Notre Dame's 2003-04 season hung in the balance last June. Chris Thomas, the Fighting Irish's dynamic young point guard, had entered his name among those underclassmen wishing to enter the draft. He spent most of the month working out for NBA teams and contemplating his draft prospects.

But on Monday, June 16, three days before the NBA's deadline for underclassmen to remove their names from the list of early entries, Thomas, who had been projected as a late first-round pick at best and a probable second-rounder, announced that he would return for his junior year.

"I think it was great that he investigated it and even better that he was smart enough to come back," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "I think, especially with what he went through, that we'll get a player who will be a leader with a businesslike approach to the game.''

Thomas' return means Notre Dame will once again be a factor atop the Big East's standings. He'll pair with emerging star Torin Francis, a 6-foot-10 post player who made the Big East's all-rookie team.

Notre Dame failed to make a single NCAA Tournament appearance from 1991 to 2000. Now the Irish have raised NCAA banners after each of the past three seasons. With three starters and the top three reserves back, the Irish are looking for a fourth.

FRONTCOURT

Francis didn't play like a freshman. He averaged 11.1 points and grabbed 8.4 boards per game and played his best ball when it mattered most. In the Irish's three NCAA Tournament games he averaged 17.7 points and 12.7 rebounds, including a 25-point, 10-rebound effort in the Sweet 16 loss to Arizona.

"I think, even as a sophomore, he'll give us leadership," Brey said. "He's so businesslike in his preparation that I've tried to slow him down. On the court, he'll step away from the basket and make some jump shots."

The main frontcourt rotation will consist of part-time starters Tom Timmermans, a plodding 6-11 senior, and 6-9 forward Jordan Cornette, who started last season's first 21 games but played his best as a reserve in the final 13 games. Either or both could start this season.

Ricky Cornett didn't play much as a freshman, but he should fill Brey's need for another big guy.

BACKCOURT

Thomas is a terrific talent. He averaged 6.9 assists and led the Big East in that category for the second straight year. And he kept the ball enough to score 18.7 points per game.

But his flirtation with the NBA raised some eyebrows. After leading the Big East in assist-to-turnover ratio as a freshman, Thomas finished ninth in the conference last year with a 1.66 ratio, bringing into question his game-management skills.

"Decision-making, shot selection, better passes -- that's what the next level wants to see before he jumps to it," Brey said. "I think that will improve. But it's a fine line. I don't want to make him robotic. I want him to play fearlessly."

While Thomas is back, Brey must replace Matt Carroll, one of the best 3-point shooters in the Big East last year. Chris Quinn, Thomas' backup last season, could get time at two-guard this year in a smallish backcourt.

Colin Falls, a 6-4 freshman, may be the best shooter on this year's roster. Torrian Jones, a steady role player for the past three years, provides solid defense and experience, but he isn't much of an outside threat.

FINAL ANALYSIS

How far has Notre Dame come under Brey? Consider this: The only Big East team to reach double figures in conference victories in each of the past three seasons is Notre Dame. Not Syracuse or Connecticut, both of which have won national titles in the past five years.

Had Thomas gone ahead with his plans to enter the NBA draft, Brey's boys might have taken a step or two down the ladder. Instead, with Thomas' return, the Fighting Irish are ready to climb to the next rung.

Thomas and Francis give Brey the best inside-outside tandem in the Big East this side of UConn's Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon. And role players always seem to adapt to bigger roles under Brey, so Cornette and Quinn must follow the lead of Martin Ingelsby, Matt Carroll and David Graves.

"We're still earning our stripes," Brey said. "We've been consistent, and from Jan. 1 to March 8, that's where we need to be the most consistent. When the dust clears, we'll be in good shape."

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