2000-01 record: 9-20; 6-10 in C-USA (5th in National) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Williams 13.5 ppg | Rebounds: Okafor 8.6 rpg | Assists: Smith 3.8 apg | FG %: Williams 50.7% | 3pt %: Williams 38.7% | FT %: Smith 88.7% 00-01 Stats: Houston | C-USA

		Saturday, Nov. 3 The Cougars are still rebuilding. This is a team not prepared to just step up there with the big guys. The Cougars could be decent, but they've got some question marks. With 6-foot-8 junior George Williams, 6-8 senior Patrick Okafor and a couple of key transfers, Houston might be able to reach the upper division on the National side if transfers Kevin Gaines from Michigan and LuisTruscott from Nebraska both step up and play well. But I don't see it this year, they're still a year away -- they're still rebuilding.

Outlook
It's been six years since the Cougars won more than 11 games in a season, so there is the usual ample room for improvement. Thing is, this team might be ready to take a step forward in a division that is open to upward mobility.

Second-year coach Ray McCallum has four returning starters, but the most intriguing player on the roster is transfer Kevin Gaines, who was a star on the rise at Michigan before being kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons. If the strong, athletic combo guard can straighten up and fly right, he's a huge addition to this team. Another four-year transfer, Louis Truscott, is eligible after coming over from Nebraska, and former Indiana guard Andre Owens will sit out this season as a transfer.

Among the returning players, point guard Dominic Smith and forwards George Williams and Patrick Okafor are key. All three are athletic players who scored in double figures last season, while Smith led the team in assists, Williams in minutes and Okafor in rebounds.

Depth figures to be a prime concern. This team has little wiggle room in the event of injuries or unforeseen player losses.

What we like: It's not quite the rekindling of Phi Slama Jama, but Houston's starting lineup could be the athletic equal of about anyone in the league. The Cougars showed flashes of potential in winning four of their last six games -- including upsets of Saint Louis and Marquette, plus an earlier victory over Charlotte.

What we don't like: This is a horrifying ball-handling team, committing an almost inconceivable 140 more turnovers than assists last year. And even when they got the ball across halfcourt and into their offense, the Cougars shot poorly and rarely played with any cohesion.

The bottom line: This team could use a few non-conference soft spots to build momentum, but there aren't many. The Cougars open in the Maui Classic, then in December play Bob Knight and Texas Tech, LSU and North Carolina State. It's a tough route for a team with only 10 scholarship players available.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
George Williams	Jr.	F	6-8/215	PTS: 13.5 | REB: 7.3 | AST: 1.5
Dominic Smith	Sr.	G	5-10/175	PTS: 12.6 | REB: 2.7 | AST: 3.8
Patrick Okafor	Sr.	F	6-8/235	PTS: 10.7 | REB: 8.6 | AST: 0.5

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Alton Ford	F	6-9/265	PTS: 10.8 | REB: 5.9 | AST: 0.6
Chad Hendrick	G	6-5/210	PTS: 9.2 | REB: 4.0 | AST: 1.7

Houston Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Bryan Shelton	G	6-4	Friendswood, Texas/Clear Brook
Jeremee McGuire	F	6-9	San Diego, Calif./Lincoln/Tyler JC