2000-01 record: 15-15; 11-5 in A-10 (4th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Crooks 9.0 ppg | Rebounds: Brand 4.7 rpg | Assists: Crooks 3.2 apg | FG %: Rogers 55.3% | 3pt %: Crooks 68.2% | FT %: Crooks 24.3% 00-01 Stats: GW | A-10

		Tuesday, Oct. 30 The single biggest key for UMass will be guard play and perimeter shooting. The Minutemen have the deepest frontcourt in the league, and can be competitive with just rebounding, shotblocking and interior scoring. Look for Kitwana Rhymer to emerge as one of the A-10's best big men, because nobody plays any harder. Freshman Anthony Anderson is a true point with a great feel, if he can find some shooters, UMass can be good.

Outlook
Former Villanova coach Steve Lappas' first season in Amherst gets a boost from his players' academic abilities. Specifically, after missing an entire season in the past, three Minutemen are playing this season because of their work in the classroom: sophomores Anthony Anderson and Raheim Lamb, who were ineligible last season as freshmen, and senior Kitwana Rhymer, who missed his freshman season but has earned back a fourth year because he was able to graduate in four years.

he additions of Anderson and Rhymer are especially key, what with UMass losing the No. 2 scorer in school history, Monty Mack (2,183 career points). Anderson, a 5-foot-11 guard, showed scoring promise on a preseason trip to Greece, and the 6-10, 256-pound Rhymer averaged 9.9 points and 7.3 rebounds last season. Two other returning starters are 6-11 junior center Micah Brand (8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and 6-2 senior guard Shannon Crooks (9.0 ppg, 3.2 apg).

Last season Crooks was the first player to lead the team in assists and steals (47) since Edgar Padilla in 1996-97. Two players who emerged on the Greece trip as possibly key contributors this season were 6-8 senior forwards Ronell Blizzard (1.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg) and Eric Williams (3.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

What we like: On the inside there is beef, with Brand, Rhymer and Williams all weighing 243 pounds or more. On the perimeter there is scoring potential in Anderson and Crooks. That's a nice balance.

What we don't like: Only single-digit scorers return from last season's 15-15 team. Especially early, Mack will be missed while the Minutemen find their way -- and determine their go-to guys on offense.

The bottom line: The team probably underachieved last season when it won 15 games. The loss of Mack could be offset by Lappas' infusion of enthusiasm, meaning another season in the 15-victory range could be in the offing.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Shannon Crooks	Jr.	G	6-2/222	PTS: 9.0 | REB: 3.5 | AST: 3.2
Micah Brand	Jr.	C	6-11/243	PTS: 8.4 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 0.6
Jackie Rogers	Jr.	F	6-8/230	PTS: 6.6 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 0.5
Kitwana Rhymer	Sr.	C	6-10/236	PTS: 9.9 | REB: 7.3 | AST: 0.7

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Monty Mack	G	6-3/200	PTS: 19.5 | REB: 2.9 | AST: 1.9
Jonathan DePina	G	5-9/185	PTS: 5.8 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 3.1

Massachusetts Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Brennan Martin	F	6-6	Rancho Santa Magarita/Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)
Kyle Wilson	G	6-1	White Rock Christian Academy/British Columbia