2000-01 record: 14-14; 6-10 in WAC (7th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Thurmond 5.6 ppg | Rebounds: Granucci 4.7 rpg | Assists: Sonnenberg 1.8 apg | FG %: Thurmond 50.0% | 3pt %: Sonnenberg 38.5% | FT %: Thurmond 78.6% 00-01 Stats: San Jose State | WAC

		Wednesday, Nov. 7 The Spartans need to find out fast who can score points for them. Their top returning scorer is Marion Thurmond (5.6 ppg). He'll need to step up his point production this season.

Outlook
New faces from one end of the court to the next.

The Spartans lost four starters off a 14-14 team, but what could be the WAC's best recruiting class might soften the losses.

"We still have nine guys on our roster who have been around our team," third-year coach Steve Barnes said. 'They are familiar with what we demand as a program and what our staff expects on a daily basis."

A 6-10 team in conference last season, San Jose took a major off-season hit when junior-college recruit Carlton "Oudie" Baker left school and returned to Chicago, where he is tending to an 11-year old sister.

Baker, who ranked seventh nationally in JUCO scoring last year, has a redshirt season available if he chooses to use it.

If Baker doesn't return this season, the Spartans will need an even bigger lift from sophomore forward Eric Washington. A teammate of Baker's at Barton County Community College, Washington goes 6-foot-7, 225 pounds. Gary Black, a 6-3, 195-pound guard, is another JUCO transfer expected to start.

"We're a bigger and more athletic team this year," Barnes said. "We definitely have to do a better job offensively, but I think some of the guys we added will help there. If we stay healthy, we have a lot of guys who can play several spots."

San Jose State again ranked among the nation's top scoring defenses last season, but Barnes is correct about finding more scorers. Those who left accounted for all but 15 points per game.

What we like: An improved frontcourt. The Spartans will no longer be the league's undersized step-child in the post. David Granucci (6-9, 216) and Marion Thurmond (6-8, 276) are solid defender/rebounder types. Baker returning would be a big lift, but small forward Andre Valentine (6-4, 187) has shown an ability to score in stretches. "More size and more strength," Barnes said.

What we don't like: Lack of a proven point guard. The Spartans need a leader and the early favorite is Iowa State transfer Brandon Hawkins, but he isn't eligible until the end of fall semester. Scott Sonnenberg, who began his career at BYU, averaged 4.8 points and 1.8 assists as junior. Bim Okunrinboye, a sophomore, joins a very mysterious mix.

The bottom line: The Spartans will still limit others offensively and will still overachieve against better teams, but you can't replace that much scoring and also lose Baker and still expect to contend. San Jose State is the team no one wants to play, but also the one most can find a way to defeat over 40 minutes. A lower-tier finish is likely.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Marion Thurmond	Sr.	F	6-8/276	PTS: 5.6 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 0.5
Scott Sonnenberg	Sr.	G	5-11/167	PTS: 4.8 | REB: 0.8 | AST: 1.8

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Cory Powell	F	6-8/224	PTS: 13.6 | REB: 7.1 | AST: 1.2
Darnell Williams	F	6-7/204	PTS: 12.5 | REB: 7.3 | AST: 2.3
Mike Garrett	G	6-1/186	PTS: 12.2 | REB: 2.8 | AST: 2.0
Billy Landram	F	6-6/192	PTS: 9.0 | REB: 3.0 | AST: 1.9

San Jose State Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Moises Alvarez	G	6-2	Mt. San Jacinto, Calif./Mt. San Jacinto CC
Phil Calvert	G	6-2	Milwaukee/Cloud CC
Gary Black	G	6-3	Indian Hills (Calif.) CC
Garvin Davis	C	6-11	Fayetteville, N.C./Georgia Perimeter
Brandon Hawkins*	G	6-3	Los Angeles/Iowa State
Eric Washington	F	6-7	Lafayette, Ind./Barton County CC

* transfer who can join team after the fall semester