Last year: 31-3 overall, 16-2 Pac-10 (1st).
2001 Postseason: Lost to Maryland in fourth round of NCAA Tournament.
Preseason rank: No. 2 in Pac-10; No. 13 in AP Top 25.
Head Coach: Mike Montgomery (319-146 in 15 years at Stanford; 473-223 in 22 years overall).
Outlook: No team has won the Pac-10 title four years in a row since UA accomplished the feat more than a decade ago. Stanford looks to buck the trend, but is facing an uphill battle after losing four starters from last year's team.
Keys to success: The Cardinal need a host of inexperienced players to step up and assume new roles. Stanford might have a problem gelling as a team with a group of youngsters that have played scarcely.
Biggest questions: Can the Cardinal be consistent enough? Can Montgomery turn a group of inexperienced players into winners?
Last year's stars: The Collins twins (Jarron and Jason) carried the team on their shoulders last season. Jarron averaged 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, while Jason tossed in an average of 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest.
This year's playmaker: Junior guard Casey Jacobsen will undoubtedly be the leader on a team that is starving for experience. Jacobsen may be a bit cocky, but can afford to have a little attitude when he throws down an average of 18.1 points per game.
Big losses: Jarron Collins, Jason Collins, Michael McDonald and Ryan Mendez.
Top returnees: Julius Barnes, Curtis Borchardt, Tony Giovacchini, Casey Jacobsen and Teyo Johnson.
Hot newcomers: Josh Childress and Chris Hernandez.
æBrian Gomez
