Arizona Wildcats Power Index: 42.5*

The 'Cats are loaded and experienced, have been there before, and can play at different speeds. Lute Olson has never had a squad quite like his 2002-03 Wildcats. Olson's 2001 national runner-up team was more talent laden, but this team is the finest collection of athletes in the country, and the most athletic and versatile team he's ever coached. In Jason Gardner (one of my top three point guards in the country with T.J. Ford and Luke Ridnour); Luke Walton (the most versatile frontcourt player in the college game); and Ricky Anderson (a skilled shooter, passer and offensive rebounder), Olson boasts the most experienced and skilled trio in the country. Gardner has tightened up his shooting stroke from deep and mid-range, and has become a much better defender. A year ago, Gardner was not a pro, but after his hard work, he now is. Salim Stoudamire is a perfectionist, left-handed sharpshooter who can guard people, and could mature into one of the best guards Olson has ever had in the desert. Hassan Adams is one of the finest offensive rebounding guards in the nation. Olson's distinctive motion principles and "hard to guard" mentality will put his players in a position to succeed, and his seniors won't let this team lose. -- Jay Bilas

Toughness: 8.4
Former Wildcat Richard Jefferson said Arizona needed to get tougher to win it all in 2003. He even said he wouldn't pick them No. 1 in 2002 until UA proved it was tougher. Now, he said all this in July, but it still rings true until a few tipoffs prove different. The Wildcats have to prove they can handle the tough road games at Oregon, Kansas and LSU before ESPN.com anoints them a clear favorite to win the title. Gardner and Walton are tougher players and freshman Hassan Adams seems to be one of the tougher first-year players in the country. But Arizona has to get stronger, not to mention more physical in the post throughout the season. The freshmen who'll be asked to play major minutes also must show they can handle things and not get rattled in a hostile environment. Lute Olson can preach these things in practice and in the huddle, but that doesn't mean it'll translate onto the court under pressure.

Talent: 9.3
Arizona has the best talent. Again, Arizona has the best talent in the country. Gardner is as good a college point guard as any in the game; Walton is as good a passing and shooting forward as we'll see this season; Adams will become one of the nation's best freshmen scorers, while the same is true of Channing Frye in the post. Salim Stoudamire arrives as one of the country's best shooting guards, Rick Anderson is already one of the better blenders on a team challenging for the title, and backups like Will Bynum (point), Andre Iguodala (forward), Isaiah Fox (forward), Chris Rodgers (guard), Dennis Latimore (forward) and Chris Dunn (forward) could all start or compete for starting positions on any other Pac-10 team.

Tourney Tested: 8.5
Olson has been tourney tested, going to five Final Fours at two schools and winning a national championship with Arizona in 1997. Gardner and Walton played in the 2001 national title game, while Anderson was a redshirt. But the other players on the squad -- all the sophomores and obviously the freshmen -- haven't played a minute of March Madness. If Arizona goes as deep in the NCAA tourney as expected, the spotlight will shine on each like never before. All this puts the onus on Gardner and Walton to lead Arizona past the Sweet 16, where the Wildcats were stopped a year ago by Oklahoma. Talented, yes. But the jury is still out on whether or not Arizona is tough, or experienced enough, to get to the Final Four.

Schedule: 9.2
Arizona's schedule is probably only second to Kansas in terms of toughness. It'll certainly prepare Arizona for what lies ahead in March. The Wildcats open the season with Western Kentucky, which won't be easy pickings (just ask Kentucky). Arizona's road game at San Diego State, playing Texas at home, at LSU and eventually at Kansas are all extremely tough draws. The Pac-10 season doesn't give them a break either, starting with Oregon and, as always, trips to UCLA and the Bay Area, let alone Arizona State. None are ever a given. Olson said he all but expects the Wildcats will lose a few games early, at least until the younger 'Cats understand how they must play to win at an elite level.

Xs & Os: 7.0
Olson continues to be one of the five best coaches in the game. He's a master at motivating and adjusting for different styles. Trying to come up with a game plan that suits this team won't be a problem. He knows how to get the most out of his players, strike a balance or feed the hot hand. Arizona's defense should be more of a gambling defense with Adams on the court. Expect the Wildcats to press more and take more chances, which ultimately could lead to easy baskets.

-- Andy Katz

ESPN.com's Power Index is based on a 10-point scale in each of these five categories: Toughness, Talent, Schedule Strength, Tournament Tested, Xs & Os. Teams are scored based on returning players, coaching staffs, a program's past performances in the regular season and postseason, as well as expectations heading into the 2002-03 season.