USD Men's Basketball 2000-2001

OOUJP thing Boozer wants to discuss is winning: "We're a team, we win and lose as a team; if we win the title, it will be as a team. " Boozer is a bruiser who tips the scales at an intimidating 6-9, 270 pounds. While he takes the ball hard to the rim, he will be expected to control the boards for a team that is ranked No. 1 in almost every preseason poll. Playing in Battier's shadow (at the same position) is not unsettling to Boozer, who completely understands his role on the team. "Coach Kwants me to rebound, play intense, score points inside and play defense," said Boozer "If I do that and we all play hard together, we will win." During the off-season, Boozer admits that he concentrated too much on his conditioning early on, but began focusing on other important aspects of his game when he noticed he wasn't running as fast. "I wanted to get stronger so I could get better position inside for rebounds. I was only lifting weights and not working on anything else. That's when I started running and shooting like crazy" By shooting for two hours a day, he feels that his perimeter game has improved drastically. "I feel confident that I can hit a 15-17 foot jump shot if I have it." Whatever it takes to put another notch in the win column.

Nick Collison, KANSAS Head coach Roy Williams had the chance to take a dream coaching job at North Carolina, but was unwilling to trade Jayhawk blue for Carolina blue. One of the main reasons for his decision to stay was the return of 6-9 sophomore force Nick Collison. Collison averaged 10.5 points

and 6.9 boards as a freshman but feels that he has more to prove. "I wasn't as consistent last year as I think I will be this season. Coach Williams will get my best effort and then some, " said Collison. Improving post moves, strength and his jump shot were just a few of the things that Collison worked on this summer "We have plenty of talent around here but I would like to be the go-to guy very soon. I've worked hard and I feel confident that I can make the shot when the game is on the line," he said. Williams also expects Collison to be big on the glass for the Jayhawks this year "Coach Williams wants us (Drew Gooden, Eric Chenowith and Collison) to control the rebounds. If we do that, we'll be tough to beat." Michael Wright, ARIZONA Playing on the U S Select Men's team against the NBA McDyess and my old high school teammate Kevin Garnett, " said Wright. "It was a great time and it helped my game." But coach Lute Olsen has Wright thinking about the Wildcats' priorities for this sea– son in a big way. "Coach wants to win a national champi– onship, bottom line. That's what we're here to do. " Wright, a ferocious rebound machine and inside presence, will team up with Loren Woods to form one of the country's toughest tandems down low "Loren and I can hit the boards hard and lead by example. We can shut other teams down." Wright averaged 15.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and shot 57 percent from the floor last year, but was disappointed with the team's early exit from the NCAAs via Wisconsin. The loss served as motivation for his off-season training regimen. "I worked out with the Select Team, conditioned hard, and real– ly practiced my jumper But most importantly I did rebound– ing drills. That will help our team more than anything." • Olympic Dream Team this summer was indeed a dream for Arizona big man Michael Wright. "I got to match up against Antonio

Andre Hutson MICHIGAN STATE '

Defending a national champi– onship will be a difficult task for Michigan State without their emotional and physical leaders, Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson, both of whom went to the NBA Still, Andre Hutson thinks it can be done. Hutson, a senior who averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 rebounds last year, returns to a Spartan team that will field five seniors and the

nation's top high school recruit in Zach Randolph . While most of the off-season news about the defending champs was pointed towards Randolph and his academic adventures, Hutson worked feverishly on improving his game. "I bulked up a little bit (15-20 lbs.) and worked on my right hand and jump shot," said Hutson, "I want to contribute as much as I can during my senior year" Hutson feels that he will be a leader, albeit not a vocal one, for the Spartans. 'Tm a quiet guy who likes to lead by example. We have a veteran squad and some of those guys are leaders in the locker room. I want to lead on the court. " Hutson, along with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo knows that everyone will be gunning to dethrone the reigning champs throughout season, but Hutson feels up to the chal– lenge. "I worked on my footwork , getting quicker and stronger and my perimeter game, " he said. "I don't have to do it all, but I want to do more than my share because I know that everyone will be coming for us."

Joshua M. Shreckengost is acopy editor with Professional Sports Publications.