2000-01 record: 23-9; 14-4 in Pac-10 (3rd) Final Ranking: No. 12 ESPN/USA Today Postseason: Lost to Duke 76-63 in third round of NCAA Tournament. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Kapono 17.2 ppg | Rebounds: Gadzuric 8.6 rpg | Assists: Barnes 2.7 apg | FG %: Gadzuric 53.4% | 3pt %: Kapono 45.7% | FT %: Kapono 86.9% 00-01 Stats: UCLA | Pac-10

		Monday, Nov. 5 The Bruins have the talent, depth and, most important, the shooting ability to win it all. The only question mark is chemistry, and who will be the leader to mix the talent into a stable product on the floor. Jason Kapono is the Bruins' best player, and the second best shooter in the West behind Casey Jacobsen. Kapono may have to sacrifice some scoring to help distribute the ball and play as a point forward. If he sees no help defense, he can score. If he's doubled, he can find people. The key player will be freshman point guard Cedric Bozeman, a clever handler that knows how to play. Bozeman is 6-5, silky smooth, and makes it look easy. Watch out for Dijon Thompson, a 6-8, sleek, athletic small forward that can play point. Thompson is a special player.

Outlook
And in this corner, the heavy, heavy favorite.

The Bruins are deep enough to run and press themselves to a Pac-10 title and memorable NCAA run, this Steve Lavin's sixth team in Westwood.

Three coaches -- Lavin, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke and Tom Izzo of Michigan State -- have guided their teams to the Sweet 16 four of the past five years.

And yet ...

"Since becoming head coach, this is the first time we've had real stability," said Lavin. "We now have balance, stability and continuity in each class."

He can thank junior forward Jason Kapono and senior center Dan Gadzuric for that. Each returned to school instead of entering the NBA draft.

"They will be two of the elite players in the nation," said Lavin. "We will build our lineup around them."

What a lineup it could be. Kapono has led UCLA in scoring and 3-point shooting each of his first two seasons, while Gadzuric shot 53 percent and led the team in rebounding (8.3 average) as a junior.

Matt Barnes is one of the nation's better athletes at small forward, while senior Billy Knight should start in the backcourt alongside highly-regarded freshman recruit Cedric Bozeman at point. Oh, yeah. T.J. Cummings at forward was one of the country's top freshmen last season.

The newcomers -- typical UCLA -- all arrive with impressive resumes. Sophomore transfer center John Hoffart (Cal Poly) is eligible, while freshmen Bozeman, Dijon Thompson and Andre Patterson should all contribute.

What we like: The versatility. This is a tireless group that can go big or small and be just as effective. Lavin would love to play 10 or more bodies each night and consistently offer new starting lineups depending on the opposition. The program has endured its share of chaos off the court under Lavin, but the kind on it is going to make UCLA extremely tough to beat.

What we don't like: Earl Watson is gone. One of the toughest players ever to wear UCLA across his chest, the point guard will be impossible to replace early. Watson played through concussions, bumps, bruises, eye surgery, stitches, pulled muscles ... It is this kind of passion that can define a team and its season. A new leader must develop. Whoever it is has some large shoes to fill.

The bottom line: It's a little eerie. There is no controversy, no drama, no Rick Pitino rumors, no investigations, no adversity in sight. UCLA is, well, normal for the first time in what seems like forever. It is also gifted at all spots on the floor. There is no getting around it -- the Bruins are Final Four quality. Now, comes the difficult part. Proving it.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Jason Kapono	Jr.	F	6-7/199	PTS: 17.2 | REB: 5.7 | AST: 2.2
Dan Gadzuric	Sr.	C	6-11/248	PTS: 11.7 | REB: 8.6 | AST: 0.6
Matt Barnes	Sr.	F	6-7/230	PTS: 11.6 | REB: 7.2 | AST: 2.7
Billy Knight	Sr.	G	6-5/210	PTS: 7.9 | REB: 1.9 | AST: 0.6
T.J. Cummings	So.	F	6-9/205	PTS: 6.4 | REB: 3.5 | AST: 0.4

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Earl Watson	G	6-1/190	PTS: 14.7 | REB: 3.7 | AST: 5.2

UCLA Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Andre Patterson	F	6-8	Los Angeles/Washington Prep
Cedric Bozeman	G	6-5	Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei H.S.
Michael Fey	F	6-11	Olympia, Wash./Capital H.S.
Dijon Thompson	F	6-6	Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union H.S.