Mookie" Wright has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested in a dormitory incident. But while there have been distractions, the biggest reason for Colorado's struggles has been a huge lack of defense. In each of the last two seasons, Patton's team has finished second in scoring in the Big 12 to Kansas. It's led to exactly zero NCAA tournament appearances. Last season finishing last in the conference in scoring defense was a big factor in a 15-14 record. Patton changed his recruiting philosophy in the offseason to address the problem and looked for talent and grit. The hope is that Coloroado -- with a talented front line -- will be able to be more complete this season.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Center David Harrison, a 7-footer, was highly recruited and highly touted last season as a freshman. The problem is that he was overweight, something that kept him from being a 30-plus minutes per game guy. That's changed this season as Harrison has lost about 30 pounds, gained muscle and appears ready to make an impact. Combine him with 6-9 forward Stephane Pelle and Colorado has one of the better frontlines in the Big 12.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
With Wright suspended, Colorado will likely start freshman Antoine McGee at point guard. In a conference that has T.J. Ford, Aaron Miles and Hollis Price, starting a freshman can be a risky proposition. That's compounded with the fact that neither of the Buffs other primary perimeter players -- Michel Morandais and Blair Wilson -- are point guards.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
Colorado is another team that would have a better chance to be competitive if they played in a different conference. The reality is that while Colorado should be better this season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament will be a difficult task in the Big 12.