Washington could make a run at an upper-division Pac-10 finish for the first time in five years. With four young starters returning for second-year coach Lorenzo Romar, the Huskies are shooting for their first winning record in the Pac-10 since 1999, when they finished fourth in the league and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. "I'm excited about the direction we're headed," Romar says. "We have a good young nucleus. We just have to build on it."

Sophomore Nate Robinson leads a talented group of perimeter players that should be able to run and score with anyone. It's possible Romar will use as many as four guards on the court at the same time.

But if the Huskies expect to move up the Pac-10 food chain after finishing eighth or ninth in each of the past four seasons, they need a stronger inside game. A post player, or two, must emerge to provide a consistent scoring threat on the low block. Washington must also rebound better to get its fastbreak going.

FRONTCOURT

Center Anthony Washington and power forwards Mike Jensen and Hakeem Rollins (junior college transfer) are the keys to whether the Huskies can make the move up the Pac-10 standings.

"Jensen and Washington could be two of the more improved post players in the league this year," Romar says. "We need them to be better scorers, rebounders and make better decisions with the ball. They were good defenders as freshmen."

Jensen, who can step out and drain an occasional 3-pointer (10-of-22, 45.5 percent), started 22 games as a redshirt freshman. He needs to improve his rebounding, after grabbing just 3.9 boards in 23.9 minutes of action. Washington is more of an inside scorer. He shot a team-high 55.6 percent from the field and would have scored more than 4.8 points per game if he shot better from the free throw line (44.1 percent).

Rollins scored 24.8 points per game at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College with his low post moves and was brought in to boost a weak inside game.

Sophomore Bobby Jones is a defensive stopper who can play power forward, small forward or even shooting guard. He is the top returning rebounder from last year after grabbing 4.1 boards in 19.0 minutes. "We need to find a way to keep him on the floor," Romar says. "He hustles as much as anyone."

Freshman Hans Gasser (6-10, 230) could break into the lineup if he shows more scoring punch than Jensen or Washington.

BACKCOURT

Robinson, who is even an inch or two shorter than his listed height of 5-9, exploded onto the scene last year despite joining the team late because of his football commitments. That, however, won't be the case this season; he quit football to focus on basketball.

"Nate played on instincts last year," Romar says. "Now he'll have much more of an idea of what his teammates are doing. Nate will be a better shooter and defender."

Thanks to his quickness and leaping ability that enable him to dunk and rebound over post players, Robinson led a very balanced scoring attack with 13.0 points per game last season.

Will Conroy returns at point guard, where he can score as well as get the ball to open teammates. He won't hesitate to take a big shot at the end of a game, and he can make them.

Brandon Roy joined the team late last year because of academic problems but still showed his ability to score. He could turn out to be the top scorer on the team as a third guard or small forward.

Transfer Tre Simmons is another potent scoring threat who can swing between guard and forward. Curtis Allen provides experience off the bench and is an outstanding free throw shooter.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Huskies were slapped with two years of probation by the NCAA in the spring for recruiting violations by assistant coach Cameron Dollar. The sanctions (which do not include a postseason ban) might be a bit of a distraction, but Romar has a young, talented team that heads into the 2003-04 season with a quiet confidence.

Robinson's full-time commitment to basketball was a huge boost for the Huskies. If the strong backcourt continues to excel and gets some help from the big boys in the paint, Washington could be headed back to postseason play.

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