2000-01 record: 10-20; 4-14 in Pac-10 (t9th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Allen 7.0 ppg | Rebounds: Allen 2.0 rpg | Assists: Allen 2.2 apg | FG %: Dixon 57.4% | 3pt %: Massingale 42.5% | FT %: Allen 76.7% 00-01 Stats: Washington | Pac-10

		Monday, Nov. 5 The single biggest key for Washington is playing together through tough times, and the emergence of Doug Wrenn. The Huskies are very young, but very athletic and capable. Bob Bender recruited well, and has a group of unknown commodities with potential, especially Wrenn. Wrenn can be special, and make his team special.

Outlook
Memo to Husky fans -- hope your team wins a lot of games in non-conference play.

It is the most athletic team in coach Bob Bender's nine-year tenure and some call the incoming recruiting class the best in school history. But that still doesn't answer a few important questions:

Where is the reliable post presence and inside-outside game?

Washington lost seven players off last year's team, which might not be a bad thing considering the Huskies are coming off consecutive 10-20 seasons.

"We can't deny our record the last two years, but we won't dwell on it either," Bender said. "We've got to dedicate ourselves to do whatever it takes to turn this around. We've turned things around before and we will do it again.

"This is and an athletic team that is more than capable of competing in the Pac-10, where athleticism has always been a necessity."

Yet already, senior center Marlon Shelton (knee) is gone for the season. David Dixon is a big man with a big job in holding the middle. The 6-foot-11 senior has slimmed down nearly 50 pounds from two years ago and now weighs 270.

The season brings an anticipated debut of sophomore forward Doug Wrenn, a former prep player of the year in the Northwest state who began his career on the East Coast at Connecticut. An athletic slasher and solid rebounder, Wrenn should be one of the league's top newcomers.

In all, eight players have never worn the Washington jersey.

What we like: Curtis Allen. He is one of the league's quickest point guards, a 6-foot sophomore who is the team's top scorer to return at a 7.0 average. He arrived with the reputation of being more scorer than leader, but used last season to develop more of a point guard's mentality. Once he understands the nuances of the game, his speed will be an even bigger advantage.

What we don't like: The big men. Dixon managed averages of only 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds last season and hasn't shown the confidence of a legitimate inside threat. Shelton led the team in blocks (38) last year and will be missed. Mike Jensen is an aggressive freshman forward at 6-8, 210 pounds, and Grant Leep (6-7, 225) is a three-point threat playing power forward.

The bottom line: Washington is definitely better because, well, how can't it be? But this is a very good conference throughout, and just making strides does not guarantee competing for an upper-tier finish. The athletes will help keep Bender's team in most games, but it is likely headed to another second-division finish.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Curtis Allen	So.	G	6-1/160	PTS: 7.0 | REB: 2.0 | AST: 2.2
C.J. Massingale	So.	G	6-3/185	PTS: 5.9 | REB: 1.5 | AST: 1.2

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Will Perkins	F	6-8/200	PTS: 12.8 | REB: 7.2 | AST: 1.6
Thalo Green	F	6-7/225	PTS: 10.9 | REB: 5.0 | AST: 1.3
Greg Clark	F	6-7/215	PTS: 5.5 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 1.4

Washington Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Josh Barnard	G	6-6	Tacoma, Wash./Tacoma CC
Jeff Day	F	6-9	Seattle/Seatle Prep
Mike Jensen	F	6-8	Covington, Wash./Kentwood H.S.
Errol Knight	G	6-6	Seattle/Chief Sealth H.S.
Anthony Washington	C	6-9	Seattle/Garfield H.S.