2000-01 record: 11-18; 4-12 in Big 12 (10th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Atchinson 11.4 ppg | Rebounds: Reynolds 7.7 rpg | Assists: Reid 3.8 apg | FG %: Reynolds 52.3% | 3pt %: Atchinson 40.5% | FT %: Atchinson 78.9% 00-01 Stats: Kansas State | Big 12

		Thursday, Nov. 1 K-State has a pretty good mix of returning players and new faces. The Wildcats have a junior college transfer, Pervis Pasco, who will need to be an immediate help. They were competitive in almost every ballgame last year. But their decision-making down the stretch and perimeter shooting just killed them. So this year, if they can improve in those areas, trips to Manhattan, Kan., will be difficult for every team in the Big 12.

Outlook
Jim Wooldridge's rebuilding project remains in the formative stages. The proof?

Wooldridge said recently he expects three or four of his freshmen to play significant minutes. And that proclamation comes despite the fact that the Wildcats return most of their key players.

The most indispensable player is senior point guard Larry Reid (11.2 ppg, 3.8 apg), who averaged nearly 35 minutes per game last season. Reid was second on the team in scoring, 3-point shooting and steals, and was No. l in assists. The Wildcats didn't have a true point guard to give Reid a breather last season. This season, the projected backup is freshman Marcus Hayes, who averaged 18.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a high school senior.

The shooting-guard spot is manned by senior Phineas Atchison (11.7 ppg, 40.5 percent 3-point shooting). Wooldridge hopes junior guard Gilson DeJesus, a transfer from Trinidad State (Colo.) Junior College, can provide scoring to complement Reid and Atchison.

Senior forward Travis Reynolds (10.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg) is the team's most experienced post player. However, he tends to play better coming off the bench. The Wildcats need more scoring from junior forward Quentin Buchanan (7.3 ppg), one of the team's better defenders, and immediate contributions from junior college transfer Pervis Pasco and freshman forward Travis Canby. If not, opponents won't honor the Wildcats' inside game.

What we like: Wooldridge is a defensive-minded coach and his teams held conference opponents to 39.7-percent shooting from the field last season. Those types of numbers will allow you to stay in most games. As a result of that defense, Kansas State lost some close games to some of the better Big 12 teams.

What we don't like: The triangle offense didn't always function efficiently. The results were poor shots and too many turnovers. And although all the new faces are cause for optimism, it will take Wooldridge and his assistants a bit of time to get the talent to mesh and settle on a regular rotation.

The bottom line: The program appeared improved last season and there appears to be better overall talent this season. But the front-runners in the Big 12 had a significant head start and it will take the Wildcats a few seasons to close the gap, if they can at all. The best this team can hope for is an NIT bid and even that seems out of reach.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Phineas Atchison	Sr.	G	6-1/170	PTS: 11.7 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 0.8
Larry Reid	Sr.	G	6-0/170	PTS: 11.2 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 3.8
Travis Reynolds	Sr.	F	6-7/210	PTS: 10.4 | REB: 7.7 | AST: 1.2
Matt Siebrandt	Jr.	F	6-8/240	PTS: 9.7 | REB: 3.8 | AST: 1.0
Quentin Buchanan	Jr.	F	6-7/200	PTS: 7.3 | REB: 3.8 | AST: 1.5

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Kelvin Howell	F	6-9/240	PTS: 6.7 | REB: 6.8 | AST: 0.9

Kansas State Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Gilson DeJesus	G	6-5	Sao Paulo, Brazil/Trinidad State JC
Janerio Spurlock	F	6-6	Cincinnati, Ohio/Chipola JC
Marcus Hayes	G	6-0	Oviedo, Fla./Oviedo H.S.
Travis Canby	F	6-9	Atlanta, Ga./Fork Union Military
Marcello DaBarrosa	F	6-9	Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Santo Americo H.S.
Pervis Pasco	F	6-9	Clearwater, Fla./Pensacola JC
Nick Williams	G	6-4	Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield