INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 10-19; 5-13 in WAC (8th) Postseason: None. Last NCAA appearance was in 1970. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Harris 12.8 Rebs: Harris 8.6 Assists: Mance 2.0 FG: Harris 57.4% 3pt: Mance 41.7% FT: Gillispie 81.1% 01-02 Stats: Rice | WAC KEY LOSSES T.J. McKenzie | 5.3 ppg Ferron Morgan | 3.2 ppg Shawn Tyndell | 7.5 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | O.-Seli Mance | Senior G | Jason McKrieth | Soph F | Michael Harris | Soph F | Yamar Diene | Junior C | Brandon Evans | Senior Player to Watch Michael Harris Sophomore Forward Got plenty of on-the-job training for starting (starring?) role this year. DATE TO REMEMBER Nov. 22 The season-opener is at home, as good a chance as any to show off that shiny (and hopefully not slippery) new floor against Tulane.

 

RICE OWLS

Injuries never allowed Rice to break out last season, proven by the 10-19 overall record and 5-13 conference mark. Autry Court has a new playing surface, and 11-year head coach Willis Wilson hopes it will curtail many of the knee injuries Rice has suffered in recent years. Team speed and quickness has been lacking from Rice, but returning experience could make up for some of the slow feet. Those up front (sophomore Michael Harris, senior Brandon Evans and junior Yamar Diene) all logged significant minutes last season. Harris, the WAC's reigning Freshman of the Year, was impressive in his first Division I season, averaging 12.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He shot 53.6 percent in conference play. The Owls last had a winning season in 1999 and if that streak is going to end, some of Wilson's heralded recruits must step up. One is Mike Kinsella, a 7-foot, 240-pounder from Minnesota. He's the program's first legitimate 7-footer since the 1970s. Four skilled backcourt players return, led by senior point guard Omar-Seli Mance, who needs to be reminded at times to pass first and shoot second.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Rice officials are serious about the new floor cutting down on the injuries which felled this team. The Owls should be tougher physically with more proven depth. Six of the 19 losses last season were by five points or less, including a setback against NCAA Tournament team Tulsa. Sophomore guard Jason McKrieth -- who battled injuries and was faced with his mother's illness and death last year -- is one player who should be significantly healthier in mind and body.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Mance (6-2, 190) shot 41 percent on threes last season, which is good and bad. It's good because he can score; it's bad because he also needs to run the offense and distribute the ball. McKrieth (who was limited to 18 games as a freshman) will be joined in the guard rotation by junior Rashid Smith, who started 18 games last year. There are enough bodies for Wilson to start a three-guard lineup, but not enough proven ones to guarantee success.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
Harris has a chance to be an all-conference selection the next three years and it does appear Wilson has stacked a few solid recruiting classes together. But the Owls are still a ways from competing with the WAC's best. There should be more nights of scaring Hawaii and Tulsa this season, but a winning record will be difficult to manage.