2000-01 record: 21-13; 6-8 in MWC (t5th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: Lost to Memphis 81-63 in third round of NIT. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Douglas 16.2 ppg | Rebounds: Douglas 5.8 rpg | Assists: Parmer 5.3 apg | FG %: Parmer 45.1% | 3pt %: Douglas 40.6% | FT %: Smith 82.5% 00-01 Stats: New Mexico | MWC

		Sunday, Nov. 4 New Mexico has great guard play. New Mexico's perimeter is good enough to win the league, but they have to get some decent inside play. The Lobos are a perimeter-heavy and will need to get some production out of their inside guys on both ends of the floor. They got very little of that last year. Moustapha Diagne, the 7-foot juco transfer out of Texas, is not a franchise kid or a guy who'll turn the program around. He's athletic and he's got size, but from what I've heard so far, he's not the answer. He is, however, a step in the right direction for New Mexico. Diagne and Patrick Dennehy, who came on last year and played quite a bit, are going to have to get it done.

Outlook
The Lobos were picked to finish third in conference, but you won't find a coach who doesn't believe Fran Fraschilla's third team in Albuquerque can't win the title.

It's hard to believe New Mexico won't continue to play extremely fast with perimeter players like juniors Ruben Douglas, Marlon Palmer and Washington transfer Senque Carey. But the difference between contender and pretender for the Lobos will be how newcomers Moustapha Diagne (7-0, 235) and Chad Bell (6-11, 230) fare inside.

If the Lobos get any kind of consistent post presence, they will be nails.

"We're not in as much of a transition as we have been, and yet we only lose two seniors off last year's team," Fraschilla said. "I kind of like where we are."

Carey could make a huge difference. He was a two-year starter at Washington, where he had 137 assists as a sophomore. He is the calming influence that could make Palmer a more heady player in tight games.

"Our strength is definitely the backcourt," Fraschilla said. "Although by the middle of the season, I think our depth will be a real strength. Our system is finally in place. It took two years to recruit the kinds of kids we wanted. Our conference will be the best it has been in three years, and I think our desire to compete for a title is as strong as ever."

Never say Fraschilla ducks opportunity. New Mexico opens at home against Stanford and also has games at Cal and against Gonzaga before entering conference play.

What We Like: The lightening-quick guys who can break everyone down. It's true New Mexico needs better play inside, but few teams can offer the kind of matchup nightmares all those guards can. Douglas is a preseason all-conference pick and Palmer was one of the league's best guards at the end of last season. And we haven't even mentioned Eric Chatfield, who averaged 12.9 points and 3.9 rebounds as a junior.

What We Don't Like: The frontcourt ... for now. Finally, the Lobos have a player of great size in Diagne, allowing them to at least try beginning sets inside-out. Also, Bell is a freshman from a very successful prep program at Los Angeles Westchester. The Lobos at times can put games away in transition, but sooner or later a well-coached opponent will force them to win inside. The potential is there. Now, we need the proof.

The Bottom Line: The Lobos are a very good team right now that has a chance to be great by season's end. There is that much skill here. "We're on the radar screen and yet the bulls-eye is not on our backs," said Fraschilla. "To be honest, I'd be preferred to be picked No. 1 in the conference, but we're not at that stage yet." Notice the word "yet". There is a real opportunity for New Mexico to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Ruben Douglas	Jr.	G	6-4/185	PTS: 16.2 | REB: 5.8 | AST: 1.3
Eric Chatfield	Sr.	G	6-3/215	PTS: 12.9 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 2.8
Marion Parmer	Jr.	G	6-2/180	PTS: 11.6 | REB: 4.0 | AST: 5.3
Tim Lightfoot	Sr.	G	6-3/195	PTS: 7.6 | REB: 1.5 | AST: 0.5

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Wayland White	F	6-6/225	PTS: 9.4 | REB: 6.0 | AST: 1.2
Brian Smith	F	6-8/245	PTS: 6.1 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 0.3

New Mexico Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Chad Bell	C	6-11	Inglewood, Calif./Westchester H.S.
Jamaal Williams	F	6-6	Corona, Calif./Centennial H.S.
Cody Payne	F	6-7	Sulphur Springs, Texas/Collin County CC
Mark Walters	G	6-2	Albuquerque, N.M./Highland H.S.
Moustapha Diagne	C	7-0	Dakar, Senegal/Trinity Valley CC