In one year, new Oregon State coach Jay John retooled a staggering program, restored league-wide respect, instilled an Arizona-like attitude and rekindled flagging spectator interest. About the only thing he didn't do was sell popcorn. Or deliver the first winning season since 1990 to a program that ranks 12th all-time in the NCAA in victories.

With a senior-laden outfit, John thought he might have the ingredients to end the longest drought in school history. He quickly discovered the team lacked intestinal fortitude, and he's wasted little time in renovation after struggling through a 13-15 season.

"We'll have six new guys, and I'm OK with that," John says. "I want to coach guys that believe in what's going on at Oregon State. I'm not interested in guys with just one foot in. The sooner we can get a whole team of guys that have both feet in every minute of every day, the sooner Oregon State basketball is going to get better."

The youthful Beavers likely won't snap the losing streak this winter, but with everybody returning the following year and a touted group of newcomers in the fold, John sees 2004-05 as the long-awaited breakthrough season.

FRONTCOURT

What was easily the Beavers' strength the past two years now is the primary area of concern.

Seniors Philip Ricci and Brian Jackson departed, taking about one-third of the team's scoring and rebounding with them. OSU also lost part-time starting forward Floyd North III, who transferred to the University of San Diego and won't be missed.

The only returning frontcourt player who posted significant numbers last season is surprising junior David Lucas, who sat the first nine games and then gradually earned playing time as his work ethic improved. The son of former NBA standout Maurice Lucas started the final three games and was the Beavers' fourth-leading scorer in Pac-10 play (7.1 ppg). Lucas has an uncanny ability to score from a variety of angles and is a solid shot blocker and rebounder. John's only concern is whether Lucas will maintain his feisty demeanor.

After Lucas, the top returnees are junior Derek Potter, a solid backup, and sophomore Kevin Field, the heir apparent to Ricci in the post. Though Field's numbers weren't impressive, John is convinced he has the right combination of skills and desire to become a potent Pac-10 player.

In the meantime, John bolstered the front line with 6-foot-5 power forward Jim Hanchett, a junior college honorable mention All-American; freshman Kenny Hooks, a last-minute recruit from Mississippi who was wooed by several SEC schools; and Kyle Jeffers, who had a banner senior season in Santa Rosa, Calif. Those three are expected to vie not only for playing time, but also for starting assignments.

The Beavers also have a 7-2 project in Liam Hughes, a native of England who is athletic but has played only three years of basketball. Hughes probably will redshirt.

BACKCOURT

Where once the Beavers were methodically plundered because of their lack of athleticism and perimeter shooting, now only experience separates this group from its Pac-10 brethren.

The most important position, point guard, is in the exciting hands of sophomore Lamar Hurd, a budding star who earned honorable mention all-freshman honors in a league stocked with new talent. Hurd is a deft passer, disruptive defender and heady leader who needs only to develop a perimeter shot to make the Beavers dangerous.

Oregon State's most glaring weakness of late has been its woeful perimeter shooting, which can be tied directly to its inability to create open shots. Now, the Beavers have the penetrator in Hurd and the shooters in junior J.S. Nash, sophomore Chris Stephens and freshman Angelo Tsagarakis, who unabashedly describes his range as "unlimited."

Nash, more of a scorer than a shooter, is a lock to start at the 2-guard with the departure of Jimmie Haywood, though with their shooting skills both Stephens and Tsagarakis will see substantial playing time.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Beavers probably are still a year away, but their gritty style of play, athleticism and youthful enthusiasm will surely bring desperately needed energy back to venerable Gill Coliseum. OSU may surprise some unwary opponents at home, but John will no doubt see the dreaded deer-in-the-headlights look when the Beavers hit the road.

If the newcomers are as good as advertised, the following season could be the one in which the Beavers vault into the NCAA Tournament.

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