2000-01 record: 17-14; 8-8 in Big West Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Tyndell 10.5 ppg | Rebounds: McKenzie 6.4 rpg | Assists: Mance 2.5 apg | FG %: McKenzie 51.8% | 3pt %: Tyndell 37.4% | FT %: Mance 81.0% 00-01 Stats: Rice | WAC

		Wednesday, Nov. 7 The Owls lost their top two scorers in Mike Wilks (20.1 ppg) and Erik Cooper (13.2 ppg). They especially need someone to replace Wilks' production. Rice returns only one player who averaged double figures in scoring -- Shawn Tyndell (10.5 ppg). Who will score for the Owls? That's the key question.

Outlook
Willis Wilson must be wondering if he chose the wrong profession. Instead of basketball coach, perhaps athletic trainer?

The 10-year coach of the Owls has seen his team win just 19 games the past two seasons, mostly due to a large amount of injuries. Last season, only five players saw action in all 30 games.

"It's not something you can really prepare for," Wilson said. "You do the best you can and hope the following season is different. If anything, younger players are able to enjoy some playing time they might otherwise not have received."

It still won't be easy this season, healthy or not. Rice lost its two leading scorers (Mike Wilks and Eric Cooper), who combined for 33.3 points. One player who needs to make an impact is Omar-Seli Mance. The former transfer guard started slow last season before being lost with stress fractures in both legs.

The frontcourt is stacked with returning players, few of whom offered much of anything. The most productive is senior center T.J. McKenzie, who went for 6.1 points and 6.4 rebounds.

"We're not going to be picked very high or expected to do much," Wilson admits. "But that means we have an opportunity to really shock a lot of people. I'm not going to think about (injuries). We're just going to play and hope everyone stays healthy."

McKenzie and Mance combined to miss 23 games with injuries last season. That can't happen again if Rice intends on competing in conference.

What we like: Wilson's determination. Two years ago, nearly every starter was injured and the Owls limped to a 5-22 finish. Last season, the record improved to 14-16, but just 5-11 in the WAC. Still, Wilson forges ahead, getting the most out of his available talent. He is 117-136 in nine years, admirable considering the conditions and injuries he has had to deal with.

What we don't like: The talent level. A coach can only motivate so much. Eventually, a team's overall skill will decide its fate and Rice has little compared to other WAC teams. The backcourt of Mance and senior Shawn Tyndell (10.5 ppg) has a chance to be good, but those up front are lacking. There are more bangers than finishes inside, which does little for putting points on a scoreboard.

The bottom line: Not good. This is too strong a conference at the top to have so many questions, so many unproven bodies at key spots. Rice will struggle to avoid a last-place finish. There is opportunity to earn some wins early, with games against the likes of Navy, Lamar and Centenary. But this program hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1970 and it appears years from thinking in those terms again.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Shawn Tyndell	Sr.	G	6-5/205	PTS: 10.5 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 1.7
T.J. McKenzie	Sr.	C	6-11/255	PTS: 6.1 | REB: 6.4 | AST: 0.6
Omar-Seli Mance	Jr.	G	6-2/190	PTS: 4.8 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 2.5

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Mike Wilks	G	5-11/180	PTS: 20.1 | REB: 4.9 | AST: 3.0
Erik Cooper	F	6-6/215	PTS: 13.2 | REB: 5.9 | AST: 1.4

Rice Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Brock Gillespie	G	6-0	Clarksville, Tenn./Clarksville H.S.
Jason McKrieth	G	6-4	Schenectady, N.Y./Schenectady H.S.
Michael Harris	F	6-6	Hillsboro, Texas
Shawn Collins	G	6-2	Dallas/Bishop Lynch/Loyola (La.)