Dick Bennett labels himself a rebuilder. Washington State has been labeled a mess by just about everyone around Division I basketball. The two have been thrown together in the remote location known as Pullman. The Cougars, with the former Wisconsin coach in place, are banking on a three-to-five-year return on their investment.

In year one, all anyone is asking or expecting is slight improvement. Looking at the last few years' results, that doesn't seem to be so tough. After all, Washington State's fingerprints have been all over the bottom rung of the Pac-10 ladder for years. Bennett knows this, and he knows that any marked improvement will be tough. Still, he remains undaunted.

"I know one thing: I'm a rebuilder," Bennett says. "Because I understand the depth of losing. I was not a particularly good basketball player. I understood what it meant to sit on the bench. I understood what it was like to lose, to not get playing time, to want something badly, to watch others get pats on the back and hope someday that would happen to you. I've always wanted to be a part of a growing kind of experience.

"And there is no greater feeling than when a program turns," he continues. "When it happens, when you see guys go on the floor as a group and know you are going to have to beat us because we are not losing -- that is, to me, a moment of great satisfaction."

FRONTCOURT

The Cougars could get some measure of satisfaction just by not losing in the same manner night after night -- stay within 10 points, cut it to single digits at the five-minute mark and wind up losing by 18. To accomplish that seemingly small task, the frontcourt will have to play at the same level as the backcourt.

The Cougars have lacked productivity from the frontcourt for years. This season, they once again appear not to stack up with the rest of the Pac-10.

Junior Shami Gill is back after a season bogged down by injuries. Gill, who was a reach to play at this level out of high school, has developed a 15- to 18-foot jump shot. But at 6 feet 7 he does not provide much back-to-the-basket play or rebounding presence.

Ezenwa Ukeagu, who is a hard worker on the offensive glass, could be effective in the methodical style Bennett likes to play. Justin Bellegarde is unpolished and could be a liability on both ends when it comes to conference play.

To add some scoring ability to the frontcourt, Bennett grabbed Jeff Varem from Vincennes University in Indiana. Varem is an accomplished international player and wowed the competition at the Global Games in Dallas this past summer. "He is a very unique player with a multi-dimensional game," Bennett says. "We think he could be a difference-maker."

The 6-6 Varem is solid in transition and could be a tough matchup for other forwards in the conference.

BACKCOURT

In the backcourt, the Cougars should be as solid as any team in the Pac-10. Marcus Moore flirted with the NBA Draft before deciding to come back for his senior season. Moore, who was worried about Bennett's style of play, has embraced the new staff and taken advantage of assistant coach Tony Bennett's shooting expertise. The younger Bennett held the college 3-point percentage record for some time and was an accomplished shooter in the NBA.

Joining Moore is Thomas Kelati. The junior is the best defender on the team and has worked on his outside game as well. As a two-year starter, Kelati brings experience and a calming influence to the floor.

Washington State also added Anthony Grant to the roster in the spring. At first it was thought Grant might be a reach. But when Bennett looked at tape of him, the coach said he was the type of player who fit his system. Grant is a tough defender and moves well without the ball. He was an outstanding shooter at the junior college level.

The Cougars have some depth in the backcourt, as they can play Chris Schlatter at the 2 or 3. Also, sophomore Randy Green proved last season he can handle the duties at point guard and should see plenty of time spelling either Moore or Kelati.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Overall there is some potential for the Cougars to pull an upset here or there. Players and coaches in the Pac-10 are unfamiliar with Bennett's style, and that could lead to some close contests.

But the end result may not be much different than the recent past. The Cougars will be hard-pressed to qualify for the eight-team Pac-10 Tournament.

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