Eddie Sutton liked what he saw in practice last season -- from the scout team. Transfers Stevie and Joey Graham, twins who started two years ago at Central Florida, and Daniel Bobik from BYU regularly injected passion into Cowboy workouts. They led a scout team win over the starting five in one early-season scrimmage.

Along with a cast of newcomers and a few key holdovers, they represent a shift in personality for this Cowboys club. "One of the things I think is impressive," Sutton says, "is that this team seems to have a lot of basketball smarts. If they'll all buy into what their role will be, we'll have a chance to be a nice ball club."

This is Sutton's kind of team. Recent editions featured marvelous athleticism yet exasperated Sutton with carelessness and inconsistency that contributed to early exits from the NCAA Tournament.

"I'm optimistic," Sutton says. "There's some question marks. You never know how a team is going to come together. But I think we're talented enough that we should have another good year."

FRONTCOURT

Forward Ivan McFarlin has at times dominated. Other times, he's disappeared. The Cowboys need McFarlin to be consistent and play with the intensity that enables him to battle bigger foes inside.

"I think that I-Mac has a chance to be a real good player for us this year," Sutton says. "At times he's been inconsistent. But his teammates say he really improved over the summer in his ability to shoot the ball out on the floor. We all know he can rebound and play defense."

What the Cowboys don't know is just who will help McFarlin inside. There are numerous options, none of them proven.

Forward Jason Miller never became the impact force expected of him a year ago, when he showed only rare flashes of potential. Seven-footer Frans Steyn remains a project working to overcome a limited basketball background. Still, Sutton expects Steyn to take on a more prominent role. "Frans is getting better," Sutton says of the player who once roamed South Africa's rugby fields. "He might still be a year away from really playing a lot, but he will have to play for us. I'm still optimistic he can one day be a really good player."

Terrence Crawford, who missed last year with a torn Achilles' tendon, could provide major impact as a swingman, if he's healthy.

Onye Ibekwe, who played scant minutes as a freshman, and newcomers Tremaine Fuqua, Marcus Dove and David Monds will be given every opportunity to mix it up inside.

BACKCOURT

Baylor transfer John Lucas III adds depth and experience to the point guard position. Lucas averaged 13.3 points in 35 minutes a game last year for the Bears, and could find himself in Sutton's starting lineup.

The Graham twins, perhaps the top two players at UCF two years ago, key a perimeter makeover for the Cowboys. Much is expected of them. And why not? In that scrimmage win over the starters last fall, the Grahams combined for 43 points and 21 rebounds. "They're two guys who are really complete basketball players in that they can play both ends of the floor," says Sutton. "They're probably strongest in playing on the perimeter, as wing-type players, but I think they have the ability to go inside and play."

Stevie Graham may be the key to the season. He's being shifted to the point, which he hasn't played since high school.

Holdover Tony Allen, the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, will also share time at the point. Allen, who faded late last season after a strong start, will likely combine with the Lucas and Grahams to give the Cowboys a frequent three-guard look. Joey Graham, an inch taller than his twin, may be a better shooter on the wing.

Bobik, a 3-point shooting threat, also figures in the guard rotation. So should Janavor Weatherspoon, who has bulked up after being overmatched in his first year out of junior college.

Walk-on Ross DeRogatis, a redshirt freshman point guard, possesses strong ball-handling skills.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Cowboys lost plenty of veteran leadership and production. And yet, there's the sense of a new day in Stillwater. With the Big 12 losing many of its marquee players, the Cowboys are deep enough and appear talented enough to contend among the conference favorites.

"It's a different kind of ball club," says Sutton. "You just don't know what type of personality you're going to become. But talent-wise, this team has enough that if everyone measures up to their God-given ability, we can be strong."

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