INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 20-10; 12-6 in Pac-10 (Tied/2nd) Postseason: Lost to Kansas 86-63 in second round of NCAA Midwest Region. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Barnes 11.1 Rebs: Childress 4.9 Assists: Barnes 3.1 FG: Davis 58.9% 3pt: Johnson 36.1% FT: Kirchofer 81.8% 01-02 Stats: Stanford | Pac-10 KEY LOSSES Casey Jacobsen | 21.9 ppg Curtis Borchardt | 16.9 ppg Tony Giovacchini | 3.8 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | C. Hernandez | Soph G | Julius Barnes | Senior F | Justin Davis | Junior F | Josh Childress | Soph C | Rob Little | Soph Player to Watch Josh Childress Soph Forward Started as a blue-chip freshman, now has chance to step into staring role. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 28 Stanford's suspect inside game will get all it can handle from Gonzaga in this year's Pete Newell Challenge.

 

STANFORD CARDINAL

Two standout players and 47.5 percent of the team's scoring. That's what Stanford lost when wing Casey Jacobsen and center Curtis Borchardt opted to leave early for the NBA. It might not be a complete rebuilding project for coach Mike Montgomery, but he needs to find a proven scorer and inside presence. The latter could come from sophomore Rob Little (6-10, 265), who averaged just under nine minutes last season but whose learning process will be at a hasty pace. Sophomore forward Josh Childress -- one of the more versatile Pac-10 players -- is another whose numbers should increase greatly from averages of 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. But suddenly, a source of strength at Stanford the past several years is now a potential weakness. The Cardinal is no longer big enough to go over the top offensively. Montgomery will play both sophomore Chris Hernandez and senior Julius Barnes at the point, with the latter again seeing much time at shooting guard. Stanford will be skilled at several spots, but also young with just one senior in Barnes.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
You have to figure a season in the Pac-10 made Hernandez a much better floor leader. Stanford could be special in the backcourt if he can play well enough to allow Barnes (10.9 ppg) his more natural two-guard spot. Childress can play on the perimeter and junior Matt Lottich has the range to extend defenses. There is no 20-point scorer among the group, but several have the ability to reach double figures each night. In other words, everyone contributes.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Stanford is fortunate the Pac-10 is not top-heavy at the center position. Montgomery could choose to go small, but that would mean junior forward Justin Davis (4.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) staying healthy and consistently playing to his potential. Joe Kirchofer is a big body at 6-9, 245 pounds, and will back up Little. But any significant foul trouble up front could make it impossible for Stanford to compete with the league's best.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
The league's biggest mystery. Montgomery is considered one of the nation's brightest coaching minds, and he'll need every trick and motivational speech to make this into a top four team in the Pac-10. If not for the man on the bench, we'd say this is an NIT squad from the beginning. Montgomery's wisdom alone puts Stanford on the NCAA bubble.