KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA players, from left, Rick Anderson, Luke Walton, Jason Gardner and Andrew Zahn hold the Pac-10 Tournament trophy while the team looks on earlier this month in Los Angeles.

One year and six players removed from the NCAA National Championship game, Arizona still managed an appearance in the Sweet 16.

After preseason talk of Arizona's possibility of making the NIT tournament, UA head coach Lute Olson again proved why he is one of the best coaches in the country.

He prepared a group of inexperienced players and had them ready to play by the time the first games rolled around - something that coaches such as Florida's Billy Donovan and Garry Williams of Maryland could not do with veteran teams.

There were a handful of losses and disappointments including two two-game losing steaks, but none were to teams that would be considered poor.

Also, the Wildcats' two losses to Oregon are tolerable. Oregon turned out to be an Elite Eight team, but defending the home court is vital. Arizona lost at home to Kansas, a team that is in the Final Four and is hands-down one of the best teams in the country.

Losing at Arizona State and then at home to Connecticut is more unforgivable.

Connecticut is another Elite Eight team, but again, losing at home to an unranked team after already being defeated twice in McKale Center jsut should not happen.

Being blown out by the Sun Devils should never happen. ASU did have a decent team that pulled off some upsets this year, but to stay on top, these losses should not happen.

When it comes down to it, the 2001-2002 season will be remembered by its eye-opening start and a trip to the Sweet 16.

With this in mind, here are my grades for the players and situations for the 2002 season.

Freshman guards

In a very tough, guard-dominated conference, Will Bynum and Salim Stoudamire held their own. Oftentimes, Stoudamire would be matched up against larger players such as UCLA's Jason Kapono or Stanford's Casey Jacobsen. Though at times both struggled, they proved they could hang with the country's best. Stoudamire received the majority of the playing time because of his solid all-around play and sweet stroke from outside. Bynum at times lacked defensive intensity according to Olson, but his big-play capabilities are yet to be fully realized. Everyone who saw Bynum drive the baseline and nearly throw down that sick dunk against Wyoming in the tournament knows what I am talking about.

Freshman forwards/center

Again, streaky play often left Arizona vulnerable in the middle. There were times when Isaiah Fox and Channing Frye looked like they had been in the league for at least two seasons. Then there were a few moments when they looked lost out on the court. Frye is developing into a good post player with a nice outside touch, while Fox has more of a physical punishing presence in addition to a soft touch. When both players have another year of experience to toughen up, the Arizona front line will be something to reckon with. Add in Dennis Latimore's tough body and intimidating scowl, and that adds another dimension to the inside. Latimore did not see extensive time, but showed signs of promise.

Juniors Ricky Anderson/Luke Walton/ Jason Gardner

This was supposed to be the mediocre core of a mediocre team. Gardner was the only real threat heading into the season, but Anderson - and especially Walton - kept Arizona on the tournament map. Walton had a breakout season and was the glue that kept Arizona together. Gardner's fear-nobody mentality and toughness was evident from the start. When Arizona needed a basket or a comeback, Gardner and Walton provided the spark. Anderson did have some big games, but in some of the most important ones, Anderson was out-muscled. Another year of hard work and this core will get even better.

Big-game performances

Yes, Arizona started the season with big wins over Maryland and Florida, but that was months ago. There were times when the Wildcats needed to pull out a victory with the Pacific 10 Conference title on the line and were unable to. The second loss to Oregon put Arizona in a deep hole. Then, after taking over the top spot in the conference, the Wildcats were swept in Los Angeles. To Arizona's credit - with the exception of the Oregon games and the second half of the Oklahoma game - the Wildcats went down swinging to the bitter end. No matter who it played, Arizona never let itself get demoralized.

Most Valuable Player - Luke Walton/ Jason Gardner

Really, there is almost no way to decipher who was more valuable. As Gardner could take over a game with big scoring nights and tough defense, Walton would quietly control and carry the team when Gardner was looking for his shot. When the two were clicking, Arizona was a tough team to beat. Gardner lacked the size at times but made up for it with heart. Walton was not the quickest player on the court at times but has some of the best passing eyes in the country. Take either away from the team and it would add four more losses to the season total. If both return, which Gardner should, these two will take their game and Arizona to the next level.