2000-01 record: 20-10; 10-6 in Big 12 (5th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: Lost to USC 69-54 in first round of NCAA Tournament. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Baker 19.8 ppg | Rebounds: A. Williams 7.7 rpg | Assists: Baker 4.2 apg | FG %: Baker 52.5% | 3pt %: Baker 40.8% | FT %: Baker 80.6% 00-01 Stats: Oklahoma State | Big 12

		Thursday, Nov. 1 The Cowboys are a team with plenty of minutes that they've played together. Starting where they left off last year, they are going to be very good. The key is consistency out of Victor Williams at point guard. They have all the ingredients. They are good defensively, pretty good offensively. Maurice Baker is outstanding. So Williams, if he can be consistent, they will get off to a fast start.

OSU No. 16 in ESPN.com Top 25

Outlook
Who could not find it in their hear to cheer for Eddie Sutton and his players last season after that terrible plane crash ripped a hole in the heart of the team and the university itself.

The Cowboys somehow persevered and secured an NCAA Tournament berth. A first-round loss to USC ended the dramatic run, but Sutton returns all but one role player and he has added several talented players.

Although the Cowboys appear to be loaded, senior guard Maurice Baker is the barometer of this team. Baker (19.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.2 apg) does everything well. Even Sutton didn't know what he had when he signed Baker from the junior college ranks and he doesn't know what he would do without him. Junior Victor Williams (11.5 ppg, 3.7 apg) should start again at point guard, but could be pushed for playing time by Cheyne Gadson (22.0 ppg, 5.7 apg), a transfer from Westchester (N.Y.) Community College.

Sophomore Aaron Hill, a transfer from Salt Lake City Community College, is a 45-percent 3-point shooter who should provide instant offense. Senior forward Fredrik Jonzen (15.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and junior forward Andre Williams (6.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg), and guard/forward Melvin Sanders (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg) provide Sutton with flexibility and do plenty of dirty work on the glass.

But they key inside presence could be sophomore forward Ivan McFarlin. He was academically ineligible last season but is a tenacious rebounder who averaged 15.9 points, 14.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks as a senior at Willowridge High School in Texas.

What we like: Let's start with Sutton, who is in the midst of his third decade as a coach and did a masterful job of holding the team together in the face of tragedy last season. Baker is one of the best guards in America; Jonzen is a budding star; and the role players take care of their responsibilities selflessly.

What we don't like: You could study the roster for hours and still struggle to come up with more than superficial flaws. OK, so the Cowboys don't have a post tandem to match Drew Gooden and Nick Collison of Kansas. But how many teams do?

The bottom line: Sutton and his staff added the necessary pieces for this team to make a serious run at the conference title. Baker, Jonzen and Williams should provide consistent scoring. And this season there are plenty of capable backups to keep everyone fresh. The only possible downfall is if the chemistry isn't right. Even if the Cowboys can't overtake Kansas and Missouri during the regular season. They should at least reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Maurice Baker	Sr.	G	6-1/175	PTS: 19.8 | REB: 6.7 | AST: 4.2
Fredrik Jonzen	Sr.	F	6-10/230	PTS: 15.0 | REB: 6.5 | AST: 2.5
Melvin Sanders	Jr.	G/F	6-5/205	PTS: 8.0 | REB: 4.4 | AST: 0.9
Victor Williams	Jr.	G	5-10/185	PTS: 11.5 | REB: 2.8 | AST: 3.7
Andre Williams	Jr.	F	6-7/210	PTS: 6.8 | REB: 7.7 | AST: 0.8

Oklahoma State Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Aaron Hill	G	6-4	Gunnison Valley, Utah/Salt Lake City CC
Frans Steyn	C	7-2	Pretoria, Gauteng/South Africa
Cheyne Gadson	G	6-3	Jamaica, N.Y./Westchester CC
Guy Ikpah	G	6-0	Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown