2000-01 record: 20-12; 8-8 in Big East (t3rd in East) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: Lost to Detroit 67-61 in second round of NIT. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Butler 15.3 ppg | Rebounds: Butler 7.6 rpg | Assists: Brown 4.9 apg | FG %: Selvie 54.7% | 3pt %: Robertson 32.6% | FT %: Robertson 77.4% 00-01 Stats: UConn | Big East

		Monday, Oct. 29 UConn stats with an excellent backcourt combo in Taliek Brown and Caron Butler, but forward Johnnie Selvie needs help on the boards. The Huskies must get superior play from a young frontline. Playing small most of the year will spell doom for the Huskies. Rebounding and tempo control will keep them in a position to win.

UConn No. 23 in ESPN.com Top 25
Outlook
Two years after winning the national championship, the Huskies had to settle for the National Invitation Tournament last season. While that invitation did extend their streak of postseason play to 14, it wasn't accepted with pleasure by Huskies fans -- and shouldn't happen again this season.

Connecticut returns three starters and two key reserves, and also unveils a solid group of newcomers that includes a recruit from last season, Scott Hazelton, a McDonald's All-American who redshirted 2000-01 with a foot injury.

The best player on the team, sophomore Caron Butler, is back after being a revelation as a freshman, leading the team in scoring (15.3 ppg), rebounding (7.6 rpg) and steals (2.2 spg), and also averaging 3.1 assists a game. With the 6-foot-7, 235-pound Butler at small forward and 6-7, 235-pound Johnnie Selvie at power forward, the Huskies have plenty of beef down low to help the transition for whoever is the first-time starter at center -- 7-0, 245-pound Aussie Justin Brown or 6-9 freshman Emeka Okafor, considered a promising shotblocker. Also, watch for junior college transfer Mike Hayes at forward.

The backcourt should be strong. Overshadowed in New York City high school ball by the likes of Omar Cook and Andre Barrett, and then overshadowed last season by backcourt mate Albert Mouring, Taliek Brown now has the local spotlight all to himself as the Huskies' point guard. Brown was one of the better-kept secrets in college basketball last season, averaging 8.1 points and 4.9 assists. He'll be joined in the backcourt by 6-2 junior Tony Robertson, whose play hasn't yet met his potential. The 6-5 sophomore Robert Swain and 6-2 freshmen Ben Gordon could be the top backups behind Brown and Robertson.

What We Like: Caron Butler and Taliek Brown are a nice 1-2 punch, especially for sophomores, and Selvie combines with Butler to give the Huskies nice size at the forward slots.

What we don't like: See Boston College. The Huskies have no experience at center, and while Okafor may emerge right away, don't be surprised if his offense takes at least a year to develop.

The bottom line: The Huskies have enough talent to get back to the NCAA Tournament, although someone will have to become a consistent No. 2 scoring threat behind Butler. It would help greatly if Robertson would play up to his enormous potential.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Caron Butler	So.	F	6-7/235	PTS: 15.3 | REB: 7.6 | AST: 3.1
Johnnie Selvie	Sr.	F	6-7/235	PTS: 10.9 | REB: 5.4 | AST: 0.3
Taliek Brown	So.	G	6-1/185	PTS: 8.1 | REB: 2.5 | AST: 4.9
Tony Robertson	Jr.	G	6-2/200	PTS: 7.2 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 1.5

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Albert Mouring	G	6-3/190	PTS: 15.0 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 1.7
Edmund Saunders	F	6-8/230	PTS: 9.9 | REB: 7.2 | AST: 0.9
Souleymane Wane	C	6-11/240	PTS: 4.6 | REB: 4.8 | AST: 0.7
Ajou Deng	F	6-10/225	PTS: 4.8 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 0.5

Connecticut Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Ben Gordon	G	6-2	Mt. Vernon/Mt. Vernon (N.Y.)
Emeka Okafor	F	6-9	Bellaire (Texas)
Chad Wise	G	6-5	Lonoke (Ark.)
Mike Hayes	F	6-8	Arkansas City JC