Oct. 9, 2000 SportsLine.com Reports

Big 12 Conference report

A glance at 2001

When looking back at the 2000 season, coach Ricardo Patton talked about the youthful mistakes that were made. While the mistakes may have hurt this year's team, the experience gained by players like Nick Mohr, Kyle Williams, Jose Winston, Stephane Pelle and Richard Fox should help tremendously next year.

Everyone in that group is a sophomore or freshman. And every one of those players saw significant amounts of playing time this season.

"I feel confident that we will put a good team on the floor next year."

Winston will take over at the point guard position full-time and is a guy who looks for the assist first and the shot second. With the loss of Jaquay Walls, the Buffs most likely will depend on perimeter passing and inside play next season.

The coach

In his fifth season at Colorado, Patton has established a winning tradition at CU. This past season, Patton became the second all-time winningest coach at CU.

But building a winning program hasn't come easy.

"Every year has been a challenge just because of where we are," Patton said. "It's challenging to try and build a program. Every year it seems as though we've had different challenges.

"This year we started out really well and looked as though we had a chance to be a special group -- and something happened. And I think this year because of the inconsistency with our play, we've all had to do a little growing."

Who'll be back

Jamahl Mosely, who established himself as one of the leaders for CU this past season, will return for his senior season. Thee 6-foot-8 forward averaged 14.5 points and 7.1 rebounds a game this past year.

Third and fourth leading scorers, Nick Mohr and Stephane Pelle, also will return. Mohr, a 6-foot-4 junior guard averaged 8.9 points while Pelle, a 6-foot-9 freshman forward, averaged 8.8 points.

In addition 6-foot-11 centers Carlton Carter and Richard Fox return.

Who's gone

Jaquay Walls, a 6-foot-3 guard who averaged 17.5 points per game, will be a big loss. He was the Buffs' go-to player.

Will Smith, a 6-foot-6 forward, who averaged 6.5 points per game, set the Colorado record for most games won in a career by a player.

Josh Townsend, a 6-foot-3 guard, overcame a rough junior season to contribute 2.2 points per game.

Key newcomers:

• Chevis Brimmer (5-11, 175): He is a guard from Meraux, Louisiana (Archbishop HS) that signed in the early period.
• Justin Harbert (6-1, 185): He is a guard from San Antonio, Texas (Taft HS) that signed in the early period.
• Blair Wilson (6-6, 225): Patton stayed in the state to get Wilson, who went to Westminster High School in Westminster, Colo.