Ordinarily, coach Stan Heath might feel secure about Arkansas' outlook. Four of the top five scorers return, a good sign on most teams. So all Heath has to do is smooth a few rough edges, show up and cruise to the NCAA Tournament. Nothing to it, right?

Hardly. The top four returners averaged a combined 38 points last season, underscoring Heath's biggest challenge -- trying to find offense for a team that appears sound in many other areas. Heath believes help will come from one of the most celebrated freshman classes in school history.

"I think [this] class will add some versatility and more scoring punch to our lineup to make us a much more effective team offensively," Heath said.

Improvement is needed coming off Arkansas' worst offensive season since 1966-67. Inexperience will be an issue, with nine scholarship players who are either sophomores or freshmen. But the Razorbacks will be able to roll out a stronger starting lineup and bring better depth off the bench in Heath's second season.

FRONTCOURT

Arkansas has lacked a strong inside presence since former All-American Corliss Williamson left nine years ago. Heath has put together a group that won't dominate but should contribute adequate rebounding and scoring.

Rashard Sullivan, Billy Pharis and Vincent Hunter will rotate and should provide better second-chance scoring than the team has had in recent seasons. Sullivan is an active rebounder who runs the floor well for a big guy, and Pharis brings a scorer's mentality and touch. Hunter needs to beef up his body but is tough under the boards and adds another shot blocker to go with Sullivan.

It's essentially a new crew. Pharis and Hunter are newcomers, and Sullivan played a small role until late last season. "We might be a little bit younger, but we certainly will have more guys that are effective in their scoring and making plays," Heath said.

Michael Jones, a fourth-year junior, can score quickly with his streaky outside shooting. But his height is needed inside where he's not so comfortable. He'll still be an asset off the bench.

Wenbos Mukubu is another odd fit. He's probably more suited to playing a wing, but with the team's depth on the perimeter, he could wind up as an undersized power forward. Mukubu is a strong jumper with a nose for steals.

BACKCOURT

This is the team's strength, because the depth has doubled and the talent has improved. Sophomores Jonathon Modica, Eric Ferguson and Kendrick Davis will have to share time with freshmen Olu Famutimi and Ronnie Brewer and senior Charles Tatum.

Now that Ferguson doesn't have to carry the load at point guard for 35 or even 40 minutes a game, his turnovers should decrease and his playmaking should increase. There was no backup to relieve him during his trial-by-fire freshman season. Brewer and Tatum are capable ball handlers who will spell Ferguson as needed.

Brewer, son of former Razorback All-American and NBA player Ron Brewer, is primarily a shooting guard. Heath is so confident in the scoring ability of Brewer and Famutimi that it wouldn't be surprising to see him install a two-wing offense that would rotate the two freshmen, Modica, Davis and possibly Tatum in those spots.

Famutimi and Brewer bring well-rounded games to a team that has limped along with one-dimensional players in recent seasons.

Famutimi suffered a knee injury late in his final high school season that required arthroscopic surgery, but he came back ahead of schedule and in time to play in Arkansas' Labor Day Weekend exhibition trip to Mexico.

Modica, who just missed making the USA Basketball Junior World Championships team in July, is the leading returning scorer (11.5 ppg). He has a consistent outside shot, can create his own offense and can penetrate. But he'll need to improve his defense if he wants to keep the freshmen from nudging him out of the starting lineup.

Tatum is a 3-point shooter with a quick release, but his best contribution could be leadership. He missed the entire '02-03 season with a knee injury.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Talent had dropped off so far in the final days under former coach Nolan Richardson that rebuilding has become a test of patience. An NCAA Tournament berth is unrealistic, but Heath has shown he can put a salty defensive team on the floor, and if the offense improves, the Hogs can reach the .500 mark and play in the NIT.

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