The lowdown
2000-01 record: 28-8; 15-3 in Pac-10 (2nd)
Final Ranking: No. 2 ESPN/USA Today; No. 5 AP
Postseason: Lost to Duke 82-72 in national championship game of NCAA Tournament.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Who is going to score inside now that Michael Wright and Loren Woods are gone? Can it be Luke Walton and Ricky Anderson? Can Isiah Fox come in and be a factor? What about Channing Frye or Dennis Latimore?
2. Who is going to replace Gilbert Arenas' perimeter scoring? Can Jason Gardner pick up his scoring? Will Will Bynum come in and be an instant hit as a playmaker and scorer? What about Salim Stoudamire? Can he be a factor?
3. Who will be Arizona's top defender? What about a defensive presence inside?
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Arizona takes a few lumps early in the season and then the newcomers come through late for the Wildcats to get back in the NCAA Tournament and win a game.
Worst case: The newcomers aren't up for the challenge and Arizona slides down to fourth or fifth in the Pac-10 and dangerously close to the NIT.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Jason Gardner
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Jr.
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G
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5-10/181
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PTS: 10.9 | REB: 3.0 | AST: 4.1
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Luke Walton
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Jr.
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F
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6-8/233
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PTS: 5.5 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 3.2
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Gilbert Arenas
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G
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6-3/188
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PTS: 16.2 | REB: 3.6 | AST: 2.3
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Michael Wright
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F
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6-7/238
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PTS: 15.6 | REB: 7.8 | AST: 0.3
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Loren Woods
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C
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7-1/244
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PTS: 13.2 | REB: 6.5 | AST: 2.1
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Eugene Edgerson
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F
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6-6/237
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PTS: 4.6 | REB: 4.0 | AST: 0.2
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Richard Jefferson
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F
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6-7/222
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PTS: 11.3 | REB: 5.4 | AST: 2.7
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Arizona Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Will Bynum
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G
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5-10
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Chicago/Crane Tech Prep
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Dennis Latimore
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F
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6-8
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Halstead, Kan./Halstead H.S.
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Salim Stoudamire
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G
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6-2
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Lake Oswego, Ore./Lake Oswego H.S.
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Channing Frye
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C
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6-10
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Phoenix, Ariz./St. Mary's H.S.
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Isaiah Fox
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C
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6-9
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Santa Monica, Calif./Crossroads H.S.
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