2000-01 record: 29-4; 10-4 in MWC (t1st) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: Lost to Cincinnati 84-59 in first round of NCAA Tournament RETURNING LEADERS Points: Nielsen 6.2 ppg | Rebounds: Nielsen 3.9 rpg | Assists: Montague 2.9 apg | FG %: Nielsen 60.6% | 3pt %: Bobik 26.7% | FT %: Nielsen 77.3% 00-01 Stats: BYU | MWC

		Sunday, Nov. 4 The Cougars success depends largely on how well Mark Bigelow performs. The 1999 (WAC) Freshman of the Year is returning from a two-year LDS Church Mission. Often, when players come back from the hiatus it takes them a whole year to readjust. BYU lost four starters last year, and have only one starter returning so they desperately need Bigelow back. A huge key for BYU is the play of Bigelow.

Outlook
The league's only team to earn an NCAA Tournament berth last season appears at first glance to be in a rebuilding mode, having lost its three best players in MWC Player of the Year Mekeli Wesley and guards Terrell Lyday and Trent Whiting.

But these are the Cougars of fifth-year coach Steve Cleveland, which means they will defend and rebound and compete most nights. BYU probably can't play as fast as it did in winning 24 games and the conference tournament, but they'll be quick enough at most spots.

"Sure, we had significant losses," Cleveland said. "We could easily take the attitude that we will rebuild this season, but I have never taken that attitude and there is no reason to do so now. I think what we will do is try and keep things in perspective.

"But I will tell you this -- our goals will not change. Once you start doing that, with the public or with your team -- you are headed in the wrong direction."

BYU does return sophomore guard/forward Mark Bigelow off a two-year mission. The WAC Freshman of the Year in 1998-99 averaged 15 points and 6.3 rebounds. Question is, will Bigelow follow the path of several talented players who come off missions and need at least one season to regain their skill?

He will be helped most by senior forward Eric Nielsen, a three-year starter who shot 61 percent last season. Five players are currently serving missions, but the list of newcomers still goes nine deep.

What We Like: The head coach. Cleveland inherited a 1-25 team and had the Cougars in the NCAAs four years later. He has a 67-57 record at BYU, including a 2-1 mark in an NIT appearance two years ago. The Cougars are picked by most to finish sixth, but Cleveland has a way of making his team play above its expected level. Last season, they were picked fourth and won the whole thing. BYU has gone from nine wins to 12 to 22 to 24 under him.

What We Don't Like: No proven go-to guy. Bigelow and Nielsen are the obvious candidates, but one has spent his career getting teammates the ball and the other hasn't played a Division I game in two years. This is a team that lost 64 percent of its scoring, 29 percent of its rebounding and 38 percent of its assists with the departure of Wesley, Lyday and Whiting. Someone, anyone, better quickly prove capable of making a big shot or getting a key board.

The Bottom Line: Sixth place makes sense when you consider the losses, but it says here BYU will find a way to finish higher. There will be nights when the Cougars look very much the part of an inexperienced team, but non-conference games against the likes of Stanford and Arizona State and Pepperdine will prepare them for league play. Don't count out a run at an NIT bid, and yet so much depends on which Bigelow we see. The one of two years ago, a better version or one that needs some fine-tuning.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Eric Nielsen	Sr.	F	6-8/210	PTS: 6.2 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 0.6
Daniel Bobik	So.	G	6-6/195	PTS: 3.5 | REB: 1.4 | AST: 0.9
Travis Hansen	Jr.	G	6-6/225	PTS: 5.5 | REB: 3.1 | AST: 1.2

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Mekeli Wesley	F	6-9/230	PTS: 17.2 | REB: 5.4 | AST: 1.3
Terrell Lyday	G	6-3/190	PTS: 16.4 | REB: 2.8 | AST: 2.0
Trent Whiting	G	6-1/180	PTS: 14.2 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 2.3

BYU Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Jared Jensen	F	6-9	Plain City, Utah/Fremont H.S.
Shawn Opunui	G	5-11	Orem, Utah/Orem H.S.