2000-01 record: 14-14; 5-13 in Pac-10 (t6th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Jones 14.8 ppg | Rebounds: Jones 5.6 rpg | Assists: Ridnour 3.8 apg | FG %: Jones 47.2% | 3pt %: Lindquist 38.1% | FT %: Lindquist 85.0% 00-01 Stats: Oregon | Pac-10

		Monday, Nov. 5 The single biggest key for Oregon is inside play and Frederick Jones. The Ducks have solid guards, with Luke Ridnour's playmaking, Anthony Lever's shooting, and Luke Jackson's overall game, but need solid play in the paint, and for Jones to take it up to the next level. Jones can be as effective as any small forward in the league, and just needs to prove it consistently at the highest level.

Outlook
The style shouldn't change much -- run with three guards and hope your post players are competent enough to hold their own. But whether or not that is good enough to improve on 14-14 overall and 5-13 in conference remains to be seen.

But the Ducks have ample motivation: They actually won 10 of their first 11 games last season and six of their losses were by seven points or fewer.

The reason for such setbacks: No defense. The Ducks allowed an average of 78.8 points, ninth in the Pac-10.

"We will pressure and get after people more this year," said coach Ernie Kent. "You will definitely see a major improvement defensively. I can guarantee that. We will only be as good as our defense, so we know how important it is to get better."

The backcourt returns in sophomore point guard Luke Ridnour and senior shooting guard Freddie Jones, whose 14.8 scoring average last year was overshadowed by inconsistent play. He has spent three seasons teasing fans with flashes of greatness and stretches of average play.

"I have told Freddie that he needs to have an all-conference season for us to reach our goals," said Kent. "He must carry us."

Ridnour grew into a solid lead guard near the end of his first season, realizing it's better to play within a flow instead of forcing things. He was still good enough to be named conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 7.4 points and 3.8 assists a game.

Flo Hartenstein and Julius Hicks are gone inside, putting more pressure on center Chris Christoffersen to play big. He shouldn't have a problem -- the senior is listed at 7-2, 300 pounds.

What we like: The guards and wings. They are by far this team's greatest strength and include sophomore Luke Jackson, who had the school's first triple-double in nearly 30 years last season at Washington. Jones must produce at a high level each night and role players like sophomore James Davis and senior Anthony Lever (recovering from a broken hand) also need solid seasons.

What we don't like: Lack of inside strength. Yes, Christoffersen is a large young man, but he was a non-factor most of last season. Robert Johnson (6-8, 235) is a junior transfer who could add some physical play at both ends and Jay Anderson (6-9, 220) a sophomore with skill. But deep and strong, Oregon's middle is not.

The bottom line: It might be tougher to deliver such a fast start this year, considering the early schedule includes Louisville, Massachusetts and Minnesota. But more than anything, the questionable post play figures to keep Oregon from making much of a move in conference. The NIT is likely and the NCAA Tournament possible if the inside holds up and gets better.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Fred Jones	Sr.	G	6-4/209	PTS: 14.8 | REB: 5.6 | AST: 3.4
Anthony Lever	Sr.	G	6-3/185	PTS: 9.9 | REB: 2.0 | AST: 2.1
Luke Jackson	So.	F	6-7/210	PTS: 7.8 | REB: 4.1 | AST: 2.0
Luke Ridnour	So.	G	6-2/165	PTS: 7.4 | REB: 2.5 | AST: 3.8

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Bryan Bracey	F	6-7/210	PTS: 18.6 | REB: 7.1 | AST: 1.0
Julius Hicks	C	6-8/235	PTS: 7.0 | REB: 4.2 | AST: 1.0

Oregon Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Ian Crosswhite	C	6-11	Sydney, Australia
Matt Short	F	6-11	Yreka, Calif./Yreka H.S.
Brian Helquist	C	6-9	Jacksonville, Fla/University Christian/Florida CC
Robert Johnson	F	6-8	Sebastopal, Calif./ Santa Rosa JC