People used to talk about the quality of men's hoops in Boulder about as often as they mentioned the quality of the surfing. Which makes the following statement by center David Harrison about the Buffaloes' first-round loss to Michigan State in the 2003 NCAA Tournament all the more amazing: "It really wasn't that big of an accomplishment," he says. "I mean, 65 teams get into the NCAAs. We got put out in the first round. I just wish we would have made it a couple of games into the tournament. That would have made it a lot better."

That seems to be the kind of mindset coach Ricardo Patton hopes his entire team carries into 2003-04. "This is what I want from them -- to still be excited about what they did, to understand what it took to achieve that and then to want more," Patton says.

For the first time since Chauncey Billups ran the show at CU, the Buffaloes justifiably believe great things can happen at the Coors Events Center, once a mausoleum that came to life as CU upset four ranked Big 12 teams in 2003.

"The expectations have changed," says returning starter Blair Wilson, a Colorado native. "We no longer expect to barely make the tournament. We expect to contend for the Big 12 this year, and then to be a lock for the tournament and do something in the tournament."

FRONTCOURT:

Patton has a wonderful foundation of Harrison in the middle and Michel Morandais on the wing.

If Morandais can raise his game as much this year as he did last, he could play his way into the first round of the NBA Draft next June. He figured out how to use his athleticism to improve his rebounding and passing, and a summer stint with the French National Team should continue to polish his game.

Meanwhile, Harrison, a former McDonald's All-American, calls a late-season injury to his right wrist a "blessing in disguise." He spent the summer working on his left hand, which he hopes will shore up a weakness opponents started to figure out last year. The 7-footer still did big things as a sophomore, establishing CU's single-season (106) and single-game (10) blocked shot records. He's another NBA-bound player -- it's just a matter of whether he enters after his junior or senior year.

How the Buffs fill the power forward position will say plenty about the team's chances this winter. Departing senior Stephane Pelle averaged nearly a double-double, and it will be up to senior Lamar Harris to replace those numbers. "I think Lamar Harris wants to be that guy, and I think he showed some flashes last season of being able to rebound the basketball," Patton says. "But Stephane did so many other things. He blocked shots. He hit the 15-foot shots for us."

The Buffs will need a younger player to provide the energy Harris gave off the bench last year. Sophomores Chris Copeland and Glean Eddy or freshman Keith Smith are the most likely candidates.

BACKCOURT:

Wilson was another player who blossomed last year. He came up big in the Buffs' crucial wins over Kansas and Texas, but, like his team, seemed far less comfortable on the road. When he's on, he's an outstanding 3-point shooter who can change a game quickly.

Jayson Obazuaye did not see much time in his debut season but has a chance to play quality minutes at the 2-guard as a sophomore.

Antoine McGee didn't put up big numbers as a freshman at the point, but he helped steer CU to some big wins when the team had no other options at the position. McGee should get the nod again this year, though Patton predicts Marcus Hall, a 6-foot-1 freshman from suburban Houston, will play a key role.

Morandais handled some of the point guard chores last season, and he could be called on again if McGee and/or Hall falter.

FINAL ANALYSIS:

This is a crossroads year for Colorado. Patton failed to parlay the tournament appearance into recruiting gold, instead entering the summer with an open scholarship. Only a second strong season will convince recruits that Buffball is nationally relevant.

For that to happen, Harris must expand his game, the point guard position must carry its weight, some young players will have to supply bench help and the team must win at sea level.

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